Mantra

Well, seems Wippy has issued a challenge to bloggers to post a "poker mantra." Normally I don't give away too much here, because I much prefer seeing what other people think my methods are. (I've heard everything from nearly ATC to "steals from UTG and UTG+1" to "always has aces"... but I digress). Based on my disappointing results and assinine play last night, it's as good a time as any to reiterate. Still, don't expect to learn that much... that would be counter to what it says up above there. I'm thinking this is less mantra, and more manifesto really.


One beer is fine, many beers are fine if you intend to lose.

Nothing more substantial than a snack and a glass should be consumed while playing. Poker and a 3-course meal don't work simultaneously.

Porn only when you don't care about the game anymore.

Don't multi-table. If you do, make sure at least one of the games doesn't matter.

Focus

Keep the distractions to a minimum. If silence is distracting, turn on background noise (TV you can ignore, or music).

Figure out the range you're happy with, and make sure it changes based on the table conditions. Be sure to mix it up a little to keep people guessing.

Know your opponents, and know where the button is.

Focus

Don't let your bets be a tell.

If you have a set of kings, don't assume the all-in is a set of aces. Don't discount it either.

Fight fire with fire.

Short stacked is more free than big stacked.

Just because you have chips doesn't mean you have to give them away. I failed sharing in kindergarten.

Trust your reads. If your reads are wrong, figure out why.

If someone seems to have figured you out, fuck with them.

If you've lost the respect of the table, earn it back.

Bad beats happen, and will piss you off, but they shouldn't tilt you.

If you make stupid mistakes, learn from them, and don't repeat them.

If you make a mistake but don't know why, figure it out.

Focus.

It's not over until you're out of chips.

Treat the rest of the players with respect. If someone comes after you, be witty and well-spoken when you smack them back down. Nothing pisses off a donkey more than pointing out exactly why your call was right and they're an idiot. It also scares the shit out of the rest of the table. NB: This doesn't apply to bloggers.

Don't be afraid to see a flop. Don't be afraid of a flop. Don't overpay to chase your draws no matter how sure you are they're coming.

You're going to lose more than you're going to win. Just make sure the wins are bigger than the losses.

Two pair will win 72% of the time. That means 28% of the time they're going to break your heart.

A 15-outer twice for you means a 32-outer twice for your opponent. So don't be surprised when your straight flush draw doesn't hit. This doesn't mean you shouldn't play it.

Sometimes it's more about not losing than it is about winning. Second chances are better than last shots.

It's better to burn out than fade away.

Laugh when you both have K5o and go to the river on an A-high board.

If you fold to a bluff, then the appropriate response isn't "DAMN!" it's, "Nice bluff."

Greed, sloth, wrath, envy, pride, gluttony and lust will kill you at the table.

Chastity, abstinence, liberality, kindness, and humility won't help too much either. But diligence and patience will.

Never stop improving.

And that is waaaaay too long. Definitely more manifesto than mantra. My mantra? Pay attention.