Mike Caro Reveals Why He Burned $100 Bills at the Poker Table

Published on November 2nd, 2026

AI-generated image depicting poker legend Mike Caro holding a burning $100 bill at a poker table.

Mike Caro, 82, revealed that he burned $100 bills at the poker table “many times” to influence how opponents viewed him.
He called the stunt “probably very cheap advertising” that made him look reckless while he played tight.
Caro is writing several books, building a major poker software project and plans to give seminars again.

Mike Caro used to set $100 bills on fire at the poker table, and it wasn’t just for attention. Known as the “Mad Genius of Poker,” he recently explained the thinking behind his unusual stunt.

Caro recently spoke about the stunt after spending much of the past 20 years away from the poker spotlight.

How the $100 Bill Story Resurfaced

Poker pro Faraz Jaka recently shared Caro’s unusual advice: burn a $100 bill at the table, then play like a nit. In poker, a nit is someone who plays cautiously and usually enters pots with strong hands. This makes their playing style easier to predict, especially when they suddenly make a big bet or raise.

As Caro explained, “in poker you should care about money but pretend not to care about money.”

Table image is how other players see you at the poker table. Players who appear reckless may get more calls from opponents holding weaker hands, while cautious players often get more folds.

Caro called burning the bills “probably very cheap advertising for the size of games that were being played.” In high-stakes poker, one extra call from a weaker hand could be worth far more than the $100 he burned.

Mike Caro’s Book of Tells and Online Poker Today

Caro is best known for his Book of Tells, which teaches players how to read their opponents. Many of those lessons still apply today, although spotting tells works differently in live and online poker.

At a live table, players can look for physical clues like shaking hands, body language or how someone handles their chips. Online, players rely on betting patterns, timing and bet sizes instead. Our guide to spotting online poker tells explains what to watch for, while our 8 poker tips to take your game to the next level covers more ways to improve your game.

Mike Caro’s Life Away From Poker and Plans to Return

Caro stepped away from the poker spotlight after growing tired of the attention that came with the game’s boom years. He bought 42 acres of land near Table Rock Lake in the Ozarks, where he could enjoy a quieter life. “I finally had enough of the madhouse of the poker community,” he said.

Now, after years away from the public eye, Caro is considering a return. He’s working on several books and a major poker software project, with plans to start giving poker seminars again. No release dates or seminar schedules have been announced.

Caro also shared stories about his work with poker legend Doyle Brunson on Super System, his contributions to the early days of online poker and his approach to reading opponents. Brunson died at 89 in May 2023, as we covered in our report on the poker legend’s passing.

Other stories included an airport bet with Brunson, a missed meeting with Donald Trump and Caro’s thoughts on why he hasn’t been inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame.

What This Means for US Poker Players

Caro’s unusual approach is a reminder that poker isn’t just about the cards you’re dealt. How opponents perceive your playing style can influence their decisions, whether you’re playing live or online.

You don’t need to burn $100 to make an impression. Pay attention to how others play, stay disciplined and let your decisions at the table speak for themselves.

Sandra is a content writer and editor specializing in online poker and iGaming. She covers poker sites, game formats, industry news, and US online poker laws for Legal US Poker Sites.