Poker Enemies

Previously, we discussed how other players bring certain gifts to the table, like failing to lay down losing hands. We referred to these as "poker allies," because they help us take advantage of things like other players' bad luck. Such advantages are things to look out for. However, good players also look out for making mistakes-the enemies of poker.

In previous columns I mentioned the importance of limiting mistakes and helping opponents make mistakes. For more details, see my book, Beyond Bluffs: Master the Mysteries of Poker (page 176). Most mistakes are "based on decisions that we make about betting, calling, checking, raising, or folding."

For example, sometimes it's a mistake to slow-play a hand like pocket aces. Of course, it's not a mistake to slow-play before the flop from early position when you want to see if others raise, so you can re-raise. When you have pocket aces and slow-play them, you are inviting others to make a mistake-like betting into your aces. However, suppose the person who bets has a pocket pair of kings and the flop brings a king, giving your opponent three of them. Then, who made the mistake? Neither of you. The randomness of the shuffle is always a factor that can make good moves into disasters.

There's an expression in poker to "get out when you think you are beaten." Well, I wonder how many of us follow that advice. We all know that stubbornness is one of the enemies of poker. Refusing to lay down a hand like pocket jacks when the flop has two over-cards and two people behind you bet-that's being stubborn! So, you stay and magically you get another jack. That's when I will frequently say, "Stubbornness won that hand-not skill." Another example of how often the luckiest player at the table is also the worst one.

Other players' luck is another type of enemy. Who hasn't played a table where the worst player, who plays beginning hands in Texas hold 'em with any two cards, ends up winning the pot? Since bad players can be your enemy, how often have you heard other players hope the bad player doesn't leave early? That's because over time, such bad play is supposed to balance out. Yet, how often does the bad play and luck endlessly go together?

Another enemy in poker is the random shuffle. There are days when good beginning hands just don't hold up and second-best hands cost a lot. Then, there are days when you never get two cards worth playing. What do we do when the random shuffle is working against us? We usually wait until things change-right? Few people take action. If you are playing in an "enemy camp," it's time to move. Changing seats or tables is the only defense against a bad pattern of random shuffles. I'd say that if it follows you, then, it's time to play poker another day.

Regardless of how those poker enemies may show up at the table, such enemies are not always your opponents. It's frequently your own stubbornness, inexperience, or just stupidity that becomes your enemy. Remember, when you are being unlucky, that is good luck to your opponents. And when you are lucky, you may be making a lot of needless mistakes. Ask yourself when you are lucky, did you stay is too long or what? When you are being unlucky, how do you handle bad luck? Do you wait for it to go away or do you go away?

Jim McKenna has been practicing psychotherapy for more than thirty-five years. His books include the acclaimed Beyond Tells: Power Poker Psychology, Beyond Bluffs: Master the Mysteries of Poker, and Beyond Traps: The Anatomy of Poker Success, all published by Kensington Press. Write to Jim@Jimmckenna-PhD.com.