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IMy
definition of a good poker player is one who can recognize
and exploit advantageous situations and recognize and avoid
situations that are not advantageous. You can get some help
toward developing the skill of a good poker player from
books, but books will not be enough. You need experience.
You're going to have to get in there and mix it up.
Beginning Hold 'Em players should follow a basic plan of
playing tight. Your bottom line is affected just as much
by avoiding a loss as it is by winning a pot. Playing very
tight is one way to avoid losses. By playing only very strong
hands, you'll avoid many of those decision points that require
the judgment of an experienced player. Because many of those
tough decisions require knowledge of the playing habits
of your opponents, playing very tight is also the preferred
style for even an experienced player if you're not familiar
with the playing habits of your opponents.
Just playing tight is not an approach that will maximize
your win in most games, but it is an optimal learning strategy
for players who are new to Hold 'Em. You should not, however,
play too tight. Part of learning the game is getting involved
in some hands and making a few mistakes. Don't plan on making
mistakes, do what you can to avoid them, but realize that
they will happen and try to learn from them.
Tight play starts with the first two cards. It's a strategy
based primarily on the idea that poker is a struggle among
the players for a claim on the initial money in the pot
(the blinds). The focus is on the random distribution of
the first two cards on the deal. It's a risk-averse approach
that does not explicitly exploit any probable or observed
errors that your opponents might be making.
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