Poker Journal

[thepeopleseason]

Down $40 dollars in regular poker. I came to the conclusion tonight, on my way home that many of the games we play regularly, Kiss of Death (5-Card Razz), 727, Itsy-Bitsy, even Screwy Louie for the most part, are far more games of chance than games of skill. Sure, there's the betting and bluffing portion of it, and the reading bets, people, and patterns, but honestly, I think most of the players at the table just play to see where cards fall.

In contrast, I played a $10 dollar buy-in tournament with everyone there today where nine people went at one another with an equal amount of chips. I ended up getting knocked out fifth, after I raised all-in with the A-Qs. Jason, who would ulitmately win the tournament had pocket ladies. But I played Texas Hold'Em for what I imagine was going on four hours.

I know khubli tends to find Texas rather boring, and really, it's not the most exciting game, even when a lot of us are playing blind or playing off-suit rags. We might see some interesting showdowns, but it's not like betting huge sums of money on a spin of the Roulette wheel. Ultimately, though, it's a fascinating study for me, to be able to watch players, put them on cards, and develop skills beyond watching random cards go to players.

And I think this partly is why I'm growing more and more dissatisfied with our weekly wild-card games. Of course, the other part is losing money all the time.

Comments

Re: chance vs. skill

[khubli.livejournal.com]

But even pot- and no-limit games get into some trouble within the context of our own group. Kiss of Death is one particular example.

How so? Are you saying that I will call a $100 dollar raise on a whim if I have a King showing in Kiss of Death? Well it may be a whim, but it's also my instincts putting the remaining player (usually in this case) on a pair. I've been burnt doing that in both situations, but that my friend is what Amarillo Slim would call gambling. It stirs my blood, but if you know that the other person is trying to bluff you? why not call it if that's what you feel. The only person that loses in that situation is the one playing the gamble. If you're not comfortable losing your bet, don't place it. I know it's arrogant to say in a game that is supposed to remain friendly. But it's true in 2 dollar limit games. If I know for certain I've got a losing hand, I'll fold it in the wild card games.... even in Hold'em if the pre-flop raise get's out of control. Really depends on how the cards have been falling and what kind of mood I'm in.

I'm on a trend of hot cards, hell yes, I'm gonna call crap hold cards until the cards start falling differently.

my $2 worth. (raise)

Re: chance vs. skill

[thepeopleseason.livejournal.com]

How so? Are you saying that I will call a $100 dollar raise on a whim if I have a King showing in Kiss of Death?

Not $100 on a whim... Even you have limits.

Earnie, however...

Ultimately, what I'm saying is that KoD is all about who has 1) the cards and/or 2) the money.

Well it may be a whim, but it's also my instincts putting the remaining player (usually in this case) on a pair. I've been burnt doing that in both situations, but that my friend is what Amarillo Slim would call gambling.

Yeah, that's what I was saying--a lot of times, I can tell you're playing for the blood-stirring action--playing hands blind, calling near-losers at KoD. It's not anything against the way you play--like I said on Wednesday night, your unpredictableness is a huge asset when it comes to the table.