Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Baton Rouge
Posts: 18
|
|
Poker, just like all other sports in the world, has a thing called etiquette, a.k.a. sportsmanship. Now I've read all of your entries and though you are entitled to your own opinion about the implied odds, players reactions and all this other crap, it all boils down to just being a good "neighbor". The blinds in all games are considered to be "random" hands, and for this reason they are hardly ever thought of as being powerful. The players in the blind are not only forced to bet, but they are also in the worst position, therefore they are considered vulnerable. This is why alot of the time you'll see the player on the button raise before the blinds even have the option to "chop". Which to me, though I wouldn't do this in anything other than tournament play, is far more respectable than choosing not to chop when given the oppurtunity.
I've been a poker dealer for over 6 years now and I also play every chance I get. The simple fact is that the only time you should not chop is in a shorthanded game, or at a tournament table.
Three weeks ago, I played in a $2/5 no limit game at a friends house. I'm in the small blind and pick up 9-4 offsuit, everyone folds and it gets down to me and the BB. When he rejected my offer to chop, I felt forced to play this monster for all it was worth and teach him a lesson in poker etiquette. I raise it to $45 and he looks at me like I'm crazy before he calls. Flop comes 2,3,8 rainbow, first to bet, I bet the pot, $90. He thinks for a minute and then mucks his hand (which I later found out was pocket sixes) and asks me what I had, of course I told him the truth and that I felt like I had to protect my pocket aces in that position. Needless to say, by the end of the night, he didn't mind chopping.
|