The Concept of Learning Poker part two

Following on from part one and many players think that it is to do with issues like courage and heart and think that what people actually mean is that only players with bottle play no limit Texas Hold’em This is a long way from the mark. Imagine a player who plays no limit but only at the $1-$2 level. Every time that he takes a seat at the table he does so with the maximum $200.

Yet a limit player who is playing $30-$60 is risking $60 every time that they bet from the turn onwards and sits down at the table not with $200 but with $3000. Do not get the wrong impression here, I am not comparing a $30-$60 player and a $30-$60 game with a $1-$2 player and a $1-$2 game. It is just that I am making an example to those people who think that playing no limit texas Hold em poker is the ultimate test of bravery.

At the end of the day, it all depends on the limits that you are playing at but it is surprising just how many players are attracted to no limit hold’em for macho reasons. Many have problems beating this game that go beyond technical issues. The problem with beating a game like no limit hold’em for many people is that it is a game that cruelly exposes indiscipline and technical flaws.

I once told a story on the Hendon Mob forum about a student of mine who was struggling to beat the game at the $1-$2 level despite easily having the game to do so. He would send me hand examples and as I read through them, it was amazing that this guy could be a break even player as his play was spot on for hand after hand after hand.

But then, it was like something snapped within him and he gets himself all in for his entire stack with two low pair on board that had all sorts of draws that had completed. He had no business being in the hand and certainly no business getting all in. But the starting fact of the matter was that this player knew full well that he was making a mistake before he did it, while he was doing it and after he did it.

So why in heavens name did he do when he knew full well that he was making the wrong play? Good question and it is not easy to get to the root of the problem but one thing is certain, when you persevere in doing something that you know to be wrong and know full well that you will get punished for it then you have serious problems with your discipline.

This is precisely what I meant by discipline, I was not referring to folding junk hands for an hour or two. Of course these personality traits could be fine in everyday life where money is not at risk but yet if you place certain personality traits into a poker environment or a certain poker environment then this is the time when problems can arise.

Lets face it, if you are impulsive, over zealous, impatient, restless, easily upset etc then what makes you think that these everyday personality traits will not harm you at the poker table. Let me tell you something very important and you would be well advised to never forget this, poker is a microcosm of every life. The things that you do in everyday life and how you behave in everyday life will surely immerge at the poker table.

Carl “The Dean” Sampson
Author – “Winning Cash Game Poker”