Poker Tips for Couples: What's Love Got to Do With It?
by Bodog Poker | Apr 23 2010
Couples poker has become a popular social event these days, and for many of them it's not a team sport. There aren't a lot of situations where a couple gets to compete against each other without there being some type of repercussion that could potentially affect their relationship. Even when couples play competitive games against other people, they're usually paired up. But
poker gives them an opportunity to try to mislead and outwit each other, all in the name of the game.
Two players cannot collude together in a poker game. Players can share a
bankroll but each individual game is independent, and they should always play against each other the same way they would play against the other players at the table. One should never play soft against anyone, especially a significant other who has a common interest. Playing soft means that you don't try to get as much cash as you can from an opponent when you have them beat. Not raising on the river or betting a small amount that is less than a likely value bet, are examples of this. If you were to do this sort of thing with your partner it will only be a matter of time before you run into someone who will have a problem with it.
It's important to play your best game against your significant other for a couple of reasons. Besides the obvious reason that they should play their best game every time out, it's important for couples to play hard against each other because that's the best way to improve. That doesn't mean that you hunt them down and try to get into hands with them, it just means that you treat them the same way as the other opponents at the table. And if you do end up taking all of their chips, you'll have them instead of an opponent taking them. If you don't play to the best of your ability it's likely that someone else will get their chips.
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If you want to still compete with your significant other you can always make a prop bet before the game begins. You can get as creative as you want when deciding what the two of you want to bet on. If the bet is good enough it will add lots of fun and anticipation to the night. That way you won't be tempted to soft-play them because the two of you will now have a different goal in mind. With the extra incentive of the prop bet it becomes ‘everyone for themselves' in a hurry.
So when you're playing against your boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse, remember that there's no advantage to soft-playing or staying clear of them. Play your best game regardless of the setting and don't take any prisoners. The only time you should feel love at the poker table is when you win a big hand.
