Tampa Bay Poker Group

Ever been driving down the street and see some idiot swerve across four lanes of rush-hour traffic to avoid missing turn?  Of course you have, it happens every day.  A common response to that occurrence is probably, "Wow, what an idiot!" or "What is that guy thinking?"  The fact is that the majority of people you come into contact with in on a daily basis are the person who doesn't think twice about making the desparation lane change in order to save the hassle of turning down the next street or making a U-turn. 

Now think about all the times you've been sitting down at a poker table (live or online) and someone makes a play that baffles you beyond belief.  I'm willing to guess most of you have that reaction several times per poker session.  I know I do, especially when I am the victim of the dreaded donkey punch.  The question is, after playing hundreds, thousands and maybe even millions of hands of poker, why should I, or you, be surprised by the irrational play of your opponent?  The answer is, you shouldn't be surprised.  However, as rational people, we condition ourselves to believe that the person sitting across from you at the table is also rational and capable of making intelligent decisions.  Hell, it's human nature to want to give someone you nothing about the benefit of the doubt.  A wise man (Coach) always says, "You can't expect people to think rationally."  (Or something along those lines).     

As an example, let's take a look at a hand I played in the Daily Double.  (Note:  the point of this is not to bemoan my bad luck, tell a bad beat story, accuse anyone of cheating, or allege that Full Tilt is rigged.) 

Full Tilt Poker Game #10676240442: Daily Double - B (79562420), Table 34 - 30/60 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:44:35 ET - 2009/02/16
Seat 1: Nomadegen (1,377)
Seat 2: lucky mojo (2,255)
Seat 3: WinMeSomeMoney (2,805)
Seat 4: djm5255 (645)
Seat 5: likeypoker (2,180)
Seat 6: giantbunnies (1,860)
Seat 7: Joe Bob McGirth (1,746)
Seat 8: parenting101 (3,275)
Seat 9: sheepdog22 (4,897)
sheepdog22 posts the small blind of 30
Nomadegen posts the big blind of 60
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to djm5255 [? ?]
lucky mojo folds
WinMeSomeMoney folds
djm5255 raises to 180
likeypoker folds
giantbunnies folds
Joe Bob McGirth folds
parenting101 has [Td Kd]

If you're in parenting101's position, what goes through your mind when you look down at Td Kd?  A rational player probably looks at a few things when deciding how to act and can easily conclude what the correct play is in this situation.  Let's pretend that I'm parenting101 and I'm a rational player.  The first thing I notice as a rational player is DJM5255's stack size (approximately 11 bbs).  The second thing I notice is that DJM5255 just raised a quarter or 25% of his stack from middle position.  The third I notice is the location of my cursor in relation to the fold button so I can click it as quickly as possible before irrational thoughts creep into my head. 

However, as we all know, parenting101 is not a rational player and decides to reraise all in.  You all know how this plays out before you even see it, but I will appease your curiosity and post the result anyway.

Full Tilt Poker Game #10676240442: Daily Double - B (79562420), Table 34 - 30/60 - No Limit Hold'em - 21:44:35 ET - 2009/02/16
Seat 1: Nomadegen (1,377)
Seat 2: lucky mojo (2,255)
Seat 3: WinMeSomeMoney (2,805)
Seat 4: djm5255 (645)
Seat 5: likeypoker (2,180)
Seat 6: giantbunnies (1,860)
Seat 7: Joe Bob McGirth (1,746)
Seat 8: parenting101 (3,275)
Seat 9: sheepdog22 (4,897)
sheepdog22 posts the small blind of 30
Nomadegen posts the big blind of 60
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to djm5255 [Ad Ah]
lucky mojo folds
WinMeSomeMoney folds
djm5255 raises to 180
likeypoker folds
giantbunnies folds
Joe Bob McGirth folds
parenting101 has 15 seconds left to act
parenting101 raises to 3,275, and is all in
sheepdog22 folds
Nomadegen folds
djm5255 calls 465, and is all in
parenting101 shows [Td Kd]
djm5255 shows [Ad Ah]
Uncalled bet of 2,630 returned to parenting101
*** FLOP *** [9s Qc Qs]
*** TURN *** [9s Qc Qs] [Ts]
*** RIVER *** [9s Qc Qs Ts] [Tc]
parenting101 shows a full house, Tens full of Queens
djm5255 shows two pair, Aces and Queens
parenting101 wins the pot (1,380) with a full house, Tens full of Queens
djm5255 stands up
Nomadegen stands up
lucky mojo stands up
WinMeSomeMoney stands up
likeypoker stands up
giantbunnies stands up
Joe Bob McGirth stands up
parenting101 stands up
sheepdog22 stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,380 | Rake 0
Board: [9s Qc Qs Ts Tc]
Seat 1: Nomadegen (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: lucky mojo didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: WinMeSomeMoney didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: djm5255 showed [Ad Ah] and lost with two pair, Aces and Queens
Seat 5: likeypoker didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: giantbunnies didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: Joe Bob McGirth didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: parenting101 (button) showed [Td Kd] and won (1,380) with a full house, Tens full of Queens
Seat 9: sheepdog22 (small blind) folded before the Flop

This is a prime example of an irrational play.  Only an idiot, half-wit or otherwise would think shoving is the optimal play in that situation. 

The purpose of this blog is to drive it into your brain that thinking your opponent is rational and capable of making rational decisions is the WRONG WAY TO THINK AT THE POKER TABLE.  Unless you have information on a player, the correct way to play is to assume the person you are playing is an idiot, and play accordingly.