A few of my poker beliefs

I thought today I'd share some of my poker beliefs.

I don’t believe poker is a game of chance despite the fact that luck is involved.

I don’t believe you can make any decision without having all of the information. For example, new players will often ask me something like this - I had J 9 suited in the small blind, the player before me put in a minimum raise, I called, and that was okay wasn’t it? The only possible answer I can give to a question like that is maybe. There are simply way too many other factors I would need to have information on before I could tell you what I “think” was the right play.

I don’t believe you should get angry at the person who is willing to pay a lot for a draw. You might not like the outcome 20% of the time (or so) but if you want to sit at my table and my game and pay for draws all night, then pull up a chair and make yourself comfy. Can I get you a drink?

I believe your buy in gives you the right to play your game the way you like. I really get frustrated by people who get angry because someone at the table made a particular decision. I have seen A LOT of decisions that made me scratch my head (at the poker table and in every other area of my life) but that’s life.

I believe it is poker not solitaire. I love this quote from Doyle Brunson as a response to a kid who put him all in, when Doyle called the kid asked in an angry tone "How could you call with that?" and Doyle responded "We're Playing poker, Not Solitaire!" That's poker is another one of my catch phrases, I usually pull this one out when I go in ahead and lose the hand ... it helps keep me sane.

I believe in not going broke in an unraised pot. I have heard different people try to explain this one but the way I take it and what I try to keep in mind is to not risk much on a small pot. Here's an extreme example of what I mean. I was watching/coaching my lady through a small stakes online 6 person tournament the other day, she picked up A 9 off suit in the big blind early in the tournament, blinds were 10-20, all 6 players had roughly the 1,500 chips they started with. There were 4 people (including her) in the hand for a total of 80 chips. The flop came A A A - no kidding, she flopped quad aces ... a rare thing to be sure. Right away I say to her CHECK THIS! Before I can get the words out the small blind goes all in! She calls, everyone else folds and the small blind turns over 4 5. Granted this was a $2 tournament and this is a really extreme example but I think it illustrates the concept of not going broke in an unraised pot. Wouldn't a pot sized bet have induced folds if he had stealing on his mind? Maybe.

Would love to hear any feedback you might have.

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