Remember learning how to play poker: the hand rankings, how to post blinds, how to properly call and raise, the order of play?
Remember moving on to learning the different games, like NL, Omaha, razz, or stud? Trying out both cash games, and tournaments? Discovering what suits you, personally?
Remember reading up on strategy: Super System, Caro`s Book of Poker Tells, and Ace on the River? Watching hours of WPT and WSOP coverage, analyzing hands on Poker After Dark and Live at the Bike? You learned math! Outs, percentages, value, stack sizing all became second nature.
You will never get those hours back. Walk into your local cardroom to play a little cash, and chances are the walls will be covered with grids of promotion gimmicks. High hand, Monte Carlo, bad beats and aces cracked are all prominently displayed with huge $ signs.
Ok. You still need to know the hand rankings. Wait, nope, not til the river falls. You still need to know how to properly raise. Wait, a big “no” to that too cause everyone calls no matter how carefully thought-out your wager. It is helpful to know how to post blinds I guess, to keep the game rolling, but since the dealer has to keep reminding the guy watching movies on his iPad, why can’t the dealer prompt you as well?
Promos turn a poker session into a giant bomb pot all the way to the river. Just put it in, and deal – no betting until the river falls. Got 4h7h? Hey, that straight flush may hit. Got bottom pair on the flop? Full house, here I come! Strategy be damned, wishful thinking is king in this environment.
With a nod of appreciation to Bellagio, Aria, and Wynn, I respectfully ask there be no promo. At least during prime poker times like Friday and Saturday nights. And Sundays. And don’t even get me started on promo drops…. Cause that is a whole other view, to be addressed when in the mood.
I just wanna play REAL poker now.