Pot-Limit Hold'em - What Not to Do to Get the Money

Last time I wrote about things to do to get the money when you play pot-limit hold'em, a game that is making a comeback on the tournament trail. Now it's time to take a look at the flip side of the coin and discuss some things not to do if you want to become a consistent winner at the game.

As this column goes to press, you'll find me playing at the Reno Hilton's second annual World Poker Challenge, in the tournaments as well as the many pot-limit games that Mike Gainey, poker room manager, spreads during the WPC. Last year at the WPC, my friend Mike Downing took second place in the $300 buy-in pot-limit hold'em event there (as well as fourth in pot-limit Omaha), and I expect him to do well again this year. You can be sure that both he and I will be doing our best to avoid the following "don't do's" in the pot-limit tournaments and cash games that we play in Reno, the "Biggest Little (Tournament Poker) City in the World."

• Don't feel that you must continue playing a marginal hand after the flop. If you're holding A 5 and you flop an ace, consider laying it down if a solid player bets into you.

• Don't routinely fold marginal hands just because you get raised by an aggressive player. Study the board and remember that come hands are often played strongly by aggressive opponents.

• Don't stay married to a big pair when it becomes obvious that your hand is in trouble. Divorce it fast!

• Don't be a sore loser when you get drawn out on by a bad player. He will find many other ways to lose back his temporary gain to you – unless you antagonize him. Then, he may start playing tougher against you because he's angry.

• Don't forget what has transpired at the table in previous hands. Be aware of who may be on tilt, or who is playing either looser or tighter than normal.

• Don't be afraid of getting bluffed and, consequently, folding the best hand. It happens to all good players more often than it does to bad players (that's partially why they are bad players).

• Don't play marginal hands such as small pairs and suited connectors in extremely loose cash games in which most pots are raised or reraised before the flop.

• Don't be intimidated by either the players or the size of the game. If you are, you shouldn't be playing in the first place.

• Don't lose more in one game than you can win. Remember that even if it's "the best game you've ever seen," it's not a good game for you if you are losing in it. Conversely, don't play in a bad game just because it's the only one you can get into at the time. There is usually an alternative, even if it is for smaller stakes than you like to play.

• Don't always fold marginal hands such as K-J suited because a player who's on tilt has raised. When they're steaming, players sometimes bluff-raise with almost anything.

• Don't succumb to peer pressure if you are not comfortable with what is being suggested (raising the limits, for example), especially if you have reason to believe that it would work against your chances of winning.

• Don't be afraid to quit when you believe it is right for you, no matter if you are winning or losing. There's always another game, another opportunity.

• Don't put a limit on what you want to win, but always limit your losses.

• Don't be afraid to put a live straddle on a pot once in a while, whether or not any of your opponents are doing it, to liven up the game.

• Don't be afraid to alter your opinion or read on an opponent when future betting rounds indicate that he can't be holding what you originally put him on.

If you follow this advice and the suggestions from my last column, there's little doubt that we will meet in the winner's circle one day soon – especially if you augment these tidbits with the more extensive advice that T.J. Cloutier and I wrote in our book Championship No-Limit & Pot-Limit Hold'em, which you can order from Card Player.

Editor's note: Tom McEvoy is the author of Tournament Poker and the co-author with T.J. Cloutier of Championship No-Limit & Pot-Limit Hold'em, both of which are available through Card Player. Visit www.pokerbooks.com for more details.