The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Poker Players
In this week’s column, we’ll take a look at how important studying the finer points of playing poker, and a list of some of the better study guides. Since there is such a vast difference between low-limit Hold ‘Em and high-stakes to no limit, it is necessary to work with study guides aimed more specifically for the low limit games.
After doing quite a bit of reading various books, and reviewing many of the tapes, audio-books, DVD’s and computer programs, I have come to a rather startling conclusion. There are just too many people who have made a pre-flop raise on a 93 off-suit and sucked out at the river who now feel qualified to write or create a how-to study guide. However, that being said, there are quite a number of study materials that are surprisingly well written and accurate.
The major question I’ve run into during my research is, “Why should I spend money on books and other guides when ‘no fold ‘em hold ‘em’ is all about luck anyway?” The answer to that is fairly simple. Luck will only be there when the fates are in your favor, whereas skill will be there all the time. The classic example is to be found at any casino. Other than poker, where the house has no vested interest except for the rake and/or hourly “rent,” all the other table games, slots, bingo and Keno have a set of odds that favor the house.
I’m not really certain, but I believe it’s Blackjack that has the closest to even odds, and that’s something along the lines of 1 to 1.133 in favor of the house. Over a long period of time, even that slight edge makes money for the casino. For example, when the casino and players total up a million hands, the “house’ will average 133,000 wins total. Let’s say the bet was a $10 minimum. That means, though the house paid out ten million, they made eleven million, three-hundred thirty thousand for a net profit of one million three-hundred thirty thousand dollars.
My point is, at the poker tables, where the house only gets it’s rake, you are only playing against the other people at the table. The more you study and learn the finer points of the game, the better the odds are for you to triumph over the social player. Again, you have to look at the big picture. Out of ten players in a Hold ‘Em game, after studying the various aspects of the game you will increase the odds in your favor over every single player that doesn’t study. There will always be at least one or two players who do study the game, but that leaves seven players who don’t.
In a 3-6 game at the very minimum (if everybody were to call to the river) there would be $180 in the pot. A million hands would make that one-hundred eighty million dollars, usually going to those who are the studied players. So, considering you and the other two, you would split the 180 mil three ways for a total of 60 million to you. Then divide that sum by 10 (to account for the river rats, suck-out artists, and plain old lucky buggers) and it still comes out to $6 million for you. All because you actually studiedthe game.
Now does it seem like so great a hassle to read a few books, watch a few tapes or DVD’s and become a studied player? I thought not.
So. Now, the burning question is what books, tapes etcetera to study. When you’re in the card rooms and/or casino’s ask around. Check out the players that seem to consistently win, and ask them to recommend some study materials. Another good source is to ask the dealers. Most of them have studied various materials and are generally a pretty reliable source of information as to what’s good and what’s not.
Here is a small sampling of some of the better titles. Please remember these are only my personal picks, there are many, many more out there that may be far better than these, and I’m absolutely certain there are quite a few that are worth just about as much as a 92 off-suit. Some suggested study material I happen to believe in are:
“RealPoker: The Cooke Collection” His grammar and style aren’t the smoothest, but this man KNOWS what he’s talking about and tells it in a manner that’s pretty easy to understand.
“Mike Caro’s Book of Tells” This is a MUST HAVE book. Probably Mike’s best, it not only gives you an unbelievable amount of advantage over the social player, it also is priceless in realizing how much information YOU have been giving away.
“Super/System” by the man himself, Doyle Brunson. Often referred to as the Poker Bible, it is another must read book. Some things about the game have changed a bit since he wrote it, but it is still a mandatory study guide for becoming a serious player.
“Big Deal” by Anthony Holden. I’ve heard it said, and read it in other forums that Anthony’s book is considered the best narrative on poker ever written. I believe it. It’s a bird’s-eye view of the game written in a way that makes it hard to put down!
“Theory of Poker” by David Sklansky. I heard about this particular book while reading my personal favorite, and I think it might well qualify for the best book written on poker.
“Winning Low Limit Hold ‘Em” (2nd Edition) by Lee Jones. In MY humble opinion, this is one of the best, easiest to read, quickest to figure out and most solid book I’ve ever read on low limit Hold ‘Em. It is published by Conjelco Publishing Company, who have quite an array of excellent sources for other study materials on ALL types of poker.
And last but not least, there’s that Vinny Setala guy, who writes this incredible column for Part Time Poker.com. Nah…just spoofin’. I’m just a freelance writer who happens to love the game of poker, and was given an opportunity to write about it. I write on low limit games, only because I live so far below the poverty level that to jump off and come visit you’d fall so far you’d break both legs when you hit. Not to mention I’m scared gooseless to play for REAL amounts of money. Unless, of course, there was a “banker” out there who would be willing to bankroll me into some action with the Big Boys…hmmm???
Well folks, I think that about does it for me this week. My 13 year-old mind told my 50-year old body we could still do a few things we used to do back in the day and as a result, I’ve sitting here in a back brace listening to my bed calling out to me. It’s saying, “Please, Vinny, come here…you need to rest a little, okay?” And what’s really weird is it calls to me louder and more often every darn year!
So buy a few study guides, memorize as much out of as many as you can, and when you get rich, remember this. If you suddenly become a world-class player with all kinds of fame and fortune, Vinny Setala taught you everything you know and you owe him big time, but if you lose you house, your car, your family and your dog, don’t blame it on me, you were always a bonehead anyway!
NEXT WEEK: We take a look at Part Four; Finances. See ya, then! G’nite.
