02.10.09
Beginner Luck
Poker is a game of both skill and luck. Seasoned players know how to count outs and odds to maximize their opportunities and luck. But newcomers to the game often just rely on luck, and get swept up in the fun and action of the game. And sure enough, many new players often hit “beginners luck” when they start playing.
Beginners luck is a phenomenon recognized in all games of chance. It is both a curse and blessing. For the amateur poker player who does not understand the long odds against making an inside straight or full house, the fun is in trying. These are players who keep betting right up until the last card, and then put a bad beat on a good player holding a made hand like trips, only to see it trounced by the amateur’s gut shot draw.
For beginners willing to gamble a certain amount, the game is fun and, when they do win against improbable odds, they’re apt to be back another time – only to lose. And though the myth is that these players are easy pickings for savvy players, that is not always the case. Bad play by amateur poker players creates chaos for strategic players.
For the most part amateurs do act like ATMs for seasoned players, but any smart player should beware of the nave newcomer who pursues an improbable hand. When beginners luck goes their way, bad beats are bound to materialize at the table.
