Husband wife collusion comments (from one who knows)
Leslie Schenkel (davles_-_AT_-_pipeline.com)
Thu, 11 Apr 1996 08:15:19 -0400
>From reading much of the mail I see that there is some concern about
playing with a husband and wife at the same table, ie Karen & Jessie. I
have played with both but never at the same table so I can't comment on any
stunts they may or may not pull. However, as many of you know my wife
Leslie (Dave talking here) is a fairly competant holdem player and
occasionally we will find ourselves at the same lower limit game while I
wait for a bigger limit.
Now under no circumstances do Leslie and I overtly collude. We don't flash
signals to each other to reveal cards or that one of us has the nuts.
However, I taught Leslie to play, I know her style intimately and can
absolutely put her on a hand. And I'll be honest, I view OUR money as one
big bankroll. And THAT'S where the danger lies playing a married couple.
Because when I'm certain she has a monster hand and I have a drawing hand
that could possibly win (even though the odds may not be right), I will
pump up the volume and the last place you want to be is sitting between us.
At the showdown I will always turn over my cards to reveal a legitimate
hand, but you can be sure I wouldn't have played it that way if my wife
hadn't been in the pot.
Since we don't signal each other on the strength of each other's hand, I'm
not even sure that my style of play is technically or ethically wrong.
However since it is not how I usually play and I don't like playing with
Leslie anyway, I get the first available seat change or higher limit game
that becomes available.
My advice is to stay away from any game where a husband-wife combo are
playing unless they are both fish. Even if they don't overtly team up
there are subltle differences to they way they are likely to play when they
are both in a pot that can make it difficult for you.
David