The poker world is a treacherous ocean, teeming with predators known as sharks. They can sniff out a fish (that's you, newbie) from a mile away and will devour your stack without a second thought. This guide will help you spot them and, more importantly, survive.
Identifying the poker shark
- Camouflage. Sharks are masters of disguise and blend in with the other players. Look for a glint of intelligence in the eyes, or a barely perceptible smirk as they rake in your money.
- Feeding frenzy. Sharks bet aggressively, raise relentlessly and bluff with the confidence of a used-car salesman. If you are constantly outplayed, you have wandered into their feeding grounds.
- The tell. Sharks do have tells. Instead of a twitching eye, theirs is a cold, calculating stare that pierces your soul. If you feel a sudden chill down your spine, a shark is sizing you up.
How to survive a shark attack
- Play dead. Sharks are drawn to movement and excitement. Fold your hand and act disinterested, and the shark may move on to livelier prey.
- Fight back. If playing dead fails, call their bluffs, re-raise their bets and make their lives difficult. Sharks are bullies at heart and often back down from a determined opponent.
- Bring a bigger boat. A bigger stack may intimidate them. Failing that, hire a professional shark wrangler, also known as a poker coach.
If you meet a shark at the poker table or in the ocean, the advice is the same: get out of the water.
