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Something to Think About
Making the transition between online and live poker can
take some serious adjustment. Even though you may be
playing the same game, online and live can be remarkably
different. A $1/2 no limit game, for example, can be a totally
different experience live, as opposed to online. A standard
opening bet in a $1/2 game online is normally $6 or
$7. If you open for $6 live, there’s a chance you would be
going to the flop with six or seven players, so a standard
opening bet is anywhere from $10 up to as much as $20.
One problem with making the transition from the virtual
arena to the felt is the temptation to play more hands. If
you are used to playing two or three games at a time online,
you may find it much harder to remain patient while playing
in a live poker room. After folding for 30 minutes, that
king-nine suited can look pretty good, especially after seeing
someone rake in a $180 pot with queen-jack offsuit. But
if you are used to avoiding bad kickers and dangerous situations
while playing online, it is best to maintain this type
of play in a cardroom. As soon as you start playing hands
you aren’t comfortable with, you’re likely to make more
mistakes, which, because of the inflated betting, can cost
much more than they would online.
There are lots of things you can do to remain patient and
avoid the temptation to play mediocre hands. Many players
listen to music, read, watch TV, or talk with other players to
kill the time between hands.
An even better activity you can use to pass time at the
table is to carefully observe your opponents. Study the players
who are in each hand and see if you can pick up any patterns
as the game progresses. Even if you only notice one
thing that someone does, it can be very valuable to your
game. It can earn, or save, you money if you get into a hand
with that person, and it also sharpens your reading skills,
which can be the most important aspect of a person’s poker
game. While watching your opponents can help your game,
and your bankroll, it can also be a good way to fight the
boredom of waiting for a hand.
Etiquette
Act in turn. Wait until it’s your turn to make your move, no
matter what you’re planning to do. This is definitely one of the
most important things to remember at the table. Any premature
act, even folding, can have a huge effect on a hand. It gives other
players information that they’re not entitled to; and we all know
that in poker, information is paramount.
Suppose you’re on the button in a nine-handed game. The
action is folded around to the player sitting to your right, and
while he’s thinking about what to do, you throw your hand into
the muck. Now he knows that if he makes a raise, he will only
be competing with the blinds. He also knows that if one of the
blinds does decide to call his raise, he’ll have the advantage of
acting last throughout the hand. Now he’s much more likely to
raise, based on this information, when otherwise he might have
folded. Acting out of turn is against the rules, poor etiquette,
and makes you look like a rookie. Don’t do it.
Lingo
Wired Pair: Any pair in the hole is known as a wired pair.
In hold ‘em, any pocket pair is a wired pair, and in Omaha or
7-stud, any paired hole cards are said to be wired.
Rolled-Up: In 7-card stud, when all three of your starting
cards are of the same rank, they are known as rolled-up
trips. If your door card is a King, and you have a pair of Kings
as your down cards, you have rolled-up Kings.
Double Suited: In Omaha, when your hole cards contain
two cards each of two different suits, they said to be double
suited. For example, if you are dealt two diamonds and two
clubs, your hand is double suited. You want your cards to be
double suited because it gives you two separate chances to
make a flush.
Hand Nicknames: KK -Cowboys, King Kong, Gorillas,
Kangaroos, Krispy Kreme, or Ace Magnets.
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