Fancy play syndrome

Marcus Bateman / Marcus Bateman / 11 September 2008 / Leave a Comment

Betting with big hands, bluffing when your opponent seems weak, or folding when you know there is no other option - these are the bread and butter plays of being a successful poker player.

The idea of 'fancy play syndrome' was first pointed out by the 'mad genius' of poker - Mike Caro. What he is referring to is when players start making overly complex plays that are simply not profitable over the long term.

A broader example of this concept is in restaurants. The very best Michelin starred chefs have to create dishes that are both original and complex, but also simple enough that the key flavours can come through. This is exactly the same in poker - trying to utilise too many different moves has the exact same result on your bankroll as too many flavours does on your palette.

Most of the time in poker the simple move is usually the best. Although there are clearly circumstances where deviating from the norm is clearly correct, such as constantly attacking the blinds of a very tight player, or trapping a super lose opponent; most of the time making the standard play for the situation is correct.

Betting with big hands, bluffing when your opponent seems weak, or folding when you know there is no other option - these are the bread and butter plays of being a successful poker player. By letting your play become overly complex you will often be trapping yourself instead of your opponent.

It is extremely easy in poker to let your ego take over from your rational brain. Making complex bluffs or traps feels great - there is no better ego boost than these types of move. Yet it is imperative not to let them become a play that is done for the plays sake. These plays are only profitable occasionally, and only when a specific situation dictates it. If you let fancy play syndrome take over your game you will start to lose a huge amount of money in situations that usually you would not lose money in.

It is much easier (and much more profitable) to let players natural mistakes give you their chips. Although against very good players you will have to make a few complex plays to keep them on their toes, against nearly all other opponents just taking advantage of the fact that they call or fold too much will be the optimum play. Watch your opponents, seek out their mistakes and then take advantage of them in the simplest way possible - your ego might complain, but your wallet certainly won't.

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