Poker, as any other game, has universally understood rules. Some are published in books, articles and websites. Some – such as the Tournament Director’s Association rules – guide most every tournament, except when in conflict with state or local legislation. These rules spell out hand values, order of action, options available, etc. Most players understand these rules and comply with them during a game, facilitating a friendly environment and timely game progression. But aside from rules, there are actions I have witnessed clearly skimming the edge of rule-breaking falling squarely into the “improper ethics” area of game theory. These actions are committed by players who wish to gain unfair advantage over another player(s) by questionable tactics and actions; a behavior long known in all forms of competition as “Angle Shooting.”
An example I witnessed during a tournament occurred when, at the showdown, Player A said, “I have a straight.” Player B took him at his word, throwing his cards facedown toward the dealer who dutifully mucked them. Player A then turned over his hand revealing a busted straight, missing the true hand by one card value. Player B, obviously distraught, complained loudly that his two pair were rightly the winning hand and, calling the floorman over, demanded the pot. After hearing the sequence of events, the floorman – definitely between a rock and a hard place – made the difficult but correct decision to award the pot to Player A since he was the only one left with live cards. Of course this set Player B on tilt and a minor rant continued for some time. Player A’s defense was that he had mis-read his hand, was sorry et cetera, but “…that’s the way it goes.”
Having observed this little drama in real life, it was my feeling that Player A ran the questionable tactic of an angle shoot. I had played against this individual from time to time and his methodology of play was constantly bordering on unethical behavior. Examples of this were his berating the play of opponents, acting out of turn then, when action came to him, acting differently than what he previously indicated, and then this. Player B, rightly indignant, was justified in his feelings toward Player A, but there was also a lesson to be learned here that can quickly negate the tactic utilized by Player A.
This counter-tactic requires a player, whenever a showdown must occur, to never muck the hand when the opponent verbalizes what he holds until after the cards are revealed and the veracity of the declaration has been confirmed. In other words, no matter what your opponent says he has, do NOT muck your cards until you see his cards and confirm you are beat. THEN go ahead and muck the hand. This is a variation on Ronald Reagan’s policy of “Trust – but verify.” When the angle-shooter sees his tactic of misdeclaring his hand doesn’t work anymore he’ll stop trying it, at least against you. And you have contributed another small victory for ethical play in poker.
Another angle-shoot I’ve seen time and again happens at showdown when the villain declares “I missed” but the cards are not mucked. This occurs when a bettor on the river is called and, because the rules of the game require it, is obliged to reveal his hand first. Declaring “I missed” but not mucking the cards tells me he has either a couple of high cards only or perhaps one (or two) low pair; certainly nothing stronger than that. This player still harbors the hope his hand is good but wants to see his opponent’s hand first. This, despite the fact he is obliged – by the rules of the game – to reveal his hand first. Player B then reveals his hand and if that wins, Player A mucks his cards. If Player A’s hand wins, he said, “Oh, I can beat that,” then reveals his cards to take the pot. In essence, Player A is tricking Player B into revealing out of order (Player A should reveal first) so that he can see if his otherwise weak hand might prevail.
The cure for this tactic – as a Player B – when a Player A says “I missed” but does not reveal his hand or muck his cards, is to keep possession of your own cards and not turn them face up. Just stare at your opponent (Player A) and say, “Well, if you ‘missed,’ muck your cards.” Now you have reversed the tactic, turning it back onto the angle-shooter and applying pressure on him. It is upon him – as obliged by the rules of the game – to reveal his hand first. He is attempting to sidestep this obligation and get you to turn up your cards first. Don’t fall for this! “If you missed, then muck your cards.” Most of the time the angle-shooter will muck his cards; occasionally he will turn them face up. Now it’s up to you whether to reveal your hand or not. That is the understood order of the game and how the game is – and should – be played.
If you have seen, or fallen victim to, other examples of angle-shooters, please send details to me care of this magazine. These will be included in other articles about angle shooting which will then help other players recognize and develop counter-measures to these unethical behaviors. In the meantime, keep thinking about poker.
