𝚋𝚘𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚗 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚌𝚕𝚞𝚋
@bostoncardclub.com
The rake is too damn high! I'm a Boston poker player trying to find home games (preferably ones where I don’t get stabbed).
Started a Discord to make that happen. It’s still empty though ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Here’s the invite: https://discord.com/invite/j9cNNjWexp
Started a Discord to make that happen. It’s still empty though ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Here’s the invite: https://discord.com/invite/j9cNNjWexp
The sources of inspiration for this thread:
[PDF warning]
Alexander Fitzgerald - Exploitative Play in Live Poker
files.bostoncardclub.com/books/4-expl...
Andrew Manno - Toxic Masculinity, Casino Capitalism, and America’s Favorite Card Game
files.bostoncardclub.com/books/poker_...
[PDF warning]
Alexander Fitzgerald - Exploitative Play in Live Poker
files.bostoncardclub.com/books/4-expl...
Andrew Manno - Toxic Masculinity, Casino Capitalism, and America’s Favorite Card Game
files.bostoncardclub.com/books/poker_...
February 16, 2025 at 4:39 AM
The sources of inspiration for this thread:
[PDF warning]
Alexander Fitzgerald - Exploitative Play in Live Poker
files.bostoncardclub.com/books/4-expl...
Andrew Manno - Toxic Masculinity, Casino Capitalism, and America’s Favorite Card Game
files.bostoncardclub.com/books/poker_...
[PDF warning]
Alexander Fitzgerald - Exploitative Play in Live Poker
files.bostoncardclub.com/books/4-expl...
Andrew Manno - Toxic Masculinity, Casino Capitalism, and America’s Favorite Card Game
files.bostoncardclub.com/books/poker_...
In sum, the very traits that define fallen heroes—their inflated sense of self, stubborn pride, and rigid adherence to masculine norms—make them predictable and, ultimately, poor poker players. Playing smart means exploiting these weaknesses while differentiating yourself from the common loser.
February 16, 2025 at 4:06 AM
In sum, the very traits that define fallen heroes—their inflated sense of self, stubborn pride, and rigid adherence to masculine norms—make them predictable and, ultimately, poor poker players. Playing smart means exploiting these weaknesses while differentiating yourself from the common loser.
They also have an inherent reluctance to fold. Stubborn pride prevents them from letting go of a bad hand, leading to irrational calls and tilts when confronted with losses, further exposing them to exploitable mistakes.
February 16, 2025 at 4:06 AM
They also have an inherent reluctance to fold. Stubborn pride prevents them from letting go of a bad hand, leading to irrational calls and tilts when confronted with losses, further exposing them to exploitable mistakes.
Fallen heroes often overestimate their skill. Their overconfidence leads to bad plays as they wrongly believe they can outsmart opponents, resulting in misreads and ineffective bluffs that cost them heavily in the long run.
February 16, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Fallen heroes often overestimate their skill. Their overconfidence leads to bad plays as they wrongly believe they can outsmart opponents, resulting in misreads and ineffective bluffs that cost them heavily in the long run.
Study population tendencies with databases and reports. Paying close attention to every hand gives you an edge over the majority. Cultivate an adaptable, exploitative mindset—master techniques like the triple barrel bluff for added advantage.
February 16, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Study population tendencies with databases and reports. Paying close attention to every hand gives you an edge over the majority. Cultivate an adaptable, exploitative mindset—master techniques like the triple barrel bluff for added advantage.
Utilize strategic three‑betting to exploit wide ranges. Be ready to selectively fold when faced with heavy aggression, and always focus on making skill‑based, calculated plays rather than chasing coin flips.
February 16, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Utilize strategic three‑betting to exploit wide ranges. Be ready to selectively fold when faced with heavy aggression, and always focus on making skill‑based, calculated plays rather than chasing coin flips.
Fitzgerald noted that 85–95% of poker players lose. To differentiate yourself from the common loser, avoid mimicking their passive, reactive play. Instead, adopt an aggressive preflop style to seize initiative and control the game.
February 16, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Fitzgerald noted that 85–95% of poker players lose. To differentiate yourself from the common loser, avoid mimicking their passive, reactive play. Instead, adopt an aggressive preflop style to seize initiative and control the game.
Be alert to tilt potential. A subtle nudge—pushing them past their comfort zone—can send a fallen hero into an emotional spiral, provoking irrational, pot‑losing decisions. Adapt your play as their behavior shifts.
February 16, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Be alert to tilt potential. A subtle nudge—pushing them past their comfort zone—can send a fallen hero into an emotional spiral, provoking irrational, pot‑losing decisions. Adapt your play as their behavior shifts.
Look for spots to over‑bet, especially when a high card on board makes them uneasy. Their fear of admitting a mistake often forces them to fold or make desperate calls, giving you room to control the pot.
February 16, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Look for spots to over‑bet, especially when a high card on board makes them uneasy. Their fear of admitting a mistake often forces them to fold or make desperate calls, giving you room to control the pot.
Their aversion to folding is a goldmine. Knowing they’ll rarely back down for fear of appearing weak, you can press with aggressive value bets and timely river plays, knowing they might call down with inferior holdings.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Their aversion to folding is a goldmine. Knowing they’ll rarely back down for fear of appearing weak, you can press with aggressive value bets and timely river plays, knowing they might call down with inferior holdings.
Another tactic: three‑bet and isolate them. Fallen heroes often open a wide range of hands. By varying your bet sizes and re‑raising frequently, you force them into uncomfortable positions, capitalizing on their overconfidence.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Another tactic: three‑bet and isolate them. Fallen heroes often open a wide range of hands. By varying your bet sizes and re‑raising frequently, you force them into uncomfortable positions, capitalizing on their overconfidence.
To exploit a fallen hero, target their bloated ego. Encourage them to prove their superiority by making risky calls or bluffs. A subtle, gendered dig can undermine their confidence, leading them to make poor decisions.
February 16, 2025 at 4:04 AM
To exploit a fallen hero, target their bloated ego. Encourage them to prove their superiority by making risky calls or bluffs. A subtle, gendered dig can undermine their confidence, leading them to make poor decisions.
The hypermasculine attitudes seen at the table aren’t aberrations but amplified traditional values. A fallen hero’s inability to fold—refusing to admit defeat—highlights a desperate adherence to pride over logic.
February 16, 2025 at 4:03 AM
The hypermasculine attitudes seen at the table aren’t aberrations but amplified traditional values. A fallen hero’s inability to fold—refusing to admit defeat—highlights a desperate adherence to pride over logic.
Viewing poker through the casino capitalism lens, the game becomes a battleground of risk versus safety. Fallen heroes use the table as an escape hatch from personal failure, chasing an illusion of control in uncertain times.
February 16, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Viewing poker through the casino capitalism lens, the game becomes a battleground of risk versus safety. Fallen heroes use the table as an escape hatch from personal failure, chasing an illusion of control in uncertain times.
Manno links the “Poker Mindset” to toxic masculinity and the Alt‑Right. The aggrieved entitlement of fallen heroes echoes alt‑right frustrations about lost privilege, making them prone to overplay in attempts to reclaim status.
February 16, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Manno links the “Poker Mindset” to toxic masculinity and the Alt‑Right. The aggrieved entitlement of fallen heroes echoes alt‑right frustrations about lost privilege, making them prone to overplay in attempts to reclaim status.
Poker becomes a fantasy space for these players—a stage where they try to prove their superiority. The act of playing is less about math and strategy and more about confirming their self-image of being uniquely gifted.
February 16, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Poker becomes a fantasy space for these players—a stage where they try to prove their superiority. The act of playing is less about math and strategy and more about confirming their self-image of being uniquely gifted.
Manno also discusses Gender Role Discrepancy Strain (GRDS). Fallen heroes, discontent with their life’s “raw deal,” may feel they’re not living up to ideal masculine norms, fueling frustration and risky, overconfident plays.
February 16, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Manno also discusses Gender Role Discrepancy Strain (GRDS). Fallen heroes, discontent with their life’s “raw deal,” may feel they’re not living up to ideal masculine norms, fueling frustration and risky, overconfident plays.
Manno argues that the “Poker Mindset” reinforces hypermasculine values—wealth, status, independence, and a rugged sense of superiority. This mirrors fallen heroes’ belief that their alleged smarts justify a claim on life’s rewards.
February 16, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Manno argues that the “Poker Mindset” reinforces hypermasculine values—wealth, status, independence, and a rugged sense of superiority. This mirrors fallen heroes’ belief that their alleged smarts justify a claim on life’s rewards.
Andrew Manno’s Toxic Masculinity, Casino Capitalism, and America’s Favorite Card Game links poker culture to traditional masculine traits like aggression, entitlement, and the myth of meritocracy. The “fallen hero” fits neatly into this framework.
February 16, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Andrew Manno’s Toxic Masculinity, Casino Capitalism, and America’s Favorite Card Game links poker culture to traditional masculine traits like aggression, entitlement, and the myth of meritocracy. The “fallen hero” fits neatly into this framework.
Fitzgerald’s Exploitative Play in Live Poker introduces “fallen heroes” – players who believe life dealt them a raw deal. They see themselves as smarter or more special, and so feel entitled to wealth, respect, success, and the finer things in life.
February 16, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Fitzgerald’s Exploitative Play in Live Poker introduces “fallen heroes” – players who believe life dealt them a raw deal. They see themselves as smarter or more special, and so feel entitled to wealth, respect, success, and the finer things in life.
Apply these heuristics: count remaining streets, assess your effective stack relative to the pot, and consider your opponent’s range. Geometric bet sizing simplifies multi-street decisions into a clear EV-maximizing strategy.
February 15, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Apply these heuristics: count remaining streets, assess your effective stack relative to the pot, and consider your opponent’s range. Geometric bet sizing simplifies multi-street decisions into a clear EV-maximizing strategy.
In short, geometric bet sizing ensures consistent pot growth. Use the formula f = (T^(1/S) – 1)/2 per street so that if all bets are called, your final wager forces an all-in confrontation.
February 15, 2025 at 9:54 PM
In short, geometric bet sizing ensures consistent pot growth. Use the formula f = (T^(1/S) – 1)/2 per street so that if all bets are called, your final wager forces an all-in confrontation.