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Some poker players claim bad beats are what keep the game going. I don’t agree.

“If people couldn’t suck out on their superior opponents, why would they even sit down and play?”

In it for the fun

That’s just wrong! Most people play poker because they like it. Not because they see themselves as predestined losers with a slim chance at a desperate suck-out.

It would be really interesting to try a poker game where bad beats and suck outs are not part of the game. This variation would bring poker even more clearly into the realm of bridge and chess.

Taking the Keno out of poker

How to do it

When there’s an all-in and a call, instead of dealing the rest of the cards (creating those irritating lottery situations), just split the pot according to the players’ equity.

For example, if you move in with AA and get called by TT in a $1,000 pot, you’d receive $799 right away and your opponent $201.

Soon on a site near you

In online poker, this would be really easy to set up. Which passionate poker site will be first to launch Bad-Beat Free Texas Holdem?

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PS I realize it would be hard to ever finish a poker tournament with this game. But surely some creative spirit will solve this little problem.