Pocket Aces: Do You Know Who Your Opponets REALLY Are? Part II

Call It What Want; I Call It Cheating

By Maryann Guberman

     At dinner last night the subject of last week's article came up. My friend had read it and invited me to discuss it.

     "I don't think you went far enough," he said. "What you wrote about goes on all the time and I think it's a big problem."

     In case you didn't read it, the article centered on players who are "backed" by other players. For example, someone with the financial resources might give a good player a set amount of money to capitalize his play. If those two players were sitting in the same game, it could lead to problems, particularly collusion. Even though poker players are supposed to be honorable, but the game is gut throat, with tactics bordering on unethical to begin with (bluffing/lying?).

     "You didn't say anything about tournament play," my friend remarked. "What do you think happens when one champion has a piece of another and they're both at the final table. What if it's down to three players and the payoff for first and second is six figures or more? The two "partners" can squeeze the outsider like an overripe orange until he's as dry as the desert out there. And don't think it hasn't happened!

     "And what about deals?" he asked. Tournaments usually have a short break before the final table convenes. You know, of course, that if a couple of people who know each other well are headed for that table, they're going to go off to a corner somewhere and take a piece of each other. That means they're partners! Here again you've got a problem if you're not in the loop."

     I'm not naive enough to believe my friend was wrong.

     Several years ago I entered a one-table satellite for a medium-sized tournament. There were three women at the table; one was already a major tourney player/winner, the other a frequent winner. Coincidentally, I'd just read an article where one of these women was quoted as saying she never makes deals. Yet within one minute of sitting down, she leaned over to the other woman and asked if she wanted to make a "save."

     The incident didn't sit well with me and, in fact, probably affected my play. I finished second, having knocked out both the women, and I was probably "gloating" enough to break my concentration. See, throughout the play, I tried to be on the alert for anytime these two were in the same pot. I didn't notice any unacceptable behavior, by the way.

     But yes, it does happen and judging from that little-bitty satellite, it can happen at any level.

     Call it what you like: collusion, manipulation, partnerships, business agreements. To me it's just a form of cheating!

     Now poker managers will tell you that their games are all on the up and up. They are right‹from their perspective. I've known one who asked a couple of regular players to leave because they were "ganging up" on a tourist who was blissfully unaware. But I've also known several who say they can't do anything about these business arrangements.

     That means it's up to you‹the unwilling "sucker"‹to take matters into your own hands.

     Don't be offended by the word I chose‹sucker. (The trend in gambling publishing is to use the word "tourist" but that's nothing more than a euphemism.) Concentrate instead on how you can avoid bumping heads and losing your money to partners.

     First, take the task of getting to know the players at your table seriously. Watch not only for their "style" of play and their tells, but also watch for how they communicate with other players in the game. Don't jump to conclusions, however. Just because Player A constantly kibitzes with Player B doesn't mean they're in cahoots. But if the chatter excludes every other player at the table, then snap to attention and delve more deeply into their interaction.

     Watch for two-way action between them. Does it appear as if one of them gives up too quickly? Is there an ever-so-slight hint that one of them is holding a monster hand? Sometimes it can be as blatant as "You might as well toss it. I've got the nuts."

     Watch for three-way action with these two participating. Does one check in anticipation of the unwitting participant's (Player C) wager followed by a call and then a check-raise? This might not happen on the flop, but it's likely to happen on the turn and/or river.

     If you truly suspect two players and you happen to be the third man out, pull in your reins. Become a passive participant. Don't let them trap you between them.

     Other than that, I'm not sure how you can handle the situation. You could discreetly approach the floorman or manager and relay your concern. Let him know that you suspect collusion and see if he can or will do anything about it. You might even ask the players if they have something going‹but don't expect an honest answer. In fact, you might get an unpleasant response.

     In the end, the best action you can take is to pick up your chips and leave the game‹if it's live action.

      In tournament play? Well, your guess is as good as mine. The whole tournament concept lends itself to this kind of activity and as long as it's so costly to enter tournament after tournament with big money going only to the two three positions, it probably can't be prevented. If you think changing the payout structure would do the trick, don't hold your breath.

     The ubiquitous "they" say "what goes around comes around." Maybe.

     In the meantime, heads up, play your best; try to get the most out of your solid hands, hang in there and pray.