Poker is for card games, not Wanganui Premier club rugby fields.
The anticipated Round 2 superclash of Ruapehu v Border at Waverley, in what is still all but unbackable odds on being this year's grand final, throws up an interesting scenario for the top two teams set in stone for home semifinals in a fortnight.
While there is more on the line than pride for both units - Ruapehu wanting to keep the Grand Hotel Challenge Shield come season's end for the first time and Border retaining their imposing home record - the temptation could have been there to not show one's full hand.
However, both sides said yesterday that holding certain key plays, or players, in the back-room cabinet is not an option.
"I'd like to be able to do something like that, but with a limited squad we're a little snookered," said Border coach Peter Richardson of holding back some of his charges.
"They want to play. It might not be beneficial to rest them.
"There will be a little bit of gamesmanship, and I dare say from the other camp too."
Remembering their 21-6 loss in Ohakune on May 18, Richardson said there is no fear of the unknown now they have looked at their vaunted opposition's danger men and how they need to be played.
"It's a good chance to attack them."
Mark Davis will have to make every shot count at goal, while facing a virtual Wanganui representative team, Fraser Middleton will be out to prove he remains worthy of that company.
"It inspires the boys, if that's the level we have to beat to be in that Wanganui mix," said Richardson.
"Mark is key, but the whole 22 will have to do the job."
Sitting in the engine room that runs the Ruapehu express, assistant coach and representative flanker Andrew Evans said likewise - shooting down any rumours of being too causal.
It is "drilled" into Ruapehu that no player is bigger than the team - you have to train midweek if you plan to be in the starting lineup - so the idea of cruising does not resonate.
"We've got a culture up here, the last couple of years, is one game at a time," Evans said.
"We've got a game plan we stick to but you've got to adapt to what's in front of you and I think that's where we've been successful.
"We had some goals, and one of them is we want to be the best defensive team of the year - no matter who wins the final.
"We don't want to rest top guys either because you want to get the combinations right for these semifinals," said Evans.
"It will start up front and it will be the team that takes the opportunities that will win on the day."
With 25 different players scoring tries for Ruapehu this year, taking opportunities has been a well-defined mantra.
Centre Tautahi Rawiri sits not far behind Davis on the Premier points scorers list with young fullback Zyron Hekenui - who has kept Middleton out of Wanganui colours - also having a profitable season.
But with 10 representative forwards to choose from, it is Ruapehu's pack with which Border must gain parity to have a chance at Waverley.
In the other games, Pirates will want to keep their momentum up against Ratana . Utiku Old Boys face Kaierau at home in search of their second win.
It is a big weekend for Marton, who could break into the top four if they get a bonus point win over resurgent Marist.