Encouraging

I've finished reading Super System 1 & 2, as well as Hold'em Wisdom for All Players. I have gained a lot of insight and have felt amazingly encouraged and refreshed. By relearning a basic strategy and some fundamental concepts, I feel that I am shaking the stagnant and frustrated feelings I was experiencing. So now it is time to build upon that and add more advanced concepts. The next books I am planning on reading are Barry Greenstein's Ace on the River and Phil Gordon's Little Green Book. I consider both of these books for experienced to advanced players.

I have read Phil Gordon's Little Green Book a while ago. I feel that it is a great book for poker players that have an understanding for the game. It lays out the content in a manner that is both concise and does not pander to beginning players. I would not recomennd the book to new players. The best part about the Little Green Book is that it gets right to the point. He does not write for ten pages to describe a single subject. He gives you only the information you need.

My plan is to continue to add concepts that do not go against my basic strategy. A lot of people would say that you should add as much to your strategy as possible. However, I feel that you should keep your basic strategy as simple as possible. Remember, this is your "normal" game. You want to be comfortable with your normal style and not have to overthink or get confused by five different strategies and concepts. You can add whichever strategy you like to your game. Just remember that you want to make sure that it is additive. Do not add overly complicated tools to your arsenal if you are not prepared to use them or do not understand when and where to use them.

A lot of players watch the WSOP or the WPT and see a player like Gus Hansen make a play that wins him a large pot. They see him raise with a junk hand, and they think that is the way they are supposed to play. What they don't understand, is that Gus Hansen has been setting up that play, or has a read on his opponents' that new players do not have. That is why you should keep your strategy simple when you are a less experienced player. Eventually, you will get to the point, where you will be able to make great plays on opponents, by knowing what they have and what the best play would be.

One last concept to think about. There are many levels to poker. Remember, poker is a game of people played with cards. In the first level, you simply think about what hand you have. All new and weak players are at this level. They only think about what cards they hold, and will only play their hand according to this. In the second level of poker, you think about what your opponent might have. In this level, you put your opponent on a hand, in relation to yours, and decide what the best strategy to use would be. In this level, you are putting your opponent on a hand, and if you feel they are weak, will play their hand against them. Many times, it doesn't even matter what cards you have, because you know that they cannot play back at you. In the third level of poker, you think what your opponent thinks you have. In this level, you have to think about what kind of hand your opponent thinks that you have. This is the part of the game that I love.

If poker was a game in which only the best hand won every time, it would be a boring game. Remember that poker is a game of people. You have to know your opponent and what their playing style and tendencies are. Well, time to get ready for our weekly game. Good luck to you at the tables. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to drop me a line.