Well hello there everybody, I've been a part of TPP for a solid 2 months, but have contributed nothing. I apologize for not doing anything sooner, but alas, I am a college student with other things to do. Let me just start off by saying that i do not consider myself an expert in poker, but I do consider myself quite knowledgeable. No limit is the only way to play in my opinion. I started playing a little more than 2 years ago. I've read quite a few books, and typically play the 20 dollar buy-in games. I have gone to games where the buy-in was 150, but I only played it when I was way up. Those of you who are reading this are either beginners looking for advice, or regular players who want to know opinions. Well I am here to offer you the best advice that I can.
The first thing that I wanted to talk about was the common misconception of this game. This is a game of luck. Sometimes, I think a lot of people forget that. So many people think that they are so skillful that they should win every time. Wrong. It does not matter how good you are, you can always get beaten. That's just the foundation of this game. Even the Bulls lost 10 games in '96. Every combination of pocket cards has the same chance of occurring. It's your choice on what you play. If you stick to hands that have a high percentage of winning, you will win a perecnt of the time.
A lot of people have spoken to me saying "How can he call me with that?!?!" or "How could he chase that? I was not giving him the odds to do so?!?!" Sure, pot odds are a very good way of determining whether or not to call a bet, but a lot of people don't understand pot odds, so what does it matter. People gamble. Sure, there is a lot of skill in the game. The use of probability, psychology, and basic correct play make a lot of good players who they are; however, it doesn't matter how perfect you play. There is ALWAYS a chance to be beaten, unless you hold the absolute nuts. Pocket rockets can be beaten by KK just as easily as it can be beaten by 72 offsuit. The chance that they'll beat AA are slim, but it's still there. Miracles happen.
There is no such thing as a person who wins every time at the table. The best players minimize the luck factor in the game as much as possible. They play hands where they have the best possibility of winning. Remember, any two cards can win. Those bad beats you are receiving will be minimal if you play the cards right. Over the long run, if you minimize your risk and play the cards that have the best chance in winning, you will be a winning poker player.
