I was extremely bored a couple days ago. So, I logged onto PokerStars to pass a little time and play a little “play money” poker. (Yes, I know, I know…but I was bored.) I sat down at a 100/200 No Limit Omaha Hi/Lo table. Much to my surprise, a couple players immediately requested that I leave their table. Now, being the inquisitive type of person that I am, I asked why they were so hostile towards me. They not-so-politely informed me that I was sitting at a “40K AIOF” table and my stack of 12K was not going to cut it in their game. What the #$%@ is 40K AIOF?
It turns out, AIOF means “All-in or Fold”. Every person at the table is expected to start with $40,000 in play money and sit out until the table is full. Then, all players join the game and may only make one of two moves – move all-in or fold. To quote former tennis professional, John McEnroe, “You cannot be serious!” Players are supposed to move all-in or fold pre-flop? That’s it?
I wonder if these players realize the bad name they are giving poker. Yes, I know it is only a small group (at least I hope it is a small group) of players who do this, but do they not see that they are turning a game of skill into a complete game of luck in which the only necessary skill is to be able to recognize the strength of a starting hand? Do they not realize that it is this very sort of thing that lawmakers can point to when they try to determine if poker is a game of skill or luck? How can they even consider this game a form of poker?
I contacted PokerStars support to see if they had an official stance on this mockery of a game. I received the following statement from them regarding AIOF:
We understand that some players like to play these rules, however please understand that PokerStars does in no way endorse or enforce these “special” games. You are under absolutely no obligation to play in any other way than you seem (sic) fit – nor to leave the table.
Well, at least PokerStars doesn’t endorse this type of behavior in its players. I’d rather see them do something to prevent such shenanigans, but I understand that they have better things to do than to police play money poker tables. In fact, I suppose that these people are technically not doing anything wrong if all players at the table agree to change the game of skill into a total luckfest; however, the second they ask a player to leave, they have stepped over their bounds.
The tables are there for poker players – anybody who wants to play poker should be welcomed at any table on the site, provided they have the funds and meet the sites terms and conditions of play. When people become so inconsiderate as to claim a public table for their own, they cross a line of decency. Asking players to leave a table because you want to play a game other than the game being dealt is rude, indecent, and pathetic.
Can we put these AIOFers at the same table as the people who get indignant when somebody dares to raise pre-flop and let them fight amongst themselves? Maybe, between the two extremes, they can reach the happy median of good play and sportsmanship….well, at least the good play part.
[thanks to elihodapp and kc via cc]
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I agree 100%. It's a legitimate complaint. Players in a free tournament, telling another player they have to leave the game, Unbelievable!
The AIOF style will never appeal to me but, it's nice to know that we have other choices. I am not even a big fan of "no-limit" poker, however I realize that the "explosion" on the scene of modern poker, is due to a combination of events that happened almost at the same time. In 2003, Chris Moneymaker wins the World Series Of Poker and the Travel Channel begins their WPT broadcast into the homes of America. The rest is history and much of it is attributed to the "table-cams" or "lipstick-cams" showing the hole cards of each player, and of course, NO-LIMIT Hold'em! I agree that you need a lot more gamble in you to play no-limit and I also agree that no-limit can compromise the skill level of a more experienced player. The nice part about this discussion is we all have the opportunity to play in just about any type or limit game that we choose. It could be a limit structured bet game, spread limit, pot limit, mixed limit, no-limit or even the AIOF. The important thing for the avid poker player to remember is, to play in a game that you enjoy and a limit that suites your bankroll. May the "flops" be with you!
Nick Ciavarella
Great comment Nick. I'm not a fan of AIOF either. It seems like the popularity of no-limit has come with the theatrics of the "I'm all-in", pushing the chips to the center of the table and standing up. It's made-for-tv theatrics, so that's likely why it's taken hold on tv.
I agree about the variety of games and limits being a good thing – it's good to have choices!
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Nick C
I love poker, what can I say, I also love commenting.
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