On Fri, 2 Apr 2004, Jerry Friedman wrote: > > --- David Silberstein <davids at Kithrup.COM> wrote: > > On Fri, 2 Apr 2004, David Dyer-Bennet wrote: > > > > >And there's a prime example. If you're actually holding the *best > > >possible* hand -- that is, you know the odds of any other player > > >having a better hand are *zero* -- then knowing the odds certainly > > >will influence how you play your hand! > > Ike must have meant the best hand at the table (which of course you > wouldn't know at the time). I did indeed. > > >I guess I can believe that people *have* been bluffed or bullied while > > >holding the best possible hand -- but I have a hard time believing in > > >such stupidity. If you get a chance, check out some of the various poker shows running. It happens all the time. Part of knowing the odds brings you into risk/reward analysis. In addition to odds, there's also a risk/reward factor going on...there's nothing to stop me from betting like a madman with crap, which is going to make you think hard before calling my bet. > They'd be the same people who sell books for a living but don't > learn to pronounce titles that might give them trouble. > > Is "bullied" a technical term in poker like "bluff", by the way? I've seen it referred to in discussion of tournament play when the chip leader starts making LARGE bets in an effort to scare everyone into folding. I've seen it work rather well until you run into the player with a strong starting hand. --Brother Ike