Recently I was assisting Mike in updating his book, which will be out soon as Caro's Secrets of Winning Poker. I realized that this was the first book I read upon entering the poker community. As well as being educational, it was a fun read. I'd like to summarize some of the most helpful points:
Best. One of the first things Mike taught me was that you must play your best game all of the time. Although you may be having an off day, that's no excuse. That is, unfortunately, why so many players don't win consistently. They allow their emotions, or their cards, to determine how they're playing. This can be very damaging to their bankrolls, because at some point they can get so depressed that it no longer matters how much they lose. Mike refers to this as crossing Caro's Threshold of Misery. The need to make good decisions all of the time is vital.
Misconception. Many players go into a game with the misconception that they are there to win pots. Wrong. They are there to make correct decisions. Anyone who sets out to be the winner of the most pots is going to be the loser of the most money. That's right! So, if you're determined to play as many hands as you can, attempting to take every pot, you'll quickly deplete your bankroll. Not a wise move! You definitely wouldn't be playing your best game.
Bluffing. If you're considering bluffing, consider that the players who are the most profitable to bluff are those who are either just joining the game, or who've been behind in chips and have now gotten even.
If your opponent is chatting away and bets without breaking stride in the conversation, he is betting a serious hand, while an opponent who ceases the chatter will often be bluffing. An even more blatant tell is when an opponent's conversation no longer makes sense. It's pretty safe to call in that instance.
FPS. Some players get overconfident as they acquire skills and decide they need to show off by getting creative. Mike calls this Fancy Play Syndrome or FPS. This isn't apt to be productive if intended to trick weak players. They aren't going to "get it," and they aren't refined enough to understand what the fancy play is attempting to do, or what they "should have" done in response.
An important hold'em strategy that you need to remember is if the player who is in the small blind re-raises an opponent in early position, there's a good chance that the small blind is holding fantastic cards. So, beware!
Tells. Now, anyone who has been to one of Mike's seminars knows how important tells are to the game. I first realized the importance when we were at the license bureau in 2003 and the man behind the counter recognized Mike and requested a copy of Caro's Book of Tells. It seems he was a mayor and a police officer and it was important for him to be able to "read" the people he arrested. Tells are an important part of your poker arsenal. Even if you aren't involved in a hand you can still observe your opponents discreetly. Do not let on when you do spot a tell. Save the information for later use. Fooled. If you notice a player appearing to be oblivious to the fact that you're about to bet, that's an act. Don't be deceived by his apparent lack of interest. Instead, reconsider your bet, because this player plans on pouncing. If a player bets "sadly," don't be fooled, as he's secretly laughing inside at how he's about to fool you into making a bad call.
These are important tips, but the single most important thing to remember is to play your best game all of the time!
