Poker Bullies

I don't know about you, but there is something about bullies that brings out the fighting side of me.

Everybody has faced a bully at one time or another. It usually starts in elementary school, escalates in high school and can even carry over into the work place.

Bullies use their size, looks and position to intimidate others. The more success they have, the worse they get until they can actually make life intolerable for the person they are bullying.

No game suffers more from bullying tactics than poker.

I will be honest with you. At one time in my life, I feared bullies at the poker table. They would buy into the game for the maximum number of chips and then use those chips to add to their bankroll.

One day I woke up to their tactics and decided, 'No more!'

it's relatively easy to counter-act a bully's game. You need to grit your teeth and go for the blood.

I was playing $1-3 no-limit Texas Hold'em at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, PA. the other day. There were two bullies at the table, a retired member of the U.S. military, and a guy in his 30s who had a lot of chips and who was wearing earphones.

When a player gets involved in many hands and raises far more often than he should, that is a bully in operation. Nobody can force the cards to come to him. It is a mathematical impossibility to receive good cards on a disproportionate number of hands. The way these two guys were raising made me realize the kind of tactics they were using and I decided to fight fire with fire.

To beat a bully, you need to have a reasonable hand. I picked up ace-ten suited and the retired military man raised. I called. The flop came ace and two clubs -- a perfect flop for me. Mr. Army retired came out with a big bet. I raised him the amount of his bet and he went all in.

I studied the board and called his bet.

I didn't get my flush but my aces won the hand.

A short time later I found myself with pocket kings. Mr. Military raised $30. I re-raised him another $30. The player with the earphones called my raise as did the Army guy. The flop came jack, seven, eight. The military gent checked and I bet $40 which the earphones player and Mr. Military both called. Fourth street brought a six. Military checked and I bet $60.

Earphones studied his cards for a long time and then raised me $100. Mr. Army folded and I called the bet. The river card was a queen. I checked and Mr. Earphones came out betting. I called and he flung his hand away in disgust, giving me a nice win.

I smiled as I raked in the pot. The bully left the table a short time later. Don't let poker bullies intimidate you. Think your hands through and be the aggressor. That's good poker and it will definitely add to your bankroll.

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 ).