Winning Poker Strategy: Getting a Good Read on Yourself
7 Min read
Reading other players is a very useful skill. There are many books on the subject, and they focus on tells, betting patterns, styles of play, and the like. Mike Caro’s
The Body Language of Poker/The Book of Tells is my bible in that regard. Joe Navarro and Zachary Ellwood have also written extensively and well on the subject. Learn what they teach and you will profit from it.
But here’s a question that is not asked or answered in any of their books. Who is the most important player in the game to get a good solid read on?
Winning Poker Strategy: Game Theory Optimal Simplified
6 Min read
GTO is a term widely used in poker strategy discussion today. Unfortunately, I’ve found that it is seldom described simply enough to make it useful to the typical player.
So, let’s look at what GTO is, exactly and simply, and see whether it makes sense for you to use in the typical, multi-player, modestly staked ($1/2, $1/3, or $2/5) No-Limit Hold’em cash game.
Playing Game Theory Optimal poker is the best way to maximize your winnings at the table or is it? (Image: TheStreet)
GTO means “Game Theory Optimal” and describes a “non-exploitable” strategy of poker play. The simplest way to understand GTO is to first understand what “non-exploitable” means. For that, imagine the simplest of all gambling games, Pick ‘em.
Winning Poker Strategy: Avoiding the Sirens’ Call
6 Min read
There’s a siren’s call in poker. It’s the sweet and sultry voice that beckons “I have to call.” It pierces through the haze and fog of difficult decisions and causes you to steer into danger, even when your judgment dictates a more prudent course. Its seductive sound tempts even the most thoughtful and skilled players, frequently leading to the destruction of their carefully built stacks, and to their doom.
In Greek mythology, the Sirens lured sailors to their doom. In poker, they can lead unwary players to go bust. (Image: Ancient Origins)