Poker News

Peter ‘the poet’ Costa

In article after article, and forum post after forum post - the issue of ‘bad beats’ in online poker continues. On one hand, the conspiracy theorists throw out a variety of imaginative and intriguing suggestions as to why these occur. On the other; we have the counter arguments that focus on the actual odds of these so called ‘bad beats’. The truth is, bad beats are part and parcel of the game.

As any regular player in b/m cardrooms would testify - strange things also happen in the ‘real’ poker world. But herein lies the problem! Even some pros and seasoned players - struggle with accepting bad beats! So what chance has the online player, who is far less experienced? Furthermore, if online players get dealt three times the number on hands online - they must surely experience three times the number of bad beats? If that is the case, and the odds of probability indicate that it is - then perhaps bad beats should be eradicated from poker altogether? Obviously, us pros, old-times and grinders don’t need for this to happen (we can all take it, can’t we guys?). So lets just make it…. the eradication of online bad beats!

But this would suggest that poker is not a perfect product! Well…..I know in the real world it certainly isn’t! But I guess we already knew that - otherwise Phil Hellmuth would win every event!

But seriously, bad beats are an issue if they drive players away from poker. I even once jokingly suggested, that we should look at how to eradicate some of the luck factor in poker. I recall it was during one of the events at theBellagio, when having seen a whole bunch of all-ins, and the underdog winning each time - that I had had enough! First of all; we should begin with the all-in, pre-flop showdowns. In such cases, the worst hand would have the choice to forfeit 50% of the stack! No flop and no bad beat. The worst hand gets another chance, the best hand makes a healthy and unchallenged profit.

Obviously, some of us doubted the possibility of such a rule - but we did all agree that it would certainly reduce some of the bad beats! We then joked at a few other ideas. Including the one that suggested a penalty for any player - that handed out more than three bad beats in a tournament!

But joking aside, this conversation did highlight that this beautiful game of our’s - could perhaps do with the odd change or two. But eradicating or reducing the bad beat is just not possible - or is it?

I was with Phil Hellmuth just recently in London. We met an hour before two patent attorneys were to join us. I then hit Phil with a format of playing poker that dealt with some of the negative issues of online poker. Lets just say that we eagerly awaited the arrival of the attorneys and to their evaluation. Patent potential for sure! That was obviously great news - hence the subject of this article. Oh, and before I forget - many thanks to the bad beat! For, it’s during the search to eradicate this monster - that this new format came together.

And as often is the case when developing new ideas - one leads to another….and then another….And the outcome? Hmm…..slightly tricky to explain as I am running out of my allotted space here. I am perhaps thinking that I should leave the readers on tenterhooks with something like……lets see…..a simple statement perhaps? Something along the lines of ……”A unique and dramatic change to online poker awaits”? But I thought against doing this - as it would be unfair to tease readers in this way. So I will just say this……the key to the solution - can only be found - if you believe a solution is needed.

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