What I Really Love About Poker

Flint Bones · Dec 01,2006, 01:07 PM

So I have been thinking about why I play. Sure I find it to be a lot of fun and winning money is never a bad thing. But I have been thinking about why I get excited about playing. So I know I like the conversations at the live tables and shit like that but it is not why I really love the game.

My favourite aspect is when I get the correct read on someone. It is invigorating to me. I get excited. For example, I was online the other day .$50/$1.00 NL. I had 88 and limped from UTG. There are a few other limpers and then the Button raises it to $4. Blinds fold, I call and the other limpers fold. Flop is 10 4 2 off. Great flop for me. I bet $6 and the button re-raises to $40 or so. I knew he had two over cards. I just knew it. So I pushed, he call with AK and my eights held up. It felt great, not to win the big pot but to just be right. Everytime situations like that come up and I am correct in my read it makes the game for me. I am not saying that no one else would have the same read as me, I think it was pretty obvious to anyone with experience but it still felt good nonetheless.

Anyway, this is why I play. It is for moments like this. It is like in golf when you hit that perfect shot or chip in from off the green. A lot of people can do it but it sure as hell feels great when you do it.

cadillac · Dec 01,2006, 02:34 PM

Congrats and great point! Reading is fun!

What information helped you with your read? Had he done anything previous that helped you put him on overs vs. a pair?

Caddy

pokerJAH · Dec 01,2006, 02:52 PM

I think its all part of the thrill of competition; nothing feels better than when you have the nuts and you get someone to put all their chips in the middle of the table or pulling off a big bluff and then showing your opponent a losing hand (some may find this to be bad poker etiquette). Winning a tournament is also nice but I find the chase actually a lot more exciting than the catch. It's a very interesting question you raise.

Flint Bones · Dec 01,2006, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadillac

Congrats and great point! Reading is fun!

What information helped you with your read? Had he done anything previous that helped you put him on overs vs. a pair?

I can't say for sure. I just knew it. His bet was too big if he had aces. He would want to trap me more. I had seen him slow play before and it was his style to bet so big with a made hand.