Full Tilt

Synopsis

Shortly after her tenth birthday, inspired by an atlas she was given, Dervla Murphy decided that she would one day cycle to India. Almost twenty years later she set out to achieve her ambition on her bicycle, Roz. Here she describes her journey and experiences.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Poker Boom

The poker boom refers to the surge in popularity of poker during the mid-2000s, largely attributed to the popularity of televised poker tournaments and the rise of online poker. This resulted in a massive increase in poker players and tournaments, as well as the creation of new poker media and businesses.

* Example: The 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event had 839 players, while the 2006 event had 8,773 players.

Chapter 2: The Tilt

Tilt is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when a poker player loses control of their emotions, leading to poor decision-making. Triggers of tilt can include bad luck, slow play, or verbal abuse from opponents. When a player is on tilt, they may play impulsively, call bets they shouldn't, or make other irrational decisions.

* Example: A player who loses a big hand due to bad luck may start calling bets with marginal hands in frustration.

Chapter 3: The Bluff

Bluffing in poker is the act of betting when you have a weak or no hand, hoping to convince your opponents to fold and surrender their chips. Bluffing is a powerful tool when used effectively, but it can also be risky if your opponents don't believe you and call your bet.

* Example: A player with a pair of tens may bluff on the river if the board shows high cards that they hope their opponents are holding.

Chapter 4: The Fold

Folding in poker is the act of giving up your hand and forfeiting your chips. Folding is the correct decision when you believe your hand is not strong enough to beat your opponents. It can be difficult to fold in some situations, especially when you have invested a lot of chips or are chasing a big pot.

* Example: A player with a weak hand may fold to a strong bet from an opponent who has been playing aggressively throughout the hand.

Chapter 5: The River

The river is the fifth and final community card dealt in a poker hand. The river can significantly affect the strength of your hand and can lead to unexpected swings in the action. The river can also be a good time to bluff if you have a strong hand that you believe your opponents will overestimate.

* Example: A player with an ace on the river may bluff if the board shows four other low cards, hoping to convince their opponents to fold a weaker ace.

Chapter 6: The Showdown

The showdown is when all players who have not folded show their hands to determine the winner. This is the most exciting part of a poker hand and can be filled with anxiety, anticipation, and potential disappointment. If you have the best hand, the showdown is a chance to collect the chips and celebrate your victory.

* Example: In a game of Texas Hold'em, a player with a full house at the showdown would win the pot over a player with a pair of queens.