Generic suggestions to become better at Texas Hold’emPoker aren’t very many, but here is one for you: you should fold, a lot, at least in 80% of the rounds. If we go into more than 20% of  the rounds, then we are certainly doiung something wrong.

Mike Caro says, «Most of your poker profit is made by folding. I know that’s a stunning statement, but if you don’t fully understand it, you’re doomed. There are many decisions you need to make during the course of a hand. Do you raise or just call? Do you bet or check? How much should you bet in a no-limit game? All those decisions are important and if you make them correctly, you’ll greatly increase your bankroll. Fine. But each of those choices is subject to debate. Often the answer isn’t clear and you’re going to use subtle poker skills to choose the right tactic for the situation«. And he gives some valuable advice:«When in  doubt,  fold«.

«Those who play the most hand are poker’s biggest losers. In fact, those who win the most pots in full-handed games, lose the most money. Remember, it’s easy to win a lot of pots just by playing a lot of hands. But many of the pots you’ll win will be unprofitable pursuits, averaged over time. Those who play the least pots usually win, but often not as much as they could«.

And the explanation for this, is simple. Out of all the possible card combinations, we will get playable hands in very few occasions and, also, we compete with several opponents at the same time. Therefore, caution is at the order of the day, while risk must be reduced as much as possible.

In Poker very few rounds are ever really won. It’s about the long- term confrontation, with many battles to be fought, so it’s impossible to think of taking part in every hand, much less winning them all. Because we lose more than we would like to, we need to stay alive, ration our food, weapons, and keep our mood steady to come out on top in the end.

To run, is no sign of cowardice; it’s self- preservation. There’s a saying that goes «he who fights and runs, lives to fight another day». In Poker we have to learn to desert the war, to throw in our cards, not to go into the game when it is unconvenient: that is one of the most important keys to success.

He who escapes does not miss the battle, but waits for it to be auspicious.

Paradoxically, is not a common mistake for experts or newbies alike, although, the actions by the latter ones are not based in reason but in a conservative bias of their game answering to a self- preservation instinct. This behaviour is typical of  loose players,  maniacs and fishes.

For many, one of the reasons why they play more rounds than is advisable, is lack of action. Being in the fringes of the game is boring to them. They sit at the table for the action, they want to win and, if possible, take the pot with great bluffs. They need more, and more adrenaline. But, they never consider the price to pay for it, is very steep.

I ask you: If a boxer were on the verge of getting knocked out, beatean and tired, and he could wait for two or three rounds before going in again, would he do it? No doubt about it! He would hydrate, get his energy up and be in better conditions. Regrettably, rules do not allow him to do this.

However, in Poker we can do this: nothing is forcing you to play every round. As Mark Twain said, “there are several good protections against temptation, but the surest is cowardice”.

Poker is a mind game. You play it seated, it requires concentration, level- headedness and a whole lot of good “timing” and, to everybody’s dismay, to fold is one of the most effective weapons to win. Now, if what you are looking for is fun and strong emotions, then I would reccomend the circus or watching motocross.

The time we spend outside the game is useful and even entertaining, if know how to make the most of it. We can watch other players’strategies; study styles or try to guess hands from their actions, which has it’s own appeal too and is benefitial to prep.

Hence, we repeat our main piece of advice: «when in doubt, fold«.

By José “el Profe” Litvak

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