Poker News

Tom ‘Time’ Leonard

In this installment of Improving Performance, let’s discuss reasons. There are normally reasons for most everything. Even if an event cannot be supported by documented, scientific evidence we can always rely on faith to make sense as to a “reason” for a particular event. Ever notice how important “reasons” are to people? People tend to want some kind of rationale for events. More importantly, many people feel compelled to offer reasons to the world at large to explain their own actions. The reasoning that intrigues me is the kind that fellow poker players seem to feel obligated to share with the rest of the table to explain their actions Of course, some of this is intended misdirection but much of it is simply because people need reasons in their own mind to explain to others their actions.

I’m talking about the phrases that accompany actions in a poker game. An example that we’ve all heard before would be a player attempting to justify a loose call by stating, “I’ll look at one more card”. Is this really necessary? Of course not–if a player is willing to look at one more card, he’ll probably look at two or three. Maybe even go all the way to the river. So what’s going on here? “I’ve got the over card, have to bet it”, “I’ve got chips now”, “Gotta play my rush”, “Have to keep you honest”, “I know I’m beat but I have to call you”, “I guess this is a compulsory call”, and my all time favorite, “What the hell, I need change”. This certainly was not intended to be an all inclusive list of idiotic sayings that some players utter with surprising frequency. That undertaking would of course produce volumes. Let’s explore some “reasons” for all these articulated “reasons” that we so frequently hear.

Many players seem to need approval for their actions. They need to feel that others understand that they have in fact a plan or a valid reason to justify their actions The first thing to do when you start to hear “reasons” is to determine if they are just flowing out of a player’s mouth without forethought or if the comment itself is part of a plan such as intended deception. If, as most inane reasons like the above, are just free flowing then your conclusion should be that you are seated with some weak, unskilled, and undisciplined players. This is good, a place you want to be!

If, on the other hand, the inane reasons appear to be intended misdirection as part of a plan, then guess what? You are seated with some weak, unskilled, and undisciplined players. This is good, a place you want to be! Is there an echo in here? No, that’s not an echo. It just means that it really doesn’t matter what is going through the mind of a player who feels compelled to articulate a reason for his actions Either way you’re an odds on favorite to be playing with a weak, unskilled, and undisciplined player or players. There’s that echo again.

Our goal for this session is one we’ve had many times before. Namely, to pay close attention to your opponents. Take off those earphones so you don’t miss the chatter which takes place in most games. When you start hearing those inane “reasons” being blurted out around you they should be music to your ears. They are to mine! See you next “TIME”.

Filed under: Poker News