Thursday 17 January 2013

Why I don't play poker

I am not good at gambling nor am I a guy blessed by Lady Luck. I don't like leaving things to chance because more often than not things will not go in my favor, especially with gambling. I mean, does any remember when I visited Macau, aka, Chinese-imitation Vegas? Well long story short, my sister and I tried the slots for half an hour and lost nearly everytime.

I know we only spent like $10 CAD but that's thanks to the exchange rate. Could you imagine how much I would have lost if I was playing slots back home in Canada?

Good thing I don't play poker.

DURR. JUST TAKE ALL MY MONEY.

Seriously, do you want to know how I learned to play poker? I learned to play poker via a game that I bought off of Steam. A poker game that I didn't even really want. Let's be honest here, I bought this poker game so I could get exclusive in-game items for another game.

Yeah, I bought a game so I could get stuff for another game. I was a Team Fortress 2 addict, what can I say? I'm so cool right? For anyone who's interested, it's Poker Night at the Inventory. And surprisingly I did learn how to play the game of poker. The character have fun bits of dialogue and are interesting to listen to.

Even if the characters I played against were a bit questionable. 1 is semi-based on a real person, 2 are from famous web series, 3 are homicidal maniacs, and all 4 are idiots.

Guess who is who!

Still, playing poker with rules off a game on Steam may not have been accurate. I have been informed that it is but I wouldn't wander into a casino based off what I learned playing against computers who folded everytime I went all-in.

So in my curiosity, I decided to learn a bit more about poker, poker techniques, etc. etc.. I'm not sure what to make of this really. I didn't even know there was a thing called Chinese poker, with it's own unique set of rules. Since when did Texas hold-em have probability imbalances involved?

Maybe that's why I'll never be a poker legend. I don't have the time (or desire) to learn all the nuances and variations. And despite my Asian heritage I'm sick of math and math related things.

And maybe that's why I won't be a Starcraft legend either.

Actually, it's probably a good thing I don't play poker. Given my pigheaded stubborn tenacious personality I'd probably wouldn't know when to call it quits and lose all my money.

And don't worry, none of my projects involve learning how to play online poker. I have such little money as it is, can't risk losing anymore of it.

Speaking of which, I probably should get back to work instead of researching poker tips. I'll leave you with my favorite clip from Poker Night at the Inventory.


EDIT: After this post I spent the next few hours playing Poker Night at the Inventory. So much for being productive.

30 comments:

  1. Same here, Poker is not my cup of tea...or should I say gambling is not my cup of tea.
    I'm really not good at this and I have never played either.

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  2. I like playing poker, but like you I am not very good at it. I know all the rules, and what each hand is and how much it's worth, but I have a pig headed stubbornness that refuses to accept I should just fold already. I mostly play Texas Hold 'Em and I mostly stick to video games of poker because I have no interest in losing all my real money because yeah, I don't have a poker face, and the only technique I really know is bluffing and I fail at it.

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  3. Ooh, learning to play poker is a dangerous step. One minute you're learning the rules, the next you've convinced yourself that it'd be a super idea to go on the professional circuit and you're mortgaging your house to get the buy in money.

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  4. Hey, give yourself a break...you college students need a few diversions :) Shhhhh....don't tell my son I said that!

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  5. I never gamble, went to Vegas 5x and didn't have much desire to go to the tables.

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  6. LOL.
    I'm too young to go to a casino but I've heard way too many stories about how addicting it can be :P
    I just know how to play online on facebook on Texas hold'em :P

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  7. Yeah but poker is still a fun game to play. We play it regularly over at a friend's, and I basically picked up all of my skills there. They mostly come with practice, I'd say. And the most we ever have at stake is a special beer or two, nothing more.

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  8. Played a little poker and sometimes lady luck is on my side, the math is a pain, but the people can give it away if you watch them close enough. Roulette is where the big money is haha

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  9. I like classic style, but I loathe texas hold em.

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  10. Blagh I hate poker. I don't tend to have very much luck with games like that so all that happens is I get frustrated as hell.
    Nice clip btw :D

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  11. Well I would not be into learning poker. I am so not a gambler at all. When I was in vegas I played 5$ in slots just to say I played in vegas.

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  12. The idea of the Team Fortress poker game sounds pretty damn awesome to me man, plus you've managed to learn how to play poker as well. I know the rules myself but I'm still not a great player haha.

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  13. Take a break from the math related games for a bit young one. Instead get a group together and play a rousing round of CAH-- no arithmetic needed, just a drastic, albeit temporary, lowering of all political correctness.

    BTW- How's Theresa doing? Have you made her any cupcakes lately. I have some great recipes if you want to try a new one.

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  14. Yeah, gambling is not my thing either.

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  15. Sometimes you just have to play it and then you will be tired of it and call it a day :)

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  16. I just never really learned it. I half know it, I can kinda defend myself at Texas hold 'em but only because of the luck factor

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  17. Let me guess. You're the one with rabbit ears? :)

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  18. I suck at poker, and gambling makes me sick, so I totally understand!

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  19. I've never played poker either

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  20. I don't gamble at all, I just lose everything. That's no fun.

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  21. I only have a loose grasp on the rules of poker and pretty much lack in the intricate techniques.
    I remember when Poker Night at the Inventory came out, a bunch of people bought it, albeit just for the hats (Referring to promotion hats for team fortress 2).
    Lady Luck does prefer the ones who practice though!

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  22. I am not much for gambling - $10 canadian is about my limit :D

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  23. I love playing poker - alone. Yep the basic poker card game. I enjoy laying the cards, compare and analyze how I deal with each set of cards, appreciate and sometimes scold myself lol. Here in the Philippines we call it "pusoy" :)

    But I hate gambling. I just want playing cards alone.

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  24. The video was funny, but something bothered me:

    Max wouldn't have been shocked at Heavy's story, he'll, he would have asked for his autograph

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  25. Strip poker!! Now that sounds like my kind of game..! LOL!!

    Take care
    x

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  26. I always lose at poker. Blackjack's more my game. I say that because I won about $2 playing Blackjack in Vegas 20+ years ago.

    xoRobyn

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  27. It's hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic. uk online casino game

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