Don't Play Poker against Friends

Poker is a social game and a growing number of couples are adding poker to their list of things to do. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it cuts against the grain of going for blood, which is what real poker is all about.

There's this married couple -- I'll call them Jess and Wilma -- who play regularly at one of my favorite casinos. It's all well and good that they play the game, but I don't think it's helpful for them to play against each other at the same table.

Now I am not talking about collusion, although in some sophisticated circles I guess that could become a concern. There is an unstated rule in poker circles that it's one person to a hand. In other words, you're not to criticize another person's play and that is what often occurs when a couple are playing at the same table.

I never enjoy playing poker if the table contains either a relative or a close friend.

Sooner or later, I will get involved in a serious hand with some real money out there. I don't want to be raising or re-raising a loved one or a close friend because, win or lose, it leaves a bad taste in m mouth.

If you are playing at a table with a significant other sitting across from you, you will make mistakes. You will either 'soft' play the individual and possibly cost yourself a significant swing in your pile of chips, or you will get out of the pot with possibly the best hand, leaving someone else to be the winner.

Poker must be played for blood. That is the name of the game and nothing else works over the long run.

I have seen too many couples in action and some of their moves at the table border on pathetic. They will check each other down with nut hands, which is poor poker any way you look at it. If you don't treat all the other players as the enemy, what is the purpose of the game?

The only time I would consider playing against a friend or relative at the same table is in a poker tournament. When you are assigned to a certain seat at a certain table, you are in no man's land where power is the ultimate weapon and your job is to destroy the opposition.

I was playing in a friendly $4-8 game the other night when I came up with a bombastic hand. There were two other players in the pot. One was an attractive brunette that I consider a friend. She raised the pot, I called with pocket eights and flopped a third eight. I checked the pot, she came out betting, the other person called and I raised.

Arching a charming eyebrow at me, she said, 'You would check-rise your own grandmother, wouldn't you?' She cheerfully mucked her hand. As I raked in the pot, I winked and said, 'If I did that to my grandmother, she'd chase me out of the room with a broom.'

It's fine to play practice poker with friends or loved ones. But when it's real poker time, find separate tables for your action. Believe me, it keeps things from getting out of hand at home and it helps you focus on what you need to do in order to control the game and win your proper share of the pots.

Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.

(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).