morality question

[badblood44]

To be honest, there have been times that I've thought about this issue. But those times have been at the live poker games I play with friends. One example: There is a friend I've had for a while that is simply horrible at poker. He plays only the nuts and is readable to the nth degree. I've stolen pots from him when I know I can, and I've laid down hands when I know I'm beat. The other night, I felt so bad about taking more of his money, I just checked down a hand where I knew I had him.

On the other hand, online games are played with a bunch of strangers who I can't even see face to face. And frankly, many of them are jackholes in chat, so busting them is actually quite pleasing.

My overall philosophy has evolved recently. I guess I'm getting old and cranky, but I'm flat out tired of constantly paying the price for other people being stupid. In every day walks of life, I'm constantly forced to do extra work to account for other people's inability to do things right. And I'm so tired of it.

In poker, in the long run, the stupid people will pay the price for being stupid. And I like that. Granted, it's a long-term process, but Darwinism at the poker table will win out. So if you're just dumb as rocks and decide that you're going to play poker, well then, there is simply no room for me to pity you.