You're a Bunch of Factors

OK, a bit of background. Recently a new but very keen poker player starting playing at our local venue, and has asked myself and krunchie to teach him a few things about the game - which we have been more than happy to do.

However, as both me and krunchie have had a little more experience than him, i often fall into the trap of trying to tell him everything at once, which is pretty much an information overload. So what i thought is that i would narrow everything down to a simple list of about 10 dot points that beginners should learning about. I may even print this list out to give to him (here's the teacher in me coming out), but providing a bit of structure will help.

Anyway here is my unfinished list, but i want input from others as to what other important things there are to know. I don’t want to go into heaps of detail (which I guess is hard cos so many concepts are quite complicated, but ill see how I go). Hence why I have generalised some things like bet sizing into quite specific rules.

1. Aggression
a. Being aggressive is the key to poker
b. There are two ways to win a hand in poker. First is having the best hand, second is making the other players fold
c. Dont be afraid to make continuation bets and fire a second barrel on the turn in the right situation
d. Avoiding being over aggressive and turning hands with showdown value into bluffs

2. Position
a. Opening up your requirements for starting hands significantly the nearer the button you are
b. Being aware of who is in the pot and if you have position on them. If you are in position you have more information to make your decisions

3. Bet sizing
a. Preflop: basic bet sizing should be roungly 2.5-4BB +1BB for every limper
b. Post flop: bets should be made between 2/3rds pot and pot size.
c. When raising a bettor you should raise at least 2.5 times their bet – more if there is more than two in a pot
d. If any ‘standard’ bet or raise commits more than half your stack, then you should just shove all in

4. Calculating outs
a. Outs are cards that help your hand become the best against a better hand
b. Percentage of winning a hand post flop = outs x cards to come x two
c. e.g. flush draw = 9 outs, OESD = 8 outs, GSSD = 4 outs etc

5. Pot odds
a. The odds of winning a particular hand should be compared against the size of the pot, and how much it costs to continue with the hand
b. i.e. flush draw on flop= approx 36%, therefore you need approx 2:1 odds to make a call (assuming you see both turn and river).

6. Hand Reading
a. Observations about the betting/playing tendencies of other players in certain situations, from certain table positions and at different stages of a tournament (i.e. final table, first blind level, bubble) is vitally important.
b. When attempting to make a read on someone’s hand, always narrow their hand down to a possible range, not a specific hand. Trying this when you aren’t in a hand gives you practice at this. Never say: ‘I think he has aces’ when his play suggests he could have any number of large pairs, or AK suited etc etc.

7. Don’t be results orientated
a. Never be concerned about the final result of a hand.
b. Concentrate on making correct decisions, because you cannot control luck. Be disappointed when you get your money in with the worst hand and win. Take solace from the fact you got your money in good, but still lost – in the long run your correct decisions will only be profitable for you.


Anyway, that’s my start list. Again I don’t want to go into too much detail, but I would love to know if there is anything else that people would add, either as a separate category, or added to the dot points in existing categories. Sorry for making you all bored as hell also

good start list.

a post flop bet of 1/2 pot is completely fine most of the time too, especially when the board texture is dry. so i would prolly change that to 1/2 - 1 pot

i would add that there are only very rare circumstances in which a call preflop is the best play. most of the time it is a raise or a fold.

so you should ask yourself:

1. can i raise with this hand?
2. if you say no, you should ask yourself again, can i raise with this hand?
3. can i fold this hand?
4. if the answer is no to all these questions, then and only then is it ok to call.

a couple of things I say to new players just simple and not in depth as most but a good starting point I think.
1/ Know the rules and be able to identify "the nuts" on any boards. Not only will you feel more confident but players around you will be less likely to identify you as a newby. Knowing the nuts also helps you identify the strength of your hand and sometimes help you identify another players hand.
2/ Avoid pure bluffing often . Too many players bluff too often and while they may get away with it for a little while they will soon be out. Try to opt more for the semi bluff as at least you have outs if you are caught. Even semi bluffing should not be used too often.
3/ Watch what is happening in the hands you are not in. This will help you spot things about players that you would not see when you are involved in a hand.
4/ Be mindful of action prior to you. Hands that would be good hands in middle to late position with no raises can be real trouble cards in a raised and re-raised pot. Hands such as KQ, KJ, A 10 that look pretty can be real trouble cards.
5/ Try to keep your bets and raises consistent. If you are going to raise with 87 suited and with pocket aces by keeping the bet consistent it will be harder for an opponent to get a read on what you are playing.
6/ Try not focusing on your hand but try thinking what your opponent has. Most of the time it does not matter what is in your hand but the hand your opponent has. Annette Oberstadt actually won a tournament with out looking at a card just focusing on position, her opponent and her read on what they had.
7/ Play as much as you can and continue to learn. Try and identify the good players at the table and watch them and learn. Process the information you are given by many and use that which is useful for you.
8/ Trust your instincts. As you get more experience your knowledge and reads will improve. Some of these you will not realize immediately but stored away in your brain is something that is reacting to something another player is doing and your instincts will lead you to the correct move to make.
9/ Continue ask for advice and ask players you respect for any flaws they may find in your game. Some of it can be hard to hear but if you want to improve you need to be able to accept and learn from this advice.
10/ Keep a journal of your play your results, the length of time you play, your emotions and the big hands you play. This will help you see your improvement and also identify any problem areas. I tend to blow a big portion of my bankroll when I am upset and just in general play bad poker. I am still trying to avoid this but without success.
11/and finally have fun. Always try and be respectful to others and enjoy the diverse characters you will meet.

I am still in the learning phase so I am always looking for ways to improve. I read many of the posts on this site and others and I love learning from players who have so much more knowledge than me. As I said my tips are just basic but I hope they help new players.

that is pretty awesome advice gayle, well done

i especially like number 2 - pure stone cold bluffs should basically never be attempted. at least make sure you have a gutshot or something!

Gayle - the unsung hero of the 888pl Forums

yeah nice post gayle. ill be updating my list.

Number 1 on Gayle's list is SOOOOOOOOOOO important. It amazes me how many players cannot glance at a board and immediately recognise what hole cards make the nuts.

It is actually one of the greatest pieces of advice ever passed on to me in my novice days.

Thanks all. See I do listen to the advice I am given. Should have added don't bet like a mad woman try and keep your raises to 2.5 to max of 3.5. A poker great told me this recently and it is advice I have taken on board

Awww, but I like the pot button...