Poker is a thrilling game that requires a combination of skill, strategy and luck to succeed. But even the most skilled players can fall victim to a frowned-upon tactic known as angle shooting. In this blog, we will explore what angle shooting is, how it can be used to gain an unfair advantage in a poker game, and how players can protect themselves from this underhanded approach to the game.
What is angle shooting in poker?
If you are predominantly an online poker player, you may not have come across the practice of angle shooting. Angle shooting is when a player uses certain unfair actions to gain an advantage over their opponents. Using poker software tools, such as poker solvers and equity calculators, isn’t considered angle shooting, but may be against the rules, so make sure you find out before you try to use one during a live or online poker game.
Why is angle shooting considered bad?
Using angle shooting strategies goes against the spirit of the game, which is meant to be a fair contest of player skill (with the four types of luck occasionally being the only other element that decides the difference between a win and a loss). Angle shooting also makes the game less enjoyable for everyone involved, especially newer players who are learning how to play poker, which is why it is so frowned upon.
At the end of the day, any action that is considered unethical should be avoided. If you plan to try to take advantage of angle shooting, you should be warned that most organizers of poker games have rules against these types of actions. Angle shooting once or twice is, therefore, likely to get you a warning, while further attempts to abuse the rules will probably get you kicked out of the game.