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The
Rounders Effect
By Aaron J. Moore
Posted: 8:30 am PDT 2006-08-07 |
Courtesy Of Internet Casino and Poker Room at WagerWeb.com |
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Let me hit the button on the Way
Back Machine to about 15 years ago when I was in college. I had a film class with a
know-it-all professor who loved to give his opinion on every subject. You know the
guy: short, balding, wears a tweed coat with leather patches on the elbows. One day
he went off on how Orson Welles' Citizen Kane was the most influential film in
cinema history. It had something to do with lighting, character arch and a bunch of
other stuff only M. Night Shyamalan would understand.
Well, with all due respect to my beloved professor, I would now like to challenge him on
his dissertation that Kane is the most influential film in American
history. After sitting at a lot of poker tables over the past few years, the most
influential film is Rounders.
Sure, the ending was pretty Hollywood-esque, but I find it hard to believe any movie has
led more people, especially college students, to follow in the footsteps of the main
characters more than the 1998 Matt Damon and Edward Norton flick.
Most people love Jaws, but it's extremely difficult to suddenly become an old
sailor like Robert Shaw's Quint. Who wasn't inspired by Rocky? But you first
must be able to box decently before you can just yell "Yo, Adrian." Goodfellas
-- fuggedabouit, the greatest all-time film. However, only a select few can move up
the La Cosa Nostra ladder.
Those limitations don't apply for the millions who watched Rounders in the theater,
on cable or DVD. All you need to do to become a poker player is sit down and look at
two cards, and you too can emulate Mike McDermott and Lester 'Worm' Murphy. Size,
athletic talent and age are inconsequential factors in determining whether a poker play
can be a great poker player.
The low barriers of entry are why so many college students have recently taken up
poker. Instead of wasting away free time playing video games or beer pong like they
did in the past, college kids today are heading to poker rooms in droves.
With so many of these young guns out on the range, you have to know how to handle yourself
when you see them across from you at the table. First off, these younger players tend
to be very aggressive and show little regard for their money. You would, too, if you
didn't have to worry about mortgages, car payments and the monthly pain associated with
writing an alimony check (sorry I digress).
When I was in college, the two favorite words of mine and my peers were: "happy
hour." After seeing so many college students frequently playing poker, the two
favorite words of today's college students must have changed somewhere not that long ago
to: "all-in."
In a game at a casino or at home, you can tell who a college kid is by his iPod and the
slightly tilted baseball cap. If online, he probably is located in places like Ann Arbor,
Tempe and Tuscaloosa.
It is always important to take inventory in college kid's style.
He tends to be a reckless player not afraid to move in his entire stack at any time. From
what I have seen, younger players are not remotely conservative types who only enter a pot
with a decent-to-good hand. Instead, they have a strong desire to hit home runs and take
big chances of falling into a payday as they have seen so many times while watching Rounders.
Since younger players tend to get a thrill out of betting someone off a big hand, it's
imperative you make an early stand. Don't allow your blinds to be easily stolen or quiver
in the wake of a big raise. If you have a solid hand, then fire right back at college kid
but even harder. This will neuter him and increase the chance he won't pick a fight
with you anymore. This might sound easy, but attempt early on only with a premium
hand.
If you don't have a quality hand, then step aside. Avoid getting in a standoff early on if
you don't have a hand good enough to go to the river. Don't worry, college kid will
always come back mistaking you for an easy mark and not realizing you are just waiting to
chop him down.
College kid also bases a lot of his play around catchphrases like "pot odds" and
is willing to stay in a round a lot longer than tight players. Of course, just like
in Rounders, you must play the player; however, against this type of player you
must also be very keenly aware of the board. Pay close attention for straight or
flush possibilities since the young turk relishes the opportunity to connect on one.
Another way to combat college kid is to lure him into a trap. Since he loves making big
bets and plays loosely, he is prone for a trap. If you have a big hand and don't see
anything remotely close to catching up with you, don't be afraid to call in an attempt to
open up the fountain that college kid will inevitably spring once he sees he can't bet you
off early. Use college kid's aggression against him. College kid hates laying
down a big hand, especially one he already has invested in a lot.
The lasting influence of Rounders has brought positives and negatives to the poker
community. Much like the PGA Tour witnessed the past decade when Tiger Woods struck gold,
there are now more active players in poker, thereby expanding the games and the
paydays. The television factor also plays a large role in making poker a mainstream
activity without the stigma it once carried. The media has made poker a popular way to
gather your mates around for a good night out.
On the negative side, the every man quality brings you in contact with a lot of unlikable
and unorthodox players whom you wouldn't otherwise encounter. College kids are now
playing poker at an unprecedented level, so it becomes imperative for any player to
understand how they often play.
Next time you see a college kid across the felt from you, ask if his presence there has
anything to do with Rounders. The chances are pretty high he is going to say
"yes."
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