Never adapt anyone's playing style.

I'm actually in the middle of doing a paper for one of my classes right now but I couldn't keep my mind off poker, and I was able to think of something to write about that might help a beginner out a little:

So you've recently been getting into poker and bought books and watch all the poker on television, and you seemed to have gathered up some information. What I can tell you is that no matter how much books you read and how much poker shows you watch, you'll never become successful if you can't learn to apply it. You've picked up books from some of the famous poker players out there and inside the book, there might be a chapter or two that discuss their playing styles. Your in a complete buzz after reading it, and can't wait to try it in your next live or online game. But the truth of the matter is that you cant adapt to a players style just by reading a book or watching tv. Yeah you see them play suited connectors OOP, or even raising with crappy hands. What they don't show you is how many flops they missed doing it. So DON'T DO IT!!! This is not how you begin to learn great poker. They make those moves based on reverse reads, and deception to trap other great players. This thing you don't need to learn right now because of the low limits your playing, it does not call for it. I think that one of the most important thing in poker is to be always comfortable when betting, calling and raising. If it makes you uncomfortable that you might not have the best hand then fold, If your comfortable that you've got a great hand that will stand when the showdown comes then call.

The reason why I bring this up is that there are many players who look up to pro players or even their poker buddies who is more successful then them because they are able to play a wider range of starting hands and based on their reads and great bluffs they profit more. You have to realize that everyone is not the same. Everyone's capacity to learning is different. Some players pick up things quicker than some players do. With that said, for beginners, I'd say that its better to play great startings hands and change your betting patterns to throw off your opponents rather than playing maginal hands and rely on reads all the time. Offense=Big hand made , Defense=reads : Offense is a great defense if your defense is not that great. Remember poker is a game that you can never stop learning from. As long as you strive and have the hunger to learn everyday, you eventually will get to your goal.

Also I've recently picked up two books (The Tao of Poker and The Zen and Art of Poker) to read on the deals in the lines of controlling your mind in poker. I've skimmed through both books and I think its helping deal with issues that comes along when playing. I highly recommend both.

Good post. I just wanted to make a comment about The Tao of Poker. While it is brilliant at some parts I think it contains complete bullshit at other parts. The author has some very dubious opinions about "luck", wich I firmly dislike. What I refer to is his statement that "luck run in cycles, and that you have to recognize when you are in a "good" run or a "bad" run and take advantage of it". Im not superspicous person, and my belief is that a book containing this kind of information is flawed.

Yea it sounds like bullshit the way he means it. There are other more subtle ways to take advantage of luck though e.g. If you have recently had a good run of cards (and shown them down) the fish will be more likely to believe you have a hand since you are clearly on a hot streak. Other people will be less likely to believe you have a hand since "he cant have one again". Spotting which type of player is which will probably add a bit of value to your game but its a bit too detailed for my reading capabilities atm.