Stupid Chip Tricks

KenProspero · #1 06-25-2005, 10:42 PM

Had an experience the other night, I'm not sure where to post this, but the beginner sight seems the best, because it definately gives a word for the wise.

Was playing a $1/2 NL game $100 max buy in.

Shortly after I sat down, I noticed one player was VERY adept at shuffling his chips. A few moments later, I saw a second player who was able to fan the chips between his fingers. Impressive, both of them, and both went on my watch list.

As it turned out, they were two of the better players in the game. Neither was good enough to be be afraid of, but both played very tight, and usually only raised with the goods (which is well ahead of the curve at these cheapie games).

Though I'm pretty sure I would have had each of them pegged in time, their chip tricks probably saved me half an hour or forty-five minutes time in making an assessment. I considered this to be the moral equivalent of a tell.

So, the moral of the story -- if you have the ability to show off at at table, you should consider whether it will intimidate players or just draw attention to yourself, so people figure out your game.

Felipe · #2 06-25-2005, 11:17 PM

cool tell. I'd figured that myself. I'm not great at chip shuffling , but I am a decent limit player. Also, their dexterity doesn't always have something to do with their intelligence...

KenProspero · #3 06-25-2005, 11:21 PM

Oh, I agree, someone who can do the chips MAY be an absolute fish. However, this skill does warrant a little extra attention to find out where you stand in relation to them.

TaoTe · #4 06-26-2005, 02:42 AM

It's very much a habit of mine to shuffle my chips, but usually the only others who would pick up on something like this are other people....playing with their chips. Maybe not. Though I regularly play with someone who is a good player but can't make a bet without knocking over half their stack.

KenProspero · #5 06-26-2005, 03:52 PM

[ QUOTE ]
It's very much a habit of mine to shuffle my chips, but usually the only others who would pick up on something like this are other people....playing with their chips. Maybe not.

[/ QUOTE ]

Anyone who is halfway observant at the table is noticing this. In effect, you're announcing to the table that you play a lot of poker. If this is the table image you're looking for, great. IMO, you're giving away information for nothing, though (at least at a low limit table).

TaoTe · #6 06-26-2005, 08:58 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It's very much a habit of mine to shuffle my chips, but usually the only others who would pick up on something like this are other people....playing with their chips. Maybe not.

[/ QUOTE ]

Anyone who is halfway observant at the table is noticing this. In effect, you're announcing to the table that you play a lot of poker. If this is the table image you're looking for, great. IMO, you're giving away information for nothing, though (at least at a low limit table).

[/ QUOTE ]

Good thought. Most of the players I play with during live games/tourneys I play with on a regular basis, so they know I play a lot of poker. Would it be better to show a stronger table image during tournament to perhaps stop someone from trying to steal your blind? Or look like a bumbling idiot during a ring game? Is there a difference?

KenProspero · #7 06-26-2005, 10:25 PM

It's a matter of style, I'm sure. If your opponent is oblivious, I wouldn't think it makes a difference. However, if someone knows a little about poker, I would think you'd get less action if they think you know what you're doing.

Personally, I just sit down, and try to maintain a low profile. Hopefully, the table won't notice I'm playing tight and I'll get some action when I do play.

beekeeper · #8 06-27-2005, 01:59 PM

Well, is the converse true? I'm someone who can't shuffle my chips, even though I try sometimes. Will this make people spot me for the newbie I am?

On a related note, watching Chris Ferguson in the heads up tv thing made me wonder how much time I do/do not take to act on my hold cards preflop. Specifically, if I have a junk hand I quickly muck. Should I be taking the same amount of time on all my hands, or only on the hands I intend to play--keeping in mind that my playing experience is limited to home games and low limit casino play.

TaoTe · #9 06-27-2005, 02:39 PM

Pre-flop, once it's my turn to act, I look at my cards, if I'm going to fold, I don't see a problem with folding quickly. I'm not playing the hand, so it doesn't matter. If I'm going to play the hand, I look at my cards, memorize the rank and suit, give it a three count, then act.

Pov · #10 06-27-2005, 04:29 PM

[ QUOTE ]
On a related note, watching Chris Ferguson in the heads up tv thing made me wonder how much time I do/do not take to act on my hold cards preflop. Specifically, if I have a junk hand I quickly muck. Should I be taking the same amount of time on all my hands, or only on the hands I intend to play--keeping in mind that my playing experience is limited to home games and low limit casino play.

[/ QUOTE ]

Folding quickly pre-flop is a major tell that you had bad cards. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] But seriously, the only time I would consider folding slowly (pre-flop) when I know I'm going to fold right away is when my opponent has been raising a lot. A little show to at least look like I considered calling or raising him *may* slow him down though I wouldn't count on it. Against a decent player only liberal re-raising will be effective.