The Best Times to Play, and 'Psych Man'

Hi. Come on in. Welcome to my humble abode. Come, repose while we sip cabbage soup and speak of cabbage and kings and poker things.

Random philosophical poker thought: It's part of the game of poker that you can play a hand correctly from start to finish and still lose. It's also possible to play totally incorrectly and still win. So, don't let winning go to your head, and don't let losing drag you down. Play your best game consistently. Maximize your wins and minimize your losses for long-term profits.



More of the same: Don't do anything routinely in any poker game, stud or hold'em. Be suspicious of the words always and never. Don't always raise with big pairs. Occasionally mix up your play. And if you never play a marginal hand from early position, you'll be giving away too much information to your opponents.



If you always raise with two cards 10 or higher in a hold'em game, or only big pairs in stud, you are a contributor. A raise requires thought, not automatic action.



This thought goes with that thought: If you're playing in a pot that was raised before the flop and you now have a legitimate hand on the flop, don't routinely (always) check to the raiser. This check has become almost automatic in low- and medium-limit games. Don't assume the raiser will bet your hand for you – and don't assume he will raise again.



If you have a value hand, value-bet it, unless you think it's strong enough for a check-raise and you're quite sure the original raiser will bet if you check. The more aggressive the opponent, the more likely this is to occur.



Purely personal: I don't like to play before the flop in a raised pot unless I'm the raiser or reraiser. This isn't one of Roy's Rules, but a general consideration.



Here's another poker question I've been asked too often: "What are the best times and days to play poker?"


Best times vary according to where you are located. I believe that the best day usually is Friday, in the late afternoon or early evening. Friday is the end of most people's work week, and the beginning of a general sense of freedom as they look forward to the next couple of days.



Players are in a bright, up mood – and are ready to gamble. It's time for them to play – not to sit and watch while waiting for a good hand. And play they do. And, in most cases, they lose. However, if they come back and play on Saturday, having lost the previous night, they'll be more cautious.



So, I think that Friday night is the best time to get them, before they screw down their game and play their best. Simple, huh. (You're welcome.)



If you're in an area with public poker, other good days to play would be on "event" days. For example, in Las Vegas, good poker days are on a weekend of a championship boxing match. For some reason, boxing fans think they are great poker players. Some are, but most aren't. Have fun.



Whenever you play, beware of "Psych Man." I refer to him as "Psych Man" because he goes to extremes to psych out his opponents. He's interesting to observe.



Before he's even in his chair, he starts using his "get 'em all to hate me" ploy. He's working at getting the other players upset, saying things like, "You people sure look easy. Looks like I'm going to make some money today." Then, he starts criticizing everyone's play, telling all the players how slow-witted they are. In general, he's nasty to everyone.



Some players get up and leave, but most players stay to "get" the guy. However, they usually get had. He continues steadily insulting their intelligence by criticizing their play. I've even seen him ridicule the way that a woman was dressed.



In a very few minutes, he succeeds at getting everyone at the table angry – and, therefore, off their best game. They're angry with him and gunning for him – looking for vengeance. They play hands that they normally wouldn't. Their anger clouds their judgment. They let their emotions and egos get into the game.



Meanwhile, "Psych Man" is playing a solid game of poker and taking their money. That results in making them all the more angry, which results in even worse play, and more money for him. Beware of Psych Man.



We didn't speak much of cabbages or kings, but we did speak of poker things – and sipped cabbage soup. Good fiber. Now I require more repose. Kill the light on your way out.

Roy West, best-selling poker author, continues giving his successful poker lessons in Las Vegas for both tourists and locals. Roy's toll-free number is 800-548-6177 ext. 03. In Las Vegas call 873-7574.