But it takes an awful long time if you are studying the game on your own to eventually arrive at the truth. I went through long periods where I had no one to help me and no one to show me the way. Only when you fully start to realise just how complex and difficult poker is do you start to take on board how you need guidance.

It is really akin to studying for a degree but having no one to tell you what you need to learn and from what sources and who knew what they were talking about form those that don’t. Because I have an almost fetish like addiction to studying and analyzing all things gambling, my hard work and never say die attitude eventually paid off. I really do think that what did it for me was that I actually derided just as much pleasure from studying the game of poker as I did from playing but that kind of outlook is rare.

But studying poker on your own without guidance takes an awful long time and you are lucky if you even make it at all because it is unlikely that you will study the right things in the right order. Back in the beginning of my self imposed poker program, I had a very simplistic view of poker. In fact when I look back at the notes that I took ten years ago I find them laughable now.

But it is the way of all humans to look for more complex answers when sometimes the simple answer is staring you in the face. For many years I was over complicating the game and making it far more difficult to master than what it should have been. If you look at the mathematics that are inherent within the game then you could be forgiven for packing the entire thing in believing that it was too complicated.

I have poker books that are literally crammed with statistics and odds and probabilities…….99% of which are useless when it comes to making money.

I was once listening to two people talk about poker and they both readily agreed that mathematics was a vital part of the game and that this was really all there was to poker. There really is not that much mathematics in the game that ACTUALLY helps you to win money. The problem with studying poker is that it is difficult to avoid opinions and those opinions come from lots of different people.

Let us say that you are looking to get to a professional level and we can measure that process on a scale of 1 to 10 (keep with me here). You as a novice are at number 1 and a pro is at 9 or 10. Nearly everyone will have more knowledge than you but yet taking knowledge from people who are at 4 or 5 who are not properly understanding how to get to 9 or 10 could be a big mistake.

Carl “The Dean” Sampson
Come and see the bwin poker blog

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Fleeing is not a very palatable option either because this means packing the game in. If you are a winning player then this means losing income and this income could be considerable depending on the individual.

If you are not yet a winning online poker player but are striving to be one then this means giving up on your goal and dream. But there is a third option and that option is to “flow” or to learn poker better.

We have all heard the expression “to go with the flow” but yet how many of us have really fully taken on board what this actually means. In fact most old sayings and expressions have deep underlying meanings that can alter and transform a person’s life for the better when fully understood and implemented.

Rather than attempt to fight our surroundings then it is far better to attempt to accept them for what they are and flow with them. An example might be when you are stuck in a traffic jam. Rather than get angry and frustrated and agitated, why not turn on your radio or play your favorite CD and relax.

Treat the traffic jam not as an annoying situation but as an opportunity to sit in isolation without interruption and listen to your favourite music. This different outlook to what is an annoying everyday and unavoidable occurrence can be applied to almost everything that could possibly occur in daily life.

Money is perhaps the biggest reason for why players fail to become successful in poker! Why is this so? Well, this is because we value money so much and we definitely live in a very materialistic world these days where money and possessions equal status and this enables people to have better standards of living, increased status, better image and all of the rest that comes with it.

But it is because online poker is played for money that leads so many people to want some of it. In fact they want it so much and are so eager to get it that they simply don’t give themselves enough time to become good enough in order to be able to get it. This leads me onto another very important point that emanates from Zen. This is that we must stop striving to achieve something and just try to let it happen naturally.

It is this constant striving to win money in poker that is actually preventing people from being able to do it. Some time ago, I made it my goal in poker NOT to win money but to become absorbed with the sheer process of reading, writing, playing and coaching poker.

To love something for the sheer joy of just doing it irrespective of financial incentives is the ultimate goal that we must all seek not just in poker but in any field. I have always felt that this is a major reason for why students drop out of university.

They just did not love the subject that they were studying well enough. To truly be in love with a subject, the individual will feel intense passion and drive not just in those initial first few months but until the day that they die.

Now, whenever I am reading or writing or playing poker then I just do not see that as work but more like an enjoyable hobby and it is this kind of outlook that makes winning automatic. This leads me to quote yet another famous Zen saying and that is that “it is the journey itself that is the true goal”.

Carl “The Dean” Sampson

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For a while now, I’ve been watching Holdem on cable. By the way, I live in the UK. Luckily, your site has helped me a lot about playing real games.

So far, I understand the rules, percentages, or the like. But of course, I have to admit, I’m not yet an expert so some things aren’t that clear to me still.

Well, as of now, I’m trying to evaluate my games and look for some possible areas by which I guess I need improvement. One thing I noticed is that oftentimes, I’m not sure if I win or lose because of luck or because of my playing style. I really wonder, how a certified beginner like me make judgment calls or the like?

Just last night, I was playing with 10 players. I’m actually seated behind the dealer therefore I thought I can play a little bit looser. Well, I get dealt T, 6 off-suit which normally I would fold. At some point, everyone was still in and a call paved the way for me to see the flop. Thus, I decided to have a look and fold. I can’t fairly remember the exact cards but I believe there was a T, 6 and perhaps a 2 or a 3.

Eventually, with two pair and top pair showing I thought I may not just fold. Normally, most players fold but I stayed in to see the turn. Unfortunately, the card was no help, I believe it was a not a T, 6 or picture card.

The next thing happened was that I called for a check and so a player around raised. But still, I decided to stay in and call. Then, the river came but it was no help as well.

Eventually, I decided to check, get raised and then call for the laying down of cards. Well, I admit, I have nothing better than what I have flopped, the two pair. Unlike the other player who had “pocket rockets” since the beginning.

Any comment on how I play? If I’ve been aggressive after the flop and then been tough about folding after the other player with the AA stayed in, do you think things have been better? And do you think if I’ve been suspicious while at the table, I could have won?

By the way, nice site!

Thanks,
Marky
Marky,

From what you explained to me, everyone saw the flop. First, this is highly irregular. In a game with a $1-2 blind structure and nine players, there would be $13 in the pot by the time it got to you. That is 6.5 to 1 on your money. I would have called with 7-2 offsuit in that spot and saw a flop. You were very fortunate to flop two pair in that scenario. Regarding your aggression, you did play the hand a little passively. If you were heads-up in that hand, I would have put in a raise at least on the turn or river.

Your result of flopping two pair with a garbage hand was obviously a lucky flop, but I do not think you played poorly preflop. When you are getting 6 to 1 or better on your money, speculating with hands is normal. I think you may have won more money if you would have bet out on the flop based on what hit the board. Of course, without knowing for sure what the cards were on the turn or river, I cannot comment intelligently on the other streets.

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First of all, I would like to congratulate you for having a great site. And thanks for providing lots of helpful infos.

Before I ask my question, I would like first to introduce myself as a poker player. Well, I am a beginner in the field of real cash games online. And to improve myself, I’ve tried to read some books. This weekend, I’m planning to read the super system, hoping I would learn some stuff.

I’m playing the .50/1.00 limit holdem. And for some time now, I was wondering if playing such could really earn me money. Just an information, over the past week, I am up 90 dollars for 10 hours play time and my total bankroll is already around 150.00.

By the way, do you think I could already start out playing 1.00/2.00 games?

Thanks,
Dave
Dave,

I would give a little more time at the .50/$1 Limit before moving up. You basically have a bankroll of 75 big bets for $1/$2. I would like to see you have a bankroll of 200 to 300 big bets before moving up. That will allow for some swings. I would wait until you are up to around $400 at least before you play. Now if you want to take a one time shot at the game, that is fine, but to play it regularly, I would wait.

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From your site, I learned that I am not suppose to bluff that much, as well as not to focus alone on my own cards, I also have to keep an eye on others’ cards.

The past weeks, I tried to improve my hand reading skill but I realized it was not that easy. Usually, frustration get over me most especially when I can’t read other players’ hands. Can you give me some advice on how I can improve my hand reading skills considering that I’m a beginner?

By the way, how often do you or any other good players correctly assume opponents’ hands? Do you actually need to guess or make assumptions concerning all the players in the table from time to time? And when a flop comes down, and lots of actions take place, is there really a need to seem assuming?

Finally, is keeping an eye on the whole table, necessary? At all times?

Thanks!
Kit
Kit,

The only way to improve your hand reading skills is practice. Part of this involves watching what people are folding and showing down at showdown. The other part is being able to classify the type of player that you’re playing. Are they a mouse, are they a maniac, or are they a rock? You will want to sit back and observe the players to determine their style, and from that you can start figuring out what types of hands they are playing.

It is a good idea to keep an eye on all the players at the table in a hand with you. With more practice, this will become easier. My best suggestion is to buy into a low limit game and start working on these skills as soon as possible.

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