If you are unfamiliar with poker, you might be lead to believe that everyone bets with their own money when they sit down to play a game. However, this is not always the case because some players will be subject to “staking”, a practice which does not always have entirely positive consequences. Read this helpful guide in order to find out much more.
What Exactly Is Staking?
Staking refers to a process where an individual or an organisation will give someone money to take part in a poker game or tournament on their behalf.
For individuals, this will happen if they have cash but do not consider themselves skilful enough players to hit the jackpot in a game of poker. They will choose a friend or an associate to take part on their behalf. In theory, the backer will then share a percentage of the winnings with the player if they happen to come out on top in the game or tournament. This agreement has been around for as long as the game has been played, and is prevalent in many different types of card game where skill and high stakes are involved. Online poker training will teach you more about staking.
What Are The Benefits?
Before we walk about the downsides of staking in poker what are the upsides? The most obvious benefit for the backer is that they are giving themselves a greater chance of making money if they align themselves with someone who is an expert poker player. For the person taking part, they might strike up a recurring partnership if their first couple of games end successfully.
What Are The Downsides Of Staking?
There are several downsides to staking which should make you think twice about taking part in the whole process. Staking can cause problems between friends. If you are given a large sum of money to play poker by a friend and you come home empty handed, then this could cause an argument. Your friendship could be adversely affected as a result of this loss.
If you have arranged to do this with your friend, make sure that they aren’t breaking the bank with the amount of money that they are giving you. Small amounts will help to keep the friendship intact.
There is a more sinister edge to staking when it involves large organisations. Some criminal gangs will seek to make large amounts of money by selecting someone to play poker with money on their behalf.
Criminal gangs can seek to exhort successful poker players. They may initially agree to split the winnings with the player but then take them all for themselves. Also if the players lose a game or a tournament, then their personal safety or the safety of their family members could be in immediate danger.
Hopefully, this guide has taught you the pros and cons of staking. In low stakes games where friends are helping each other, the problems should be minimal but they can multiply. And if you are approached by a stranger for playing in a high-money tournament you should probably play it safe and refuse.
