Why play?
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 @ 11:08 AM
What is that makes those who know the least about poker more inclined to share their "knowledge" with everyone else at the table? I witnessed an individual attempt to debate poker theory with players who have literally won millions playing poker. I then watched as the same individual, on a different night, made some of the worst plays I believe I've ever seen.
Yet he constantly strives to convince everyone he's a good player...
The poker theory argument pertained to how best to adjust your play when the game becomes short-handed. His theory: when the game is short-handed, you must play less hands than at a full ring game. Even I cast a sideways glance when he stated his approach. Watching the reaction of the pros to his announcement provided a good thirty minutes of amusement. When asked why he thought he needed to play less hands, he enthusiastically stated, "You have to play less hands so that you pay less rake!"
A few nights later, the same individual finds himself in middle position. The first player to act raises to $9. There are three callers before it gets to our hero. He peeks at his cards, holds them up for the dealer to see - pocket 7s - and...wait for it...mucks! The flop, of course, brought a 7. After the hand, our hero told anyone who would listen what he had folded and why it was a good play.
Most recently, he found himself holding A-J in the big blind and chose to check when nobody raised. With a Jack on the flop he bet about half the pot. Holding top pair, top kicker, he folded when faced with a raise and a re-raise (both min-raises). As always, he slowed the game to a crawl as he made a point of showing his neighbor his cards and waiting for some type of signal that he was doing the right thing when he mucked his hand. The two players left in the hand checked the turn and river as they both missed their draws. Ace high took down the pot. Our hero, of course, continued to maintain that he had made the right play.
A player at the table asked why he even bothered to play the game. I didn't bother to wait around for him to answer. I already knew his answer without hearing it. He just wanted hours for the freeroll.
I think I'd understand better if said player were advancing in years - maybe - but he's not even thirty. I can't imagine...
You see some amazing stuff. You should write a book, no wait, you are -- it's called a blog.
I'm writing a book, too, but progress is slow. Lost some motivation somewhere along the way. Some day I might get back to it...some day ;)
You think he goes home and tells his wife he played perfect poker it was just the luck of the cards?
All those dumb players sitting at the table not telling anyone how good they are, just taking his money from him.
Strange.
LOVE IT!!!!! =]
MORE MORE MORE!!!!!!!!!!! ^_^
My other favorites are the ones that take it all too seriously. I played with a guy the other night who was just sure that he was getting raised light all night by a guy who I know to be super tight. He finally decided he was going to stand up to this bully and wound up giving away his whole stack.