So... You're Going To Teach Me How To Win?
Not quite. Nobody can do that but this lens will teach you some great tips to keep opponents guessing and it will provide you with some great resources to extend your knowledge and, hopefully, become a better all-round player.
I think poker is a game in which chips are just mere accessories. It is psychological warfare of the most unforgiving kind. Stu Ungar (3-time WSOP winner and widely regarded as the greatest poker player of all time) said of poker;
"Think about what it's like sitting at a poker table with people whose only goal is to cut your throat, take your money, and leave you out back talking to yourself about what went wrong inside."
Ungar never needed any help beating himself, though. He was the only person who could beat himself! It is estimated that $30m passed through his hands in poker winnings during his short life and had he not destroyed himself with drugs before his death in 1998, that sum may have been much more.
You may be wondering why I have built this lens to help you now. If all I want to do as an opponent is beat you, why would I offer you advice?
Firstly, I don't play poker often enough to make this information detrimental to my game.
Secondly, my chances of ever playing you (the reader) are very slim as I only play small games against my friends. It is just a hobby to me.
I think poker is a game in which chips are just mere accessories. It is psychological warfare of the most unforgiving kind. Stu Ungar (3-time WSOP winner and widely regarded as the greatest poker player of all time) said of poker;
"Think about what it's like sitting at a poker table with people whose only goal is to cut your throat, take your money, and leave you out back talking to yourself about what went wrong inside."
Ungar never needed any help beating himself, though. He was the only person who could beat himself! It is estimated that $30m passed through his hands in poker winnings during his short life and had he not destroyed himself with drugs before his death in 1998, that sum may have been much more.
You may be wondering why I have built this lens to help you now. If all I want to do as an opponent is beat you, why would I offer you advice?
Firstly, I don't play poker often enough to make this information detrimental to my game.
Secondly, my chances of ever playing you (the reader) are very slim as I only play small games against my friends. It is just a hobby to me.
What's Here?
What Makes A Good Player?
Or...What Made Stu Ungar So Good?!
It's the question everyone wants the answer to; what really makes a good player?My first answer to this is a good player is someone who could be holding absolutely anything!
You will constantly hear in poker circles about "tells", a pattern that occurs whenever a player is in a specific situation. For example; a player may rub their nose every time they get a premium hand. You will then know when they have a strong starting hand!
As a poker player, learning to read tells is something that must be mastered. By reading tells, you are giving yourself a substantial advantage on your opponent and you can capitalise on this. If your opponent isn't giving you any information, they are dangerous whatever hand they may have.
Poker is a game where security is vital. If you have no idea what cards your opponent has you are in a very dangerous situation.
My second answer would be; someone who can throw it all on the line!
It is, admittedly, much easier said than done but by dismissing the value of money or chips and playing as if they're worth nothing, you can play with more freedom.
A good player can do this and therefore play with no restrictions. If you start playing to cover debts or start playing at levels out of your comfort zone you are unable to play to your full potential and it is inevitable you will lose money.
To Stu, money wasn't worth the paper it was printed on. That is an ability in itself.
Note: Poker is not a way to make cash to clear your debts. If you're not financially secure to begin with, don't play. It is a fast-track to ruin. Addiction is something that can destroy your life. Basically, never play stakes you can't afford and never play when you aren't comfortable in any way, shape or form.
Learn From The Professionals
Doyle Brunson and Dan Harrington are both incredible players. Between them they have won 12 WSOP bracelets (Brunson with 10, Harrington with 2) and have won around $12m in prize money! (As of the start of 2008; Brunson $5.3m, Harrington $6.5m)
True legends of the game, they chose to write books on poker strategy. I can honestly say; there are no better qualified strategists out there and very few people will ever write a poker strategy book like these guys. Each and everyone one of their books is a must-read!
True legends of the game, they chose to write books on poker strategy. I can honestly say; there are no better qualified strategists out there and very few people will ever write a poker strategy book like these guys. Each and everyone one of their books is a must-read!
Doyle Brunson's Super System: A Course in Power Poker, 3rd Edition
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Doyle Brunson's Super System 2: A Course in Power Poker
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Harrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 1: Strategic Play
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Harrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 2: Endgame
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Harrington on Hold 'em: Expert Strategies for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. III--The Workbook (Harrington on Hold'em)
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The 10 Top Tips
These are my 10 top tips for improving your game. Try to factor a couple of these in at a time and just see how much your game improves!
Note: There is no order to the importance of these, hence, why I have chosen not to use numbered bullet points!
Note: There is no order to the importance of these, hence, why I have chosen not to use numbered bullet points!
- Play without fear. - Something many players fail to do. Playing without fear cannot be underestimated. You don't need to be reckless but do not be afraid to lay it all on the line.
- Know when to fold your cards. - Many people find it difficult, when they have just seen the turn card and need another of a specific suit to hit a monster hand, to fold their cards. It doesn't matter if you've put 10 chips or 10 000 chips in the pot. If you don't think you will win; cut your losses!
- Find your forté. - Don't just play any game that is good to go. Find which situation you play best at and stick to it. By all means venture out of the comfort zone if you want to learn the ropes in another game but stick to small games until you're ready to play the big boys.
- Don't fall in love with a specific pair of hole cards. - Yes. It is a criminal offence to a poker player! My trademark hand is A-J but will I always play that hand irrelevant to what is on the board? No. Many people win a couple of monster pots with cards like 10-3 offsuit and feel it is a hand they are invincible with. Reality check; you're not.
- Bet like a professional. - By all admissions, it is sometimes difficult to gauge a perfect bet. Unfortunately, it is something that can help you immensely. Just stick to the simple rules: Don't make stupidly massive bets every time you have a premium hand and don't undercut yourself by not betting enough.
- Bluff like a professional. - Bluffing, like many other things in poker, is a fine art. Bluff too often and you'll get caught out by better players waiting to trap you. Bluff too little and you'll lose out on pots you could've stolen. Finding a balance is a characteristic of a good player.
- Prepare yourself. - A tip that is highly underestimated. Make sure you are in a good mental, physical and emotional state before you play. If you're tired, moody or feeling sick. Don't play! You won't be at your best and you'll lose money.
- Be yourself. - You will always get people trying to tell you how to act. If you want to listen to your iPod whilst you play, put it on! If you want to wear shades, wear them! Don't allow other players to control your mannerisms because you'll just be handing them a psychological advantage.
- Play, play, play! - As they say; "practise makes perfect". The more you play, the more you'll learn. Simple.
- Keep an open mind. - Take in new strategies. Don't just dismiss people who don't play like you as fish. Read books from the experts (like those above), watch poker and most of all, remember everyone has their own style. Just because someone plays differently to you, it doesn't make them a bad player!
Because You'd Rather Not Have To Rely On A Royal Flush...
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- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Sep 1, 2008 @ 1:54 pm
- Some great tips; especially 'bluff like a professional.' I am a mediocre poker player at best. 5*****
by Rock_The_Ice
Rock_The_Ice is a strange kinda guy. Easily distracted, immensely competitive and with a determined streak wider than the Grand Canyon he often denies... (more)
