Team poker events are often the subject of much discussion amongst poker players. Poker is an individual pursuit and any type of “soft play” or worse “collusion” between players (i.e. when someone intentionally plays a hand without the sole purpose of gaining chips for him/herself) is quite rightly against the rules.
The confusion about team poker events arises from the fact that they are played in the same surroundings and seemingly identical conditions to normal poker events. However, the whole goal of the event, the overriding goal, is to win the prize for your team – not for just yourself. Your sole consideration is not gaining chips for yourself but ensuring the success of your team. Of course these 2 goals mostly overlap but not always.
The dynamics that these events create are some of the most fun and interesting you will find at a poker table. During the Las Vegas Team Challenge I, I found myself chip leader of the event with 2 tables to go. I was however the only remaining player of my team and as such could not win the main prize. There were 2 players either side of me from the same team, one was extremely short stacked and the other had above average chips. I enjoyed playing the one man kamikaze role trying to police the table, although probably not as much as the guy on my right did when I ran into his Kings with 11 players remaining and donated him more chips than he could stack.
I should probably balance this performance out with the note that in the Las Vegas Team Challenge II I was the 1st player eliminated from the live final after less than 15 minutes….
It’s fair to say not everyone grasps the concepts of successful team poker strategy. Take a look at this clip from the 2006 “Football and Poker Legends Cup” where Welsh poker pros Mr Burns and Fireman Sam sought the help of compatriot Neville Southall to overcome the might of the USA…
Whist Messers Colcough and Jones have probably vowed never to play team poker ever again, I would urge anyone who hasn’t tried it before to come and take part in the upcoming Las Vegas Team Challenge III on Poker Encore. Here’s what you need to know:
- Teams of 4
- A choice of 22 online events , of which you need to play at least 10 to qualify for the live final
- Live final at the Star City Casino Birmingham on 3rd-4th March 2012
- $48,000 1st team prize of a package to Las Vegas
- $12,000 2nd team prize of European tournament entries
- $6,000 prize to the best performing individual player
The 1st online event is on Monday 17th November, with team entries permitted until the 15th January 2012
Hope to see you there
Karl
