B
bdc100
Enthusiast
Silver Level
As a chess-player (started at age 6), the word "defense" was an integral part of my chess education. But in poker you rarely hear the word "defense" explicitly mentioned.
Example: Incompetent play by me:
Villain raised 5 BB UG; I called with [Ac 9s] UG+1. Flop [6d Th As], everyone else folded; villain went into the "tank", requesting TIME (he took the max time allowed ..a classic tell of a weak player with a strong hand); he finally bet 2/3 pot, I stupidly called. Turn [6d Th As 6h], he instantly bet 3/4 pot, I stupidly called. On the river he shoved all-in and I called. Final board [6d Th As 6h 3h], he showed [Ad Jh] and I was done.
I made gross mistakes preflop and on every street. Had I been playing chess, I'm certain "defense" would have clicked into my mind at some point, and I wouldn't have been so reckless/stupid.
Summary: I think the allure of gambling distracts new players (even when they know they're behind). If they could get over this and think more defensively like a chess player, I'm sure their poker would improve.
Example: Incompetent play by me:
Villain raised 5 BB UG; I called with [Ac 9s] UG+1. Flop [6d Th As], everyone else folded; villain went into the "tank", requesting TIME (he took the max time allowed ..a classic tell of a weak player with a strong hand); he finally bet 2/3 pot, I stupidly called. Turn [6d Th As 6h], he instantly bet 3/4 pot, I stupidly called. On the river he shoved all-in and I called. Final board [6d Th As 6h 3h], he showed [Ad Jh] and I was done.
I made gross mistakes preflop and on every street. Had I been playing chess, I'm certain "defense" would have clicked into my mind at some point, and I wouldn't have been so reckless/stupid.
Summary: I think the allure of gambling distracts new players (even when they know they're behind). If they could get over this and think more defensively like a chess player, I'm sure their poker would improve.