I'm bad at poker

[flexagon]

Unfortunately, I seem to play poker like I go into relationships--ready to fold at the first provocation. And the math would seem to support exactly that, if it weren't for the damn bluffing. Sigh, I'm glad we were playing for pennies.

Comments

Re: what games?

[hiddenbear.livejournal.com]

You can play Texas pretty tight and expect to make money in the long run. It depends who you are playing against of course. A lot has to do with position from the dealer. But a well timed bluff goes a long way to making/breaking you. I'm sure you were phishing for poker advice with this post, right?

Re: what games?

[flexagon]

Heh. :) Not really, but I have been thinking about what to do to get better. I've been thinking that the only two reasonable hand strategies are to fold early or bet to the end, and if I do bet, to bet fairly big, with every 3rd or so real betting session being a bluff and the other two backed by the cards.

You have to really have the cards often enough that there's some fear in them when you start bluffing.

Dunno... am I right? Figuring out the real probabilities behind the cards is yet another issue, of course.

Re: what games?

[hiddenbear.livejournal.com]

ok, here's my three minute holdem' strategy. Once you memorize this I can guarantee you of one thing. Not that you'll play great, but that if you play against me you'll know exactly what I'm doing. :-)

Option 1: Crappy down cards (see Option 3 for what are not crappy down cards). Fold.
Option 2: Crappy down cards. Leave the possibility of bluffing open my calling. If there are raises on the first round, *place tail between legs*, *run*.
Option 3: Good down cards (ace or king with good kicker (the other card). Pair. Two cards of same suit, one of which is 10 or above. Two suited connectors (6&7, 8&9, etc.). Definitely in for the flop. Consider raising any bets if your down cards are especially good.
Option 4: Reasonable down cards. Consider bluffing. Base the rest of the play by who else is in and what happens on the flop.

You've got a few options for when to fold. If you haven't fold pre-flop (the first 3 up cards), then seriously consider doing so if the flop doesn't help you. Especially if there are still three+ players in. If two players are duking it out on the bets and the flop only mildly helped you, it's time to leave, no matter how good you feel about what the next cards might be. If you were shooting for a flush or a straight and don't get it, your choices are clearly bluff or fold ... I'll normally fold cuz I'm a chicken shit.

Key points:
It's never too late to fold
Conservative play is less fun, but more profitable
Consistent betting makes it easier to bluff. People won't see you doing anything out of the ordinary.

I've gotta run, but I'll come back and correct all the stupid advice I just wrote up later tonight. :-D