Eight Strategic Mistakes for Limit Players to Avoid

Hi. Come on in. I have a rare treat today - roasted salmon on heirloom tomato and wild mushroom ragout, with sautéed asparagus. Show some class, try not to wolf it down. Let's look at some mistakes that limit players should avoid making.

No. 1: I have often observed that at the medium limits, a very good way to lose money is to continue playing a hand when you flop middle pair, or bottom pair, and you don't have other drawing values.

No. 2: Be wary of a fourth-street board that contains a pair. There is now the possibility of four of a kind and full houses, and a high likelihood of an opponent having trips or two pair. If he keeps playing, you have to ask yourself why he is continuing to do so.

No. 3: I've noticed that you don't put any time into game selection. Most players don't. They take the first available seat and play at that table until they are ready to leave. Others are almost fanatical in their search for a "soft spot." Some spend 50 percent of their playing time looking for the "right" game in which to play. I advocate a position somewhere in between. If you have a choice, pick the game that you think gives you the best chance of having a winning session. Then, keep your eyes open to the games around you. Be aware of players coming and going in those games, in addition to your own game. A couple of different players can change the dynamics of a game tremendously.

No. 4: Because life is similar in a lot of ways to the game of poker, you can learn about winning poker by observing life around you. I recently had this reinforced for me while watching the baseball playoffs.

Just prior to the opening game of the American League playoffs, a sports announcer asked one of the managers how he planned to win. I don't remember the exact wording of his answer, but it was to this effect: "The way to win is to watch for the other guy to make a mistake and then capitalize on it - to stay alert and wait for those mistakes while you play as mistake-free as possible." I think that is also an excellent poker concept. That's why, in all of my writing and teaching, there is heavy concentration on eliminating students' mistakes.

No. 5: When I made my living as an actor a bunch of years ago, my acting coach drilled this into my mind: "At all times, be able to fully justify every move you make on that stage." Along the same lines, you should have a solid reason for every move you make at the poker table. Have a specific reason for every action. Otherwise, you're just gambling. And I am always preaching, "Take the gamble out of your game."

No. 6: Why are you playing poker? Are you playing for recreation, or to win money? Make a definite, conscious decision, and then go to the game with the mental attitude that will accomplish your objective. Most players say that they play to win money. That's more of a wish than an objective. Actually, it appears to me that most low- and medium-limit players are playing purely for entertainment, and that's OK, but be honest with yourself. After all, if you don't know where you're going, you'll probably end up somewhere else.

No. 7: If you are one of that rare breed of poker player who actually studies the game on anything close to a regular basis, congratulations. Realize that your best time to study is just before going to play. That will put you into a poker frame of mind that will continue throughout the game.

The best time to analyze your play is immediately after playing, while it's still fresh in your mind. Pick out mistakes that you might have made and figure out how you can do better at your next session. Pick out the good moves that you made, congratulate yourself for them, and reinforce them in your mind.

No. 8: A good way to go broke is to continuously play in games that are too big for your bankroll. You go broke when you eventually have several losing sessions and your backup money is gone. And, of course, you can't win if you can't play. To my poker students, I do advocate taking a calculated shot at the next higher limit occasionally, in preparing to one day move up. But part of your "skill" in poker should be knowing your limits and playing within them. The best player in the world can't win from the rail.

Drumroll, please! For those of you who keep asking, "When are you going to stop using that old steam-driven telephone for your communications?" the answer is, "Today." I toddled into the computer-selling emporium and dragged myself into the 21st century. Terrifying! But I'll get used to it. My e-mail address is [email protected]. Let's try it out. Tell me about your longest spell of dry cards (no bad-beat stories, please). I'll have results the next time we speak.

You wolfed down the salmon anyway, didn't you? Sorry, there isn't any left for breakfast. Now I tire and require repose. Kill the light on your way out.

Roy West, poker author and teacher, has been giving his successful poker lessons in Las Vegas for more than 20 years to tourists and locals. Ladies are welcome. Get Roy's toll-free 800 number and e-mail address from his ad on Page 117.