I’ve always enjoyed a good game of low limit Texas Hold’em because 1. – I love other people’s money and 2.- I absolutely enjoy playing with their minds and hey – as far as I’m concerned, their hard-earned cash is better off in my pockets. But every aspiring player should know that the best poker tips you could ever hope to get can be summed up in one word: discipline. Today we will be talking about winning in the long run and how you can do it like the ruthless shark you are!
At a poker table discipline comes in many shapes and sizes. Learn to use the long odds in favour of the short-term action. Don’t be impulsive and know the difference between some bad luck and bad play. Lady Fortuna might not help you so it’s time to help yourself! Don’t be like the most of them out there and DO NOT CALL with just about any cards. Learn to fold and learn to do it a lot! In a poker game you are not supposed to play the hand you are dealt. Some might say that the low limit Hold’em games – about $4/$8 and even lower – are boring, but those tables are your best asset and you absolutely want those 35-40 hands per hour to be played on your terms.
Get rid of your A & 7’s, dismiss your K & 9’s and if people raise in front of you – get out, fold! Aces out of the pocket are dealt around once in every 220 times – do you have that kind of time on your hands? Forget about your big blind special moment that will show Jimmy whats-his-name who’s boss – fold some more and wait – be rational and brutally patient and fold when the cards are bad! There is no such thing as a hot seat or any other kind of fairy tale made belief that will help you win. The secret here is, ladies and gentlemen, unless you are in a big blind feel free to fold as often as possible! Play your best cards and toss the bad ones away like they’re burning your hands – practice as much as possible and you will climb the ladder to be one of the World Series of Poker winners.
Understand that you are not there to make friends, but you are there to asses how much the table is making per hour and pocket that money like you’ve got bills to pay. Big pairs and connectors with a big chance to create a flush or a straight are your best bet, anything else gets – you get it – folded! Always play sober if you want your game to improve, no point in risking to lose your money simply because you’ve had one too many, the point here is to take other people’s money, not to lose your own. And understand that it takes practice to be disciplined because folding when you think you might have the holy grail in your hands is hard. Truth is your holy grail might get destroyed by your opponents 9 & 4 .. so then what? Resist the urge to knock him out and educate yourself to fold. Discipline and patience are your biggest allies.
