How To Play The Damn Game
2008-02-13 14:23:58
By: Gene Bromberg
What with the introduction of our new RAI$E program I neglected to comment on the first episode of The Best Damn Poker Show. And as we're already looking for contestants for a second go-round of the show if you didn't catch the premiere episode you're at a disadvantage. So, some quick observations:
Poker is a game where luck can play a big part in the short-term. The key to being a successful player is to think long-term--if you make correct decisions time and time again you'll be a winning player, even if making a goofy play here and there might win you a big pot. That was the case with a player named Rich, who was the chip leader at one of the elimination tables, called a raise with 5-3 suited, flopped a straight, and led out with a big bet. He won the pot, had a big chip lead...and Annie and Phil booted him. Though I did admire his moxie as he strode out of the casino and said, "They have some funny things that they believe in, and that's their perogative to do that. But I think they way they judge it...sucks. Period."
Reinforcing the idea that chips do not equal success in this format, Joe Reitman wasn't thrown overboard even though he was the first player knocked out at his table. He made a loose call on the river that Phil and Annie both hated, but the hand where he got stacked was pretty rough. Joe raised with Aces and was called in two places, including Matt Murray with pocket Tens. Matt flopped top set and smooth-called when Joe let out after the flop. A blank fell on the turn, Joe bet, Matt raised, and after turning the situation over a few seconds Joe made the call. He was dead to an Ace that didn't come and he headed for the rail. But not out the door--we've all been in his shoes, it's hard to get away from Aces, especially if the stacks aren't super-deep. It happens. The fact that Joe is Annie Duke's boyfriend can I think be safely discounted as a reason why he was retained.
I have to say that I sympathized with Susan, the player who was eliminated from that table. She chopped a pot with Hollywood Dave Stann (who's table chatter didn't seem to faze anyone) when she had him dominated, and then Phil and Annie didn't like that she folded A-7 in early position and didn't re-raise with A-8 suited. It was a short-handed table and so those medium Aces rise in value, but was that worthy of elimination? As Susan herself said, "I'm shocked...quite frankly, I've read Phil's book and didn't see anywhere to play A-8 under the gun." I have to say that I'm on her side on this one. Tight does not always equal passive, and in this format she might've thought survival was more important than winning. What if she re-raises with that A-8 and Matt Murray has A-K? If he re-pops, does she call off her entire stack with A-8? How might that be interpreted? Phil said before the show that he didn't want to see people putting all their chips at risk with garbage. A-8 might not be garbage, but there are a few flies buzzing around it.
Now that I've risked the wrath of the Poker Gods (in this case personified by Phil and Annie) let's move on the quickest elimination of the night. Before the start of play Annie warned that weak, passive play would not be rewarded. And so when Tara Nobui (from Phil and P0ker H0's hometown of Madison, WI) folded Ace-King suited preflop, Annie and Phil leapt from their chairs and sent her packing before the hand even concluded. Now, Ace-King is a big hand, especially when it's sooted. But Tara was facing a raise and a re-raise, and as she was out of position she'd either have to move all-in or be the first to act after the flop. Now, considering the format of the show (which Phil mentioned as he explained why she was being bounced) she should've moved in there. Even if she was up against Aces, that's just a tough spot and she wouldn't have been punished for it. But it's can be hard to re-wire your brain to think like that, and when she defended herself she said that she knew she was laying down a big hand, but that the action made her think she was behind. "I thought it was a good fold," Tara said, "but that isn't the style they're looking for".
So, if you're thinking of trying out for The Best Damn Poker Show 2, get out the file and start sharpening those fangs. Because you have to play AGGRESSIVELY. You must first prove that you do not fear putting in your chips with a big hand before you display your soul-reading skills and making that big laydown. We shall see what insights the other players gleaned when the second episode airs on Monday.
Permalink: http://www.ultimatebet.com/poker-blog-post/How-To-Play-The-Damn-Game/2457
