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Surviving the Donkeys and the Sharks

December 14, 2009

Playing poker has its hazards! There are two types players that one should watch out for and try to stay clear of.

The Shark and the Donkey!

The Shark:

The shark is very dangerous. This player is the classic example of the top of the food chain waiting to take advantage of the weakness of lesser poker players.

Dealing with a shark is very easy. Stay away from them and stick to shallow waters ie. small stake games. But don’t be fooled, smaller, less well know sharks still lurk in these waters.

Characteristics of a Shark

  1. Usually wait at a table for players to come to them
  2. Plays very few hands
  3. When they play, they play aggressively
  4. Usually win the hands that they play

The Donkey

If the shark is dangerous, then the donkey is leather. Technically speaking, the donkey has no concept of the what poker is about. These players are gamblers and enjoy the thrill of the chase. Unfortunately, the donkeys get lucky every now and then and usually deliver the worst bad beats imaginable.

Dealing with a donkey is pretty straight forward. Select your hand very carefully, and when you have the nuts then punish the donkey with strong/clever betting.

Characteristics of a Donkey

  1. Usually plays too many hands
  2. Plays a range of stakes, mid to highs stakes
  3. Always limping in and flat calls bets
  4. Hit there cards on the river

Surviving the Donkeys and the Sharks is a stressful affair but once your poker scope is set, then pick on the weakness of these players. Be clever, play within your bankroll and keep on learning.

Written by admin · Filed Under Poker School 

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The fundamental theorem of poker, introduced by David Sklansky, states that: every time you play your hand the way you would if you could see your opponent's cards, you gain, and every time your opponent plays his cards differently from the way he would play them if he could see your cards, you gain. This theorem is the foundation for many poker strategy topics. For example, bluffing and slow-playing are examples of using deception to induce your opponents to play differently than they would if they could see your cards. There are some exceptions to the fundamental theorem in certain multi-way pot situations, as described in Morton's theorem. In this section we will analyse the mental aspect of playing poker...when, how, why and bluff.