I read Caro's Most Profitable Hold'Em Advice. All about psychology. Very little about odds, etc. Mostly about image, business, and psychology. You really want to entertain your table mates, so they pay you to entertain them. Like a tip, "oh, your funny and I like you, so here, take a pot."
Also, if you are friendly, and seem to not take the game seriously, and seem to be lucky, they won't be inspired to play particularly strong against you, they will just play easy and friendly and let you take their money. So always stay friendly. Never let anyone know you play seriously, and don't ever criticize anyone's play. The last thing you want to do is let them know you are analyzing and scrutinizing their play. If they think you pay attention to how they play, then they might pay attention to how they play. And you don't want that. :p
So, what did I learn? Math & poker are like . . . well, they're just not that related, necessarily. Sure, there might be some "optimal strategy" according to game theory, but you can do much better than that if you just play tight, and convince everyone else your just splashing around like the rest of them. Or even if you don't convince them, as long as they keep doing it, and you all have fun, you'll kick their butts. ;)
So good luck, and have fun out there. And why not, win a bunch of money too.
This explains why the Magic players I play with are such great conversationalists. Something about this philosophy turned me off poker. I miss it. And I have a new interest in developing my social skills. I focus on the game so much, or what I think the game is, that I miss out on real life, which is the point of the game. It is just an excuse for human beings to interact. As a consumer of poker as a product (not the one doing the entertaining, not a consistent winner), I should at least be trying to enjoy the company of others. I guess that's why I stick to family games.
ReplyDeleteMelissa somehow took all my lessons learned and became a shark. That girl won both of our family poker tournaments last holiday get together.
My Magic friends are superb conversationalists, which in Magic can put you at ease and allow you to expose your weaknesses, let your guard down, and make yourself vulnerable. I just need to learn some Judo I think, because I'm learning to like making myself vulnerable. Time to learn how to be an esper mage I think. A stark contrast to my red-green roots.