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Betting to gain knowledge
Betting is not always because you have the best hand. Top players
use various betting techniques to try to gain information. For
example, a defensive bet is one that you can use early on to avoid
calling a bigger future bet. A re-raise may be used to probe the
credibility of your opponent’s hand.
Know When to Fold 'Em
Learn how to fold a hand, and don’t be a calling machine. Many
beginners keep betting regardless of the board or what their
opponent’s actions are suggesting. Top players frequently say it’s
the hands you can lay down that are often the key to profitable
play.
Your 'Outs'
Outs are simply the number of cards that will improve your hand.
Count your outs, multiply them by two, and add two, and that's
roughly the percentage shot you have at hitting.
On Betting a Great Hand
If you land up with a marvelous hand, and you are sure to bet; don't
bet an enormous amount at the beginning. Your goal must be to allow
others to think they have a chance to win. They will bet some money
and you can gradually raise your bets and eventually take it all.
Approach gambling realistically
You cannot force a winning outcome and don't expect to win every
time. Decide on a plan that lets you play in sessions or intervals,
closing each session once certain criteria are met, and don't aim to
win each one of them. Remember, what matters is the overall net
profit result.
Poker Psychology
A
good player is not a self-centered player. He may be the biggest SOB
you know. He may not talk about care about anyone but himself and
may enjoy stealing food from the poor. However, when a poker pro
walks into a poker room, he always empathizes with his opponents. He
tries to think what they think and understand the decisions they
make and why they make them.
Changing Gears
Unpredictability can be good. Most pros can figure out a really
loose player by waiting for the nuts and being patient. However, an
even easier opponent is a tight player or “rock”, who plays only the
Group 1 type hands. You need to change your game up, and let them
see that you can run bluffs, and can play some lower value starting
hands. These changes should be subtle.
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