Nearly everyone who takes up the game of poker, at one time or another considers the possibility of trying to cheat. After all, wouldn't it be great to take everyone's money without going through the effort of playing well and suffering bad beats? At first glance, cheating seems incredibly attractive. As a cheater, you have a secret advantage over other players, increasing your chance of winning, and if you do things well enough, nobody ever knows what you're up to. Wow. You could even go on to become fabulously rich.
Okay, hold it right there. Not so fast. Let's jump out of this little daydream for a moment and look at this matter realistically.
The truth is that cheating is not for everyone. Some people simply do not have the mental and emotional makeup to execute it properly and live with themselves afterwards. Here's the question: Are you one of those people who would be able to pull it off, or do you fit into the huge category of players who, when it comes right down to it, simply cannot bring themselves to actually play the game unfairly?
Let's find out. I have devised a little quiz for you. Answer the following three questions:
Question 1: You are seated in a home poker game. The player to your left unknowingly holds his cards in such a way that you are able to see them. Do you:
A. Tell him you can see his cards so he can correct the problem and not let it happen again. After all, that’s common courtesy, and telling him is the right thing to do.
B. Keep this information to yourself and use it to your advantage. Additionally, you hope he never notices that he is holding his cards like that.
Question 2: You are playing in a casino. While dealing a particular hand, the dealer inadvertently flashes one of the cards, and you see what it is. No one else notices. Do you:
A. Announce to the everyone at the table that you saw one of the cards being dealt. You figure that everyone you're playing with is also entitled to know what that card is.
B. Keep quiet. Secretly, you hope the player receiving that card stays in the hand that so you will know one of his cards and have an advantage over him.
Question 3: You are in a game among friends. While one of the players is shuffling the cards, you happen to notice the card that ends up at the bottom of the deck. Do you:
A. Ask him to shuffle the cards some more. You inform everyone that you caught a glimpse of that bottom card. Of course, they all appreciate your honesty.
B. Keep your big mouth shut. During that hand, the card you saw will be out of play. Knowing that fact gives you an advantage, which you’ll gladly take.
How did you do? If you answered each of these three questions with Choice 'A', then you are a great person, an honest and ethical human being, and I would want you for a trusted friend. However, and I say this pointedly, you are not someone who should ever consider the possibility of cheating at poker. You do not have the mental or emotional wherewithal to be able to pull it off.
On the other hand, if you answered each of these questions with Choice 'B', then perhaps you have what it takes to attempt to cheat. Your mental and emotional makeup is such that you might be able to endure the rigors necessary to pursue a course of cheating.
So, if you are among this group, does that mean you should now go forth and start trying to cheat when you play poker? Absolutely not! Cheating is never advisable, even for those who are capable of doing it. Cheating is always an immoral and disgraceful activity. There is nothing admirable about a cheater. I strongly advise you: Do not start down the path to cheating, no matter what.
This test is meant merely to provide you with a little insight into how your mind (and heart) works with regard to the prospect of cheating. What did you find out? Are you a person who might be capable of cheating at poker? If not, then take comfort in the fact that you are ethically sound, and please don't ever consider the possibility of cheating. If, however, you are a person who has the inherent ability to cheat, then I say this to you: Don't do it anyway! Venture forth into the world of poker, and take with you your newfound knowledge about yourself. After all, through knowledge, comes empowerment.