I have a poker playing friend who has run into problems at the poker table. Let's call him Tommy. That isn't his real name and I would not want to embarrass him by revealing his name.
Tommy has played a lot of poker in his lifetime, but recently he has run into a brick wall. He just can't seem to win and moans about his bad luck to anyone who will listen to him and never asks for advice. Instead, just complains about his bad luck.
I have news for Tommy. If he ever asked me for advice, I would tell him straight to his face to stay away from the players who have been beating him like a drum.
Tommy is an older person who doesn't like change. He plays the same game against the same players and it's usually at the same table. The players read Tommy like he's an open book.
For one thing, he doesn't change gears. He plays the same way all of the time and the other players caught on to him. The game is Omaha High-Low, by the way. There is a round of Omaha High-Low followed by a round of seven card stud high-low.
When Tommy gets the low card and must bring in the bet with either $2 or the full bet of $8, if he has three low cards or aces, he comes in with the maximum bet. If he has a poor hand, he bets the minimum. He never changes his style and the other players can almost pinpoint what cards he has in the hole.
When other players can read you, my friend, you are not playing poker. You are playing killer poker and the murder victim, unfortunately, is you.
The other players look forward to Tommy's nightly arrival at their table. If he is late or doesn't show, they are very disappointed.
Tommy needs to change games. He also needs to avoid playing against the same players. And if he were smart, he would learn how to change gears and not be as predictable in the way he plays.
If you find that you are losing consistently at poker, I would strongly urge you to change the game you are playing. You might also want to play at lower stakes until you start winning again and feel comfortable with your opponents.
When you are playing against less skillful foes, they may draw out on you occasionally, but they won't beat you nearly as often as the good players will.
Even the good players need to adjust their game from time to time. If they get on a long losing streak, they will eventually realize they are doing something wrong. That is the time to find another game, another limit or another casino.
When you get into the new game, you should set up the other players early by letting yourself get caught on a bluff. As I have said in previous columns, poker players have long memories and the money you lose on the bluff will be replenished many times over. Trust me.
I feel bad for Tommy. But if he sat down at my table, I would show him no mercy. Weak players are what poker is all about. And losing is what causes a poor player to become better. That's the theory and it's up to you to make it work.
Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.
(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).
