Poker Types

For the sake of argument, let’s imagine that there are only three types of people: the bores, the students and the wise. If that sounds simplistic, please consider that I’m British and that over here we only have three genres of film: comedy, tragedy and Guy Ritchie.

Now let’s argue that the former three categories have defining philosophies for poker: the bores believe there are lessons for life at the table; the students think they should listen to the bores; and the wise admit their ignorance. (Am I stealing from bumper sticker philosophy? Possibly, but lose marks for not thinking ‘I don’t know’.)

The bores can be to quick categorise their opponents and limited in their thinking. They are represented by the jaded veterans who think they have ‘seen it all before’. They probably have, but they have forgotten how to make esoteric connections.

The students are so desperate to graduate to the higher echelons of the game that they ape the style of the bores and close their minds to innovation. It is poker by rote: always fold AJ in early position because a fool and his money are easily parted, and at the end of the day luck evens itself out. They are the kind of player who would celebrate if their local card house decided to name a pretzel after them.

The true ones to watch are the wise: they know they can learn poker tips from anywhere. Let me give you an example of a recent off-table epiphany. (I make no claims to wisdom, but I’m proud that I am no student and, if you are still reading, I’m probably not a fully-fledged bore.)

Transport for London is running a viral campaign at the moment to make drivers more aware that it can be very easy to miss events on the road. I urge you to check them out here (and here) - it helps the fluidity of the piece, but they are genuinely clever and shocking.

They prove how easy it to miss detail. It is a common flaw at the poker table as well as on the streets of Camden.

Here is an example from Hold ‘em

You have KK in mid-position. It has been a while since you saw two painted characters and you become excited.
Another punter raises four times the big blind, taking it to $8, so you instantly kick it to $22. Why may you have acted rashly?

Think about it. I accept that there will be more than one possibility but there is a particular oversight I want to address.

Answer tomorrow.