Winners Focus on Power - Part II

Part I said that winners constantly assess the power balance, and that they adjust their strategy to fit it. This column will discuss some factors that change this balance and how you should adjust to these changes.

Every card can change the power balance. A flush draw is suddenly unbeatable when the fifth spade hits. You obviously have to understand and adjust to this huge change. With a strong but apparently beaten hand such as three aces, you want to minimize your losses. If you've got the flush, you want the maximum payoff.

Every bet can cause winners to reassess the power balance. They thought Charlie had a weak hand, but he just made a big raise. They must immediately analyze why he did it, and then react appropriately. Winners do it automatically, while some losers may ignore this information. They play their own cards almost without regard to what the other players are doing.

Winners also know which conditions affect their power. For example, rocks will beat a 10-handed loose-passive game, but will have little chance in an aggressive five-handed one. Winners know where their usual style fits, and either adapt it or quit when conditions change.

Winners avoid tougher players and attack weaker ones. They also know that the combination of styles - the "chemistry" among players - affects the power balance. Player A may have the edge over player B; player B may have the edge over player C; but player C has the edge over player A. If they don't have the edge over this player, they avoid him.

Your Image Affects Your Power

Your image depends on two factors, your general style and your recent results. I've written extensively about your style, but you must also consider the effects of your last few hands. For example, even if you are playing your usual conservative game, losing a few hands will weaken your image. Your raises will get less respect, and your bluffs will be less likely to work.

Position is a Major But Varying Source of Power

The earlier you must act, the weaker you are. You don't know what the players behind you will do, and they will know what you have done before acting.

In stud, position changes whenever a new hand becomes high on the board. In flop games, absolute position changes every hand, but relative position can change every betting round.

Absolute position depends on your relationship to the button. Post-flop, the button has the best absolute position, and the small blind has the worst absolute position.

Relative position depends on your relationship to the most likely bettor. For example, if you're the small blind, the big blind raised preflop, and two limpers called, you have good relative position on the flop. After you check, the big blind will probably bet, and the limpers must act before you. Far too many losers ignore or minimize relative position, but winners constantly think of it. (See pages 29-31 of Barry Tanenbaum's Advanced Limit Hold'em Strategy.)

Position's value and effects depend upon your opponents. Let's see how position and opponents affect the way you should play a pair of fives preflop. Without a set, you will probably lose against more than one opponent. If you don't flop a set, you will usually fold because the odds against your catching it later are too high. You want to see the flop cheaply and have a large field so that you get high pot odds preflop and will be paid off if you flop a set.

First Situation

You are under the gun against weak, loose, passive players. You should probably call, because you can expect several calls and no raises. If you flop a set, you can play aggressively, confident that you will get paid off. If you miss the flop, you can fold cheaply.

Second Situation

You are again under the gun, but your opponents are strong, tight, and aggressive. You should almost always fold. You can't expect many callers, and, if you limp in, somebody will probably raise. It will cost you too much to try to flop that 5, and if you catch it, you will be much less likely to be paid off.

Third Situation

You're on the button, and six weak, passive players have called. Now, you should probably raise. You're getting good odds to flop a set, the competition is weak, and you will have the best position. You also might get a "four-card flop," because weak, passive players almost automatically "check to the raiser."

Your cards are exactly the same, but - because of different positions and opponents - your power and decisions are completely different.

Position is so important that you will be a lifetime loser to the people on your immediate left, but a lifetime winner from the ones on your immediate right. Winners always try to get the seat that gives them the best position. Follow their example. Try to sit to the right of passive, predictable players, and to the left of aggressive, unpredictable ones. If the only seat available is in a bad position, perhaps you should not even join the game. You don't want aggressive, unpredictable players to have position on you.

Winners' Laws

These laws are based on both parts of this series on power:

1. Emphasize power, not luck, justice, or morality.

Since poker is based on power, you have to get in step with reality. Don't waste your time worrying about luck, justice, or fairness, and don't expect sympathy. If you whine about luck and tell bad-beat stories, you will just weaken yourself.

2. Constantly assess the power balance.

Because it changes so frequently, repeatedly ask: How powerful am I? How powerful are other people? What is the basis of my power? What about theirs? Consider all the factors that affect your power.

3. Constantly strive to become stronger.

Keep looking for ways to increase your edge. Winners constantly look for the softer game, the better seat, the easier opponent.

4. Adjust your strategy to fit your power position.

When you've got power, use it. Play more hands and play them more aggressively.

When you're weak, be cautious. Wait until you're stronger. If you can't become stronger, change games or go home.

How Do You Rate?

This rating scale measures the degree to which you focus on power or on "nicer" subjects, such as moral principles, luck, personal relationships, or fairness.

Circle the number that best describes your agreement with this statement: While playing poker, I focus entirely on power and ignore luck, morality, personal relationships, and so on. (7) Agree strongly, (6) Agree, (5) Agree somewhat, (4) Neutral, (3) Disagree somewhat, (2) Disagree, (1) Disagree strongly.

Then, answer two critical questions:

• What are the implications of my self-rating?
• What should I do differently? List specific actions you should take to improve your focus on power.

Discuss your answers with someone you trust, and take good notes.

To learn more about yourself and other players, you can buy Dr. Schoonmaker's books, Your Worst Poker Enemy and Your Best Poker Friend, at CardPlayer.com.