Get Respected as a Poker Authority

Poker players are not known for their ability to share their ideas or their inclination in wanting to do so. Texas Hold’em poker requires opponents to seek advantages over you and many players never discuss their approach, level of knowledge or strategies to avoid such information being available to people trying to take their money. Rather than helping each other poker players will take your money, throw a few insults your way and then leave.

There is a benefit to helping other players. Poker can make you feel isolated due to the dog eat dog nature of it. Everyone wants your money and are prepared to lie, cheat and manipulate you in the various options available in poker to get it. The problem with poker is the long term winners tend to get all of the money. If you help players improve or look to improve then you can keep them in the game and increase your chances of winning. It can also lead to other opportunities.

Players look back to the days in 2004 – 2007 when there were thousands of new players and money was easier to win playing online poker and wish the online poker environment was similar today. They miss the fact that losing players will not keep playing bad poker forever. They will improve, seek lessons or simply stop playing after the pain and suffering of being a losing player for many years suddenly leads to an epiphany that they are not cut out for poker and they seek different, more profitable endeavours with which to dedicate their time and money. If they stop playing poker you stop being able to profit from them, so helping people can help you.

Helping a player learn keeps them playing when the despair of not understanding the concepts leads them to consider not playing. Even if they are a winning poker overall you may still hold an advantage over them so do not feel guilty in offering advice. Never encourage people to gamble and be ethical in the advice you do give. Do not say, “Keep playing you are a great player” when they are clearly not such a good player. Do say “You made a few mistakes tonight if you want a few pointers I might be able to help you improve a little”. Read the last quote carefully and offer any help after a poker game has finished.

Not every player who wants to learn goes away and puts in the necessary time and effort top become a great player no matter what help they get so you will not start producing unbeatable opponents just because you coach or help them. Poker coaching can be a nice additional stream of poker income that can boost your bankroll.

Away from the table having a successful poker website or series of articles regarding online poker sells you as a person of knowledge and authority on the principles of poker. This can help you approach a website for sponsorship. Some of the better known players get paid up to $35,000 per month to play poker. They are told to buy into events and promote the sites. Would that suit your lifestyle? A recent thread on a poker forum I participate we were all universally agreed that each of us would love this sort of opportunity.

As your status rises in the poker world opponents recognise you can play the game and this can help your poker strategy for getting through poker tournaments and acquiring chips. Would you feel good if Durrrr sat at your table online and started to play cash game pots with you? Most poker players would be a little worried when Tom sat down. As you are recognised as someone who understands the game despite the fact you offer advice when asked people realise that you know what you are doing. They will respect you and this gives you the advantage.

By Malcolm Clarke