This is a secret to my success to making money at poker. I feel like I shouldn't tell you guys as this will make me seem less good at poker. But I trust you not to spread this around too much on the internet (I'm talking to you 5 people who read my blog... yes 5... all 5 from the whole internet). Anyway the secret to winning any amount of money is to play is....
Play people worse than you. Thats right, there isn't anything easier to do than to play against people who are not as keen on the draws or can't read as well or bet heavily enough. This is the true secret to always winning. This does not mean leave the table if you're having a few bad beats, but if people are outplaying you and forcing you to fold most of the time, you are probably at the wrong table. If you are any bit decent at poker and want to play for money, just play against people who know enough as to know about small and big blind, and in general what a pair, two pair, trips, straight, flush, or full house are. These are the minimum requirements, otherwise the play style of someone who has no idea how to play might accidentally trap you without knowing it OR they will play like a true random maniac which can be dangerous.
I remember one time an old gentlemen at a poker table had literally no idea how to play, and someone I considered a shark at the table tried to bully him out. The old man kept calling and asking around what should I do? This prompted the shark to keep firing until he put the old man all in at which point the old man still called. The shark had top pair, but the old man held the pocket queens. So beware of the truly unaware but if you want to make money look for players worse than you. Thats my secret. Don't tell anyone...
4/28/2008
Gut instinct
Ever have this situation where you have 10 9 offsuit, and you know its not a good move but at the same time there's something deep inside that screams this hand is a winner? And someone raises on top of your limp and you hesitate before folding, still thinking to yourself that it is going to be the winning hand this time... And low and behold there is Jc7s6d on the flop?
Don't feel too bad, because if you called every 10 9 offsuit on a raise chances are you will lose 29 times out of 30. Mathematically speaking you played it right to fold on 10 9 offsuit. One thing to know, is that sometimes when you get these gut instincts, most of the time it is okay to call when there are a few conditions that are satisfied:
1.) You are huge stacked and the raise means nothing to you
2.) There is huge potential pay off (in the case of pockets hitting trips, or a Ax suited for a nut flush possibility)
Its great if you get these gut instincts. Sometimes its worth going on them. But beware, there's a difference between playing because you just want your 10 9 to win and knowing deep inside that its going to hit. Its the difference between compulsively gambling and knowing when its your night. So if you're just starting or low on chips, its not worth calling.
Don't feel too bad, because if you called every 10 9 offsuit on a raise chances are you will lose 29 times out of 30. Mathematically speaking you played it right to fold on 10 9 offsuit. One thing to know, is that sometimes when you get these gut instincts, most of the time it is okay to call when there are a few conditions that are satisfied:
1.) You are huge stacked and the raise means nothing to you
2.) There is huge potential pay off (in the case of pockets hitting trips, or a Ax suited for a nut flush possibility)
Its great if you get these gut instincts. Sometimes its worth going on them. But beware, there's a difference between playing because you just want your 10 9 to win and knowing deep inside that its going to hit. Its the difference between compulsively gambling and knowing when its your night. So if you're just starting or low on chips, its not worth calling.
4/25/2008
Learning about people
I've been wondering for a while what has poker done for me? And the weird thing is that a long time ago it has taught me the value of outward and hidden motives.
It might sound strange and maybe a little cynical, but it has taught me to consider why people do one thing outwardly when secretly they're hoping to benefit from it. This is not always the case as I do believe there are more actions more altruistic in nature than selfish but in some ways I tend to think a little more as to why people do things.
I used to be bluffed all the time. And I probably still have my pots stolen from me all the time, but at least now I don't think a raise is always a show of actual strong hands. Sometimes a strong raise might just be a bluff. The outward appearance of a VERY big raise for a very small pot might cause concern for the amateur poker player, but to become an experienced poker player every raise should be considered and evaluated in this way:
"Why is he/she raising"
"What does he/she want me to do"
"How does that benefit him/her"
As always, consider the actual opponent when asking this about poker. A more experienced player might know you know this, and will over raise a pot in the hopes you think he's bluffing. And now that you know, you can watch out for that. But now that he knows that you know he knows......... Anyway, the point is not to stick to this algorithm, but to always evaluate who your opponent is, why he/she is doing it, and what they want you to do.
This skill that I've acquired from poker is nice in that it not only benefits my game, but also makes me one heck of a cynic sometimes.
It might sound strange and maybe a little cynical, but it has taught me to consider why people do one thing outwardly when secretly they're hoping to benefit from it. This is not always the case as I do believe there are more actions more altruistic in nature than selfish but in some ways I tend to think a little more as to why people do things.
I used to be bluffed all the time. And I probably still have my pots stolen from me all the time, but at least now I don't think a raise is always a show of actual strong hands. Sometimes a strong raise might just be a bluff. The outward appearance of a VERY big raise for a very small pot might cause concern for the amateur poker player, but to become an experienced poker player every raise should be considered and evaluated in this way:
"Why is he/she raising"
"What does he/she want me to do"
"How does that benefit him/her"
As always, consider the actual opponent when asking this about poker. A more experienced player might know you know this, and will over raise a pot in the hopes you think he's bluffing. And now that you know, you can watch out for that. But now that he knows that you know he knows......... Anyway, the point is not to stick to this algorithm, but to always evaluate who your opponent is, why he/she is doing it, and what they want you to do.
This skill that I've acquired from poker is nice in that it not only benefits my game, but also makes me one heck of a cynic sometimes.
4/24/2008
Player Profile #1: The Older Gentlemen
Now this first post profiling player types might get me in trouble. Let me give a disclaimer that in no way am I condoning stereotypes or to "peg someone" immediately on what they look like. Just as a general guideline these are player types that I tend to see. I mean no offense with any of these player profiles.
The older gentlemen that I tend to see at poker tables are all usually good players. Most of the time however I'll notice that they play really tight and not as aggressive as they should be. This is just a common observation and no don't accuse me of being 'ageist'. As I've said, this is all just from personal observation and yes of course there are times where there are older gentlemen who play differently. There are certainly young men (and women) who play like this as well. My point is to watch for these traits:
1.) Look to see if they play very few hands and how often do they call preflop
2.) Do they raise or defend often?
3.) Do they play to the river when you raise?
Be careful with this profile. You could set yourself up into a big trap if you force the pot and try to bluff them at the wrong time with a lot of chips. All it takes sometimes is a moderate size bet and most of the time they'll just cave. If they call be careful. They are going on something and since they are tight they might be slow playing OR they're trying to catch cards OR seeing it down to the river. And if they raise, well you better have something.
And if you see this old man run for the hills:
The older gentlemen that I tend to see at poker tables are all usually good players. Most of the time however I'll notice that they play really tight and not as aggressive as they should be. This is just a common observation and no don't accuse me of being 'ageist'. As I've said, this is all just from personal observation and yes of course there are times where there are older gentlemen who play differently. There are certainly young men (and women) who play like this as well. My point is to watch for these traits:
1.) Look to see if they play very few hands and how often do they call preflop
2.) Do they raise or defend often?
3.) Do they play to the river when you raise?
Be careful with this profile. You could set yourself up into a big trap if you force the pot and try to bluff them at the wrong time with a lot of chips. All it takes sometimes is a moderate size bet and most of the time they'll just cave. If they call be careful. They are going on something and since they are tight they might be slow playing OR they're trying to catch cards OR seeing it down to the river. And if they raise, well you better have something.
And if you see this old man run for the hills:
4/23/2008
One skill worth waiting for
The one thing every poker book talks about is playing PREMO hands. I've read a few books, and a majority say that if you suck at poker and you're stuck playing at a 10 person table full of sharks, you have to play with PREMO hands.
AA, AK, AQ, AJ, KK, KQ,KJ,QQ,QJ,JJ AND NOTHING ELSE! If you had no idea how to play then yes, this would be a good way to learn since most of the time if you paired the board you'd be ahead by a lot.
But getting these cards aren't very common. Most people would go nuts waiting for hands like these. But if there's one thing poker has taught me, is that careful preparation makes all the difference. You have to wait for these premium hands. Its very possible you'll play all night and not catch any cards. But you'll be happy when you do get them.
It all pays off in the end, since you can wait it out, not risk your chips, and learn who your opponents are. You might say "but they'll know you play tight" And I'll, "say so what?" You win a few hands this way or even steal a few pots they'll start respecting you and realize you ain't a fish. And with respect, you can start stealing a lot of pots. And once they catch on with that, well hey you can start playing tight again and land a whopper. Even better would be that you have everyone at the table guessing your style of play, they really have no idea what you're doing. Soon enough you'll have all the chips.
AA, AK, AQ, AJ, KK, KQ,KJ,QQ,QJ,JJ AND NOTHING ELSE! If you had no idea how to play then yes, this would be a good way to learn since most of the time if you paired the board you'd be ahead by a lot.
But getting these cards aren't very common. Most people would go nuts waiting for hands like these. But if there's one thing poker has taught me, is that careful preparation makes all the difference. You have to wait for these premium hands. Its very possible you'll play all night and not catch any cards. But you'll be happy when you do get them.
It all pays off in the end, since you can wait it out, not risk your chips, and learn who your opponents are. You might say "but they'll know you play tight" And I'll, "say so what?" You win a few hands this way or even steal a few pots they'll start respecting you and realize you ain't a fish. And with respect, you can start stealing a lot of pots. And once they catch on with that, well hey you can start playing tight again and land a whopper. Even better would be that you have everyone at the table guessing your style of play, they really have no idea what you're doing. Soon enough you'll have all the chips.
Busto!!!
One day, a long time ago, after not playing poker for almost an entire year I decided to play again. I called up a few buddies and we all agreed on playing poker. Upon arriving, to my surprise we were not playing NL holdem as I have grown to love. Instead, we were playing a home grown game called Busto. After much pleading, whining, and reasoning they were unmoved. We were playing Busto.
Busto is simple. Its basically NL holdem with a slight twist in stakes. One dollar buy in with 10 and 20 cent blinds. If you know anything about NL holdem, everyone is incredibly short stacked to begin with. My plan was more or less this: Go heavy on pots with any Ace rag or a king. There's no reason not to. If you hit it big a few times you've gotten a huge edge on your opponent since you'll be instantaneously big stacked. Now mind you this was a fine balance to figure out when to be aggressive with bad cards but it was definitely worth the experience as my strategy seemed to have worked. This game soon became a lesson in how to play big stacked against opponents with little to no money left.
The counter thought to this was that if I was stuck short stacked against someone with a lot of chips, I would just leave and go home! =) But since they were friends (and since I depended on a ride home) realistically I would've given it my best shot and quit after 10-15 dollars.
I think this is relevant to regular poker ($1-2 blinds with 300 bucks is normal) in the sense that if you're caught with 20 bucks left, you should probably buy in with more money. Or the better move would be to leave and go home.
Busto is simple. Its basically NL holdem with a slight twist in stakes. One dollar buy in with 10 and 20 cent blinds. If you know anything about NL holdem, everyone is incredibly short stacked to begin with. My plan was more or less this: Go heavy on pots with any Ace rag or a king. There's no reason not to. If you hit it big a few times you've gotten a huge edge on your opponent since you'll be instantaneously big stacked. Now mind you this was a fine balance to figure out when to be aggressive with bad cards but it was definitely worth the experience as my strategy seemed to have worked. This game soon became a lesson in how to play big stacked against opponents with little to no money left.
The counter thought to this was that if I was stuck short stacked against someone with a lot of chips, I would just leave and go home! =) But since they were friends (and since I depended on a ride home) realistically I would've given it my best shot and quit after 10-15 dollars.
I think this is relevant to regular poker ($1-2 blinds with 300 bucks is normal) in the sense that if you're caught with 20 bucks left, you should probably buy in with more money. Or the better move would be to leave and go home.
4/22/2008
Gambling
So I had this epiphany about poker while playing craps at Foxwoods. Everyone I know (except poker players) seem to have this stigma that going to a casino is bad. bad bad bad. I have a feeling its because they think I'm gambling, or that I am giving my money to foxwoods. I'm not sure if people realize that there is a distinction between table games where you are playing heads up against the casino, and player poker at a casino where you are playing against other players. The casino gets their money by taking $5 every half hour. In essence, you're paying 10 dollars an hour for the right to play poker at their tables. Granted this is all about money and luck, but I believe there is a VERY VERY fine line that distinguishes poker from gambling and a game involving luck and money. Yes, you can still lose a lot of money if you're bad at the game, but when you look at it that way, someone has to be winning right? By the way, I lost in craps =(
What are your thoughts? Would going to the casino to play poker by yourself really bad? Is it as bad as sitting around and drinking by yourself? Ever see someone having a glass of wine at home after a hard days work?
What are your thoughts? Would going to the casino to play poker by yourself really bad? Is it as bad as sitting around and drinking by yourself? Ever see someone having a glass of wine at home after a hard days work?
Welcome
This is my first attempt at blogging. I just need to express myself instead of rambling about my poker experiences in an uncategorized, incoherent way. I feel this is something that might actually interest people who don't know me.
One thing to get straight. This isn't about bad beats and whining about how my Aces were cracked by pocket twos. This isn't about how some dumb butt called a raise with 4 8 off suit, or how some jerk off caught their inside straight draw. If you've ever played poker for long enough you've not only listened to someone moan about how they lost all their chips, but you've probably have whined yourself. This is not about that. This blog is about discussion. This is about revelations about the game itself as well as strategy. I see this as much of a way to help me as it is a way to help you. So without further ado, welcome all you unknowns. Perhaps when one of you lucky schmoes who wins the world poker tour with 10 2 off suit and you make it big and standing on 10 million chips, you'll remember us.
One thing to get straight. This isn't about bad beats and whining about how my Aces were cracked by pocket twos. This isn't about how some dumb butt called a raise with 4 8 off suit, or how some jerk off caught their inside straight draw. If you've ever played poker for long enough you've not only listened to someone moan about how they lost all their chips, but you've probably have whined yourself. This is not about that. This blog is about discussion. This is about revelations about the game itself as well as strategy. I see this as much of a way to help me as it is a way to help you. So without further ado, welcome all you unknowns. Perhaps when one of you lucky schmoes who wins the world poker tour with 10 2 off suit and you make it big and standing on 10 million chips, you'll remember us.
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