3/16/00
Cards - Sport or Game?
E-Mail by Blake Pirtle Bio/Address
So when is a game not a sport? I have asked myself this question a lot and
have had many arguments about whether card games should or should not be
considered a sport! I have decided that if they can air billiards, bowling
and golf on ESPN, then playing cards is a sport too! Matter of fact the
dictionary defines sport as "any game or pastime." So it is hard
for any one to argue that cards are not a sport. I have even seen ESPN air
a few poker games for big money."
Now the point of a lot of people's argument that cards are or
can't be classified as a sport is that it takes little skill and is mostly
luck. Well, I disagree, and let me tell you that these are the people I
want to get to the table and play for good money.
What gave me the ideal of writing a column about playing
cards was a movie I got to see called Rounders with Matt Damon in
it. In this movie Matt Damon is a semi-professional gambler. And his
girlfriend always wishes him good luck when he goes to play cards. This
always upsets him, and it struck a chord with me too for I have a friend here in
prison I spend a lot of time with playing cards and every time I win he insists
that I am way too lucky!!
It makes me smile that DJ and so many other people out there
have no idea that cards are a lot more complicated then dumb luck of the
cards. A lot of skill goes into playing cards and the people that lack
this skill don't win at cards, unless of course they have a skillful partner like
me!!
Now a lot of you may ask, "Please, tell me what kind of
skills does it take to play in a game of cards. Well, I will start with
what I think is most important being able to read the person you are playing
against. It is so easy to pick up the way people play after only a few
hands. Now, if you're playing poker you want to watch how they bet their
hands. Do they bet a lot when they have a good hand! Do they like to
bluff, or just stay in a hand to up the pot? Watch their eyes and the way
they react to the cards they draw or are dealt. Take notice if they tend
to take chances on difficult draws or hands,. Watch what they do with
their hand or drink. How much they smoke, etc.
Now in a game like Pinochle, it can get really fun.
Does the person you're playing like to sit on trump? Does he know how to
make a run down suit, good? Heck, just watching where they pull their
cards out of their hand a lot of the time will give away how many of that suit
they have or how strong their hand is. Do they count trump or take notice
of what's being melded around the table? Simple little things like this
are skill and will give you the advantage over the person you are playing
against. Very rarely do I play the cards. Most of the time I am playing
the other players at the table, reading them and trying to get an edge!
The second most important and I would say it's border line
with the first is counting. Yes, counting cards and or trump. Most
people don't understand how important this is or how skillful. Now don't
go to Vegas and try counting cards for they feel this is cheating. I
disagree, it takes a huge amount of concentration and skill to constantly count
cards or trump. Most people just try to remember every card being
played. These are the one to play for money, for they do not understand
that with a little practice it is a lot easier to count than memorize.
When playing pinochle I will count all trump that is melded
on the table, what I have in my hand and then while they are being played.
Not only does this let me know pretty much where all the trump cards are but
also to have an accurate count of trump during the hand gives me a huge
advantage!
Now playing poker makes it a lot harder. It's all about
odds here or getting your card. Most games are dealt pretty much face up
so you count what's on the boards. How many cards are dealt. how many
of your cards other players have showing. That leaves how many are left in
the deck multiplied by the players at table should leave you with a good idea of the
odds of hitting your card. This is all skill, there is no luck involved,
unless you're playing blind by not doing any of this.
When playing for money, this could be the most important
skill - know when to dump a hand, a game or two. There are times if you're
winning when you have to bet a bad hand or two. Lose a game or
two!! Keep the person or persons you are playing with interested in the
game and at the table. Give them hope for it could and will be your best
weapon! Like any sport the whole purpose in playing cards is to win, but
when gambling, you also must know the right times to lose too!! If you
constantly beat the same person over and over they are not going to want to keep
playing you, unless they of course are really stupid which a lot of gamblers
are!
Now I truly believe that all great card players are excellent
sportsmen because they are graceful winners. Never leave someone broke
when playing for money. When playing for fun, never rub it in or talk a
lot of trash. I myself even like to take the time to try and point out how
they could have played a hand or game better.
Since coming to prison, I have learned about every game of
cards there is - that is how we pass a lot of the time in here. Now I will
play cards any time any day, for whatever you want to play for. I'm not
this confident because I believe in the luck of the cards. But because of
my skill and ability. I feel that I have at lease a 60% better chance of
winning than a person I'm playing.
So next time someone tells you that cards are not a sport and
that it take no skill to play them, take them to a card room or a pinochle
tournament with big stakes. Sit them down for a 12 hour game in that smoky
room, give them a few drinks, and watch them lose their money in a short period
of time, unless of course there is someone like me at the table that will give
them that false hope, keeping them at the table making a night of sport out of
it!!
3/16/00
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