c. Lying

Lying is a key tool of strategy. For example, when asked about his folded cards, the good player lies about them to create the impression that he plays loosely or poorly. To lie effectively, he must always lie within believable boundaries to keep others from automatically doubting him.

With careful lying and calculated deceit, John Finn builds his image as a kind-hearted, loose player who is an asset to the game. Here is an example of how he builds this advantageous image:

The game is highball draw with a twist. John begins with a pair of aces, draws three cards, and ends up with two pair. During the betting, he notices Ted Fehr putting $25 too much into the pot. John says nothing and plays his two pair pat on the twist. Sid Bennett misses his flush and folds out of turn . . . that out-of- turn fold is very helpful to John.

Now with only two remaining in the hand, Ted bets $25. John reads him for trips and reasons Ted’s bet like this: Ted thinks his three of a kind are beat by John’s pat hand. So if he checks, John will bet the $50 maximum, and he will have to call. By making a smaller bet, he hopes that John will only call, thus saving him $25. Ted’s strategy backfires … John raises to $75.

“How many cards did you draw in the first round?” Ted asks.

“One,” John quickly lies.
“A one-card draw, then pat on the twist … I can’t call that,” Ted sighs while folding his cards.

 John places his cards face-down next to Sid’s dead hand.

 “What’d you have, the straight or flush?” Ted asks.

 John pulls in the pot. He then picks up Sid’s cards, gives them to Ted, and says in a low voice, “Don’t tell anyone my hand.”

 “What!” Ted cries on seeing the cards. “You play a four flush pat to win a three-hundred-dollar pot?” John smiles and nods. Ted slumps in his chair.

“That’s what I like,” Sid says. “His wild playing beats all you tight players…. You’re great, John.”

John shrugs his shoulders and then throws $25 to Ted.

“What’s this for?” Ted asks.

“Your last bet,” John says “I don’t feel right about taking it.”

“Merciful guy.” Ted smiles. Then, counting the money, he continues, “You might win all my money, but you’re still a gentleman.”

“That’s no gift,” Quintin Merck mumbles, “Ted put…

“Whose deal?” John interrupts…. So besides winning a $300 pot, he did a lot of favorable image- building with that hand.