I think all poker is based on the strength of my cards and is level 1

I'm not attached to the term, though I don't have the gut reaction to it you do. I used it as a matter of convenience, because it seemed to describe succinctly what I was talking about. When questioned, I explained.

My use of the term by no means insinuates the existence of some form of "fake" poker.

I suppose any hand where the winner is a "royal sampler"

there is fake poker available at FTP, it's called rush poker

lol

You say that the cascade effect and pot odds are lost on people who don't understand it, but most people DO understand it IMO. That's the reason why it's said you should raise bigger to iso limpers, so you don't start the chain. I think people intuitively understand concepts like pot odds, even if they don't have a fancy term for it like you and I do. They see a big pot building, and they also see that it's only a little more to them to try to win it. If you know that they'll fold to that same 3x raise, fine, but most of the time you'll pick up at least 1 other caller, and that will almost always bring the limper along because they'll say "Oh, it's only a little more to me, and there is a big pot brewing. Might as well take my shot at it."

People might have the intuitive understanding, but they don't know the value of a draw. People overvalue draws way too much. Especially flush draws. But I'll see people go to the felt with gutshots as well.

Why did this thread die out?

Great read.

+1