Playing Charity Events

During the 2012 World Series of Poker (WSOP), the poker world witnessed an unprecedented charity event with the largest buy-in in poker history: $1,000,000 Big One for One Drop. Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil, organized the tournament to benefit One Drop, whose worthwhile mission is “Water for all, all for water.”

Incredibly, 48 players, comprised of top poker pros and affluent businessmen, bought into and sold out the bracelet event. With 11.11 percent of the buy-in donated to One Drop, the charity raised over $5.3 million, while also creating the largest first prize in the history of poker: $18,346,673! (By the way, congratulations to Antonio Esfandiari for winning this unparalleled event and taking home his second WSOP bracelet.)

However, most charity events do not assemble such an incredible field. Of course, there are often some solid poker players, but many participants just buy-in to support the cause and are the true definition of dead money. Therefore, the strategies that we utilize during regular tournaments don’t always hold true for these unique fields.

This past month, Cabot Cheese (www.CabotCheese.coop) held its fourth annual “Put a Bad Beat On Hunger” charity poker tournament, which benefited The Community Food Bank of Southern New Jersey. Held at The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, I was honored to host the event for such a worthy cause for the third year in a row.

After the event, a few players emailed me saying it was fun to play together, but also vented their frustration on particular situations and hands. They all asked me for some advice. Here is the information that I shared with these players about how to play in charity events.

Play ABC poker

In today’s world of tournament poker, most players raise only two to three times the big blind. In charity tournaments, this betting size will not persuade an opponent to folding his hand. I have seen numerous occasions in charity events where a player raises six to eight times the big blind during an early level and three to five players call. Charity tournament players typically overvalue their hands. Thus, trying to steal the blinds and antes early in the event, along with attempting a squeeze play, is pointless.

My advice would be play ABC poker. First, play premium hands and do not slow play them preflop, such as limping with pocket aces. Players will call with very marginal hands anyway. If you flop a big hand and were the preflop raiser, don’t slow down. Keep betting since someone usually will not believe you and pay you off.

However, if you do like to trap your opponents, there is an excellent time for this. If you were a preflop caller of an aggressive raiser and flopped a monster (like a set), I would then let your aggressive opponent lead the way. Eventually, you can raise him on the turn or river and get maximum value out of your hand.

Additionally, I would recommend playing ace-king carefully. Although raising preflop is appropriate, be very wary postflop, especially if you miss. Remember, players at charity events do not like folding hands. Thus, if they hold a pair, even a small one, they may not fold. Play ace-king very carefully or you can easily go bust with this hand.

There is one exception: Rebuy charity tournaments. Sometimes, the event will hold unlimited rebuys where the players are encouraged to take chances and rebuy back into the event, ultimately benefiting the charity. In this situation, I would first suggest setting a limit on the number of rebuys you are comfortable with and then take your chances accordingly. In this case, I would expand your range of hands preflop, trying to see a flop cheaply in order to hit a big hand or draw. If you have a big draw, go for it. If you have ace-king and want to push, knock yourself out. Just remember that your opponent can rebuy also. In the end, if you hit your hand, there is a quick double up. If you miss, just call out for a rebuy.

Don’t Bluff

Every amateur player who watches poker on television loves to see the pros making unbelievable bluffs against their opponent. These players dream of making one of these incredible bluffs themselves. A charity tournament always seems like a great place to attempt one.

The good news is they can sometimes bluff off all of their chips to you. However, the bad news is that these same players don’t want to be embarrassed by being bluffed off a hand. Thus, they will often act as the sheriff, making questionable calls in order to not be bluffed and look foolish. Overall, bluffs often don’t work well in charity events.

Tells

Since many players in charity events are inexperienced, watch for some obvious tells.

Many will look at their hand before action reaches them. Once they see their cards, they will often give away the strength of their hand. For example, they will pay close attention to the action if they are going to play. Conversely, they will quickly become disinterested when they are going to fold.

Additionally, these players will have very distinct betting patterns. They will either bet incrementally larger as the hand progresses or bet similar amounts on every street. For example, your opponent may make a pot size bet on every street when they have a strong hand, whereas they will bet the same amount on every street when they miss. Some players may have the opposite betting pattern, so pay close attention when they flip over their hand (preferably when they are playing against another person) and then utilize this information to your advantage.

Finally, beware of the overreaction by your opponent. In tournament poker, pro players often try to give subtle reverse tells. In charity tournament, players sometimes try a reverse tell, but it may be over-the-top obvious. One common reverse tell is when they lets out a big deliberate sigh and shakes their head, trying to convince you they missed their hand. Of course, then they bet out and continue their poor acting job. Don’t be fooled; they hit their hand.

Abuse The Money Bubble

Many of these players do not play poker regularly. The charity event could be their only tournament they play for several months. Therefore, if they come close to the money bubble (which is often the final table), they definitely will want to make it, regardless of how small the amount/prize is. Making the money in any poker tournament is an accomplishment and something they would like to tell all of their friends about.

Therefore, if you have a decent amount of chips, be sure to let everyone know that the money bubble is approaching. Be vocal and even point out the number remaining in the tournament. Then, raise any unopened hand and watch the chips come flying over to you. You will be amazed at the amateur poker player’s extreme desire to survive the bubble.

Fold Equity

Most charity tournaments are turbo events. Unless you get incredibly lucky or get a run of cards, you will eventually become short stacked. You will have to take some chances or else you will be blinded out. Don’t be afraid to push all-in with any two cards, as long as you have some fold equity. In a turbo charity event, anything over ten times the big blind should be enough to make the blinds fold late in the event. This strategy is also very true and effective at the final table, allowing you to continue moving up the money/prize ladder.

However, you also need to watch the clock very carefully. With the blinds going up so quickly, you could lose fold equity without even playing a hand.

Here is an example:

You have 22,000 chips with blinds at 1,000-2,000 with a 300 chip ante. Therefore you have 11 big blinds and have a reasonable amount of fold equity.

The next blind level is 1,500-3,000 (400) and suddenly, you have only about seven big blinds and you may have lost your fold equity.

Remember It’s For Charity

One last thought: Don’t forget to be generous; after all it is a charity tournament. Although you are playing to win money/prizes, if you are fortunate to place in the money in the event, consider contributing some additional funds to the charity. ♠

Bernard Lee is the co-host of ESPN Inside Deal, weekly poker columnist for the Boston Herald, ESPN.com, author of “The Final Table, Volume I and II” and radio host of “The Bernard Lee Poker Show,” which can be found on RoundersRadio.com or via podcast on iTunes. Follow Bernard Lee on Twitter: @BernardLeePoker or visit him at www.BernardLeePoker.com.