Does Military Service Incline One to Be a Bad Player?

PokrLikeItsProse · #1 07-21-2005, 11:20 PM

Actually, a better question would be if suitability for military service makes someone less suitable for playing poker. (No disrespect meant to anyone who has served in the armed forces.)

When I've asked, it seems (in an unscientific poll) that 90% of players with military service in their background are just abysmal. Either they just keep coming and betting as if a full frontal assault will break down their opponents, or they keep calling as if they need to be ordered around to understand that fold and raise are additional options. It seems such a likely sign of fish-hood, that I am more or less willing to target soldiers if I can discern their prior experience.

Any thoughts or contrary experience?

Reef · #2 07-21-2005, 11:33 PM

no. small sample size

If anything, I would think they would be aggressive and have the killer instinct.

wonkadaddy · #3 07-22-2005, 12:26 AM

i think it was puggy pearson who joined the navy just for the easy poker games

SNOWBALL138 · #4 07-22-2005, 01:51 AM

Ken Warren was in the air force...

ohhhhh, snap!
[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Bodhi · #5 07-22-2005, 03:33 AM

Schoonmaker says that the tight-aggressive style can be compared to the profession of fighter-pilot or police officer. I think any position in the military will share the discipline and anti-natural, anti-impulsive training they require, which is the basis of the tight-aggressive style in poker. Perhaps what you're witnessing is the desire of military personel to blow off steam, and not to have the same attitude at the table that they have at their job.

Spaded · #6 07-22-2005, 04:10 AM

[ QUOTE ]

When I've asked, it seems (in an unscientific poll) that 90% of players with military service in their background are just abysmal.

[/ QUOTE ]

Less than ten percent of all poker players make money, military or civ.

steamboatin · #7 07-22-2005, 08:00 AM

In my experience the opposite is true, soldiers have discipline. They have been trained to wait for the right moment to strike and those that are in soldier mode at the poker table and not just blowing off some steam are often Stone Killers.

Killer Man's Son · #8 07-22-2005, 10:16 AM

Very interesting thread.

I spent 5 years as an Airborne Ranger. I don't consider myself a fish. PT has me rated as a money bag so I must be doing something right.

Discipline and agression are the two traits that a military person can use to their advantage at the poker table. I can sit and fold for hours and not have it affect me. I am overly agressive though (I'm working on toning it down). At the first sign of weakness, I strike.

I have been told I'm tough to play against but easy to trap (due to my agression). All part of the learning process I guess.

poker-penguin · #9 07-22-2005, 10:25 AM

OP may as well have asked "does having blonde hair make someone more inclined to be a bad poker player?" After all, 90% of blonde poker players lose money and everyone knows blondes are stupid. :P

zuluking · #10 07-22-2005, 11:27 AM

Good thread.

I made a fortune playing poker in my 6 years of military service. Some months I would make more than my base pay (and we played .25/.50). Service members, taken as a whole, are terrible poker players. Most of them drink like crazy when they play. I can count the good players I ran into on one hand.