Don't be Guilty of 'Barber-Poling' and 'Peacocking'

Recently during the World Poker Open, I was having dinner with Tournament Director Dave Lamb. For those of you who don't know Dave, when he is away from the green felt, he lets his "silly side" come into play. We were laughing and joking about some of the new trends happening in tournaments, when he started telling me that he had to ask some players to stop "barber-poling" and "peacocking." Now, I've been around poker rooms for 30 years, and have never heard those two terms. I was fascinated to hear Dave's explanation, and asked if he would consider writing about them to enlighten Card Player readers. Sure enough, Dave returned to his home in Reno and sent me the following information about barber-poling and peacocking.

A Director's View: Barber-Poling and Peacocking

We all have witnessed some of the numerous chip-stacking techniques that grace the poker table. Most of them are creative expressions inspired by a complete lack of playable cards or just stylish showmanship from chip exhibitionists. Usually, they are harmless activities and sometimes very entertaining, and probably hint at some deep-seated psychological difficulties that we are correct in not attempting to understand.

At the recently concluded World Poker Open, I saw two stacking styles that obviously were intended to mislead opponents:

Barber-Poling

The barber-pole technique - This style interlaces, mixes, or combine one's chips in a manner that disguises and confuses the competition. The chips are sometimes ornately patterned with precise symmetry, and other times, the colors and denominations are indiscriminately mingled. Both methods force opponents to ask (with great frequency), "How much is that?"

Normally, this is not allowed in tournament play unless you have fewer than five chips or hold a giant stack of beautifully orchestrated chips and asking you to break the design continuity would just be wrong.

Peacocking

Peacocking - This involves positioning one's chips in a flamboyant and boastful manner. This borderline illegal stacking system gives the illusion of having a lot more chips than you really have. By placing the hoarded lowest denomination in neatly built columns topped by a handful of higher-value chips, only those players nearest the "peacocker" can tell that the inflated volume of chips has no teeth. Bulks of these baby chips bet all in would not damage the short stack, let alone scare the players with the big, mean, "you-could-be-busted" stacks.

If you decide to emulate either of these activities in a cardroom where I am the director du jour, expect to hear these two things:

1. My congratulations on your "chip ability"; praise given will be based on the merits of your creation.

2. A gentle reminder that opponents are entitled to a clear look at the amount of chips in your possession. Try not to feel violated when I request that you separate the colors and denominations into a more conventional pattern.

Many players assume that the floor personnel in the tournament arena are always busy thinking about rules, making sure cocktails are on time, and seeing to it that customers' needs are being met; those people are wrong. Most of our time is spent watching how you stack your chips.

David Lamb

Well, you learn something new every day!

Now, let's play poker!

Linda is available to host poker seminars and special events. You can contact her at www.cardplayercruises.com.