Why “The Mad Genius of Poker” Mike Caro Burned $100 at the Table

Mike Caro, a poker legend, shared why he used to set hundred-dollar bills on fire right at the table during games. Discover how unconventional tactics can impact your success in poker.

Mike Caro, known as the "Mad Genius of Poker," is once again in the spotlight of the poker community thanks to an unusual story from his past—he really did set hundred-dollar bills on fire right at the poker table. In an exclusive interview for the PokerNews Podcast, the legendary player shared the details of this stunt and explained why such actions can be profitable in high-stakes games. Table Tricks: Why Did Mike Caro Burn $100 Bills? With Halloween approaching—a time for masks and pranks—one of Mike Caro’s most vivid and unusual tactics comes to mind. His nickname, "Mad Genius of Poker," fits these stories perfectly. Caro was one of the first to use psychological tricks to influence opponents’ behavior and gain an edge at the table. In an interview with Chad Holloway, host of the PokerNews Podcast, Caro confirmed that he had burned hundred-dollar bills more than once before the start of a game. This episode resurfaced after professional player Faraz Jaka recalled Caro’s advice: "Show up at the table, burn $100, and then play very tight." Mike Caro explained that this trick didn’t mean he was indifferent to money. On the contrary, he understood its value perfectly well, but wanted to create the illusion for his opponents that money meant nothing to him. In his words, "In poker, it’s important to care about money, but act as if you don’t." By burning cash, Caro built the image of a player willing to take risks and play recklessly. His opponents might think they were up against a wild gambler and might get involved in more pots with him, underestimating his caution. In reality, Caro preferred to wait for profitable situations and play very carefully. For the stakes Caro played, $100 was a relatively small amount, and the effect of such a "performance" could bring much more in return. "Burning $100 is very cheap advertising for those stakes," he noted in his conversation with Holloway. Psychology and Image in Poker: Lessons from the "Mad Genius" Mike Caro built his career on a deep understanding of human behavior at the poker table. He became famous as the author of the "Book of Tells," where he described in detail the gestures, facial expressions, and other signs that can reveal the strength of an opponent’s hand. This knowledge has helped generations of players learn to read opponents and make better decisions. The story of burning money is just one of many examples of how Caro used psychology to gain an advantage. His approach was to create a certain image that would mislead his opponents. Thanks to this, he managed to get "action"—that is, to involve opponents in pots where he had the edge. Caro himself is convinced that many of his lessons are still relevant today, despite the evolution of poker and the emergence of new strategies. He emphasizes that careful observation of other players’ behavior and the ability to manage your own image remain key skills for successful play. The Return of Mike Caro: What the Legend Is Doing Today After a turbulent period in the poker industry, when interest in the game peaked, Mike Caro decided to step back and move to a secluded place. He bought 42 acres of land on the shore of Table Rock Lake in the Ozark Mountains and devoted himself to a quiet life away from the hustle and bustle. In the interview, Caro admitted that he was tired of the constant attention and hype that accompanied the poker boom. However, he didn’t leave poker completely: in recent years, he has worked on several books and a major poker software project. He also has plans to return to running training seminars. Both parts of the exclusive interview with Mike Caro are already available on the PokerNews Podcast, which is supported by Solana. In the first part, Caro talks about his famous "tells," working with Doyle Brunson on the book "Super System," and his role in the rise of online poker. In the second part, he shares stories about Brunson, recalls a funny prop bet at the airport, tells how he was "taken for a ride" by Donald Trump, and explains why, in his opinion, he hasn’t been inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. Who’s Who: Key Figures in the Story Mike Caro — legendary poker player, theorist, and author, widely known as the "Mad Genius of Poker." Chad Holloway — host of the PokerNews Podcast and journalist who conducted the exclusive interview with Caro. Faraz Jaka — professional poker player who recalled Caro’s unusual advice. Doyle Brunson — poker icon and co-author of "Super System," with whom Caro worked on strategic materials. Donald Trump — former US president, featured in one of Caro’s stories. Poker Terms and Formats Mentioned in the Article Action — a situation where many players are involved in a hand and there is a lot of betting; also means the opportunity to get opponents to play for money. Nit — a player who is extremely cautious and rarely takes risks, playing only very strong hands. Tells — nonverbal signals that can indicate the strength or weakness of an opponent’s hand (gestures, facial expressions, betting patterns, etc.). Buy-in — the amount a player pays to enter a tournament or cash game. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players Mike Caro’s story is a great example of how important psychology and image management are at the poker table. Even in PPPoker online clubs, where you don’t see your opponents in person, these principles still apply: your playing behavior, betting frequency, and playing style shape your opponents’ perception of you. Use this to mislead your opponents and gain an extra edge. In PPPoker clubs, you’ll often encounter players of various skill levels, and many of them tend to form opinions based on the first few hands. If you can create an "image" (for example, as an aggressive or, conversely, a very tight player), this will allow you to get more "action" at the right moments or, on the other hand, avoid unnecessary confrontations. Experiment with your image, analyze your opponents’ reactions, and adjust your strategy to the specific game. Finally, don’t forget the importance of observing other players’ behavior—even if it’s only reflected in digital betting patterns and timing. As Mike Caro teaches, paying close attention to details can become your main weapon in the battle for success in PPPoker clubs.