'Angling' in Poker

Angling in poker is the term used when a player acts out of turn intentionally to influence how other players before him/her will bet. Many poker rooms take a dim view of angling for the simple reason that it is using debatably immoral methods to influence play.

To give you an example of this. Imagine that you are playing a short handed poker game and there are three players before you. The first player puts in a bet of $10 and you (player 3) act out of turn and put in a re-raise $50, acting out of turn. Obviously the dealer would draw your attention to this and you would recall the bet. How do you think you have influenced play for the 2 players before you still to act?

By angling, you will likely force the 2 players before you out of the pot as they are no longer looking at it as a $10 bet to call. They will be more focused on the $50 that you have indicated that you are going to bet and would likely fold without a premium starting hand.

The benefit comes from the fact that you are only up against one player and not a potential 3 other players. If you were to hold a pair of 6's and the first player (who make the initial raise of $10) held AQ Suited. You would win 51.95% of the time (and tie 0.45% of the time). Lets now consider you are up against all 3 opponents who all hold big aces (AK, AQ and AJ). You are now a 34.45% to win the hand so by forcing the other 2 players out you are nearly 20% more likely to win the hand.

This move is frowned upon and is considered unethical in most games.