While at a poker tournament last week, there was a player at my table who was obviously VERY new to poker. When I encounter players like this I usually go out of my way not to try and bluff them out of pots. A new player is much more likely to call you down with 2nd or 3rd pair and win against your ace-high steal attempt. This is exactly what happened to a player who was sitting to my left. The player to my had raised before the flop. Made a bet on the flop and a bet on the turn. After the river was dealt (7 of hearts) he had missed his club flush draw. The new player was first to act and he checked. The player to my left bet about about half the pot. When the other player called and showed Jack / 7 to make 1 pair (third pair), the player to my left started ranting about “How could you call that?” He went on and on for at least 5 minutes explaining to the guy that he had no pair and no draw on the flop or on the turn, etc, etc, etc…
The end result of all his ranting was that the new player changed the way he was playing. He played much tighter protecting his chips and ended up lasting MUCH longer in the tournament than the player who had gave him the free poker lesson at the table.
It is up to each individual to go out and learn how to play poker in their own way. Read a book. Discuss hands & situations with other players. Do whatever you have to do. But you are only hurting yourself when you teach the guy at your table how to play. If he’s a fish who’s willing to chase 3rd pair all the way to the river to win, don’t you want this guy calling your bets all the way to the river? Next time, pat the table and just say, “good call, nice hand” and much your cards. Then, wait until you have 2 pair or trips and overbet the pot. You are more than likely going to get all your money back and more when he catches 3rd pair on the river and pays you off.
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