This is the 2nd part of a 3 part series.

A few things to keep in mind when you read this:


  • Essentially these are tips I took over a few years time with some added detail to make them understandable to someone other than myself.
  • By no means is this a complete reference of all Poker fundamentals as there are many that I may not even mention.
  • This comes from my point of view and is just one guys opinion.
  • There is no particular order; I just wrote stuff as the light bulb turned on for me.
  • There are exceptions to every one of these tips. The better you understand the game the more exceptions you will find.

If you like this blog or have any questions let me hear from you.

john@texastroll.com

—Troll

Don’t play Scared – If you’re too afraid to lose, you can’t win. Play to win, don’t play not to lose.

Good Poker players smell fear in the way you act at the table. A scared, timid player can’t be a winning player. Play smart but play aggressive. In all my tips you will see examples of not playing scared. If you want to win consistently you have make it happen, not wait for it to happen.

Where’s your Head? – If your head is not 100% in the game you shouldn’t even be at the table.

This is a lesson I still have a problem with to this day. I’m just now getting to the point where I can push back from my PC and decide not to play anymore. I read this same advice in Super System and it’s absolutely true. When I’m tired, angry, drunk, bored, short on time or distracted in some why I don’t play good poker. If you are going to play at your best you have to be focused not just on your game but the table as a whole. Every hand played gives you subtle clues about the other players and help you win the next hand. This leads nicely into my next note.


Playing multiple game – In general this is a bad idea. The beauty of playing online is you can play multiple games at one time but it’s also very dangerous. For every additional game you play, your chances of winning are diminished. Playing different types and levels of games can also confuse things more.

I hear people say they play 5-10 games at one time. I’m here to tell you there is no way anyone can be successful doing that for any length of time. Fact of the matter is the human brain can only handle between 3-6 tasks simultaneously. Couple that with the focus required to play a solid poker game and it’s a no win situation.

So much information is lost when you try to play multiple games that your play is basically scripted and you’re at a huge disadvantage. You are simply going thru the motions, making canned moves, playing specific hands and will inevitably be very predictable.

As a rule if I’m in a “major” tournament, that’s all I will play. I may also have a small cash game or TEC going if it’s early but nothing of any consequence. I will play as many as 3 SnGs at once but I usually limit myself to only 2.

Patience is the key to winning – You should fold many more hands than you play. Play smart, be patient and let others make mistakes.

You ever had a person at your table that didn’t show up and eventually he just gets blinded out? Ever think it’s funny how far in the tournament the missing player gets? That should speak volumes to you about being patient and waiting for the right time to play. A great deal of playing winning poker is to keep focused and not get anxious. You should be looking for reasons to fold a hand instead convincing yourself to play.

Table Image – How others perceive your play is very important. Always be aware of your image and how it may affect others play.

If you make a stupid call or stay in with trash and get caught – use that to your advantage later. Everyone will remember your loose play and be more apt to call your bets and raises. Tighten up and trap someone big! If you haven’t played a hand in awhile people think you are a tight player. Make a random raise and steal a few hands. Lastly, when you are moved to a new table you have no image; use that as well.

Play to win! – There are 3 kinds of people with money.

· Came easy thru inheritance, lottery, etc

· Works hard, scrimps and saves to get ahead

· Works hard, will risk everything for what he believes in

If the worst happens and you lose everything which of those groups would you most want to be in? Only one of those three groups is likely to rebuild their fortune after loosing it all. I say this not just from reading Fortune Magazine but from experience. You have these same 3 types of people in poker.

· Donkey that has an unreal run of cards – gets all his money in with the worst hand and sucks out every time

· Safe, tight player usually gets close to or makes the money but often lacks the chips to go all the way

· Smart, aggressive player liable to be at a final table at anytime – never count him out

Based on your current play, which of these groups do you fall into? Which group do you want to be in?