Understanding Poker Angle Shooters

Whether it is online or in a brick and mortar Poker room, the regulations are always laid out clearly for all to see. However, some individuals make use of some gray areas to gain a head start on the other players. These are called angle shooters.

Poker angle shooters are so called because what they are doing is basically trying to look for angle or aspects of the rules that they can bend. A good example of this is when they perform an act even though it is not yet their turn at the table.

The often cited example of this is when a player in middle position makes a wager before those ahead of him have had the chance to bet. Usually the casino dealer will inform the Poker angle shooter that he cannot yet make a wager, but the damage has been done. The ones under the gun, upon seeing what he did, will often make a check, hoping to raise when the action shifts back.

The Poker angle shooter on the other hand, will also check, and often gets to see a free card, or sees it cheaply. This clearly interrupts the natural flow of the game, and will also affect the strategies of those players on the big blind and the button.

Another instance of the Poker angle shooter in action is when he takes too long to bet his chips. Often he would take a bundle, but base his action depending on the reaction of the players around him. If they look confident, he will make a small bet, but if they are tense, he will put in a more substantial amount.

You will, in the course of your playing career, come across Poker angle shooters. The best way to deal with them is to take the matter up with the dealer. If you sense that a player keeps acting out of turn, you can ask the dealer to take more decisive action (although in most cases this will not be necessary, as most casinos now hand down more severe penalties against these players).

You can do the same thing when you see someone who takes too long to place his bets and is obviously basing his decisions on how the other players react. You discuss the matter with the dealer. If you think that they are not taking proper action and it is affecting your game, move to another table.

Every player wants to win in Poker, but it should not be at the expense of going around the rules or bending them. Just as important as winning the money is knowing how to play it fair.