The Fine Line between Prison and Poker

Popular culture has always been fascinated by two things: Poker and Prison. They’ve both been the inspiration for countless movies, television programmes, songs, PlayStation games and even music videos. While many prisoners play poker to keep themselves busy while serving time, just take John Abruzzi from Prison Break, the two have one more important thing in common – fish.

In online poker we like to call poor poker players "fish". Fish are usually new to the game of poker and it’s relatively easy for Pro’s (known as sharks) to prey on them by dangling money in front of them and waiting patiently for the fish to bite.

Think of fish, as being like Dorie from "Finding Nemo," forgetting things as soon as they're taught but swimming full speed ahead anyway. In the same vein, an unskilled poker player will play loosely and passively - calling a lot of bets and risking money on a long-shot bet. It's a well-known (though not well-followed) rule among sharks to not upset the fish because they'll stop having fun and perhaps leave the poker room. Thus the phrase, "Don't tap on the aquarium."

In Prison, new prisoners are also called ‘fish’ and they are preyed upon by other prison inmates (known as predators) for their store goods, property, business deals and even for sexual favours.

One of the most famous Prison Movies, The Shawshank Redemption, coined the phrase ‘fish’ in the following conversation:
“Red: Well, rumor's that you're a cold fish. You think your shit smells sweeter than most.”
“Andy Dufresne: What do you think?”
“Red: Well, to tell you the truth, I haven't made up my mind.”

An important lesson that poker fish can learn from prison fish is that reputation plays an important role. If a prison fish ever gives into a predator by giving him what he wants, the predator will be back for more. That’s why it’s important in prison to find out “Who’s Who” in order to stay clear of the wrong people.

In poker the same rule applies – know your poker opponents and don’t let your own reputation overshadow your game. By studying your poker opponents a fish can gather who are tight players and who bluff all the time. It is also a well known fact that Predators and Sharks like to prey on the weak. That’s why poker fish should learn from the start when to fold’em and when to hold’em.

While it’s easy for prison inmates to know if they’re the fish, the golden rule applies for poker – If you can’t spot the fish at the table, you’re it!