He couldn’t keep a straight face as he said, “I didn’t see it. I don’t know him well enough to do that.” Everyone else was falling out of their chair laughing. Johnny Fink has a reputation for slowrolling and gets great pleasure out of getting someone. He is a nice guy, everyone likes him, and his goal is just to have a good time, but for whatever reason, he loves to turn up a winner at the last second and rake in the pot.

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In PLO8, he is a master of showing two cards that make a decent hand but then holding back the cards that really make his hand. Against a player we will call B, who is a true professional in attitude and skill but a relative newcomer to this particular game, Fink showed J-2 of hearts for a jack-high flush, B showed his king-high flush, and just before the dealer started to push the pot, Fink rolled out the ace of hearts to take the pot.

A slowroll for sure and it was intentional. But, there is more to the story. Johnny had the nuts and he was last to act, but didn’t raise. He knew what he had, but he gets more fun getting a laugh out of tricking someone than he does out of raising for value and potentially winning more money.

B could have been upset, pitched a fit, and ruined the fun of the moment, but being the true professional he is, he laughed along and played it up, making the moment something everyone in the room enjoyed. People laughing, joking, and having a good time: that is what poker is about, the social players being able to have a good time without getting scolded by the pros for bad etiquette or bad play.

I’ve never understood the big deal with getting slowrolled. If I think I have won a pot for a few seconds and then find out I didn’t, it doesn’t cost me any extra, and getting overly agitated about it never crossed my mind.

Again, I think it comes down to different levels of accountability depending on who you are in the poker economy. If you are a pro who makes a living at the game or expect to be one in the near future, then you have a responsibility to help make the game as accommodating and fun as possible for everyone you are playing against.

If you are called, you should immediately roll your hand over and should never under any circumstances slowroll anyone. On the other end of the spectrum, if an inexperienced or recreational player slowrolls you, accidentally or on purpose, you shouldn’t let it get to you. Act like it’s not a big deal and it won’t be a big deal.

Another reason to not let it get to you is to benefit your own game. If you let a player get under your skin, you won’t play your best and will be more likely to try to chase that player down in spots where you shouldn’t. Being in an emotional state never leads to playing your best poker.

Johnny Fink has a great time playing poker. He isn’t out to hurt anyone and he isn’t trying to make money playing poker. He is having fun and he is great for poker. If he can get a good slowroll in every now and then and everyone can laugh and joke about it without causing a scene, then things are good. As soon as someone takes major offense to it and causes a fuss, it will become less fun for everyone.

Maybe next time he won’t slowroll. Nope, that’s not how it goes. Maybe next time he just won’t play at all. And if you think that’s good for poker, you are flat out wrong.

Court Harrington has worked on the business side of the poker industry in roles including tournament reporting for PocketFives, radio hosting for PokerRoad Radio, coaching for the WSOP Academy and privately, and a variety of behind-the-scenes responsibilities for poker media businesses. He also plays in cash games and tournaments. Harrington is currently doing consulting work and exploring business opportunities outside of the poker industry. You can contact him at Court@CourtHarrington.com.

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