A syndrome has been identified in the
poker playing community called the
'Maverick Syndrome'. It's the playing
style of poker player's around the world
who think they play better than they
actually do to the point that they
become unreasonable about their play.
They are the ones that try crazy card
moves that 'stupefy' opponents and more
often then not play at games that are
heads-up and short-handed. These types
of players love the limit games where
they won't lose all of their money if
they back a move that proves to be a bad
choice.
Shorthanded games usually have a high
rake, but they are great for players who
are looking for opponents who make
themselves play worse and are more
vulnerable to making more bets. Why?
Because players with Maverick Syndrome
tend to play aggressive and while
aggressive play is usually better than
passive play, thoughtless aggression
against a skilled opponent - and we're
not talking full blown poker pros but
someone who knows how to play - can be
their doom.
Regular poker players, however, need to
be careful that they don't start to play
aggressive simply to beat out the
Maverick's. That's the quickest way to
become afflicted with Maverick Syndrome
themselves. Exploiting these aggressive
players, however, is a whole different
story. To win at poker, players need get
themselves into a mathematically
favorable situation over and over again.
They need to create an edge for
themselves and exploiting an aggressive,
Maverick Syndrome's players stupidity is
one way to gain an edge.
6-handed Texas Hold'Em poker games are
filled with players like this. They tend
to be out of control, or 'on tilt'. They
want to win more hands than they lose,
but ultimately lose more hands than they
win. All their opponents need to do is
sit back and let them make their
flamboyant moves that sink them. Of
course, ego is part of a Maverick
player's psyche, but the big clincher is
the idea that they think they must be
aggressive to win. Not everyone can pull
off a move these Maverick Syndrome
player's see poker pros play on
television. They're just aggressive
enough to try it.
The average poker player should go ahead
and play to the best of their own
ability. This will simply encourage
players with Maverick Syndrome to keep
throwing their chips into the pot in an
effort to win a hand they probably
should've folded long ago. They won't
realize that you are playing your
strengths and exploiting their weakness.
They'll be too self-absorbed with their
own slick moves to realize that they
have blundered into your carefully
devised trap.
