If you are going to learn how to play poker from somebody else, it pays to pick a winner.
Like Daniel Negreanu.
A published author on poker strategy and winner of six World Series of Poker bracelets, Negreanu is one of the best liked players on the international poker circuit. The Canadian native has won more than $30 million along with several Player of the Year awards and was a contributor to Doyle Brunson's book, 'Super System 2.'
He has called Jennifer Harman, his close friend 'the greatest female player in the world,' and belongs to Poker's Rat Pack -- Phil Ivey, John Juanda, and Allen Cunningham. He also refers to poker as sa 'sport of the mind' and even suggests that it should be considered as an event in the International Olympics competition.
Here, according to Negreanu, are the top 10 mistakes rookies make in a poker game.
(1) ROOKIES BLUFF TOO MUCH. According to Daniel they see it done on television and in the movies and feel it is an integral part of the game. Never mind that they pick situations where a bluff probably won't work, they try it anyhow and usually lose to better players who have already figured them out.
(2) LACK OF PATIENCE. Beginning players come into a game craving action. They don't have the patience to wait for solid starting hands before playing. They need to practice patience before jeopardizing their money. If they are not dealt good cards, they need to know how to manipulate their foes in order to have a reasonable chance of winning. Negreanu suggests new players to the game find their patience and not lose it.
(3) PLAY UNAFFORDABLE LIMITS. A starting player will do well at a certain limit and because he has the money will get into a higher limit game, thinking that is an easy path to wealth. Wrong, says Negreanu. This is dangerous because the skill required in the bigger game could be far superior to those attained by the rookie. He strongly urges players not to gamble with money they cannot afford to lose. That is not the way to make intelligent decisions at a poker table, he says. Learn to focus on the game, not on the financial implications.
(4) DRINKING ALCOHOL. A lot of today's beginners look at playing poker as party time and they get high before and during a cash game or tournament. This rarely works, says Negreanu. Booze or drugs foul up the head and to beat a skilled player, you need to think clearly in order to play well. There are occasional exceptions, as some top players have proven, but they are rare.
(5) QUITTING WHILE YOU ARE AHEAD. It amazes Negreanu that players will continue playing to get out of a financial hole and quit when they are a few dollars ahead. Why not run a small victory into a big one, he asks? A winner presents a powerful table image and should milk it for all he is worth. Ride the win to its limit.
(6) PLAYING IN TOUGH GAMES. If you are a steady winner at a certain level, why jump to a tougher one? Negreanu suggests staying at a comfortable level before trying out tougher competition. Some levels, he suggests, are just too heavy to handle. He also suggests having enough money to withstand early losses since no-limit poker can have big swings in both directions.
(7) ELEVATED EGO. How good do you think you are? Whatever your answer, you are probably not nearly that good. Every player, including himself, has a lot to learn about the game, he says. Be objective about your skills and work hard to improve them. That is the only real way to learn to play poker like a pro.
(8) PLAYING TOO MANY HANDS. Any player can play pocket aces or kings well, but when a player decides to try his luck with 9-3 or j-6 suited, he is just begging for trouble. Start with premium hands and try to improve them. The other hands simply should not be considered.
(9) PLAYING ON TILT. It is relatively easy to lose a big pot when somebody draws out on you. If you lose a couple of such hands in a row, they are bad beats and they can affect your future play. Few people can play well and make good judgments if they are on tilt. They lose faith in their ability to play and chase bad hands that require miracle draws. Don't fall victim to playing on tilt.
(10) PLAYING TOO LONG AT THE TABLE. Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, had a saying, 'Fatigue makes cowards of us all.' That is why he drove his players to condition themselves for every game. Get proper rest, eat well, and relax or you will end up donating your money to your opponents. In poker, there is always tomorrow.
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 ).
