Poker News

Mike Eikenberry

I recently played extremely well and just killed a $10-$20 limit hold’em game. It was like leading the lambs to slaughter. I felt like I deserved a good meal, and decided to head for the “All you can eat buffet.” There I consumed a rack of ribs, roast beef, fish of the day, and all the trimmings, along with a sampling of the desserts and two glasses of merlot.

When I got back to my game, a large turnover in players had occurred. In no time I not only found it hard to stay awake, but lost my large earlier winnings. I finally quit a substantial loser initially thinking my luck had gone from good to bad. Then it hit me. ATAYCEB*, the game had changed. Now it was like leading the hog to slaughter and I was the hog. (*ATAYCEB: After The All You Can Eat Buffet).

Playing the Ego. A poker player’s excessive ego can cost him money, especially in Las Vegas. Often, the egotist does not even realize what has happened.

I was watching a $20-$40 hold’em game at the Mirage Casino with a local poker pro named John. There were three tourists in the game who were playing loose and winning a high percentage of the hands. Although they seemingly did not know one another previously, they had become friendly during their 4-5 hour poker session. As a courtesy, after one of them won a pot, he would give the other two players $10 apiece. Since they were all winning about the same number of pots, this practice amounted to no more than giving the same $10 chips back and forth. John claimed if he got in on this arrangement, however, it would be very profitable. I was about to see what he meant.

A seat came open and John sat down in the game next to Joe, one of the tourists. John noticed that Joe looked like he was doing well with about $2,000 in chips in his stacks. John bought in for $500.

Shortly thereafter, Joe won a bigpot and gave his two comrades their $10. John asked in a friendly tone why he had done this. Joe said it was just a friendly courtesy. John said it looked like a good idea and he would be happy to join in. Joe hesitantly smiled; uncertain whether he wanted John to participate. John then gave Joe two $5 chips, saying, “If you’re short on funds, let me give you $10.” Joe’s ego now took over and he threw John $20 saying, “No. No. Here is your $10 and $10 more.” John, profiting $10 already, said, “Okay, but I’m giving you and your friends $10 apiece whenever I win a pot.” Not to be outdone, they all agreed to do the same with him.

Over the next few hours, John kept track of the results of the “courtesy exchange.” The three loose players won 110 pots between them. John played much more solid and selectively, only winning 20 total hands. John received $1,110 while paying out $600. His net gain was $510. Joe never noticed the cost of his excessive ego.

IN AND OUT RIDDLE

What determines the In and Out List? The answer will appear next issue. Thanks to everyone who purchased my new book. The first printing sold out and the second printing is due in late January. If you ordered after December 1, you should receive your copy no later than February. Your patience and support are appreciated.

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