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| | Controversial Strategies | | |      |
By Art SantellaIn past columns I've written about angle shots that bend the rules to the breaking point.
I came across this question and found to my surprise, that it generated a lot of controversy amongst players.
I had to cut many of the more confrontational strategy angle shots from the article, for obvious reasons.
I do not condone these so-called strategies.
At the same time some players use them regularly.
Believe it or Not.
Subject: Strategy we don't normally consider.QuestionI'd like to see a discussion on a few strategy points that we don't normally discuss.
Specifically those things that aren't directly related to playing strategy.
I'll start with a few ideas, but I'd like to hear any comments anyone has on these subjects.A.) Keeping a short handed game goingI've found that many players prefer to play in full games instead of short games.
Against typical opponents in the 3-6 to 10-20 ranges I think this is a tremendous mistake.
In fact I intentionally seek out and attempt to preserve short-handed games.
This assumes that there is at least one fish, or more than one player whom I consider inferior.
This principal basically only applies to Hold'em, as I think that the ante structure is too small in low/mid limit Stud games to play them short.
Some effective strategies I've used in the past to keep a good short game going are;Heading off the floor before he suggests we draw cards to go to other full games.
I inform him that all the players at this table wish to play short, and ask him to leave us alone, even though it's likely that the other players would draw for other tables if the floor actually came over and asked.
I keep reminding the other players that we are paying half time or half rake. B.) Becoming friends with the fish I introduce myself, and if they are drinking, I offer to buy them a drink or two or three.
Askabout their hobbies, and profession, and try to make them like me.C.) Driving out the good playerIf I can do it quietly, and if I'm pretty sure the game will keep going even shorter.
I've used several methods to accomplish this; I will rub in any conceivable mistake the player makes, and attempt to embarrass and aggravate him as much as possible.
I've tried starting an argument with the guy and make him very uncomfortable.
If the short game is one of a kind, (the only 5-10 Hold'em game for instance.) I'll wait until there is no floor person around, and then ask the other players their initials.
I'll go up to the podium and put the good player on the list for another game, and upon returning, say that I put us all on the list.
D.) Winning an argument with the floorAlthough I don't use this any more (because where I play I play regularly, I realize keeping a positive relationship with management is more valuable) there is one technique in winning a ruling that works best.
Be the loudest arguer, and get your point across first.
This obviously works best with inexperienced dealers and players who you may be able to bully without the floor intervening.E.) Getting strangers to fold or call you with the use of table talkThe more you talk, the more likely they will call THE FIRST TIME.
The more animated you become, the more you babble the more things your opponent will find as a reason to call you.
I played in a game that was dominated by 4 drunks having fun (not really playing serious poker).
I back into a full house on the river and find my self heads up with one of two fish.
I bet the max and notice that he has a serious decision to make and is considering folding.
I stand up, stare into his eyes, and say "FOLD, FOLD, FOLD!! I command you to fold!" and at the same time I wave my hands at him like I'm casting a spell.
Sounds nuts? I think he called with a pair of sixes.
At any rate this works best (as with most strategies of this nature) against poor players.
Against poor players if you try this trick and it works, you can use it again with almost 100% reliability the next time you bluff the same player!F.) Flashing your bank rollI mean showing off a large bankroll or other indication that you have a huge bankroll in relationship to the level you are playing.
While this doesn't have any effect at all against most players, it may be very intimidating to players who are playing over their head, with scared money, or are not used to casino poker.
Most of the above are useful ways of attaining psychological ascendancy over weak players.Opinion 1On the surface there is something to be gained from doing all the above mentioned cheat-shots.
Many low limit players resort to this kind of behavior because they are not really good players.
Recreational players come to enjoy themselves, if somebody behaves like this, they don't have a good time and never come back.
We all lose from this kind of behavior.
It is amazing that some people think that they are so smart by taking a bunch of cheap shots.
If they put as much work into playing better poker, as they did creating ways to take advantage of the rules/people, they would not have to resort to this.
First of all, it is almost always wrong to do something which embarrasses, or makes uncomfortable, a recreational player.
Since this may have the tendency to drive that player away.
With most players, being on friendly terms is a much better idea.
Pulling any kind of shot in a friendly fun game, that could be interpreted, as a hostile angle is a big mistake.
A game where people are having fun, laughing, and enjoying each other's company is almost always better than a game where people are trying to cut each other up.
Opinion 2How I conduct myself during the session matters.
I have little respect for tilters, dealer abusers and the like.
I'm not particularly proud of myself when I display similar traits.
The stigma of misconduct will last much longer than any win or loss from a single session.
Similarly, the way I went about my play matters, too.
Most of us, even the most "serious" of us, are recreational players in the clinical sense of the term.
Poker winnings come and go, but my self-esteem is something I'll keep for the rest of my life.
I won't resort to underhanded methods of earning a living, or of winning a golf match.
Why should I do so to win a bit of money in a poker game? In poker, as in life, the journey is the destination - observe the golden rule along the way.Arty's OpinionI agree, Enough said.
Now go win money.
Please post them in our Poker.
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