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Hey Bill, I have a question. It may be silly, but I haven’t seen much in the line of information. I play free on Full Tilt and PokerStars. I want to start playing for real money, but I’m somewhat concerned with the players on the free games. It seems that there are lots of river rats and fl oaters there because it costs no real money to play and recharge an account. In real play are the players more realistic on their hand quality and so do they take fewer chances? Thanks, — John in Florida
John, Thanks for sending me my fi rst question! My understanding of the low limit games on FTP and ‘Stars is that they are played very much as you describe the free games. I’m sure that players are a bit more careful with real money; but I am just as certain that loose play is still very much the norm.
You’ll be able to beat these games by playing solidly, even if unimaginatively. Remember that hand selection is critical to beating low limit games. Play hands that either win a lot or lose a little in multi-way pots (you’ll note that virtually every hand is played multi-way). Suited cards and pairs are what you’re looking for. Avoid the trouble hands (e.g., non-suited big cards other than A-K) because they too often make expensive second-best hands in multi-way pots.
Best of luck. Please let me know how it goes. Thanks, — B
Bill, A lot of the successful local players, as well as many pros who become and stay successful seem to have a certain joie de vivre outside of the poker world, be it another hobby or just making sure they have something else they really enjoy doing off the felt and outside the rail-fi lled world of the poker room. Do you fi nd it helps with focus and/or other major parts of successful poker to have these distractions? And how much time spent playing poker is really necessary to become and stay successful? — Tim from Newfoundland
Tim, Those who know me know that nobody loves life more than I. I have been blessed with the most wonderful friends and family and I love what I do. And yes, all of my close friends in the poker world do show a certain joie de vivre. The question is, of course, whether there is a causal relationship and, if so, what caused what. Does a love of life help a player become successful? Or does success help a player love his life?
I’ll bet you’ll be surprised when I tell you my best guess is that the two are nearly independent. I can think of too many miserable poker players who have had success to believe differently.
Personally, I feel that having a balance in life does help my own poker a great deal. However, there are a lot of successful sickos who do very little other than play poker. Thus, I don’t feel that balance is necessary for poker success; but it sure helps in living a happy life.
As for how much poker needs to be played to become and stay successful, I’d have to say the more the better. No matter how gifted you are, experience yields better decisions. Since the advent of internet poker, there’s no excuse for not playing tons of hands. By the way, I never met a Newfy I didn’t like! Thanks. — B
Bill, Can you tell us how important it is to have friends like Erick and Gavin you can discuss hands with? Also, the info you guys share must improve the games of all three of you, otherwise how is it that all three of you are so good? How has your infl uence on Erick and Gavin helped not only in poker but in family life? The reason I ask is because I think Erick and Gavin look up to you as a fatherly fi gure. — Isidro, Bakersfi eld
Isidro, Erick Lindgren and Gavin Smith are, indeed, two of my closer friends. They both have very logical minds are quite articulate when discussing poker (yes, Gavin really is!).
Sadly, I have not talked much poker with Erick over the years. He and I share a love for college football betting which dominates our discussions.
Gav and I do talk poker a bit. However, we have radically different playing styles. Thus, it can be a bit diffi cult for either of us to translate the other’s thoughts into the context in which we play.
Regarding the second half of your question, I can say without hesitation that my life is much happier and richer for having them in it. However, as for my alleged infl uence on these two, I refuse to take responsibility for Erick’s P%&!#-underachieving or Gavin’s unique nightly rituals. Thanks. — B
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