The Poker Lab Rat

Having read and analysed poker books and tips from professional players for years in an attempt to keep building on my own game, some consistent themes keep creeping into the advice for poker play.

Here are today’s “lucky 7” poker tips:

1. Let the good times roll
A fun game is a good game. If everyone at the table is having a great time, then they will come back to play with you again and again (and won’t mind losing their money to you).

2. Go hard or go home
Aggression wins tournaments and that’s where the real money is won. The meek may finish in the money frequently, but smart, aggressive players WIN tournaments.

3. Know your enemy
(or as Mike Caro has it “Know your customer” as you’re gonna sell them your hands)
Don’t underestimate your opponents. With the large fields of today (both in-the-flesh and online), you may not know many of the faces/names. If you don’t recognise them, you cannot assume that they are not great players!

4. Lesson’s over
School is out – try not to educate your opponents at the table. Giving lessons only hurts your chances to win their money. (That said in order to “Let the good times roll” sometimes you need some leeway here!)

5. Taking the bait
Don’t bluff the unbluffable. If you bluff at a player, make sure it is someone that can lay a hand down!

6. Getting what is yours
Remember not to leave any dead money on the table. Make every attempt to maximise your chances to win each pot that you’re involved in. Don’t worry about winning every pot; do whatever you can to win the pots that you’re involved in.

7. The ego trap
Check your ego at the door. Keep your head. Make it personal by all means but play it smart with a financial game plan (especially if you’re playing cash NL games!) 

Kishan Neilsen

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