Card Hoarders
How Playing It Safe Can Cost You the Win
Cards were dealt, with each player receiving a stack of five. The four of us sat at the kitchen table, two on each side. My husband and I were on one side; my parents were on the other, facing us.
Anticipation grew and excitement built. We were about to teach my parents a new card game. I looked forward to the lightbulb moment when my parents would fully understand the game, and we could proceed with some healthy competition.
Today was the day.
We walked my parents through their first round, a hands-on game of Monopoly Deal. To my surprise and amusement, their strategy was similar to one another: an unnecessary abundance of caution.
The goal of the game is to be the first player with three complete property sets. Monopoly Deal is a shorter version of the Monopoly board game, which sounds harmless enough, but still requires a bit of explanation for first-timers.
What did my parents do? They hoarded all their cards, properties included. Defense is plausible at the beginning of a round since plays are optional. However, there comes a point where all players must either discard or lay down cards.
While gameplay forced them to release the occasional playing card from their hand, their strategy seemed counterproductive to winning. It’s as if they forgot everything we just taught them. Even several games later, they clung to the same technique.
And kept losing.
Why did they play this way?
Was it fear? Perfectionism?
What did they have to gain?
What did they have to lose?
Everything, at least where the game was concerned.
This may come as a shock, but my husband and I won the majority of the games.
And another interesting byproduct: my parents don’t care for Monopoly Deal. (I wonder why.)
Watching them cling to those cards, I realized this wasn’t really about a game at all.
It wasn’t just about control.
It was about safety, certainty, and the belief that perfect timing exists.
Winning isn’t everything, even for the chronically competitive player. But consistently choosing counterproductive tactics? That can be detrimental. Especially when the goal is clearly defined.
What “card hoarding” tactics are taking place in our lives? What goals are we shooting for while unknowingly sabotaging ourselves?