Table Lessons
Gambling Psychology
by James A. McKenna, Ph.D

There are a lot of sayings one will hear when playing cards in a casino. Some of these sayings have elements of truth and may contain valuable lessons. Here are some of the comments heard and the lessons they offer:

“All in wins again.” This will often be true and the reason is that people play differently when they are about to go all in. They will play only playable hands with good odds of improving. In other words, they are playing seven-card stud vs. six or five card stud.

“You lose now what you don’t bet when you win.” This is pure logic. If you are betting too tightly and have the best hand, when you win there will be less money than if you bet your hand.

“Deuces never loses.” This is pure myth. However, when a pair of deuces is showing, there’s a good chance that the player has more and you may pay the price!

“One more time (is usually one too many).” This is usually said when a player hasn’t made a hand yet. It’s a procrastinator’s lament.

“Show me a player who never folds a good hand and I’ll show you a loser.” This refers to an emotional player who stays when he or she knows that he/she is beat.

“Look long, look wrong.” Usually, a player is searching for a hand that’s not there. However, beware of players who play the nuts this way. “Sweating” is a useful bluff to get more calls.

“A fold in time will save a dime.” Most players who are chas-ing will stay too long and spend more than they should have on slim chances.

“Play tight with good cards and loose with bad ones — just don’t get caught.” Most players misrepresent their hands. It’s part of the game of poker.

“When you’re caught speeding, you’ll keep paying the ticket the next time you are bluffing.” Unlike speeding tickets that you pay each time you get caught, when caught bluffing in poker your reputation will haunt you for a while. Of course, a good player might wait until having a good hand to “bluff.”

“A bet in time could be a crime.” When a person has good position and bets after everyone else has checked, chances are the bet is an attempt to steal the pot.

“Chasing ‘Four to a . . .’ is usually a self made trap (unless you have other outs).” Without other outs to improve a hand, chasing four to a flush or straight is usually futile. It’s a trap when players bet against other pairs, knowing they are beat unless they make the flush or straight.

“The best way to make a flush is to be working on something else.” This is an extension of the last lesson. Unless a player is working on improving a pair and is only chasing a flush, chances are good he will end up with “four to a . . .”

“If you don’t count your chips before you leave, chances are you’ll leave with less or none when the dealing’s done.” The song is wrong. It says not to count your chips until the dealin’ is done. Chip management is an essential part of good gaming.

As with most lessons, practice wisdom will be the way to apply the above sayings. For example, a new player with a pair of deuces in the hole may hold them to the end believ-ing that a pair of deuces won’t lose. Yet, when pair of deuces raises a seasoned player, he is apt to fold. Likewise, if a good player with deuces showing is calling a bet by a pair of Kings, chances are good that the deuces won’t lose because Aces over deuces or rolled up deuces are likely.

This story was first published in the October - November 2002 issue of Gambling Times Magazine.

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