When They're Gonna Pay You Off

I had no clue where he came from, but I knew his bankroll wouldn't last long. He hadn't figured that out quite yet. A dose of reality was surely soon to hit him, although denial was sure to take the place of reality with this guy. He talked a fair game, and definitely didn't lack confidence in himself or his poker game. But that was the issue with his play. He wanted to outplay everybody in every hand, and prove his superior intelligence and knowledge over the other players in the game.

He played a very aggressive in-your-face style of poker, which can be quite effective in many poker games, particularly if your opponents are tight, predictable players who are intimidated. That was not the case in the game in which we were playing. The players were loose calling stations, untrusting sorts of people who wanted to be shown they were beat. "I'll pay you off," "Gotta keep you honest," and "I'll call for the size of the pot" were heard a lot at this table.

This guy just didn't get it. He didn't know that he should change his style of play based on the texture of the game in which he was playing. He maintained his aggressive style of play, constantly belittling the other players who kept paying him off, while they took his chips. It seemed that he had it all backward, and was not the bright one at the table.

The game of poker changes greatly based on the players and how they play. In games in which almost every pot is called on the river, bluffing loses almost all of its value. I understand that this should be self-evident, but many well-versed players seem to miss this concept and keep on firing at players who do not fold.

Much of your edge in poker comes from players either calling when they should fold or folding when they should call. In some games, particularly lower-limit games, few players make the error of folding when they should call. And even if they do, another player often picks up the slack and makes a loose call. This makes bluffing almost impossible. In games in which few players fold when they should call, both plays and hand values change.

The value of betting draws changes. There are several reasons to bet a draw: to gain value if you make it, to disguise your made hands in the present and future pots, and to try to win the pot if you miss your draw. If the texture of your game dictates that you will almost never win the pot by betting if you miss your draw, the play has lost its most significant value. I am not saying that in such games you should never bet a draw. However, I do think the issue should be approached with the low probability of your opponents folding entered into the equation. Also, in games of this texture, adding deception for future plays has much lower value, since your opponents are inexperienced and lack hand-reading skills. You still should bet draws if there is tangible value in the bet.

Patience, discipline, and basic poker strategy skills become the most meaningful qualities in games in which you generally have to make the best hand in order to win. Too many players let ego get in the way of correct play, and look to make plays that are not appropriate for the game in which they are playing. Many poker players have read the books, know basic poker strategy, and can play a reasonably sound, solid game. Being able to recognize when different strategies are needed and being able to adjust to your opponents is what is going to make you play a level above those players.

As for the fellow who kept firing at them … well, there's a second mortgage in his future, and maybe a bankruptcy. And it's too bad, because he's an all-right guy. He just gets a little frustrated at times. He doesn't understand that when they're gonna pay you off, they're gonna pay you off.

Editor's note: Roy Cooke played winning professional poker for 16 years. He is a successful real estate broker/salesperson in Las Vegas – please see his ad.