When you’re new to the game, it’s easy to imagine that good poker is all about bluffing. It seems like everything else is just down to luck. The players can’t control how the cards will run out, so the only way to get beating your opponent is to make him fold while he’s ahead.
Neophytes quickly learn that there’s a lot more finesse and patience involved in being a good poker player, but it remains true that there’s no finer spectacle than the perfectly executed bluff. For the bluffer, it’s a heart-pumping experience that can make you look like a genius or an idiot. Today we’re going to take a look at five of the best poker falsehoods ever to be caught on camera.
Shoot a comment into the box below if you think I’ve missed any gems.
What better place to start that with Phil Ivey. The man many consider the greatest in the world has plenty going for him, but perfect timing might be his most impressive skill. In this hand from the 2008 WSOP Main Event, it looks like Phil is just dusting off chips chasing a fold that will never come, but we don’t see the game like Ivey sees the game.
And just to prove that FlopTurnRiver is not biased, here’s a rare example of Mr. Ivey being outplayed. In the past couple of years, few people have played more hands with Phil that Tom “durrrr” Dwan and he makes good use of that experience with this ballsy river bet.
“You can’t call. One-hundred thousand? That’s too much faw you.”
It’s not quite, “You call it gonna be all over baby,” but this fantastic verbal prod from the Prince of Poker has Humberto Brenes scrambled. Scotty Nguyen is a polarising figure at best, but there are few greater showmen in poker and few players willing to commit so wholeheartedly to a bluff on the world’s biggest stage.
If your home game isn’t bluffy enough, why not instate the 7-2 game? That’s what these pros (and Gabe Kaplan) did on an episode of Poker After Dark and it worked a charm. For those unfamiliar with the ruse: Any time a player shows a winning 7-2 hand, the rest of the table pony ups $1000 for the lucky bluffer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yg5srNOl1Y
If you’re the sort of person who likes to type ‘poker’ rather than ‘skateboarding kitten’ into Youtube, chances are you’ve already seen this video. I don’t think you grizzled veterans will mind another look though. It more than bears repeating.
This dramatic face-off took place at the 2005 Monte Carlo Millions, during heads-up play. Both players know their rival has nothing but air, but Phil Ivey with guts made that telling all-in push. It’s that kind of moxy that smoothed his way to victory in that event, a crown worth $1,000,000.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–Qap3VT_ZY&NR=1