Wow! was my reaction while reading the Sept. 14 issue of Poker Player Newspaper. No wonder PPN is the most widely read poker publication. (This is proven by the fact that, of the many poker publications for which I have written over the years, the responses from readers to my columns in PPN far exceed all the others!)
Each column had important information that most poker players seek: How to be a better, more profitable player. Here's my comments on some of the columns that make the issue so WOW!!!
Mike Caro advises you to think while playing. Analytical thought is essential. You gain a big edge over your opponents because most do not think through a situation. In that regard, Mike suggests questions you should ask yourself to help direct your thinking. In closing, Mike asked himself: "How much of your lifetime poker profit will be the result of superior thinking relative to your opponents?" Without blinking, Mike replied: "All of it."
Lou Krieger, editor of PPN and the world's most widely published poker book author, shares advice on how to be a consistent winner. (He observes that "no more than 10 to 15 percent of all players are consistent winners.") Lou presents five things to do to be a consistent winner. Not surprisingly, most of his recommendations relate to my "Four Basic Rules For Winning at Poker" (Reference; The Greatest Book of Poker for WINNERS! by Epstein and Abrams). And he offers yet additional suggestions toward this end. . ..
Lou's advice is reinforced by Ashley Adams' column on "Excuses for Losing." You can find many excuses for why you are losing. Be aware of these and take appropriate precautions. Who wants to go home a loser?
Tom Leonard's column, "Give Them Credit," emphasizes that calling with the losing hand is a no-no, yet many poker players do just that. Try to put your opponents on a range of hands; then you are in a better position to make smart decisions. Consider your outs and how strong they are. Have the discipline when appropriate to "muck that problem hand and wait for a better spot." There are times to fold. In Tom's words, "give your opponents credit instead of your chips."
My own column, "Changing Tables," illustrates that often you can improve your results by changing tables. You may not be able to explain why the poker gods sneer at you at one table, and then shine on you at another with the same limits.
Diane McHaffie, Director of Operations at Mike Caro University of Poker and Life Strategy, shares some of Mike Caro's secrets for gaining small edges over your opponents-enough to make you a winner. A big part of that is looking for tells and understanding their significance. Mike apparently agrees with me on how best to bluff. Without so stating, he too uses the Esther Bluff by betting without hesitation, and with confidence.
Space doesn't permit discussion of the other great columns in this issue with solid advice for those of us who really want to be winners. But I was pleasantly surprised when I read Leo Cummins' "Night Hawk" story. In particular was his concept of the "bias" of the table determined when you analyze your opponents during the early stages of the session. Then use "position and patience combined with excellent play." Always play your "A" Game. And playing late at night or in the early morning hours, after a good day's rest, can give you additional edge over your opponents who are tired and making mistakes.
So much solid advice to help us win more. . . WOW!!!
. . . So readers, what's YOUR opinion?
George "The Engineer" Epstein is the author of The Greatest Book of Poker for Winners! and Hold'em or Fold'em?-An Algorithm for Making the Key Decision and teaches poker at the Claude Pepper Sr. Citizen Center in Los Angeles. Contact George at geps222@msn.com.
