Poker Articles

Make It Happen, Don't Let It Happen!

By Al Spath

Last time I checked, everyone gets dealt the same "random" type cards, unless of course you subscribe to the often blogged "internet conspiracy theory!" You know the one, players talk about it in just about every forum out there. It's the one where the "suckouts" are somehow programmed to happen and the online site "purposely" does it to increase rake.

It's a recurring complaint, usually from computer geeks who insist and will relate in detail, since computers are programmed they can be made to do whatever a site wants them to do. The part about the computer knowing how to "pick" on them specifically always eludes the conversation. Come to think of it, ever wonder about those complaining, could it possibly NOT be the cards? But that's another conversation in future article we can have.

Players have the opportunity to build their chip stacks from the beginning rounds ("to make it happen"), regardless of the cards they receive, by assessing their opponents, taking advantage of position and using tells to identify players who won't defend pots, unless they have big hands. Gathering chips is a critical element for succeeding in the later rounds as chip stack size has "everything" to do with winning poker play. If you allow your chip stack to be reduced ("by letting it happen"), and let your stack become "inconsequential," your maneuvers won't have any bite and are fruitless efforts. You cannot persuade or influence play and therefore are rendered ineffective.

David Apostolico clearly makes this tournament play assertion (that gathering chips is a must), in his Strategies of Sun-Tzu book: "Tournament Poker and the Art of War." David identifies ten specific principles which are:

1. Understand all the potential consequences of your actions so that you may properly balance the competing goals of survival and chip accumulation.
2. Play each hand for maximum value with minimal risk.
3. If you have the opportunity to eliminate your opponent, you must do it.
4. Take advantage of any opportunity to accumulate chips from your opponent. Once you gain a substantial chip lead, you strengthen your force allowing you to attack your opponent more effectively.
5. Mix up your play so that your opponent cannot get a read on you. When your opponent is unable to comprehend your play, he cannot completely control his own play.
6. If you know the enemy and know yourself, you will have the opportunity to exploit the situation to your benefit.
7. Play strength to maximum value when your opponent is weak.
8. In No Limit Hold'em Tournaments, you cannot afford to wait for every factor to be in your favor in order to make a play for the pot. Stay abreast of the situation so that you may take calculated risks to create an edge where none is perceived.
9. The situation is constantly changing in No Limit Tournaments. Know how all of the factors compromising the situation are changing so that you may adjust your play accordingly.
10. Poker is an art of deception.

David tells the reader to use position and tells to steal blinds and small pots without resistance. He goes on to say that "if you are relying on cards to win, you are sure to fail." His assertion is that all players are given opportunities to win hands without cards, and those who can exploit their opponents' vulnerabilities will have the edge.

His book and his on-point advice offer readers an excellent framework that can make the difference at the tables. Don't wait for someone else to make it happen, be the one to engage your opponents and maintain the winning edge.

Quoting Sun-Tzu: "He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight."

Which in my book clearly translates to "Make it Happen, Don't Let it Happen."

Previous Article | Article Listing | Next Article

---

About the Author:
Al Spath is the "Dean" at PokerSchoolOnline and has authored the "Poker Journal." In addition to having one place for all your poker records, you'll get advice and tips on reading hands, playing live, reading tells and so much more (www.alspath.com). Al's poker expertise, coupled with his insight and ability to communicate effectively to both large and smaller sized audiences, make him an ideal speaker for any company, convention, college, or organizational group venue.

Comments to: AlSpath@pokerschoolonline.com

"Questions or comments on this article? Click here to send a letter to the editors."