Poker for Pros

There's a myth going around that says once you play poker a couple of times, you know all there is to know about it. That couldn't be farther from the truth, which is why World Series of Poker®: Tournament of Champions isn't just another poker game. The people who believe that myth are those who play poker around a table with a bunch of drunken friends, betting pieces of clothing and downing shots of tequila. There's nothing wrong with that kind of game—it definitely has its time and place—but there's more to poker than that. It's a real sport and it requires subtlety, skill, and stamina to play professionally.

Losing a hand here or there won't kill you.

The term "poker" is actually an umbrella descriptor that covers many different types of games, each with its own rules and, more importantly, its own strategies. Tournament of Champions puts you in the shoes of a professional poker player. To have a successful career, you need to understand how tournament play differs from playing for money.

Know the Score
Understanding this difference should profoundly affect your game strategy. Players don't sit down at a tournament to win money, rather they sit down to win the tournament, which means they will take home a purse or prize, but at the table, money is not the first priority. That means you have to take a long-term view of the game.

Losing a hand here or there won't kill you, unless you bet so high that you can't last the long haul. You will lose hands. In a long series of tournament games, you need to accept this as fact. Every player, even the best, goes through slumps. You will too. Prepare for those times when the cards simply aren't on your side.

If your opponent is sitting on a stack of cash,
he's a lot more likely to bluff.

By the same token, make sure to take a solid bankroll to a tournament, especially if you don't have to bring a set amount. Always try to bring between 30 and 40 times the minimum bid. If the minimum bid is $100, then you should have a stash of at least $3,000. This provides you with a buffer to cover your butt during slumps.

Keep tabs on where your opponents' bankrolls stand. As the game progresses, you can use the size of their stash to make decisions about their cards. If your opponent is sitting on a stack of cash, he's a lot more likely to bluff. If his pile is getting low, he's likely to play more conservatively. If he goes all in, it means he thinks he can win.

Know Your Position
In a poker game of any duration, where you sit in relation to the dealer should have an impact on how you bet. The farther you sit from the player to the dealer's left, the more information you'll have before you have to place your own bet. In Texas Hold 'Em, the first two players to the left of the dealer are required to bet. Their bets are called the Big and Small Blinds because the player has to bet blind, without seeing any cards but their own.

Play poorly, and the odds go out the window.

If you're in the first third of the players at the table, bet conservatively. Unless you have a truly killer hand, call or check only, since you know nothing about what's coming. If you're in the second third, you can be more assertive with your betting and feel free to raise. If you're in the last third of players at the table, you have more information, and therefore more power. Based on what you know, go for broke.

Know Your Opponent
Information plays a crucial role in whether you win or lose at tournament poker. Study your opponents. Watch their betting habits and keep mental notes about them. This game isn't you versus the turn of the cards. Tournament poker is you against the other players at the table. You have to be able to read your competition.

In the meantime, you can bet that your opponents are trying to read you. What information are you giving up? Do you bet high every time you have a pair in your pocket? Next time you do, watch for your opponents to fold behind you. That's no good, so mix it up. Leave them guessing. Remember, if you're doing it right, tournament play shouldn't be risky. This is not a thrill ride.

Know yourself, know your opponent, and know the nuts. A nut is the perfect possible poker hand with the visible cards on the table. At all times, keep in mind what your opponents would need to make their ultimate poker hand. Your opponents are doing the same. It's important to be aware of what all the best hands on the table could be. Know the odds. They're in your favor if you play smart. Play stupid, and the odds desert you.

Article by Angel Leigh McCoy