I think it helps as a new player to get any one of the many poker odds calculators and pit several sample hands against each other. When I did this I was surprised at how slim the edges are with hands like AK against random medium/low cards. This really affected my play, especially my short stack play. Now, if I push when short stacked with 67s I don't cringe when AKo calls because I know I can win with a straight, flush, or simply make a pair.

Basically, when playing AK all in preflop your best position is to be against A-rag, anything else is only slightly better or worse than a coin flip.

Where can we download these calculators? Do we really have to memorize these probabilities? Do you think it would make you a better player to always follow the book? If this is the case then you will always have to follow the book.

Examples are Texas Calculatem, Poker Academy, and if you search Google for "poker odds calculator" you will find a slew of other ones. I think memorizing hand vs. hand probabilities is important, at least the approximate odds.

As far as playing "by the book" I think that's a great way to play when you start out. Poker is like driving or basketball or surgery, you have to learn to walk before you can run. If you start by playing a fundamentally sound game based on hand strength, position, pot odds, and probability you are bound to make money as you learn the game, especially if you start (as you should) at lower limits where the fish abound.

Once you have your fundamental game established, then you can start concentrating on making reads, recognizing betting patterns, trapping loose players, playing unconventional hands in position, etc. This will boost your ROI, but if your fancy plays go wrong and your experimental styles backfire, you always have your fundamental game to fall back on. Guys like Gus Hansen can make money long term raising with the four six of diamonds because when they don't hit, they can manipulate the situation to come out on top. Guys like you and me will hemorrhage cash doing that.

Poker has a science and an art. The science can be learned in a few months, but the art takes forever. The good news is that you can still make money by having the science down while you work on learning the art.

Great post clar! I have always said the best way to learn poker is to start with solid foundations! Know the basics, the in's and out's of strategy for the game you are playing and work from there. I have said this about 100 times, usually when someone says "I am looking for a strategy guide for HORSE" or something similar. The bottom line is that every game has it's own nuances and if you do not understand the fundamentals of each game then you will be a lifelong loser in a game like HORSE. The same is for any game, learn the basics, in and out, and grow from there. Too many palyers think it's bluff here and bluff there and you will be a winner. That is great and all but paying attention to odds and playing fundamentally correct poker will make you the biggest winner for life, not just a few wins now and then but being a winner for life.

Second that on the great post Sjclar.You hit all the key points, right in order.

PM me your mailing address, I'm going to mail you a book for the great post.

Jason

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I'm Not Lucky, I Have Good Karma !

Unfortunatly bad beats are a part of the game. The quicker you put them behind you the quicker you will become a better player.

Hate to say it it but the best players in the world may seem at times as they have no respect for money.

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Kickboyswoop