Why do we look at our cards after the other guy folds? (2 Viewers)

[upNdown]

We see this so often - one guy bets, the only remaining villain tosses in his cards. As the dealer starts pushing the pot, the winner peaks at his cards for one last time.
I’m not really complaining about it, because I’ve found myself doing it myself.
It feels like a final poke at the folder, implying a bluff - taking a last peak is like saying “you folded to this?”
I suppose when I’ve done it, it has been for a variety of reasons. But the bottom line is
1) it’s totally unnecessary; the hand is over so who cares.
2) people do it a lot.

So
Why do we do it - any thoughts?

 

[CantSpellPoker]

Couple of things jump to mind:

1. One last reminder to yourself of your exact hand in case you’re asked about it later.

2. We’re so conditioned to seeing it on televised poker, where players do this in order to show the camera before ultimately tossing their cards in (even after winning), that we do it ourselves as a natural reaction

 

[chippitydoodah]

100% gloating. Everyone that does it has a shit eating grin on their face from
A. Admiring their awesome cards.
or
B. One last look at the crap they bluffed with.

 

[BarrieJ3]

Reason #1: Hero was playing blind the entirety of the hand. Though usually instead of peeking, will flip them over so the table can play along at finding out.

Reason #2 and much more likely: I can’t actually remember what I have, so might as well take a peek out of curiosity.

These are my honest answers. I have no idea why others do it.

 

[allforcharity]

I actually don't know anyone that does this. I'll be watching extra close next game.

 

[Tight_Lay_DOWN]

It is often a form of Psychological Relief: which is defined as a positive emotion that can involve a sense of pleasure surprise and the release of anxiety which has just ended, usually an involuntary reaction - which is why you usually see it a alot.

Examples:

- you can say it is because the player got away with a bluff and won (usually involuntary action)

- or a player had a great hand which was near the nuts and won and are happy to win but are a little disappointed that did not win more (lost value - involuntary action)

- someone wants to remember the hand for later (voluntary action - not psychological relief).

- some do it to make it appear they had the strong hand - but want the appearance of executing a bluff to the other player (voluntary action -not psychological relief)

Just a guess...

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

1) it’s totally unnecessary; the hand is over so who cares.

I'll disagree with this point. Sure, some people can just be gloating. There's some gentlemen in a game I frequent that do this with the smirk and headshake just to annoy people, for sure.

But I probably do this a few times a session and its got nothing to do with ego. If I win without a showdown, I try to take a mental snapshot of what I had and what the board was. Taking like 0.5-1 seconds to cement it in my brain to come back to later is useful. Yeah I won the hand but if its a significant pot I'll probably think about it later; why did I win, what was the board and what was the betting like? If I had a perfect memory I wouldn't re-peek at all but I'm flawed.

Its like when I turn the oven on, I turn the oven light on. Drives my wife crazy but its just a visual way of reminding myself about a task. Re-peeking before mucking (not every hand, relax lol) helps be intentional about remembering the situation. I no longer have to worry about my tells or timing or anything, I just have to focus for that fraction of a second.

Edit: Well said @Tight_Lay_DOWN , sums up both of why I do it: I'm relieved to no longer be focusing on the action and what's next, and also improving recall.

 

[Tonystark137]

"What the F did I have?"

 

[Tonystark137]

Realistically, its been this

- or a player had a great hand which was near the nuts and won and are happy to win but are a little disappointed that did not win more (lost value - involuntary action)

 

[upNdown]

I actually don't know anyone that does this. I'll be watching extra close next game.

Keep watch - I’ll bet you’ll see some.

 

[mdt11]

Ha. I've never done this, or noticed anyone else doing this. Once the hand is over, IDGAF, just push me the chips.

 

[merkong]

I do it for one last deliberation on whether I want show one or both.

I show more than most players.

 

[Highli99]

It’s definitely a needle. Done intentionally by some and unintentionally by others, but still a needle. Implies a bluff got through.

I try not to let it bother me.

 

[TheBigTater]

Sometimes it's an intentional slight jab at the folder to say "what did I have, you folded, whew thanks" whether you were bluffing or not. I believe it becomes a habit thing once you do it too many times or you are trying to be stay consistent in you mannerisms.

 

[Frogzilla]

Checking if I have the hand I thought I had, and if not, no more drinks for that level.

 

[Poker Zombie]

I usually see winners checking their cards needlessly when a hand walks (preflop folds all the way to the BB). Late stages of NLHE tournaments mostly. BB will look down and get miffed that their powerful starting hand only won a SB. I would do the same thing. Then a player once said, "Why check? I'm only going to tilt myself".

Since then, I no longer look at my winning hands (at least I don't think I do).

 

[Tonystark137]

I usually see winners checking their cards needlessly when a hand walks (preflop folds all the way to the BB). Late stages of NLHE tournaments mostly. BB will look down and get miffed that their powerful starting hand only won a SB. I would do the same thing. Then a player once said, "Why check? I'm only going to tilt myself".

Since then, I no longer look at my winning hands (at least I don't think I do).

Sometimes I doubt check suit/card combo to try to figure out what villain had and try and figure out if I need to adjust sizing.

Sometimes I'm just bored while waiting for chips to be pushed to me.

 

[TheYeti]

If it's just a quick peek, I don't mind it. What bugs me more is the guy who is obviously folding but has to Hollywood about it for 30-60 seconds (or more), peeking at his cards multiple times before finally tossing them in the muck. Grinds my gears I tell ya!

 

[Huskerchipper]

Great! Now I will notice it and now it will annoy ME!! Thanks alot!!JK

 

[surfik]

I think it's more like ...what a waste of good old AA...

 

[Kid_Eastwood]

When you decided to play like you had AA without looking at your cards (or made other think you actually had a look). And at the end, you wanted to see what you actually had.
I did this a couple of times just for the fun.

Sometimes - if faced with a big bet - I also had to stop this stupid thing and look at my cards before taking a decision.

 

[upNdown]

I did this a couple of times just for the fun.

I’ve done it from time to time. The best one I can remember was at a tournament at the encore Boston. When the villain folded I actually showed, and he said “I thought you had aces!” It was one of those happy moments you remember.

 

[Kid_Eastwood]

I’ve done it from time to time. The best one I can remember was at a tournament at the encore Boston. When the villain folded I actually showed, and he said “I thought you had aces!” It was one of those happy moments you remember.

In your head you had aces and that's what's important.

Villain had a good read though.

 

[Sparkynutz]

I look over and over cuz my memory sucks lol.

 

[Taghkanic]

I think it’s more of a habit and/or reflex many players have than any conscious decision to needle etc.