| What do you think is the most important factor in playing games? Most people would probably say that the luck is the decisive factor of the game. However, even if most of the games rely on luck, this one sure is not. There are certain techniques and tips to be a better Texas Holdem or poker player. If you understand the concept of poker face, bluffing, and folding, poker will not be gambling anymore to you.
Firstly, what is a poker face? This is very commonly used term. It refers to a person who keeps calm outside although they feel different in inside. Just like its common use having poker face means that you do not show others about how you feel. When you play Texas Holdem, it is very important that you hide your emotions. You do not want your face to tell others that you have full house. It is all about how well you can hide your disappointment or excitement. Poker face does not necessarily mean having a blank face, but rather it is more of having consistent expression for every moment of the game. If you are smiling, smile even when you do not have anything. It would make others very difficult to make decisions. Last thing you want to do in poker is to show others what you have, so I say do not let them.
Secondly, lying is not a crime in poker. It is a blessed skill. Poker is just like a living a life. You will not always get what you want, but that does not mean that you do not have chance to change it. When you do it on game table, it is called the bluffing. Bluffing is a basic skill of poker. It is fooling others by showing confidence, when you have the worst combination in your hand. In easier word, scare others and make them give up. Just because you do not have winning cards does not mean you can not win. All you have to do is to bet bravely so that others would 'think' that you have something. If you could make other players believe that you have good cards in your hand, they will fold the game immediately making you a winner. This is a very useful skill. Just remember one thing. Bluffing is like a chicken game. It will cost you an arm and a leg if it does now work, so always be cautious when you bluff.
Thirdly, know the time to run. Running is not considered a cowardly action in poker. It is just best way to get out of trouble. Although I mentioned tips about bluffing, most of the time the right answer if folding. Folding means that you will give up whatever you betted until this moment for the chance to escape from losing more. You can not win every battle. Just win the war. If you try too much to win every battle, you will end up messing up the big picture. Learn to let things go without any psychological disturbance. Do better next time. If something is dragging you behind do not hold on to it. No card, no more game. People have hard time doing this because they care so much about that little bet they made. They expect luck to knock at their door. Sure thing is most of the times, it never does, so always remember to let it go when you have to.
So do you still think poker is gambling? Relying solely on luck? I can not tell you what poker is, but I can tell you what it is not. It is not gambling. It a sophisticated psychological game that people enjoys. Poker face, bluffing, and folding skills will certainly make you a better player because you will be able to manipulate others when they have no idea about you. It is funny that if you take the word poker out it sounds more like an advice for living a life. May be that is why many people love Texas Holdem.
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Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Lee, Jun Ki / Don't be gambler, be a player /Thursday 1-3pm
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What do you think about gambling? Do you think that it just depend solely on luck? At least Texas Holdem, the most commonly known poker, does not rely on luck only. Main skills for Texas Holdem are poker face, bluffing, and folding. With these skills, you will be able to do much better in playing poker.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, keeping yourself calm is very important when playing poker. Your facial expression is a good clue for others to predict your cards. Since people are not able to see other people's card, they look for other factors that would reflect your standing in the game. The point of poker face is having one expression all throughout the game. It would not matter if you could smile for every second of the game even if you have the worst cards in your hands. As long as your expression does not change, it is considered poker face. You will have to read other facial expression and at the same time you should not show yours.
Secondly, skill called bluffing could help you when you are playing poker. Bluffing basically means lying. You can not always get the cards that you want, but you can act like you have them. If you raise your betting, most people would think that you have a great shot. This would trigger others to fold the game. If you could fool all the other players, you will be able to win the game even if you had the worst combination. Bluffing is great way to escape from bad situation. Others will misunderstand your signs, and it would make them lose the game.
Lastly, folding without hesitation would make you a better poker player. We all know that we can not always get what we want, so if you do not see the chance, just give up. Folding at early stage of the game would minimize your loss. Folding is as important as betting skill. It is a ticket for immediate escape. Do not hold on to something that wouldn't give you a single chance. Always know your standing in the game. Bluffing is a good skill but it could also mean huge consequences. Make your move unexpectedly! To do that you sure have to know when to fold.
In conclusion, there are few skills that could help you when you are playing poker. Poker face, bluffing, and folding are three main skills that could help you in game. Although poker is gambling, at the same it is not 'just' gambling. Remember these few tips and you would be better poker player.