Player's Stories

Short-Handed Hold'Em:
Don't Wake a Sleeping Giant
By Jason Pohl

In the last article, I pointed out that short-handed poker is a game of small edges, but that the number of decisions made in an hour are higher. One of the interesting aspects of such a game is that behaviors that would not normally have much impact in a full game will have a pronounced detriment short-handed. In this article, we will examine the prominent effect of ignoring an old common sense maxim in short-handed poker.

Most of us were taught the fairy tale "Jack and the Beanstalk" as a child. In this anecdote, Jack tries to reach a golden harp. To do so, he must apply all his energy to sneak past a sleeping giant. Jack does not want to wake up the giant, because if he does, he'd be in big trouble. The story teaches a subconscious, simple, and smart lesson. "Don't wake a sleeping giant."

Scenario 1: The "Low Limit Shark"
A couple months ago, I had the pleasure to make my semi-annual trip to Las Vegas. I play poker online at home, so most of the trip was spent engaging in the "forbidden" gambling fruits: the -EV table games. After three days of losing hundreds at the blackjack tables and sportsbooks around town, I made my first trip to the home of the pros: Bellagio's glorious poker room. I was impressed, and the style fit right in with my desire to take it easy and have some fun.

After a short wait, I sat down at a lower limit table, ordered myself a drink, and went crazy. It was a raucous game. I dropped $500 and had a great time. After just a few hours, I was down to my final $200 of the day. At that moment, I become aware of a new player to my immediate right. He was a 35-year old man, and I noticed him because I bet out of turn when he delayed. He was taking the game very seriously. He paused when the action reached him preflop and checked his holecards the last possible moment. Even then, he scanned two or three spots behind him before making his play. Suddenly, I remembered a fundamental truth: Poker is not just played for fun.

When I saw this player next to me, the lightbulb in my head cleared the alcohol-induced fog in three seconds flat. A challenge had been issued, even if the man did not intend it. My desire to win erupted. The results are unimportant, but I did win back $400 before I called it a night. More importantly, the new player had modified my motivation and behavior. I have no doubt I could have gone broke and left the table fully satisfied, leaving the new player to clean up and profit, if only I had kept playing for fun.

Sklansky and Malmuth point out that it is important not to take too long to act in a low-limit game, because it can ruin the "fun" atmosphere of the game and let others know you are playing to win. Scenario 1 is a classic example. In short-handed poker, there is an additional factor. Observation is critical. However, we often only consider our ability to watch others. This gentleman took extra time and effort, so he recognized the importance of observation. In the process, he inadvertently made sure other players noticed him. In short-handed poker, it is financial suicide to call such attention to yourself. If others are scrutinizing you closely, they will eventually figure out ways to counter your play.

Scenario 2: The "Angry Loser"
Like most of you, I work a full-time job. One night a few weeks ago, after a particularly tough day at work, I jumped online to play poker to blow off some steam. I was not playing my 'A' game, to say the least.

My game of choice was 5-handed Texas hold'em. As I enjoyed my leisure time, I read some football articles, flipping back and forth to the poker action. About an hour into the action, a critical hand occurred.

Preflop: I held 86 in the big blind. Cutoff raised, button cold called, and I threw in an extra bet.

Flop: 59Q

After I checked, the cutoff checked as well. Not surprisingly, the button tossed in a bet. On a normal day, if this were a hand I would play, I would bet out or maybe check-raise. With 4 outs, my draw is not sufficient for the pot odds, especially with one player left behind me (who could raise). However, I called.

Without fail, small mistakes compound into bigger ones, and I found myself the victim of a raising battle as the cutoff check-raised. I was left in a tough spot with a growing pot and a 4-outer in my hands. I should have dropped my hand at some point on the flop, but with waning attention, I did not. Instead, I called a total of 4 small bets on the flop and 1 big bet on the turn. As any bad-beat enthusiast could predict, I caught the nuts on the river.

Turn: 2
River: 7

So, I played badly yet won a large pot. This story could end there.

I could have continued to read about the weekend's NFL games, playing poker with half effort. Instead, the cutoff angrily typed into the chat box, using derogatory language. Most players have seen the behavior a thousand times, but it is often dismissed as "part of the game" and simple rudeness. It is also unprofitable.

I decided my opponent was correct. I needed to pay more attention to the poker game, so I did. The cutoff steamed away the rest of his money, and I played serious, mistake-free poker for the rest of my session.

Increased Magnitude in Short-Handed Poker
In short-handed poker, players will be making much more marginal decisions, and sometimes, due to a bad read or misunderstanding of short-handed concepts, a vicious bad beat will occur. Yet, it is imperative for a profitable short-handed player to never berate or correct their opponents. Nothing good can come of it. A bad player might improve, get upset and leave, or ignore it. A good player might feel offended and target the "angry loser." I mentioned above that it is better not to have people paying too much attention in the first place. Painting a target on your back is worse, and causing the "live ones" to leave is the greatest crime of all. Why push away the bad players while challenging the good players?

There are a million more examples that any number of players could give. This website includes several authors who have discussed similar stories. The convergent theme is this: If you do something that draws negative attention to yourself, you are likely reducing your ability to win. I am not saying that you should sit quietly and brood at your local game to avoid suspicion. In fact, you would probably draw attention by appearing so serious. Instead, just act normal, smile, and don't offend anybody. Appear to have fun even if you aren't, or at least don't take out your frustration on other players.

And that brings us back to our premise at the top of the article. "Never wake a sleeping giant." The problem in short-handed poker is that every other player is a potential "giant." With the proper motivation and the desire to concentrate, any player can observe, target, and beat you. Hence, one goal in short-handed poker is to not "wake" any of your opponents. In a full game, you might be able to avoid somebody bent on revenge. In a short-handed game, it is impossible.

Accordingly, if your goal is to win money, keep every possible edge for yourself. Don't antagonize the opposition and be content making the right plays. If you get angry, yell at your computer monitor. It won't hold a grudge. Until the next article, good luck.