You can almost always see the poker tourist coming. More of a sore thumb than even the occasional but informed online poker newbie, a poker tourist often has little to no understanding of the game beyond what he might have seen watching the World Series of Poker on ESPN or online poker parties with his old frathouse buddies. Less than trying to win, they are often most interested in just getting a taste of what it feels like to sit down at a table. They might not know how to post blinds, when to bet, etc. They mostly let themselves be known right off the bat.

Whether in the short run or the long run, these kinds of players are going to lose whatever they put in play. The tendency among more regular players can be to want to try to go after these fish and try to take their money as soon as possible, but often in fact the opposite method is required. Though the play level of these tourists can be pretty wide, you will often need at least some sort of hand against them: not a monster, but enough. Because they don’t understand the value of hands most likely, if they catch a pair they are going to want to play it. Playing strong but remotely cautiously will often be the quckest path to their wallets.