If someone were to tell you about a new product, they might say that they got it from a supplier that specializes in reselling accessories. What could be more specific than that? When you buy an eBook, for example, it might say something about marketing strategy or product development. Maybe even something about how the product aids the eBook guide in its sales process.

But when you purchase a book, it makes sense that you expect the product to be well written. You want to be sure that the content of the book provides not only the material you need to learn how to play the game, but also enables you to learn how to improve your game. You want to feel that you are able to use the book’s material as a tool to do just that.

The best way to accomplish this is to take the book apart and look at the different parts and scrutinize them. If there is a single thing that you learn from the book, that would be helpful. Perhaps the most important, or indeed eye opening, thing that you might learn from the book would be something about the psychology of the game.

Poker is a psychological game. It is a game that requires an understanding of human psychology. In fact, one could say that the whole game is a battle of mind against mind. It is a battle of staying on your toes and keeping your mind on your opponent.

One of the best ways to help you with this game is to get a couple of pages of your home working on a project. Scrutinize your opponents as much as you can and try to pick up on their “Naga303“. What are the tells that your opponents give away? If you get a read on your opponent’s mind, you can figure out (with a little practice) what hand they may be holding.

This of course is nothing compared to actual games, but it gives you a good idea of what the general psychology of the game is. Keep the games out of your mind for now (unless you are practicing, of course), because the home work will just get too heavy to hold all in your mind at once.

In the mean time, here are some suggestions for what to keep and what to discard:

  • If you feel that you have been unlucky, start now playing on draws or on hands that look unlikely.
  • Keep playing strong hands, preferably with high cards, against loose or inexperienced opponents.
  • Don’t chase draws. If you fail to get the draw you want on the river, fold.
  • Play strong hands pre-flop to keep the initiative.
  • If you are in the late position, you can look at your hand as a coin flip, and wheel your decisions around the river.
  • If you can see the future, know the players that do not see it. This is your opponent.
  • Do not bluff yet, just call or check behind your bet.
  • Still not sure if you have a strong hand? Consider re-raising a late position raiser.
  • A word of caution: think about the information that you already know about the players before you act. Is there a pattern of these players? Are they predictable?
  • Players who fold too quickly should be folded from the start.

Follow the advice above and you will enter the arena of grid iron winners, and who knows – you might even be writing a book one day.