Hmm... a few things come to mind.
Don't play with money you can't afford to lose. This should be obvious to most, but worth pointing out. Even if the game is hot as fuck, I like using my own example of playing 200NL without really thinking I'd have to live off 20$ for two weeks if I lost all of it. I did, after getting AsKs and flopping the flush, buddy still managed to pull quad 10s out of his ass. Don't play with money you can't afford to lose. Don't feel attached to your money.
Have a need to know everything. Be curious. Wonder a lot. I think this applies much more to live poker, as the player who practices these habits and observes carefully can end up playing without having to look at his own cards sometimes if the playing field is so readable/predictable. I don't think this is often the case in casino live games though, but then again I only have experience playing in the one in my home town and rely heavily on my table image to influence my plays. Home games don't seem to have this, where it's always the same people, and once your personal image is set, let alone table image, most will tend towards your personal image when making their decisions. (I realize table image is sort of a combination of personal image, among other things, but doesn't act as strongly as knowing someone personally)
Treat every hand as a form of investment. If you invest in a hands against players of similar skill to you, you will both eventually break even in a rakeless game. Otherwise, the house wins. Invest in hands where you have a lot of information on said players and can react effortlessly to their plays.
Most of all, have fun. If it ever feels like a grind or a job (unless it really is your job, but even then I'd recommend against staying) then get up and go do something else.
This is my 2 cents. I'm in no way a successful professional poker player, in fact I'm a game developper and only dream of playing high stakes poker for a living. Though I feel comfortable with my career and meager winnings at the 200NL games at my local casino  |
United States. Nov 20 2014 04:31. Posts 4080
