As an aspiring poker player, I can plead guilty to the fact that I spend the majority of my free time discussing with myself different strategies and situations in no-limit texas hold 'em. This "problem", as others may perceive it, has helped me conceive the appropriate title for my blog: "Waking Up On The Poker Side Of The Bed". I hope these columns can give a sense of appreciation to those who also share a deep infatuation for the cadillac of poker, while also extending some knowledge to those who hope to improve their play of no-limit texas hold 'em.
I find it very interesting how many situations that we encounter in our everyday life that we can use to both improve our play, and to further appreciate its existence. I spend a lot of my own time playing, watching, and analyzing poker. It is this phenomenon that I have coined: "Waking Up On The Poker Side Of The Bed".
John Glenn, the first man to orbit the Earth, who later went on to become a US senator, once said, “People are afraid of the future, of the unknown. If a man faces up to it, and takes the dare of the future, he can have some control over his destiny. That's an exciting idea to me, better than waiting with everybody else to see what's going to happen.” It is amazing in life what can come to those who enter the unknown (future) with a plan and something to work with. In poker, too many players enter the future paying the price of past mistakes. Their present successes merely cover the tracks of past poor plays.
In poker, making the right play isn't always the easy thing to do. Many times we must walk away from big pots; pots that we have invested a lot of our own money in. Unfortunately, it is never fun to walk away from a large pot, especially since you most likely have a very nice hand, but you are setting yourself up for a brighter future if you can discipline yourself to do what you feel is right in all situations. To set myself up to succeed in the future, I choose to play with future pots in mind. I began playing this way when I first began playing poker. I noticed that I was not making hard lay-downs. I often felt in my gut that I was beat, but I didn't feel like I could lay the hand down (ala QQ preflop or AA post flop to large reraises). I felt like sometimes I was getting hooked too easily. I would flop top-top and allow a set to rake my entire stack, which in cash games is never a good thing. I needed to find a way to control myself in these situations.
Playing with future pots in mind isn't implying a lack of focus on the present hand, it is preparing yourself to succeed in the future. John Glenn was right, most are scared of the unknown future. In poker, there is no guarantee of what the future hands hold. We do not know what situations we face in future pots, but you must have confidence in your abilities, and if you have confidence, then you can, as Glenn says, 'face up to it, and take the dare of the future, then you can have some control over your own destiny.' Of course, to be most successful in poker, you must focus on the present hand and pick up as much information as possible. At some point in time you must accumulate chips if you want to succeed; you can't always keep folding for the future. Unfortunately, many players waste their chips in situations they shouldn't even be in, and therefore they are destroying their chances of making money in the future, because those future winnings will only cover those past mistakes. The rakes don't become profit.
Playing with future pots in mind can keep you from being the victim of a ram-and-jam. Ram-and-jam and check-raise plays often work in poker because they allow the person with the weaker hand to get some money in the pot. The effectiveness of these plays can be associated with the foot-in-the-door marketing tactic which gets consumers to agree to large purchase requests, by first getting them to agree to moderate requests. The thought process behind this is that since they have said yes once already, that it is easier for them to say yes once again. This is why so many companies still use door-to-door salesmen. If you say yes and let a vacuum salesmen come into your house, they believe you have a easier time saying yes to the purchase. This is often why ram-and-jams and check-raises are so effective when holding a big hand. Often times amateurs get easily hooked to a hand and will call off large portions of their stacks in later betting rounds with as simple as top pair because by folding they are admitting that their previous calls were wrong. Since they made those previous calls, they feel obligated to themselves to follow it through, which is much like the foot-in-the-door technique. I believe if you play every hand, and every street, reminding yourself that there will be future hands, that you will operate with a better mental discipline. You don't allow yourself to be so easily suckered over a top pair, or even two pair. Thus you will have more chips to use in those future pots, and the rake in those future pots won't be making up for past mistakes, instead they will be profit.
Famous essayist and author C. S. Lewis once commented on how we all enter the future at the same speed of sixty minutes an hour, no matter who you are or what you do. Make sure you enter it accompanied with some chips.
Good Luck!!
*****PJ*****
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Don't Sit Down With A Genie
As an aspiring poker player, I can plead guilty to the fact that I spend the majority of my free time discussing with myself different strategies and situations in no-limit texas hold 'em. This "problem", as others may perceive it, has helped me conceive the appropriate title for my blog: "Waking Up On The Poker Side Of The Bed". I hope these columns can give a sense of appreciation to those who also share a deep infatuation for the cadillac of poker, while also extending some knowledge to those who hope to improve their play of no-limit texas hold 'em.
I find it very interesting how many situations that we encounter in our everyday life that we can use to both improve our play, and to further appreciate its existence. I spend a lot of my own time playing, watching, and analyzing poker. It is this phenomenon that I have coined: "Waking Up On The Poker Side Of The Bed".
If you take the time to look in a dictionary, you will find that a genie is defined as, "a spirit, often appearing in human form, that when summoned by a person carries out the wishes of the summoner." Of course we all wish we could stumble upon a genie so that we could have three wishes which would certainly be 1) a fortune 2) world peace and 3) more wishes. Unfortunately, genies are probably nothing more than folklore, but you might be able to see one at a poker table near you.
When I play poker, I keep a small piece of paper that contains eight guidelines that if followed, I feel will make me a successful poker player. Sometimes during a poker session I pull this sheet out as a way to sort of comfort myself and refocus. The second guideline on this sheet is "don't wish things true."
When I began playing poker, I encountered a problem. That problem is based on greed and every poker player has felt it at some point in their career. This problem is a need to win every pot. I notice than many new, casual, and/or inexperienced players tend to act this way and I look at them as sitting down with a genie. They 'wish' they could win every pot. They will make a gut shot call on the turn in a situation when they need to be layed over 10 to 1 when they are only getting 3 to 1. They simply wish that the right price was layed so that they can maybe hit the draw because they $really$, $$really$$, $$$really$$$, and I mean $$$$really$$$$ want to rake that pot. Over the long run they will hit around the correct number of river gutshots, but won't make even close to enough money to justify all the improper calls they have made along the way. Unfortunately for them, the only thing they will remember is that feeling of scooping that one $$$$$huge$$$$$ pot, and in their mind, it will justify all the wrong plays they have made.
They say, "I just hit those gutshots, I mean last Friday night I hit like three in a row" or "Remember when I won that huge pot when I called $75 on the turn and rivered a 4-outer..........that was awesome!!" Too often new players, and donkeys, spew that (insert whatever expletive you wish) out of their mouths. Sometimes in poker, and some days a lot of times, bad plays are rewarded. That is the game I love, but some days it can be harsh to good players, and loving to bad ones. Unfortunately, sometimes these bad players can allow a reward for a bad play cause them to become almost addicted to that play. Some players simply love chasing gutshots, love calling out of position with ace rag, or love their middle pair all because they 'wish' they were right. They wish they could win, and this desire to rake a pot causes them to act foolish. You see, folding is guaranteeing that you won't rake that pot, but by calling, that chance still lives. This is what drives their desperate and incorrect decisions.
I once heard accomplished poker professional Phil Gordon asked about what he thought was the biggest problem for amateurs and he responded with what I think is one of the best lessons to follow in poker. He replied by saying amateurs check too much when they are ahead in the hand, and bet too much when they are behind. Even though this is very basic, it rings very true for many poker players, even myself. I think this is great advice, but I think that the biggest problem in amateurs is even more basic than this. I believe the biggest problem for amateurs is they simply 'wish' they could win every pot, and this causes them to nevereverever (yeh, that kind of never) fold. I have won so many pots when once I see my opponents hand I react by asking how in the hell are they even in the hand. The fact is that they are in the pot because it is simply better than the alternative of folding. Folding guarantees loss, and they definitely don't want to do that!!
So, my advice to a beginner is to start out by learning to fold. Don't wish things true. You can't win every pot and you certainly don't need to. You need to learn to win big pots, but to win big pots, you need chips and you won't have many chips if you waste them wishing something true. I think the best thing a beginner can do is the first few times they play, really play tight, stick to the top ten hands, and learn to fold. A poker player who can't fold, can't win, it is that simple. Patience is too important in poker. You must pick and choose your spots and you must come to an understanding with yourself that you can't win every pot. So put that genie lamp away in the closet, because you don't need wishing at the table, it only brings bad calls and small stacks. Instead, bring your patience, your focus and your reason and you will soon be leaving with stacks of cash, or in other words..................wish number 1.
Good Luck!
****PJ****
I find it very interesting how many situations that we encounter in our everyday life that we can use to both improve our play, and to further appreciate its existence. I spend a lot of my own time playing, watching, and analyzing poker. It is this phenomenon that I have coined: "Waking Up On The Poker Side Of The Bed".
If you take the time to look in a dictionary, you will find that a genie is defined as, "a spirit, often appearing in human form, that when summoned by a person carries out the wishes of the summoner." Of course we all wish we could stumble upon a genie so that we could have three wishes which would certainly be 1) a fortune 2) world peace and 3) more wishes. Unfortunately, genies are probably nothing more than folklore, but you might be able to see one at a poker table near you.
When I play poker, I keep a small piece of paper that contains eight guidelines that if followed, I feel will make me a successful poker player. Sometimes during a poker session I pull this sheet out as a way to sort of comfort myself and refocus. The second guideline on this sheet is "don't wish things true."
When I began playing poker, I encountered a problem. That problem is based on greed and every poker player has felt it at some point in their career. This problem is a need to win every pot. I notice than many new, casual, and/or inexperienced players tend to act this way and I look at them as sitting down with a genie. They 'wish' they could win every pot. They will make a gut shot call on the turn in a situation when they need to be layed over 10 to 1 when they are only getting 3 to 1. They simply wish that the right price was layed so that they can maybe hit the draw because they $really$, $$really$$, $$$really$$$, and I mean $$$$really$$$$ want to rake that pot. Over the long run they will hit around the correct number of river gutshots, but won't make even close to enough money to justify all the improper calls they have made along the way. Unfortunately for them, the only thing they will remember is that feeling of scooping that one $$$$$huge$$$$$ pot, and in their mind, it will justify all the wrong plays they have made.
They say, "I just hit those gutshots, I mean last Friday night I hit like three in a row" or "Remember when I won that huge pot when I called $75 on the turn and rivered a 4-outer..........that was awesome!!" Too often new players, and donkeys, spew that (insert whatever expletive you wish) out of their mouths. Sometimes in poker, and some days a lot of times, bad plays are rewarded. That is the game I love, but some days it can be harsh to good players, and loving to bad ones. Unfortunately, sometimes these bad players can allow a reward for a bad play cause them to become almost addicted to that play. Some players simply love chasing gutshots, love calling out of position with ace rag, or love their middle pair all because they 'wish' they were right. They wish they could win, and this desire to rake a pot causes them to act foolish. You see, folding is guaranteeing that you won't rake that pot, but by calling, that chance still lives. This is what drives their desperate and incorrect decisions.
I once heard accomplished poker professional Phil Gordon asked about what he thought was the biggest problem for amateurs and he responded with what I think is one of the best lessons to follow in poker. He replied by saying amateurs check too much when they are ahead in the hand, and bet too much when they are behind. Even though this is very basic, it rings very true for many poker players, even myself. I think this is great advice, but I think that the biggest problem in amateurs is even more basic than this. I believe the biggest problem for amateurs is they simply 'wish' they could win every pot, and this causes them to nevereverever (yeh, that kind of never) fold. I have won so many pots when once I see my opponents hand I react by asking how in the hell are they even in the hand. The fact is that they are in the pot because it is simply better than the alternative of folding. Folding guarantees loss, and they definitely don't want to do that!!
So, my advice to a beginner is to start out by learning to fold. Don't wish things true. You can't win every pot and you certainly don't need to. You need to learn to win big pots, but to win big pots, you need chips and you won't have many chips if you waste them wishing something true. I think the best thing a beginner can do is the first few times they play, really play tight, stick to the top ten hands, and learn to fold. A poker player who can't fold, can't win, it is that simple. Patience is too important in poker. You must pick and choose your spots and you must come to an understanding with yourself that you can't win every pot. So put that genie lamp away in the closet, because you don't need wishing at the table, it only brings bad calls and small stacks. Instead, bring your patience, your focus and your reason and you will soon be leaving with stacks of cash, or in other words..................wish number 1.
Good Luck!
****PJ****
In Poker and Life, Plan to be Surprised
As an aspiring poker player, I can plead guilty to the fact that I spend the majority of my free time discussing with myself different strategies and situations in no-limit texas hold 'em. This "problem", as others may perceive it, has helped me conceive the appropriate title for my blog: "Waking Up On The Poker Side Of The Bed". I hope these columns can give a sense of appreciation to those who also share a deep infatuation for the cadillac of poker, while also extending some knowledge to those who hope to improve their play of no-limit texas hold 'em.
I find it very interesting how many situations that we encounter in our everyday life that we can use to both improve our play, and to further appreciate its existence. I spend a lot of my own time playing, watching, and analyzing poker. It is this phenomenon that I have coined: "Waking Up On The Poker Side Of The Bed".
I recently got the opportunity to watch the newly released film Dan in Real Life. It was a film that I really enjoyed, but more importantly it ended with a really interesting thought. Dan Burns (played by Steve Carell) is an accomplished journalist who always seems to have the right words. The movie closes with him reciting a passage from his most recent column. He begins discussing the idea of plans, and he concludes by saying that the best advice for planning, is plan to be surprised.
This quote rings very true for life, but is equally true in poker. Every hand has a uniqueness to it that no other hand has ever had. Every flop is a new learning experience, every call a new opportunity. One of the biggest problems that beginners face is they want to "understand" how to win. Many beginners search online and through published books, looking for guidelines to winning in poker. The truth is there is no place to find these guidelines. Every hand is a new surprise, and it is impossible for anyone to document every possible scenario. To become a truly great poker player, you must learn to "feel" the game. With every hand being a new surprise, you must be able to feel the hand and adapt before your opponent. It is this ability to adapt before your opponent that most clearly defines the line between winning and losing. These ways to adapt are the single most debated topics in poker, and can simply be called strategies. Since every hand is a unique combination of players, cards, boards, and bets, to master poker, you must learn how to trust your instincts. To be able to trust these instincts, you must first mold them in the proper way. This proper way is not a single, universal way to play. There are thousands of great poker players on this planet, and not one of them plays just like another. They have all formed their own set of opinions for certain situations. These opinions mold their instincts, which they use on every hand they play. Don't get me wrong, every great poker player uses his or her memory to become a better poker player, but since every hand is unique, they must rely heavily on their instincts.
So to become a great poker player, a beginner must learn how to mold these instincts. This is done through hours upon hours of practicing poker, watching poker, reading about poker, thinking about poker, and studying your opponents while you play. Once your instincts are built, you can get a "feel" for the game, and when you get to this point, you will be better equipped for the next surprise poker throws your way!
****PJ****
I find it very interesting how many situations that we encounter in our everyday life that we can use to both improve our play, and to further appreciate its existence. I spend a lot of my own time playing, watching, and analyzing poker. It is this phenomenon that I have coined: "Waking Up On The Poker Side Of The Bed".
I recently got the opportunity to watch the newly released film Dan in Real Life. It was a film that I really enjoyed, but more importantly it ended with a really interesting thought. Dan Burns (played by Steve Carell) is an accomplished journalist who always seems to have the right words. The movie closes with him reciting a passage from his most recent column. He begins discussing the idea of plans, and he concludes by saying that the best advice for planning, is plan to be surprised.
This quote rings very true for life, but is equally true in poker. Every hand has a uniqueness to it that no other hand has ever had. Every flop is a new learning experience, every call a new opportunity. One of the biggest problems that beginners face is they want to "understand" how to win. Many beginners search online and through published books, looking for guidelines to winning in poker. The truth is there is no place to find these guidelines. Every hand is a new surprise, and it is impossible for anyone to document every possible scenario. To become a truly great poker player, you must learn to "feel" the game. With every hand being a new surprise, you must be able to feel the hand and adapt before your opponent. It is this ability to adapt before your opponent that most clearly defines the line between winning and losing. These ways to adapt are the single most debated topics in poker, and can simply be called strategies. Since every hand is a unique combination of players, cards, boards, and bets, to master poker, you must learn how to trust your instincts. To be able to trust these instincts, you must first mold them in the proper way. This proper way is not a single, universal way to play. There are thousands of great poker players on this planet, and not one of them plays just like another. They have all formed their own set of opinions for certain situations. These opinions mold their instincts, which they use on every hand they play. Don't get me wrong, every great poker player uses his or her memory to become a better poker player, but since every hand is unique, they must rely heavily on their instincts.
So to become a great poker player, a beginner must learn how to mold these instincts. This is done through hours upon hours of practicing poker, watching poker, reading about poker, thinking about poker, and studying your opponents while you play. Once your instincts are built, you can get a "feel" for the game, and when you get to this point, you will be better equipped for the next surprise poker throws your way!
****PJ****
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