How You Can Make $200 a Year and Save 12 Hours!

I think I have found a way for you to make money and find lost hours all at the same time. "How?" you ask. Well, it is a simple formula that is a proven money and time saver, and it can actually improve your well-being and attitude, all at the same time. It is not a magic potion, it is not a "wonder drug," and it is not something you buy from late-night TV infomercials. It is something you can do with the tools that you already possess. All you need to do is ask yourself some questions about your own poker game, limits, and money management to get a tailor-made answer.

How often have you gotten "stuck" in a poker game? How many of these times were you totally frustrated with the way things were going when you were down to merely a few chips? What did you do? Did you play your best game and truly give yourself the opportunity to get your money back, or were you so much on tilt that you couldn't wait to lose your remaining chips and get the hell out of Dodge? Often, it is a self-fulfilling prophecy when you get into one of these modes, and it is generally very soon that you go broke and head on home. So, how does this show you how to make money and save time? Well, a dollar that you don't lose is a dollar earned. If you blow those last few chips when you are down to the cloth, it is time to leave the game a little sooner. Those chips have real value, and add up over time.

Let's say that you are a $4-$8 limit hold'em player. You have been playing all day, things have not gone well, and just possibly, you are not playing your "A" game at this time. You are demoralized and feel like a loser. What is your table image at this moment? Do you think the other players view you as a tough competitor or a pushover - someone against whom they want to play a pot? I know from my own experience that there are times when I see players at my table whom I can own. Yes, that is right: I can own them. Regardless of my cards, I can beat them every hand. In fact, against them, I may raise with any two cards if I am fairly certain that I can isolate them. Why can I do this? I have seen by their body language and demeanor that they are there to lose. They are already expecting to lose, and if they don't, they will be disappointed. I know that sounds weird, but it is so true. So, how do I beat that player? Well, I isolate him and then watch him when the flop hits. I can see that he has missed, so I bet. Sometimes, he will call and take a card off. When I sense this desire to lose, I can bet the turn, and generally pick up the pot there.

How does this enable you to make money and save time? Well, flip the tables now … you are that player. Do you recognize yourself? If not, you may need to do a more thorough self-examination, as I really believe that all of us have been that player at one time or another. So, now that you have admitted that you have been that player at some time, what can you do to stop it? Leave the game! Yes, that is right, go home! Quit! Now, you have saved money, time, and some wear and tear on your mental health. If you leave the game and cash out those last few chips, that is money in your pocket and time saved. Those last few chips you were going to blow off have turned into cash. Stop and buy a few groceries on your way home, or perhaps a new CD or a tank of gas. Just remember that those last few chips are real money that can buy real stuff.

On a recent cruise, Mark Tenner gave players some tips at a seminar. One was to get up with those few chips and cash them in, rather than give them away. He added, "If you really don't want that money, give it to me." The next day, one cruiser had been playing and losing. She very calmly got up from her $4-$8 hold'em game, walked over to where Mark was sitting and set four $1 chips in front of him, and, without saying a word, walked out of the room! Class dismissed.

As always, please contact me with your poker- or cruise-related questions or comments. To learn about Card Player Cruises, please see our website at www.cardplayercruises.com.