In order to maximize your profits at the poker table, your goal should be to play completely opposite of the way other players at the table perceive you. Simply put, if opponents label you a conservative player who never bluffs and only plays premium hands, you’ll do better playing aggressively and bluffing frequently. Daniel Negreanu Read Quote
In tournaments, players typically raise when they enter the pot. In cash games, though, players are more likely to limp in before the flop. That’s because cash games are usually deeper-stacked, meaning that players will have a higher ratio of chips in relation to the blinds than they would in a tournament. Daniel Negreanu Read Quote
Some golf instructors get overly technical and teach the mechanics of the ideal swing. That approach didn’t work for me. So, I found a pro that didn’t insist that I learn Tiger’s swing. He accepted my physical limitations and improved my game by focusing on the minimal golf skills that I have. Daniel Negreanu Read Quote
In golf, no one learns to hit a draw, a fade, or a cut shot until they’ve been taught how to hit the ball straight. Similarly, novice poker players need to learn how to ‘hit it straight’ before taking on more difficult concepts. Daniel Negreanu Read Quote
While sophisticated plays can work in poker, if attempted by an inexperienced player, they’ll usually backfire. Elaborate bluffs and check-raises are best left to experienced players. It’s just like golf: don’t try to hit a tricky flop shot with that 25-handicap of yours! Daniel Negreanu Read Quote
Before you even consider making a value bet, try to determine if the bet will have any value at all. Attempt to put your opponent on a hand that he’d likely call a bet with on the river. To do this, you’ll have to mentally play back the details of the hand. Think about your opponent’s playing tendencies. Daniel Negreanu Read Quote
In tournaments, you want to steal the blinds as cheaply as possible without risking a high percentage of your chips. Daniel Negreanu Read Quote
Powerful drawing hands, like a pair with a flush draw or even conventional straight and flush draws, are often good opportunities to try a semi-bluff – making a bet or raise that you hope will not be called, but leaves you some outs if it is. Daniel Negreanu Read Quote
Here’s one general rule that applies to No Limit Hold’em tournaments: Avoid playing coin flip situations for all of your chips. Daniel Negreanu Read Quote
