general poker thoughts

I wanted to share some poker thoughts that have helped me over the years. These are in no particular order. This is a partial list.


1. Have the right attitude.
Think positive. Be optimistic yet realistic at the same time. Balance the highs and lows.


2. Pay attention.
Be prepared to answer questions like the following:
Who won the last pot? How big was it? Was there a showdown?
What can you tell me about each player at the table? Bet amounts? Aggression? Attitude? Momentum?


3. Bankroll management.
Don't play beyond your bankroll. There's nothing wrong with playing small stakes.


4. Don't worry about bad beats.
Don't talk about them. Don't take math personally.


5. Think clearly.
If you're on tilt then snap out of it or stop playing. Most players shouldn't drink. Those that do must be careful.


6. Understand the basics regarding math, strategy and psychology. Read HOH 2. Understand pot odds. Understand the benefits of selective aggression.


Some of this is inversion. In other words, if you can avoid doing the wrong things then you give yourself a chance to be lucky. Don't be the drunk who loses his temper. Don't be the loser who always complains about bad cards and beats.

Nice thought Eric one thing I seen was HOH 2, why only the second? I am working my way through the first at the moment, is the second a better book? I plan to get all 3 anyway but just curious

Originally Posted by MrFerguson91

Nice thought Eric one thing I seen was HOH 2, why only the second? I am working my way through the first at the moment, is the second a better book? I plan to get all 3 anyway but just curious

The first book isn't bad but I believe the second one is the Bible of tournament poker.

I would also add:

- do not let your emotions get the better of you

- practice discipline

- keep records

All great ideas, Eric. I know I need to not get angry when a hand or game does not go my way. The same play can be handsomely rewarded the next hand or game that you play. So, I just try to get in as many games as possible to keep the bankroll growing.

Cool starting it today in work

Originally Posted by MrFerguson91

Cool starting it today in work

MrFerguson91,

Congrats, I'm really happy for you! Harrington explains inflection points better than anyone else - you'll enjoy the book.

I'm onto page 100 here atm I get so much free time in work I can just read poker books all day long which is brilliant, getting paid to study poker basically is the way I see it haha. Some of the concepts in it so far with the different problems have changed my thought process about certain situations he really goes into micro detail which is brilliant and when he asks 'What would you do?' I am getting a good few answers correct which is a good sign

Originally Posted by MrFerguson91

Some of the concepts in it so far with the different problems have changed my thought process about certain situations he really goes into micro detail which is brilliant

Yes! It clearly shows the importance of stack size for hands like 44:
High M ==> see a cheap flop
Mid M ==> sometimes throw away in early position
Low M ==> shove

Yep!

I got to the section about 'M' today and how great is that to know! It would have helped me out in a tournament last night that I was running deep in and I made a major mistake shoving AKs into AA when I was well in the Green Zone, in hindsight after reading that section I should have called his preflop raise, he probably would have raised me on the flop which I could have easily thrown away saving myself so many chips and still keeping me in the tournament. Learning about M is one of the most helpful tips that I have learnt from my time studying poker.

Originally Posted by MrFerguson91

Learning about M is one of the most helpful tips that I have learnt from my time studying poker.

M is the key, I'm glad you're reading this book! If there is one book that every tournament player should read then this is it.

Yeah definately mate, I'm going to just keep re-reading the book from start to finish a few times so that it sinks in properly

Originally Posted by MrFerguson91

Yeah definately mate, I'm going to just keep re-reading the book from start to finish a few times so that it sinks in properly

That's what I did. I quized myself over and over on the practice questions.

One way you could get paid off more is by increasing your hand history database. Sites like "&&&&&&&&" of "**********" sell hand histories to people. You may want to look into that. Just a thought.

Thanks.

mod edit: funny how your three posts have all advertised sites selling hand histories.