Joined: Jan '08
Location: Brazil
Age: 44 (M)
Posts: 1788
Many times we are faced with an anti-sport action which is to fold cards which we normally would play, simply and basically to keep alive and not take any chances.
Ok, I have done this in the past and I believe many of us do it frequently in tournament play. How do you see this? I often question myself about it:
"How can I be a champion if I fold on purpose because I am "afraid" to play and lose?"
Joined: Mar '08
Location: Finland
Age: 40 (M)
Posts: 1
That's quite obvious in tournaments that people try to play safe to stay alive. I don't see it as bad sport because you are free to fold anytime if you see that you ain't gonna win. It's more like part of the game, I guess. Different thing are people who just play slow and make their turns as long as possible to stay in game with small chips. That's a bad sport, I think.
Joined: Jan '08
Location: Brazil
Age: 44 (M)
Posts: 1788
Hankka, thanks you for the reply. Yes, of course I know why people do it, but what I´m trying to spark here is the fact the people want to win by being afraid of losing and not playing! This to me is very controversial.
------------ *** WOW, I RECEIVED A NEGATIVE VOTE FOR THIS TOPIC, IS SOMEONE TRIPPING ON ACID?
------------ LOL, please be kind enough to name yourself and the reason why you chose to vote what I wrote down as negative.
Joined: Oct '07
Location: Philippines
Age: 41 (M)
Posts: 1443
Ouch, that's gotta hurt.
anyway on topic, it will be very very hard to win if you are afraid to lose, for me, to be able to win you've gotta at least lose something so you can get better. te best way to learn is from your mistakes.
Joined: Jan '08
Location: Brazil
Age: 44 (M)
Posts: 1788
I agree 100%.
I see many times, players close to being bubble, they start folding and hoping some other player will go all in and lose. Ok, some may say this is a strategic defense and survival move, others say it is plain chicken.
I still don´t have my mind made up about this subject.
Joined: Oct '07
Location: Philippines
Age: 41 (M)
Posts: 1443
If you ask me it is a defense play, even survival, mostly for people playing sss, but if you see that the player already has $50 on a NL10 table then that's plain chicken
Joined: Jan '08
Location: Brazil
Age: 36 (M)
Posts: 273
Simple thing to remember: Poker is all about winning money, if you are in a position that you don't have enough chips to put in danger, but have enough to survive until ITM, playing to win money doesn't sound wrong to me....
Playing to win, to get respect and stuff is for the big boys who already have a good bankroll and stuff...
Beginners and people with low banks.... surviving is the way
Joined: Feb '08
Location: United States
Age: 54 (M)
Posts: 407
I used to play just to get in the money, and yes it worked I would make the money. But not far into it , so it really wasnt very profitable for me. One day I was watching Allen Cunningham play in one of the FTOPS events on FT and that changed it all for me. He plays to win 1st place. Sure I dont get in the money as often now, but when I do I usually get very deep in the field and have a chance to win. Afterall you dont really win much unless you get to the final table. As far as when im near the buble I ignore the fact, and still play to win.
Joined: Oct '07
Location: Sweden
Age: 36 (M)
Posts: 28
Posted by jack37: I used to play just to get in the money, and yes it worked I would make the money. But not far into it , so it really wasnt very profitable for me. One day I was watching Allen Cunningham play in one of the FTOPS events on FT and that changed it all for me. He plays to win 1st place. Sure I dont get in the money as often now, but when I do I usually get very deep in the field and have a chance to win. Afterall you dont really win much unless you get to the final table. As far as when im near the buble I ignore the fact, and still play to win.
That's exactly what i should be doing, but i'm afraid for hitting the bubble again. Done it to many times.
But i should start playing like Allen Cunningham as you said.
