Poker Tips for Couples: Bad Cop, Good Cop
by Bodog Poker | Apr 21 2010
Playing poker as a couple can be lots of fun and great for a relationship. For one thing, the natural ups and downs of poker will give you an insight into what your partner is really like and how well they react to adversity. If you have a significant other who also enjoys playing poker, there are lots of ways to spice up a night of grinding that will build unity between the two of you, and maybe even give you an edge on the tables.
One old-school way is the "good cop, bad cop" method where the two of you work on presenting a false table image of your playing style. There are two different ways to go about this; you can let it be known to the table that you are together, or you can act as if you don't know each other at all.
The whole idea behind this method of table image deception is to confuse the other players at the table, and to make them think that they are getting information that they can use to their advantage – information you plant in their minds to deceive them. If the act works it can make for a big payday, and even if it doesn't it will make for an exciting night for both of you. The first “good cop-bad cop” scenario we'll look at is when the two of you make it known you're together.
It works best when the female sits at the table first, but it's not necessary. The female should play a conservative style, and should try to mingle and make the atmosphere of the table as relaxed as possible. Once the female has established herself as a steady player, the male can then enter the game. The first thing the woman should say is something like, “Now the game is going to get crazy”. She can proceed to describe how wild and crazy the male player is, making sure to talk about how he bets too much. The male should do everything within reason to present the same style that she is describing until everyone at the table is sure that he is a maniac player. That will get more action his way, and after he changes gears and tightens up his play he will be getting an edge over the game.
When the two members of our couple are pretending not to know each other, the "good cop-bad cop" show presents a different display. One of the two should wait for a situation where they can berate the other. This type of thing always gets the emotions flowing at the table and loosens up the action. The other players will automatically take a disliking to the player who's doing the berating, while at the same time will somewhat side with the player receiving the verbal abuse. The bad cop will get players gunning for him while the good cop will often get sympathy from the other players, potentially saving bets along the way.
So the next time you step out for a poker date, give one of these tactics a try. You might be surprised at how much you can control when it comes to the emotions of the players with whom you're seated.
Editor's note: This article does not -- in any way, shape or form -- condone the act of collusion in online poker rooms.
