Aug 18 2008
My Definition Of A “Questionable Play”
Anyone who has read TalkFlop.com knows that we’ve got a variety of categories that we put our posts into. One that I feel I need to define/address is the Questionable Plays category. This by NO MEANS is a negative term in my opinion. Let me explain.
There are literally thousands of poker books, blogs & websites out there that talk about the “numbers of poker”. If you’ve got top pair and a flush draw then you’re X percent to win the hand after the flop blah blah blah. While I’ve certainly read a lot of poker material I’ve always maintained that poker is a game of not only knowing the numbers but knowing who you are playing against. It’s been said time and again but in poker many times you’re playing the man just as much as you’re playing the cards.
Everyone buys into a poker game the same way. They put their hard earned money down and buy into the game (be it a cash game or a tournament). I will NEVER talk bad about someone’s decision to play a hand. I might wonder why they’re playing the hand the way they are but they’ve paid their money and they can play any two cards they like. Hell, one of my favorite hands is 74 suited. It’s garbage but I’ll play it just about every time I get it. It’s infuriating to other players but it’s my hand and I’ll play it however I like.
I guess that’s my point – The term “questionable play” is questionable to me only because I wouldn’t play the hand the same way. It’s either cause I don’t have the guts to make that play, don’t see the genius in the play or just plain don’t agree. The other time that I may classify a play as “questionable” is when I’m reviewing my own play and just plain don’t agree with it. I tend to analyze the hell out of myself and I find that I make quite a few “questionable” decisions at the table. I’m trying to get better… day by day.
Everyone has the right to play their cards anyway they see fit. I may bitch about the result and wonder why they play the way they do, but when I take an objective look at it (normally after the fact) I come back to one thing — that’s poker. And quite frankly, that’s part of why I love the game.
See you after the flop!
