Its All Just Poker

Poker-y opportunities present themselves in mysterious ways (break out into the U2 song here if you wish) around my house after the kids head off to bed. Flicking on the computer to do nothing more then write for the “serious” blog becomes a three hour tangle with the uber-donkeys in the nightly 28K at Full Tilt. Since my recent string of trying to obtain a wooden $26 token have been swatted away like David Ortiz sending a hanging curve ball somewhere near the Canadian boarder (I’d use a Twins’ analogy here but they score about as often as I do in bed).

With nay a token in the moleskin pouch, I had to jump into the wilderness of the 28K by buying directly. Direct buy-ins are not something I’m fond of doing, after all I’d much rather blow $100 in the first fifteen minutes chasing flush and low draws in ring games. The tournament was somewhat of a causal stroll around Lake Nokomis, quiet for the most part with the outer sounds of geese expressing their displeasure for stepping in their bathrooms and the cars busily zooming by on their way home for their occupants to catch the final Jeopardy question. Little thought involved over the three hours as a few steals and one set versus a OMGITSAFLUSHDRAWLETSPUSHALLIN that thankfully missed all 50 outs and shipped me some minor mobneys at the end when I couldn’t get someone to let go of a pair of fives for half their stack.

Are these tourneys considered “real” tournament poker? Or does the buy-in need to exceed a certain amount to be taken seriously? Me, I enjoy these card lotteries for entertainment and the potential high return, but don’t put much stock into them as “serious” poker mainly due to the devaluation of the chips for 95% of the tournament. Sure the chips have value prior to the final table of a MTT, but isn’t that when they’re worth the most and pressure bets actually have a certifiable meaning. Making a level 28 poker move by pushing with a OESD and whining when called by a measly pair that holds up during blind level four isn’t compelling poker, its gambling. You’re gambling that your opponent has read one or two poker books and “understands” your pressure bet, you’re gambling that they’re not bored, and you’re gambling that they cared about pressing the radio button and the funds to pay for the tourney which you find yourself sitting on the sidelines of.

There’s no doubt there’s skill involved with each brand of poker, but when the chips are pure entertainment versus cashable funds it adds a layer of accountability to keep those chips. Also, many people say “well the buy-in wasn’t high enough to be serious”. Its all relative, and unless you know the player personally, I have a hard time believing people can tell the difference online. A PLO8 regular called out someone after minor beat and did the “U SUK!!! LOLOLOLOL” uninteresting chat while challenging him heads up to a sword swinging match. The “donkey” (who really wasn’t) calmly took him on his offer and sat down at $10/$20 with the max buy in waiting for the steamer to join (he didn't). The point is those who appear to be a bad player that doesn’t care about the money might not be (in a tourney or cash game), and those with a bulge in their pants barking loudly probably misplaced a tube sock in their pocket.

Thanks for dropping by, now please view Hitler’s displeasure towards online poker, sehr gut!

Thank you Mr. Rini.