Who would play poker with a cheater - on purpose?!?!

Well... quite a few people, actually!

On a recent Haman Nature episode featuring the great Bob Murphy — I forget which one — I blew his mind by mentioning that sometimes in poker home games, the regulars will tolerate the presence of a known cheat.

Weird, right? I mean, why would they do that? Well, as with most areas of human action, the answer involves human nature, scarcity, and opportunity costs. It’s about (as always) the seen, and the unseen.

So, why would a home poker game operator keep a known cheat around?

First of all, running a successful home game is complicated. It’s a delicate balance of camaraderie, competition, and cash flow. As the host, you’re not just shuffling cards—you’re managing egos, wallets, and the occasional moral dilemma.

One such dilemma is what to do when you discover a cheat in your game. The obvious impulse would be to kick them out, but surprisingly often, that isn’t what happens. To see why, let’s dive deeper into the dynamics of a home poker game.

For starters, what elements make up the “perfect” poker home game participant? Off the top of my head, I’d say the perfect home game regular is:

• a losing player

• a pleasant player

• a reliable player — shows up to the game every time

• a player who can afford his losses

• an honest player

Those traits are placed (very roughly) in order of importance to most players and game operators. Notice how low I placed “honest”? After all, if the player is losing money regularly, does it matter that much if he cheats?

Now, if you’re running a home game and you have 7-8 consistent players who have all five of the above traits, well then, you’re in gravy!

But human nature and the laws of scarcity being what they are, it’s more likely that you have a larger pool of occasional players, most of whom are lacking in one or more of these highly sought characteristics.

So, as economics constantly demands we ask, what are our options? Should we allow a cheat into our home game for the evening? Or on the regular? Should we allow an unpleasant player or two? Should we tolerate those whose attendance is spotty and unreliable?

Well, (channeling Thomas Sowell) compared to what?

If the option is to have some of these less desirable players in the game or no game at all, most hosts (and consistent winners) clearly would prefer the option where they get to play poker, even against cheaters — as long as they are losing cheaters.

And of course, humans being humans, there are a ton of other considerations. Here’s a few reasons why you might prefer to keep a cheat:

1. The Cheat Is a Net Loser
   Poker thrives on weak players who bleed chips over time, and a cheat—paradoxically—can be one of them. If their cheating is sloppy or ineffective they might still lose more than they gain. An operator might tolerate this if the cheat’s losses subsidize the game’s profitability or keep other players happy. It’s a cynical calculation: as long as the cheat’s not cleaning out the table, their money spends like anyone else’s.

2. Social Glue and Group Dynamics
   Home games often double as social gatherings. A cheat might be a friend, a charismatic regular, or someone who brings others to the table. Booting them risks fracturing the group or alienating players who value the cheat’s presence over their ethics. Hosts may weigh the cost of confrontation against the benefit of maintaining the game’s vibe, especially if the cheating is subtle and doesn’t ruin the experience for others.

3. Avoiding Conflict
   Confronting a cheat is messy. It can lead to denials, drama, or even threats, especially in tight-knit groups where accusations ripple. A host might decide it’s easier to let the cheat dig their own grave through losses than to spark a showdown that could kill the game’s momentum or reputation.

But wait: Why assume the cheat will lose?

Why would a cheater be a losing player? Well, it’s because this isn’t The Sting we’re talking about. These aren’t master card mechanics and close-up-magic-caliber prestidigitators we’re talking about. These are just garden variety folk with some character flaws that make them willing to try to bend the rules from time to time.

And here’s the crucial thing, the high time preference character traits that make a person willing to cheat in the first place aren’t often correlated with the kind of smarts and discipline to be able to play winning poker over time.

Cheating in poker often stems from a mix of desperation, entitlement, and flawed self-perception, traits that also make someone prone to losing. Here’s how these psychological and behavioral patterns intertwine:

1. Desperation and Short-Term Thinking
   Cheaters are often driven by a need to escape a losing streak or financial pressure. This desperation clouds their judgment, pushing them toward risky, unethical moves. Ironically, this same impulsivity makes them poor players. They chase losses with bad calls, tilt under pressure, and fail to plan long-term, bleeding chips as they go.

2. Overconfidence and Self-Delusion
   Many cheaters believe they’re smarter than the table, convinced their tricks will go unnoticed. This hubris mirrors the mindset of a losing player who overestimates their skill, calling big bets with weak hands or bluffing into obvious traps. Both the cheat and the loser suffer from a distorted self-image, unable to accept they’re outmatched.

3. Entitlement and Moral Flexibility
   Cheaters often feel entitled to win, whether due to past losses, perceived slights, or a belief that “everyone’s doing it.” This mindset correlates with losing players who blame bad luck or “rigged” games rather than their own mistakes. Both dodge accountability, refusing to adapt or improve, which locks them into a cycle of failure.

4. Thrill-Seeking and Risk Addiction
   Cheating, like gambling, can be a rush—palming a card or signaling a partner spikes adrenaline. This thrill-seeking overlaps with losing players who crave action over strategy, making reckless bets for the sake of excitement. Both prioritize the high of risk over the discipline needed to win consistently.

5. Poor Emotional Regulation
   Cheaters and losers often struggle to manage frustration or insecurity. A cheat might rig a hand to avoid embarrassment, while a losing player might double down on a bad bet to “prove” themselves. This emotional volatility leads to predictable patterns—telegraphed bluffs, obvious tells—that sharper players exploit.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. It’s not like playing regularly with a cheat is the ideal situation, but oftentimes it’s much better than the alternative. This strange truth is a reminder of a very old saying that is as true in so much of life: Poker isn’t a game of cards, it’s a game of people.

Naturally,

Adam