The Simple Game Of Poker

How hard can it be to win at this game? Why does everyone treat it like it's the most complicated game in the world? Break it down and it's fairly simple. Win the most you can with the best hands and lose the least you can with the worst hands. That's it. Simple!

If you could see what your opponent was holding every-time you played a hand, poker would be extremely simple. You would know when to bet, when to check, and when to fold. Obviously (and unfortunately) we don't get this information. So how do you know when to make the right decision? Or more accurately, how do you make the right decision more often than you make the wrong one? Answer?

Putting your opponent on a range of hands.

Ok lets be honest, narrowing down your opponents exact holding is pretty fucking hard!

It doesn't take a genious to work out that if your opponent is calling a 3 bet you can pretty much elimate hands like 82, unless of course he's an absolute tard and it's suited and he thinks 'hmmm, I'll just see a flop but fold to a c-bet if I miss'. Everyone has come across this type of player, but don't worry, you want to be seated at a table with players like this. You're down 4 buyins to him? Not a problem! Stay where you are and it won't be long before his hot streak cools and you win it all back.

My fuckin' arse! This guy is gonna take a big chunk of your bankroll pretty sharpish, so if I was you I'd log out, fire up pokerstove, and as well as putting some hands in there I'd stick your head in too.

If you really want to be successful at poker then I suggest hanging a horse shoe above your computer or kissing a rabbits foot before you enter each pot.

Poker is a game of skill I hear you cry!

Yes it is.

For the lucky few.

(This post was brought to you immediately after playing a tournament for three and a half hours and finishing just out the money)