Monday, July 6, 2009

Predictability or Diversity - “Taking advantage of all fifty two”

Nothing frustrates me more than these kind of statements in a poker game: “can’t believe you called my raise with that” for one. How about this: “Oh My God you Donk, How can you call that?” Or better still “Thought I was playing poker, not bingo”. Though this may raise one’s temper a bit, and force one to respond, it actually tells me that these players are more comfortable with predictability.

Let’s clear one thing up before we proceed with our poker game. Imagine if your poker playing opponents were able to verbally expose their cards to you prior to calling your raise. You are sitting with AA pre-flop and BB says “I have A4, would you like me to call?” I’m sure you would reply exactly what I would “HELL, YEAH!” Great poker strategy knowing that you are so ahead, only needing to dodge out the possibilities of BB winning the hand (but they do).

So why on earth is it that when we do get called by these hands and they do suck out big time do we come back with these above statements - myself included (I am just as guilty of this at times). Is it because we prefer winning on predictable poker strategy, instead of the emotions of diversity? Yet while saying this it all changes when we decide to be the caller; then it’s all ok, because we love to win, so we see an opportunity to be diverse and go for it (taking the risk). So why do we allow it for ourselves and not for others. Human competitive nature and not liking to lose is the answer here I feel. I’d be interested to know what you think!

I’d like someone to also tell me where the poker rule book is, which says that you can only play, call or take any action for cards over ten; which says that if you play any cards under ten, you are a donk, crap player and so on? Let’s look at this from another angle. The angle I and several other players see. To me there are fifty two cards: all potential winners. Why not use every card to your advantage whenever possible to play poker. I will enter into any pot that I choose to be amongst with any two cards. Why? It’s simple! There is no such rule that you should only play high cards.

Imagine how boring poker would be if it was played just that way. No exciting play, no suck outs, NO adrenaline rushing chasers and so on. Players would play less, eventually no poker at all and it’s literally back to bingo, sadly leaving us with no online poker or live poker games to thrive on. If a player is willing to put the chips in on the two cards in his hand, think to yourself: go for it, as you now have action. Enjoy what the hand brings, be it good or bad. This is what returns us to the tables constantly. No one likes to be out of the game ever. How boring again if no one got out. Where is the challenge or fun in that?

So bring on all the players who are diverse in playing all 52 cards like me for it’s all of us that bring the excitement to the poker game. Using your learning and your brains on the felt will chip you up when used at the right time. The feeling of making the decision to enter into a pot for instance with an 8,9 suited connector and smashing your opponent’s AK, QJ to bits is sheer ecstasy. Sit back and rejoice in the fact that you chose to play, that you chose to back that hand at that point.

I too have been hit with “How could you play that after my raise” and I think well: “caller, caller, and caller! Mmm, nice pot while putting them on high cards”. “I will see the flop”. Gee I’m glad I did use my fun poker strategy (ship those chips to me!).

Feel free to comment on whether you prefer diversity in the game or predictable play. For me diversity all the way, even though it is driven by my emotions, this is why I play online poker and return for more.

HIVE OF DREAMS - “Queen-Beez Journey” -Part - 2

While learning how to play poker from my son I realised that I had achieved my actual goal: reconnecting with my son! I did not realize, however, that at this point it was also mapping my future. We spent hours laughing and chatting and exchanging notes and I was truly learning something from my son I was falling in love with: poker strategy.

James, my son, found the time and location of a free roll league that played in our area and was keen for his parents to attend. I was so not ready to experience this poker game with live players, especially strangers so soon and I declined. Hours later James returned with his father who was showing an amazing grin of success; he placed second. The following week, nerves-tensed, stern-faced I walked into a new world of free poker players battling for minimal prizes that didn’t matter; it was the game that drew them together. At that point, my brain was mush; I had forgotten everything I’d been learning, adrenaline kicked in.

Then I won my first pot! It was then that I was hooked and my poker strategy paid off. It was like: wow, I want that experience again! It was fantastic!

For me a true passion was born and I was now thirsty to learn everything! Even poker rules from scratch to really strive hard and perform well in this poker world. I had found my destiny and my goal from there on was to become the best poker player I could be. That was hardly over two years ago and look where I am today!

You can make your poker dream a reality like I did mine. Stay tuned for incidents and stories regarding how I achieved mine, which I sincerely hope may inspire you to follow your dreams and desires. Please feel free to comment as we go along.


HIVE OF DREAMS - “Queen-Beez Journey” -Part -1

Sharing my journey with you from everyday, routine living to my HIVE of DREAMS, will surely inspire you to start following your hopes and dreams, remembering the simple adage about “no pain no gain”.

If someone had said to me two years ago that I would be writing blogs today about my “poker strategy” I would have replied with a very confused “WHAT THE!!” Here I was a mum raising four kids and running a family business. I basically did the same thing day in day out! Classically the routine that most women and mothers put themselves in!

I wondered what my self worth was and where my achievements, passions, desires were? I hope you do not misunderstand me; I am a very, very proud mother, although I dreamed of something beyond being a mere secretary. I WAS NOT PUT ON THIS EARTH to lead an existence merely in order to pay the bills; I knew that there must be something more rewarding for me instead of passing each day without achieving much at the end of it.

Well, it began with my son. Overnight my eldest son turned 16 and with attitude to match. Wow! I was not given a rule book for this when he was born. I had no idea that his turning 16 would change my way of looking at life, my focus to excel. No way. I had no idea that my love for my son would culminate with me living my desire and enhancing my self-worth, all passionately rolled up in a Texas hold em poker dream!


RAIDBET.NET

RAIDBET.NET
Poker - Simplicity, Fun and Entertaining