Mind Games

A middle aged poker grinder was getting bored with the straight forward poker at the $100 buy-in No Limit cash game. After hours of play he had only squeezed out a couple of dollars worth of profit at this tight and quiet table. He was ready to spice up his play and spice up the table. "The next time I get 7-2, I'm all-in before the flop," he announced. His tablemates chuckled as they asked for confirmation. "That's right; I'm going all-in if I get 7-2." Ten minutes passed, and the grinder folded each hand. "There it is," he soon said with a gleeful grin when he looked at his hole cards. He nodded at the dealer and waved his hands in an all-in motion. The players acting after him grumbled with disgust. "You probably have Aces under there," a young guy said as he mucked his cards. "No way that you have seven-duce," another said as he also folded. "You guys are correct," the grinder admitted. "I don't have seven-deuce." He flipped his cards up to reveal 7-5 off suit, instead! "I figured that was close enough," he laughed. The players cooed and moaned in disbelief. The dealer laughed aloud as he shook his head in amazement. A few guys scoffed about how stupid it was to risk $100 with a hand like 7-5 for a few dollars worth of blinds.

"If it is folded around to me, I'm all-in blind," was his next commandment. Sure enough, not long after his comment he was on the button with all folds in front of him. "I have not looked, right?" he prompted his neighbor. Two players to his right agreed that the man had indeed not peeked at his cards. The grinder slowly pushed his entire pile of chips past the betting line. The guy in the small blind had no idea how to react. He must have had a half-decent hand, because he sat and thought about his decision for a considerable amount of time. Eventually, though, he tossed in his cards and conceded the pot. "I don't want to know," the grinder exclaimed as he held his cards up for the table to view, but he never ventured a look on his own. An off-suit Queen-3 won him the blinds.

"This is getting fun," he admitted. "I think I'll push all-in with every junk hand until I get some action here," he went on. True to form, it was less than one round later when he announced all-in in a completely unraised pot. Some of the serious players at the table scoffed once again and mumbled expletives as they folded behind this enormous over bet. The man in the small blind, though, did not act so quickly. Instead, the small blind asked for time as he stared down his suddenly maniac-style opponent. Knowing that the guy across the table had risked all of his chips with such abandon two times previously, he knew it could indeed be two terrible rags he was against. He reluctantly called, and showed his pocket 9's. "Never trust a poker player, my boy," the grinder slyly stated as he flipped up two Kings from the hole. Everyone at table made a simultaneous gasp and cheer as his dominated opponent punched his fist to the felt in disgust.

Poker is the ultimate in game psychology. One enormous key in poker psychology that amateurs often overlook is how their opponents see them. Every move that you make sets the tone in your opposition's mind for the next deal. You are constantly being watched, evaluated, and judged. You must know that what you have done in the past directly effects the perceptions of those who are making decisions in your pots. Although the grinder's moves were reckless and dramatic, they underscore how effective mind games can be at the table. Some of us attempt to get "inside the minds" of our opponents by trash talking during hands. Others employ a lingering stare to induce tells. Others let their chips do the talking by applying steady raises and re-raises to bully the table. No mater the tactics that you employ, be sure that you are aware of how our perceived table image impacts your path. One enormous key in poker psychology that amateurs often overlook is how their opponents see them.

I certainly don't advocate for you to be risking all of your money on a blind bluff or on 7-2! His wild tactics were foolishly risky, and is certainly a poor play mathematically speaking. The lesson is clear from our grinder, though. Poker is only partially about the cards. It is indeed a mind game. Find a way to outwit your opposition to assure yourself steady profits in the long run! Now go make it happen!

Editor's Note: In addition to being a poker enthusiast, gambling columnist, and lecturer, John is a National Certified Counselor (NCC). He has a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from West Virginia University, and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Lock Haven University. You can arrange for interviews, speaking engagements, or ask your question to "the Poker Counselor" at carlisle14@hotmail.com

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