Let's Make a Deal? I Think Not!

Very early in my tournament poker career, I had to decide how I was going to handle the dealmaking that occurs in many of the major tournaments. I had to be very careful not to take the worst of it in any deals I'd make. In all honesty, though, I didn't consider myself very good at figuring out exactly what a fair deal was, and wasn't very comfortable with swindling people into an unfair deal for them.

So, I was left with a little bit of a dilemma. At the time, I made the decision that money was the major concern. I was broke and grinding it out in the $20-$40 hold'em games at Foxwoods, trying to scrape up a buy-in to get into the tournaments. But I was still very young and living with mommy, so it couldn't be all that important. I had no kids to feed or major bills to pay. All of that helped make my decision even easier: I would never make a deal in a tournament under any circumstances.

Although that sounds extreme, it has many benefits for me personally. By not making a deal, I would never be getting the worst of a deal, and I wouldn't be hustling or swindling anybody into a bad deal. Also, in the long run I figured it would all even out. I'd get my share of firsts, as well as seconds and thirds. There was just something special to me about winning a tournament outright.

I often hear people tell me that I should make a deal because the blinds become so high that there is very little skill left. While that may be true in many cases, who's to say I'm unluckier than the next guy? How do I ever lose any equity by not making a deal in this situation? Unless I was going to get the best of a deal – which, again, I'm not comfortable with – I would lose zero equity by not making a deal. In fact, I may actually gain a little equity by putting financial pressure on my opponents, causing them to play cautiously in order to move up the pay scale. My goal is always to win the tournament outright, and playing with opponents who are trying not to lose makes it easier for me to win.

That isn't the only benefit, though, there are many others. Another that I find extremely important is what I call "poker politics." Now, everyone has his own opinion of how Joe Blow plays, but I think it's impolite to say quite frankly, "Joe Blow, you play terribly. I'm going to run right over you." Why would I want to offend Joe Blow by telling him I think he plays poorly? Well, if I was a dealmaker, that could in effect happen without my even saying a word. Let me give you an example:

Let's say that I get heads up with Allen Cunningham in a stud tournament and we're even in chips. Now, respecting Allen's stud capabilities, I decide to whack up the money and avoid the unnecessary gamble. Seems like a smart thing to do, right? After all, he is my friend. Now, here comes the problem. Let's say that the next day I get heads up with another buddy, John Juanda, and we're even in chips in Omaha high-low. Yum-yum! Now, imagine John asking, "You wanna chop it?"

"No, John, I'm sorry, but I don't make deals."

"What are you talking about? You just made a deal with Allen yesterday!"

"Oh, yeah, I guess I did. Oh well, I guess the cat's out of the bag now. I guess now you know what I think of your Omaha game, John!"

I'm just kidding, of course; John plays Omaha high-low very well. I just like needling him about it from time to time. You see, there was a time when Omaha high-low was a completely foreign game to him. So, back then, making a deal with him in this situation would have been giving up equity.

More importantly, though, I play the tournament circuit with many of the same players, and I consider many of them friends. Of course, not all of them play equally well, but why should I embarrass them or offend them by letting them know what I think of their abilities or lack thereof. Some players may even take it that I dislike them and that I'm not genuine when I consider them a friend if I selectively make deals.

No deals is clean, crisp, and simple. In whatever place I finish, that's the money I get – it's simple. I never have to second-guess myself. "Oh, I should have chopped it." Or, "Man, why did I make that deal?"

Now, I'm not saying I don't understand why some people make deals. Playing the circuit is very expensive, and sometimes the risk is too great for some to play for it all when they could lock up a profit. This, I understand. I don't condemn people for making deals; deals are just not for me.

I do recommend, though, that if you are financially stable and the money won't change your life, avoid making deals. Once people know you as a "no deals" kind of guy, they'll understand and respect your decision to play it out. Of course, people sometimes beg and plead with me to make a deal, but I just can't crack. Sometimes even when I wouldn't mind making a deal, I just can't do it. Once I do it just one time, I'm no longer a "no deals" kind of guy. I become a "Well, if I like you and think you play well, or I really need the money, we can make a deal; otherwise, no deals" kind of guy. That doesn't sound quite as convincing, now, does it?