If you want to know what is slow rolling, then this article is the perfect one for you. Here we will discuss the strategy and how it can irk your fellow players. So stick with us if you want to know what is slow rolling and how it can hurt more than help.
Slow Rolling: What Is It?
So, if poker is your choice of drug, Then this poker series is something that will help you broaden the scope of knowledge regarding everything related to poker, including straight, flush, online strategies, and everything else related to it. So, today’s topic of discussion is slow rolling. Well, the term might seem odd, but let me assure you that this is one of the most integral aspects that any poker player needs to know about. The term can primarily be explained according to three distinct definitions.
The first one is simple and can be explained as an intentional long pause taken by a player. In other words, when a player takes a little too long to reveal his poker hand or call in an all-in bet, then it can be called slow rolling. Sometimes, players do this even while holding an unbeatable powerful hand like the Royal flush, this ups the ante and makes for a more dramatic reveal.
Another way this term can be explained is when a player purposefully takes a long period of pause before revealing his winning hand. Such a scenario usually takes place during a showdown scenario. Again, this is a way for players to reveal their winning hand with more dramatics.
Why Is It Frowned Upon?
Slow rolling might just be the technique to up the ante and make things more dramatic in the showdown situation. In fact, some of the most prominent poker players of all time argue that the very act of slow rolling goes absolutely against the established poker norms and etiquette. If you have a winning hand, you must reveal it immediately instead of holding up the game just for the sake of dramatics.
I personally feel that slow rolling is more of a psychological attack on your opponent. When you are rolling slowly, you are giving a false sense of hope to your opponent. I mean to say, if you already have a winning hand, what is the point of holding up? It is like adding injury to their insult. This can really seem like a low blow, and not everyone can take it sportily.
Slow rolling is also a massive friendship killer. I mean, if you already know you are going to win and you are holding up the game unnecessarily, you will not make any friends. In fact, a happy game of poker can easily turn into something asinine and hostile. It ruins the pace and sportsmanship of a good game of poker.
Strategy Analysis: Slow Rolling
As we have already discussed extensively, slow rolls are nothing more than an annoyance. But even if you are walking down that road. You might as well do it properly. Before delving deeper into the whole strategy of slow rolls, let me tell you the best way to proceed. I think the best strategy for slow rolling is to avoid it altogether. Still, if you want to dance with the devil, let me educate you about the steps.
First things first, if you are somebody who is new to the game of poker, try and avoid slow rolling. First, understand which hands beat which hands and then go for such fancy strategies to rub it in. Otherwise, you might be slowly rolling a losing hand in expectation to look cool but end up making a fool out of yourself.
Usually, I do not suggest that you slow roll. Just do not do it with strangers while playing for a significantly high pot. Firstly, they are strangers and will not understand where you are coming from. Secondly, if they are losing, they will surely not be very psyched about your antics. In fact, they might find the whole thing in poor taste and become hostile.
Still, this is not an absolute taboo. I mean, if you are playing a friendly match and for a smaller pot, then you can decide to do it.
Live VS Online Slow Rolling
Whenever the Online vs Offline debate is brought up, slow rolls become a whole different ball game. As has been extensively discussed already, slow rolls during an offline game are something that can irk fellow players and make the game environment asinine. However, when the situation shifts from offline poker to online poker, this has become more of a norm. The reason behind this is that many online poker players open several tabs and sit at several different tables to keep the ball rolling. So, it is a very normal thing that the player will take longer to reply or play their hand.
Final Thought
In the end, slow rolling does not add any value to the game you are playing. Instead, it holds up the table and plays with the minds of the opponents. But if you are thinking of slow rolling, I suggest that you do it with your friends and on friendly matches. Avoid employing this tactic in some high-stakes poker tournaments.
Additional Reading:
Barsha Bhattacharya is a senior content writing executive. As a marketing enthusiast and professional for the past 4 years, writing is new to Barsha. And she is loving every bit of it. Her niches are marketing, lifestyle, wellness, travel and entertainment. Apart from writing, Barsha loves to travel, binge-watch, research conspiracy theories, Instagram and overthink.
