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Playing Too Many Hands Is A Mistake For Many Poker Players.

February 20, 2019   Game type   No comments

Many poker players find themselves stuck in a rut in terms of playing poker; making the same mistakes over and over again. This is especially true of beginning poker players.

Thus, this article will provide several poker traps that new players commonly get stuck in when playing. Especially, the trap of playing too many hands!

Playing too many hands before the flop is what I consider to be the biggest mistake made by most poker players. However, it is especially a big mistake for new poker players. You should be playing only 20-25% of all your hands and folding the rest. I suggest that when choosing a hand to play before the flop, you should make sure that your cards meet certain requirements.

Many poker players take any pair or any draw to the river. As a general rule, you should be continuing with only top pair or better or a strong draw.

In addition, many poker players play by feeling rather than by cards, situations and numbers. Many poker players, especially new poker players, play hands because they have a “feeling” about them. One word, DON’T! Remember, poker is a mathematical game: everything that can possibly happen boils down to odds.

Therefore, you should only play a hand because it has good odds of winning – not because you feel lucky or you feel you are due. You play a hand because the situation dictates that in the long term, by playing that hand, you will make money. Poker, in my opinion, is not gambling, IT IS A SKILLED GAME based on math!

In addition, many poker players take hands too far past the flop – they go too far with them.

The reason for poker players playing too many hands can be also be blamed on their emotions getting the best of them. Poker, remember, can be a stressful game. Thus, many poker players who lose a couple of hands will start to let their emotions get the better of them. When this happens. they start making bad decisions. A winning poker player must make the best possible decisions by approaching decision making with a clear frame of mind and not be afraid of playing fewer hands.

Just remember, poker is a long-term game and do not be afraid of the flop.

In summary: Do not play too many hands before the flop, base your decisions on concrete factors, and keep your emotions in check. Once again, remember to take the long view when you assess potential action.

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Overcoming Pathological Gambling

February 18, 2019   Personal game   No comments

Gambling is big business in America earning billions of dollars in net revenue annually. Americans spend more money each year on legal gambling than they do on video games, movie tickets, recorded music and spectator sports combined (Christiansen, 2000). Gambling is very attractive, especially to people who need money. According to ‘Cash ‘n’ Curry Video Tragaperras’ research center, people who make less than ten thousand dollars a year gamble six times more often than those who earn over fifty thousand dollars a year. A recent program on the Discovery Channel stated that gambling is so attractive, that when the powerball is high, ninety percent of eligible adults buy a ticket. There is no other commodity where the percentages are this high. The odds of winning a state lottery can be compared to being hit by lightening seven times while waiting in the lottery line.

Seventy years ago it was illegal to gamble anywhere in the United States. Our parents grew up thinking that gambling was morally wrong, but our children are growing up thinking that gambling is as easy as going to McDonald’s. Today, all but three states permit gaming, and it’s getting bigger all the time. For the first time in history, gambling is available close to home. People can walk to and from work and gamble. State governments actually encourage their citizens to gamble because it seems like an easy way to collect tax free money.

Most people who gamble enjoy gambling as a game; it’s exciting and fun. But some citizens are caught up in an addiction as powerful as drug addiction.

The biggest step in treatment is realizing you have a problem with gambling. It takes tremendous strength and courage to own up to this, especially if you have lost a lot of money and strained or broken relationships along the way. Don’t despair, and don’t try to do it alone. Many others have been in your shoes and have been able to break the habit. Overcoming a gambling addiction or problem is never easy. But recovery is possible if you stick with treatment and seek support.

National Council on Problem Gambling 10 Questions About Gambling Behavior 1. Have you often gambled longer than you had planned? 2. Have you often gambled until your last dollar was gone? 3. Have thoughts of gambling have caused you to lose sleep? 4. Have you used your income or savings to gamble while letting bills go unpaid? 5. Have you made repeated, unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling? 6. Have you broken the law or considered breaking the law to finance your gambling? 7. Have you borrowed money to finance your gambling? 8. Have you felt depressed or suicidal because of your gambling losses? 9. Have you been remorseful after gambling? 10. Have you gambled to get money to meet your financial obligations?

If you or someone you know answers “Yes” to any of these questions, consider seeking assistance from a professional regarding this gambling behavior.

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