Some 'Rules' to Help You Rule Your Game

Hi. Come on in. I sent a couple of neighborhood kids over to the deli for cold cuts. They brought back a basketful – five different kinds of meats, three cheeses, and three breads. They've both eaten and gone over to the park to work it off. The rest is for us. Dig in while we discuss our beloved game.

You might have noticed that many poker players, especially those who turn a living from the game, dislike rules and regulations. They like their lifestyles to be free and easy, unencumbered by do's and don'ts. Yet, even these people realize that to win consistently at poker, they do need some "rules." To that end, I, being concerned that you win as much as possible, have developed over the years a bunch of "Roy's Rules." They don't carry the power of the law, but they do carry the power of winning. Let's check out a few of these playing guides.

"Do not appoint yourself to be the 'Honesty Captain' at your table." It seems that almost daily, you will hear some fool say something about "calling to keep him honest." That is usually followed by the same player saying something like, "Nice hand," as he mucks his cards and watches the dealer push the pot to his opponent – his honest opponent. Let someone else keep everyone "honest." This will save you a lot of money over time – honest.

Another of Roy's Rules: "Start with discipline – stay with discipline." The application of all aspects of the game of poker requires discipline. Without discipline throughout each playing session, you'll be a straw in the wind, and you might as well not take the time and effort to develop your game. The application of your strategy requires – no, demands – discipline.

Following on the heels of that Roy's Rule comes, "Don't be a 30- to 45-minute disciplined player." Many, if not most, poker players will play their "best game" for about a half-hour before becoming bored with folding all of those hands and deciding to get in on the action. "Deciding" might not be the best word, as this is not usually a conscious decision; instead, it just sort of creeps up on them. Don't let loose play creep up on you.

"Don't attempt to play poker as a profession without honing your skills to a professional level." I'm getting phone calls from players who have been watching the World Poker Tour on television and are coming to Las Vegas, or some other area with a lot of public poker, to get rich playing our game. You've probably seen new faces showing up in town for the same reason. This isn't really anything new, but their numbers have increased since all of that poker has appeared on TV.

The vast majority of these players are not going to make it to the pro ranks. Why not? Mostly because they are not fully prepared for what they will encounter. Reading a poker book a couple of times is not being prepared. The level of play here in Las Vegas and other such areas is high. And many of these players still think, on some level, that poker is a game of luck – or they give luck too much importance. If you are counting on poker winnings to pay for groceries and gasoline, you'd better not be counting on luck. If you are living paycheck to paycheck, you can't afford to play above the lowest limits, much less go pro. You need a bankroll, so that you're not playing with the rent money. If you must win to eat, you put yourself at a disadvantage.

"Play in the game you CAN beat, not the game you WISH you could beat." Playing too high for your skill level just to stroke your ego will bring undesirable consequences – losing. Stay within your comfort zone for both games and limits. Then, gradually expand that zone to the next level of limits where you are not all that "comfortable." You'll probably discover that being a bit on edge makes you play with more care.

The same strategic lapse at the higher limits means losing much more money than you can in your regular game. So, you don't dare play badly. This should keep you on your toes and keep you from leaving the cardroom early with only lint in your pockets. As you move up and down between limits, you will eventually find that your comfort zone will expand to include the higher limit. Then, start the process all over again and move up another notch. This is generally how most higher-limit players got to those higher limits.

Go for it!

We've left just enough goodies for my breakfast tomorrow. Now, I require repose. Take a can of mango juice and kill the light on your way out.

Editor's note: Roy West, author of the bestseller 7 Card Stud, the Complete Course in Winning (available from Card Player), continues to give his successful poker lessons in Las Vegas to both tourists and locals. Ladies are welcome. Call 1-800-548-6177 Ext. 03.