Poker Strategy

Poker, Chance and Grasshoppers?

Not grasshoppers as in the little green insects that bounce around outside; grasshoppers as in students; as in you.

For this conversation lets jump back into high school, or college, math class. Picture your teacher or professor standing before you; with a piece of white chalk in his/her hands ready to scrawl notes across the ugly green board. Slowly the teacher scribbles some words down, and they come into focus.

Poker = Chance

Chance = The possibility of being wrong about the current predicament.

Being wrong = A loss.

One very important thing that all poker players often forget while sitting at a felt table is that poker is indeed a game of chance. Even a very skilled veteran can be beaten in mere seconds due to an unlucky turn of the cards. No player at the table, or even the dealer for that matter, has control over what cards are dealt or even what cards are flopped. Skilled veterans have the experience to scope out situations and decide which move is the best to make; such as fold, call or bet but they never can truly predict what cards the dealer will flip next (unless of course they are counting cards which is considered illegal in the poker world).

Many players; novice and intermediate players alike (even some veterans) , get a little too confident during a win streak. Sometimes the round in motion is enough to blur any man’s vision, but poker is very much like chess; in that if you only look at the present instead of the entire scheme of things, before long you will be broke. In chess it is very important to look at the board and anticipate your opponent’s moves; as well as plan your next few moves before you even make them. This will ensure that you don’t make any common mistakes; and reinforce your overall scheme.

Poker must be played in the same fashion as chess. Never just rely on the chance that good cards will turn up, or that good moves will open themselves up to you. Plan not only on your next move; but moves that should be made in the round’s ahead. Which opponents are the strongest at the table; and which should you focus on pushing out first? Do you have enough money to keep going in the next few rounds if you lose a large bet? Is it possible that your opponents could call or raise at their next chance and cause a loss of profit for you?

Thinking ahead is very important in the game of poker; and because the entire game relies solely on chance, always be prepared to adapt or evolve your overall scheme. If it’s one big advantage that veterans have over the rest of the players around them; it is the fact that they are able to adapt on the fly based on any situation that presents itself to them. If they sense a weakness, they adapt their game-plan and use it; just as well as if they sense a strength in their opponents; then they adapt their game to avoid whatever that strength may be.

At any moment even with the strongest hand at the entire table, the odds could be turned against any player; all it takes is an unlucky draw of the cards. There is no such thing as an all powerful god-like player in the game of poker; even the best pros out there have losing streaks which can sometimes be long and treacherous. Good luck can dry up at any moment; and one simple mistake can toss away millions upon millions of dollars.

Poker is a dangerous game yes, especially after knowing about how easy it is to lose everything. That is exactly why it is important to understand that you are not in control over the game. In a sense you are not the master but the game of poker is; you are merely the apprentice with which your job is to examine and learn.

Every game you play is a chance to learn more and more about the game of poker; even if you are the greatest poker pro in the world. The learning curve never ends, there are always more lessons, skills, strategies, and ideals to learn; there is no top tier so to speak.

So, it is time to realize that you must play the game of poker with a new understanding. The understanding that you are in fact not in complete control over the game, or in control over the draw of the cards. The only thing you can remain in control over are your emotions, and your current scheme or plan. Be ready to adapt your game strategy based on any situation that befalls you. Without a doubt, always, always anticipate the chance of a loss even with the strongest hand in the game. The anticipation of a loss will give you the chance to minimize the overall loss of profit as well.

Now go, my grasshopper; and reach a place of zen during your next game of poker. Become one with the felt.

A Quick Rundown; The Ace-King Hand

One of the best hands in the game, Ace-King, can prove for some very trying times at the felt table. Sometimes it’s tough to play with such a good hand; tougher than anyone would think.

When playing such a strong hand one has to measure many different things. Is it possible one of your opponents still has a much better hand? Do you want to win the round right away? How do you handle the betting and calling so that no opponents drop out too early? Last but not least, how can you turn the hand into a big profit?

Each of these questions raises a valid point. It is all too often that I see poker players land a good hand and then get coaxed into betting all they have by their opponents only to find that they’ve been beat hard. Not to mention all the countless times I’ve seen players throw down a big bet too early causing all their opponents to fold. Playing poker and churning a profit involves skill; skill that is often hard to come by. Most of that skill can be defined as experience however.

Ace-King is a powerful hand; but one must not become too overconfident while holding it; for it is certainly not the strongest. Especially if the round is in the pre-flop stage, you don’t want to jump right in, with Ace-King, betting all you’ve got. A certain pacing and finesse is required that will enable you to gain information about the strength of your opposition’s arsenal. Most instances would require that you raise the pot, but not considerably; and in some cases the best decision would be merely to check or call.

The best way to look at your moves within the game of poker is defined as one simple ideal. Most players raise or call in order to find out information about their opponents. That information can be anything from a personal tell, to the strength of their hand, even to their poker personality and how they choose to play the game. This is a very strong, and important way to find out the information you need to make valid decisions during your poker game. An Ace-King hand will certainly provide you with the chance to gather plenty of information about your opponents.

So, the first step after receiving such a hand should be to decide whether or not information needs to be collected about the other players sitting at the table. If the answer is yes, then you should then proceed to use strategies that don’t involve bringing in a large profit; such as checking, calling or raising in very small increments. Soon thereafter you will be able to tell which opponents are aggressive, and which are not.

If the answer to that question is at the opposite end of the spectrum however, and you don’t need any more information about your opponents than it is time to churn a profit.

It is very important to understand that Ace-King is a post-flop hand; meaning that it gains, or loses, all its strength after the initial flop. Ace-King is a strong hand yes, but it should be considered normal just as if it were a 2-2.

In order to make a profit in the game of poker one must fold as soon as possible when they have a weak hand; and must gain as much money as possible when they have a strong hand. The ideals here are very simple. This in turn means that having Ace-King post flop with no face cards sitting before you can only mean more than likely that it is now one of the weakest hands at the table. Fold as soon as you know the cards in your hand no longer have any sort of value. Sometimes it’s a great idea to take a leap of faith especially when you’re sure an opponent is bluffing, but it should happen only on rare occasions.

Poker Life vs. Normal Life

Poker is a very time consuming game; especially for veterans and professionals who earn a living from it. Every good poker player knows that as long as you are skilled at the game; the more hours you put in, the more of a chance you have of cashing out just like time spent at a regular job. The only problem with careers that consume most of one’s time is that; the career consumes every bit that it can and then most people are left with just a job they no longer enjoy. Many players out there sacrifice a social life or even a personal life just for the game of poker. All players need to find a balance; a place of Zen in-between that allows them to play the game and make a living, but at the same time still have a life devoid of the poker world.

One of the most important aspects of life involves physical fitness and health. It stands to reason that poker is not a game of physical activity, therefore you need to find time on your own to exercise and remain in shape. Sitting around day after day at a poker table or at a desk playing online poker, while doing nothing but eating and shuffling plastic chips will eat away at your fitness level. If you don’t take the time to exercise, then before you know it; you’ll be twice the size of your mother in law. If you already are on the heavy side; well then you got a long road ahead but need to get in the schedule of exercising as well. If you want to play poker for a very long and healthy life; remaining in shape will be a necessity.

Alcohol consumption and smoking habits also need to be controlled. A good player shouldn’t even be anywhere near alcohol while playing the game; even one drink can inhibit your activity and mind so much that it costs you more money. There is no other career on the planet where it is acceptable to drink while working; it’s just not right. On the other hand smoking can cause big problems as well; especially for those chain smokers who are routinely reaching for a pack. Cravings and smoke breaks can cut in on your play time, and for those cravings that are bad enough can even interfere with your focus on the game. Not to mention that both aspects could seriously harm your physical body condition and alter your health; which just adds another reason to stop. For those who don’t wish to stop it is important to understand that your habits do need to be under control before stepping up to a poker table; unless of course you want to lose the money you have to a stupid mistake.

Sleep is a very important part of a healthy lifestyle. Not just five minute catnaps here or there but a regular sleeping pattern. There is so much that sleep contributes to even in our daily lives that it cannot be skipped over. Therefore it is extremely important that poker players take the time to give their body the correct amount of rest. Sleep deprivation, or the lack of sleep thereof, can cause severe drowsiness, trouble concentrating or keeping focus, poor mood cycles, an increased risk of falls and accidents, and lower productivity. All of these negative side effects will, without a doubt, affect any player’s poker game. So before you hit the tables for that big tournament you’ve been waiting for; don’t pull an all-nighter practicing extra, just make sure your body gets the rest it needs.

Social life, or what poker players should consider as life outside of poker, is a very important part of life as well. No matter how much you may love the game of poker; “too much of something is never good”. Life needs to exist outside the casino or office to give your mind and body time away from your career. If you do not take time for yourself, then eventually it will bleed over into your career and cause problems just like anything else. An unhappy person is never a good poker player; they often get too aggressive and act on emotion; and if it’s one thing that should always remain absent from any poker player’s arsenal, it includes emotional involvement. Take time to keep yourself happy with your life and career; it may also be somewhat like work but nonetheless it is required to stay focused on the game. Think of it as a sort of refreshment from the poker world. A social life should include friends and family that are stretched far from the world of poker; which means just hanging out with buddies from your regular poker sessions doesn’t count.

Everyone needs love; even the meanest poker players out there; which goes to show that a healthy romantic lifestyle is also a necessity in one’s life. Unless you are a secluded hermit, nun, or catholic priest relieving sexual tension will also play a role in your career. It may seem somewhat silly or ridiculous but I think everyone can remember one time or another when they had to go for months without sex while in-between relationships. I don’t know about you; but when it happens to me I become a more unpleasant person to be around. It can also cloud judgment and cause more aggressive behavior. Sex is a necessity in life; but it goes without saying “too much of anything is never a good thing”; so in other words don’t fall into the habit of having sex with a different woman every night because that is just as unhealthy as smoking cigarettes, eventually one will kill you.

On top of that it is important to keep a significant other who identifies with you. Most people fall in love because it provides a balance in every aspect of their life; and that is exactly what is needed while playing poker. Sometimes as much as we hate admitting it; it’s good to have a person around to point out your faults. If you get yelled at all the time for putting too much of your life and stakes into your career; then obviously you are a workaholic. If you get yelled at all the time for just sitting around; then obviously you need to jump into some physical exercise. It may not seem like something good at the time you are being pointed out; but in the long run it will help make you a better person and a better poker player. This aspect is of course not required, as some people have their own reasons for not maintaining a romantic relationship; but it should be noted that the absence of a romantic lifestyle will affect any career.

Maintaining a very healthy lifestyle is extremely important to keeping oneself in a good physical and mental condition. You need to be both mentally and physically healthy to fully concentrate in the game of poker. So, this adversely shows in order to be a successful poker player your best bet is to remain healthy and keep an active lifestyle. This does not mean that there never has been an unhealthy poker player; on the contrary just look around next time you are at a poker casino. Poker however is a game of strengths and weaknesses; every player needs to take every chance they get at having an advantage over their opponents; keeping an active lifestyle will give many advantages, therefore the reasons for doing just that are self-explanatory. A balance needs to be set and every player needs to divide their life into two parts; “Poker life” and “Normal life”. At many times this is a difficult thing to do; but it does need to happen nonetheless. Keep a special part of your life devoid of the poker world and when it comes time to focus on the game, you will quickly find it is much easier to do so.

Tags:
Alcohol, Online Poker Room, Poker, Smoking

How to Bud a Large Pot Into Fruition

What is the number one surefire way to get tons of money in poker?

Create large pots.

Doing so however, is easier said than done.

There are plenty of different ways to bet after you’ve been dealt an awesome hand; some ways are correct, while others are wrong. The trick is, not only using the correct methods, but using them at the correct time. Some of the best methods to use are check raising, over-betting, betting consistently, and just plain leaving the betting up to opponents. Now that list is out of the way, when exactly should those methods be used?

Let’s start with check raising. Check raising, also known as check betting, can be a very powerful move if used in the correct manner, and at the perfect time. For those who don’t know, Check betting is when you check to let your opponent bet, and then raise once the turn comes back around to you. The check betting method can create very large pots especially if you can get your opponent to bet hefty; it can also create large pots if there are a number of opponents still in the round. Check betting however can have quite a few complications so it should only be used if you are sure that your opponent will bet on their turn. If your opponent simply checks instead of betting, this drops out an extra set of betting time and thus lessens the overall pot total. Check betting is also a very strong sign of poker skill when used correctly; most poker novice’s either can’t handle the move or use it incorrectly. Therefore a successful check bet move might cause your opponents to run for the hills. If they notice a hint of excessive poker strengths they might be more tempted to back out on you more in the future as well. It is important to note the fact that check betting often will cause the move to lose its power effect; meaning that your opponents will learn quickly you are only check raising with a good hand. This can cause dangerous side effects.

Another method to help start budding large pots into fruition involves a term called Over-Betting. Over-betting is when a player simply does just that; they bet a considerable amount more than they should on any one turn. Over-betting can be both extremely effective, and extremely dangerous. It must, by all means, be used in moderation. There is a rather old theory that helps this move in some circumstances; way back when players used to believe that if a player was over-betting they were without a doubt bluffing. In some cases this may hold true; but for the most part poker has evolved and this no longer correlates. Some players’ and even some veterans still believe this is true. After all, why would a player bet a huge amount if they have a good hand; the player obviously wants to keep his/her opponents in the round therefore it would be more likely they would bet small. This type of thinking is one track minded, and it would be best if you stay far away from it; as for your opponents, let’s hope they still believe in that theory. Regardless, the over-betting method should be used carefully, and must seem seemingly random to opponents. If a player over-bets and an opponent calls with a stronger hand; there could be a very large sum of money lost. The point to using these methods however, is using them when you think that you have the strongest hand at the table, therefore in theory you should practically win the hand. Over-betting is also a strong move that can force weak players into folding or giving up.

On the other hand, betting smaller in a more consistent manner can also create a large pot over time. This method ensures that at least one of your opponents will stay in the round, provided they have a strong enough hand. In order to create a large pot however you must bet all three streets, the flop, and the river. If you miss a chance to bet than pot will be reduced that much more. This can also enable you to go all-in, depending on your total stack, over an extended period of time instead of throwing all your chips in at once. This will be due to the fact that after betting every turn, your hand might be small enough to go all-in without having to over-bet. The consistent betting method should be used against weaker opponents, and in situations where you believe betting large would knock most of your opponents out. The weaker opponents will generally jump out before the flop, they will see your consistent betting as a threat while the stronger and more skilled players may see it as a cautious move and will take the bait. If used correctly, the consistent betting method could earn you the most money out of every method listed here.

The final method, involves letting your opponents make the bets. This is not recommended in many situations, and can pretty much waste a large amount of premium betting time if gauged incorrectly. It is to be used for a table of extremely weak or extremely stingy poker players. These tables are encountered often enough however to make this method matter. The trick is, tailoring your opponents to believe you are a terrible player or novice. They will bet almost every turn, and your only move will need to be a call of their bets, or a raise. This will create a very large pot, and reap in extensive rewards only if you are at the right table. If you are sitting at a table of vets or pros, this method should never be used.

In a matter of no time, if you hone your skill at these methods than you will find the pots growing considerably larger at every table you participate at. Most importantly, learn to shuffle up your library of poker moves, and keep your opponents guessing what and why you are doing what you are. Good poker players often win because they are so unpredictable at times; not unpredictable in a reckless sense, but in a professional sense.

Tags:
Check Betting, Check Raising, Large Pots, Over-Betting, Poker

A Recession of…Poker?

We are in a stage of recession; there is no doubt about it. The overall economy seems, for now, to be making a rebound back up to where it should be but that does not mean it will stay. Judging by the past couple years, we may even see a slight increase before it starts to plummet again. This means the world credit market, and any type of shopping industry has lost a considerable amount of money over the past year or so. Not to mention the stock market potential earnings has dropped very low as well, and practically crashed more than once. But what does all this have to do with poker?

Most avid poker players certainly do not invest money in the stock market after winning at poker, although that might be a brilliant idea. Nor do they cycle their money into the economy through shopping and credit card use, for the most part it usually goes right back into poker. So why would the overall state of the economy begin to affect poker?

Churning a profit in the game of poker does not come from playing skilled player after skilled player; it comes simply from playing “noobs” and casual players. The less skilled opponents hardly use their chips wisely and often make unbelievably stupid bets. This is how most poker players profit; they use their skill against the naïve players who then practically give up all their chips. These poor players come from all walks of the earth, and never usually play for an extended period of time. They fall in that “gamblers” category talked about in the last post (See below “Skilled Poker Players are not Gamblers”). Unfortunately as the economy sinks more and more, fewer players will be taking their hard earned money to the casinos and onto the poker felt.

The above statement is certainly true; everyone who has remained at the game can see how deserted the tables seem to be compared to years earlier. Even online poker venues have a fewer number of players actually using “real” money. Since most online venues offer both “play” money, and “real” money game-play, most players have taken advantage of not pouring away the sweat off their brow. The real money remains in wallets, bank accounts or at home instead of being used to fill up on another stack. This means there is a much less total percentage of money circulating in the game of poker.

Veterans and skilled players, who make a living on the game, might need to consider looking elsewhere, at least for a little while, if they want to bring home some bacon. The economy is still in a slump, and the worst of the effects are yet to come.

Unemployment rates are at an all time high, and the fear of job security certain lingers heavily amongst the air. Many large corporations and companies have begun to fall financially, and others are selling off just to remain in the market. This means hundreds more blue and white collar workers will lose their jobs in the coming months. It’s these types of people exactly that bring more money to the poker table, gambling it away in their free time. With the economy and job situation remaining where it is for now, people will certainly stop flocking to casinos, and online venues to gamble what little they have away. All except for those addicted to gambling anyways…

The greatest affects of this overall economy state have not yet hit the world of poker hard. They certainly will over the next few months, and by the end of the year the poker “boom” will be gone for quite some time. All these financial subtractions are slowly removing more and more contributions from the world of poker. Fewer players, less money, less time and even fewer gaming venues will still be available as some poker venues or casinos might be forced into bankruptcy. This will change the world of poker completely making the game very tough for players still participating.

Consider a concept known as the poker ladder. At the bottom you have all the “minnows” and shallow swimmers who really can’t play the game, they make up most of the percentage of poker players therefore the bottom of the ladder would be wider. In the middle you have players who know basically what they are doing but are not yet skilled enough to pull in a considerable profit from the sport; there are not as many of these average players as there are “minnows” or beginners but there are certainly more prominent than veterans or pros. At the top of the ladder you have of course, the poker veterans and “big sharks” that make a living off the game and are very good at it. This leaves you with a triangle like ladder that works its way up in skill. With the absence of all these beginners and average players however, the ladder no longer functions as a triangle and the overall total of players is fewer. This means all those novice players, and players’ in-between still at the game will seemingly disappear over time. This in turn will make the game very difficult for those still in, because the “big sharks” or veterans will be the biggest majority of players left at the table. That triangle will shrink down so that even the newer players are stuck facing off against all poker veterans. This will discourage novice players from investing their money in the game, certainly if they know for a fact they will lose it.

Therefore, in a few months time the absence of these players and the loss of a substantial amount of total money will begin to affect those still stacking their chips on the soft, green felt. Players, who are regulars of online venues, should reconsider keeping a small bank of cash available online; if the venue goes under there is a big chance they will not get their money back.

The world of poker might be seeing one of the most dangerous periods of time slowly rising to the surface. If the economy does not lift back up and remain, there is a chance the game of poker might diminish considerably for quite some time and poker will fall into its own recession.

Tags:
Poker Economy, Poker Recession