Mike Caro

In this bewildering planet, knowing what’s true and what’s false is everything. In this self-interview, I deal with that powerful truth as applied to poker.
 
Question 1: How do you know what’s true about poker?
 

This is my 151st column in the modern "A Word from the 'Mad Genius'" series. Notice that I said "modern." That's because there were hundreds more in the old incarnation of Poker Player that thrived in the 1980s. Anyway, while examining the new list of poker words we've explored so far, I noticed a glaring gap. There was nothing between "Flop" and "Formula."

How can that be? That's the place reserved for one of the most important words in poker: "Fold." So, we're going to fix the omission right now, because "fold" is the focus of today's self-interview.

If you want to win big money at poker, you've got to know how to tease. It's an important concept that isn't fully understood by most players. We'll deal with it in today's self-interview.

Question 1: What do you mean by teasing in poker?

There are two types of teases. One is semi-flirtatious, but not in a sexual way. I use that to create a personality that opponents like playing against. The strange thing is, I feel comfortable doing this, because I genuinely enjoy my opponents' company while I'm in a game.

Trapping is the fun part of poker. World-class players do it to you all the time. In fact they probably try to trap you too often.

A trap in poker is simply some tactic that makes your opponent believe you have a weaker hand than you actually do, thus responding by wagering at a disadvantage. We continue our series with this self-interview about poker traps.

Question 1: What's your favorite trap play in poker?

I'm not sure I have a favorite, and if you ask me on another day, I might choose something else. But right now, let's make this one my favorite.

Good morning. Poker has plenty of legal issues. This self-interview deals with poker law. It isn't intended to be comprehensive. Instead, the questions and answers cover a small selection of my related opinions.

If you're ready, so am I.

Question 1: Why is poker illegal?

It's tyranny, plain and simple. "Status quo" is a word that means "the way things are right now." People tend to accept the status quo without questioning it.

Good morning. Poker has plenty of legal issues. This self-interview deals with poker law. It isn't intended to be comprehensive. Instead, the questions and answers cover a small selection of my related opinions.

If you're ready, so am I.

Question 1: Why is poker illegal?

It's tyranny, plain and simple. "Status quo" is a word that means "the way things are right now." People tend to accept the status quo without questioning it.

You seldom hear me talk about other people, because I'm self-centered and an egomaniac by nature. That's why this column has been devoted to a series of self-interviews for over two years. Today, I want to pay tribute to someone else-Michael Wiesenberg. He has contributed a lot to poker, and we'll focus on what I think is his greatest accomplishment to date.

Anyway, here's the part where I get to ask myself questions.

Question 1: It's seems strange that "Today's word" is actually "word." How come?

Over the years, I've presented over 50 poker seminars. Last year Doyle Brunson and I conducted a series of six seminars at the Rio during the World Series of Poker. Although I was honored to see a seminar clip included in an ESPN profile of me recently, even that hasn't motivated me to travel from my hermitage. Instead, I'm devoting today's self-interview to five important tips I've selected from past lectures, while mentally reliving the experience of actually delivering them in person.

Question 1: Why is it possible to win at poker?

One word that's widely misunderstood is "probability." Most people, including poker players, don't fully understand how it works at the tables and beyond. They fail to grasp its importance. I'll talk about that in this self-interview.

Question 1: What things does probability affect?

Probability affects everything. In fact, it governs everything. The likelihood of anything happening can be precisely and confidently stated, provided there is enough information to perform the calculation. Often there isn't.

I teach that, if you're going to make poker a lifetime winning pursuit, you shouldn't expect it to be like skipping through a flower garden. Unless you change your mindset, you'll have moments or grandeur, tarnished with deep disappointment - the word that serves as the topic for today's self-interview.

Question 1: Do most pro players encounter more triumphs than disappointments?