Poker News

Scott Aigner

Tom McEvoy stated in Tournament Poker that no limit hold em is hours of boredom filled with minutes of sheer terror. I believe that actually describes the job of an anaesthesiologist, a fireman, or even a policeman. I like to think of the moments of sheer terror as moments of sheer exhilaration. There is nothing more exciting than to have all of your chips in the middle of the table whether on a complete bluff, a draw, or even with the stone cold nuts. We all live for excitement. It is one of the greatest emotions we experience as a human being. It is why we are all attracted to the game.

Another reason I enjoy no limit poker is the amount of psychology involved when compared to limit poker. The structure entails more decision making. The difference between calling a fixed bet and a pot sized bet (or an all in move) adds to the excitement but it also adds more variables. Why did he bet this amount? Why did he move all in? Is he bluffing or is the person afraid he will be out drawn? The fear factor is obvious to some but the thrill factor is even higher for me.

No limit poker also has higher rewards for those who make the right decisions and punishes those who make the wrong ones. The analogy is similar to making life or death decisions. In order to survive one must be willing to die. I just love it when I am on life support with a short stack and make a quick and miraculous recovery. Although I hate the bad beats in poker they do not have a significant toll on my real life. I will still be able to play another tournament when I am eliminated. I live to fight again!

Finally, No limit poker allows one to use all of the strategies of poker in a more effective manner. The bluff has a greater chance to be successful. A pot sized bluff has more meaning. Is it a value bet because I have a good hand or is it a bluff that represents a value bet? It is definitely more thought provoking and the correct decisions have greater meaning. Anyone can call on the end when the pot is huge in limit poker despite the chance that they only have a 10% chance of winning the pot. In no limit, this automatic call is almost eliminated from the equation.

Moments of sheer terror? For me it is more like the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat. It is the ability to control one’s fears and be in control of my own psyche that I enjoy. It is the ultimate fear factor yet it is also the ultimate thrill factor. It is the epitome of what a game is about. More risks, more rewards, more excitement, and more thrills make no limit poker the most popular game in tournaments today. Shuffle up and deal!

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