A moral quandry of sibling proportions...

I read an interesting post on 2+2 earlier today that really got me thinking. The post was from a user who asked the forum if the fact that he and his wife playing together in a local game (often on the same table) was considered immoral. This really got me thinking as I've often had mixed feelings about this when playing particularly in the Stoke Casino games where this is very common place.

A few interesting points were raised in the article, such as this particular player and his aforementioned wife did not discuss their courtship with other players at the table and the majority of responses agreed they had no obligation to inform the table of this, it only becomes a problem when collusion occurs. That's the moneyshot right there, how hard must it be to not play against your spouse differently than you would against Rob Cook for instance?

It's a subjective matter that's for sure and everyone will feel differently about it which is why it's interesting to discuss. I for one, whilst I don't neccesarily frown upon it could or would never do it myself, the thought of playing competitive poker against a spouse simply doesn't appeal to me in the slightest, it would really affect my enjoyment and my ability to play properly. I think it would be hard for anyone couple to not 'soft play' each other ever so slightly even if their ultimate ambition is to win it for themselves, although there is a case for the opposite in one forum couple (whom i shall not name..... hi dad) whose integrity simply can not be questioned, so I guess it's different wherever you go.

From personal experience, I don't think i've ever played against a pokering couple that I would even consider as competent players (with the exception of the aforementioned) so it beggars the question, can you play in the same game as your spouse and play to a very high standard? If you just play recreationally then it doesn't really matter but if you take your game seriously or even just semi-seriously then i don't think you can. Emotions get in the way, it's simply too hardwired to avoid. I can remember many times that I've seen blokes get their backs up over someone needling their lady for info in a hand, or giving her some verbal probing (ooerr!), but naturally you'd take exception to it, right? So why would you want to put yourself in a situation where your emotions affect 'money decisions'?

So, what do you think folks.... is it moral or immoral? Is it good for your game or does it not matter? Is it any worse than playing in a game where you have friendships with a large % of the players in the field?

K

Thx

Bai

Matt x