Free Information About Your Opponents

Hi. Come on in. I picked up a couple of Philly cheese steak sandwiches. They're rather sloppy, so here's a bib.

Today, I'll be talking to lazy poker players. Would you indolent rascals like to increase your average win by 11 percent to 14 percent, without bothering to learn any more about poker than you know right now?

I somehow knew you would.

If you as a poker player are not engrossed in your game, you are at a distinct disadvantage. You can gain an advantage by absorbing a few hundred well-chosen words on concentration.

Of course, you know what concentration is, but let me expand on your definition. Concentration is paying exclusive attention to one object. Concentration is having your mental attention focused on that one object, whether that object is a television program, a smiling baby, or a poker game. Concentration is the riveting of your mind upon the purpose or goal at hand. It is not furrowing your brow and staring hard at something, and there is no grunting involved.

Concentration is "alertness," or just plain old "paying attention."

If you're exchanging jokes with the person in the next seat, or thinking about the argument you had with your lover this morning, you can't know what's going on in the game.

If you play for just dimes and quarters on the kitchen table, you can pass on all of this. But if you're playing for meaningful money, especially in a public cardroom, you'd best pay attention – or you'll be paying out that meaningful money. If your objective is to get the money rather than pay out the money, you cannot afford distractions. It's difficult to carry on a conversation and keep proper track of who is playing marginal hold'em hands, or the cards that have been exposed and folded in a stud game.

It's important to be aware, as much as possible, of everything that is happening with everyone at the poker table. This includes between hands as well as during hands. It's difficult to recognize that a player is under stress if you haven't observed him relaxed. Does he sit up straight when he has a big hand? How does he sit when he has a poor hand and is just waiting for his turn to pass? If you haven't watched, you won't know.

Hundreds of bits of useful information are being given off by your opponents. If you're not receiving them, it's because you're not concentrating. These players are constantly and freely providing you with knowledge that will enable you to win their money. You'd be foolish not to accept and use this knowledge. But first your mind must be free of other concerns and sufficiently alert to your environment.

One of the truisms of poker is that you should never play while you're upset – whether that distress comes from a lover's quarrel, a headache, or a bad beat. And the reason you don't want to play while you're upset is that your emotions get in the way of your concentration. It's just that simple. Mental disturbance of any kind will distract your thoughts and prevent you from paying attention to the sensory input with which you are being constantly bombarded. And it is this very input that will give you an edge over the unobservant player.

But be aware that this kind of concentration will hasten your mental fatigue – and you cannot play well when you are fatigued. Take a break every couple of hours. Rest your mind. Rest your eyes. Take a walk. Relax for a few minutes. Then, come back to the table, fresh and eager.

Tournament break time should be used to actually take a break from the game. Don't waste time telling your friends about bad beats and discussing who is still in the tournament only because he is incredibly lucky. Rest!

There – I've just added 11 percent to 14 percent to your winnings. You're welcome.

Those sandwiches were good, but not great. Maybe someone will let me know where in Las Vegas to find good Philly cheese steak sandwiches. It's nap time. 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.