Dead Money
I used the term “Dead Money” in a previous post and I guess I should explain the two meanings of that term.
First, amateur players or beginning players are often referred to as “dead money” when they play in tournaments with professionals. The term is meant to be humorous (most of the time) and simply implies that you may be easy pickings for the seasoned professional.
The other, more important usage of the term has to do with the blinds and antes that are in the pot before the cards are dealt. For example, when the blinds are 200/400, the “dead money” would be 600. There are 600 chips in the pot ready for anyone with a hand or the skill or gumption to bluff; the “dead money” is there for the taking.
More importantly in games, particularly tournaments, with antes; the “dead money” can become very significant. If the blinds are still 200/400 but with a 50 ante, then a full table of ten players would have 1100 in “dead money” in the pot. Pots fatten by antes become much more interesting and profitable targets for the skilled player. As every good tournament player knows: to win a tournament you must steal your share of the blinds and antes; you have to pick up some of that “Dead Money”.
-This is Beginner’s Poker Blog Post #60
