Fancy Play Syndrome In Madden

Poker has a term called “fancy play syndrome.” The reason that “fancy play syndrome” (FPS) is a losing one is because the player is being too colorful in a black and white scenario. Sure, it feels really great to bluff an opponent when we feel they’re weak. Sure, there’s no bigger ego boost than raising a tight player’s blinds. The problem in the situation, is that ego in poker as in Madden is the downfall of far too many middle of the road players. The reason so many middle of the road players fall prey to the FPS is simply because they feel as if they won’t get points on the score board if they don’t do so in a tricky or unique way.

In our community, nobody wants to be labeled as the guy who does what Dynasty does. Nobody wants to show up and put the Dolphins on the field with Pat White. As ironic as it sounds, it’s true. People would rather be known for putting the Ravens on the field over the Dolphins, despite the fact that nobody has won any tournaments this year with the Ravens. The Dolphins have won several.

You don’t have to be creative or innovative, you only have to be efficient. The result could be you stacking up your $100 bills while being called a “swagger jacker” or other names implying you can’t find your own scheme, and all you have to do is leave your ego at home and bring only what works. Kid Josh, the 2008 Players Bowl Champion won despite being on songs and other media labeling him a “follower.” The critics in this situation have never won anything credible. Would you rather be the guy winning or the guy making a song about the winner? Kid Josh did exactly what he needed to do to win that day, and that was running efficient on offense and defense without worrying about who may have originated the plays he ran.

With individual play calling, creativity is also something sought after. People would rather run their own colorful plays over plays that simply work, only because they would rather be heralded as being original (despite being unsuccessful) as opposed to running successful common plays. The problem stems from the ego as it always has. These days, players would much rather run elaborate running plays or even screen passes on short yardage situations. Why go with such high-risk, high-reward plays? Ego. As Jet Steel has proven, HB Off Tackle out of goal line is all you really need to pound the ball.

Getting back to the basics, it seems is a successful recipe. But that’s not to say you should just run plays without thinking. This article isn’t claiming that, or addressing that. That’s for future articles. This is simply saying that in poker as in Madden, the first instinct is usually the right one.

So if you’re a middle of the road player that has found yourself in a losing streak, ask yourself if you’re the guy that’s calling play-action on third and short situations. Ask yourself if you’re going for two points on every touchdown. Matter of fact, stop asking yourself. Ask our pros. They’re the ones that are consistently winning; and when they aren’t, they’re the first ones to ask what the champion of that tournament was running.

Get back to making the obvious play call. Get back to winning.