09.22.08
No Lookie Poker
Brunson’s done it before. You know, playing by feeling. Just the situation of the thing. This isn’t a move for the faint of heart, and it’s definitely not a move for novices to pull. But there are players who will play on circumstances alone. Here’s the basics. In a game of poker, you get your cards, you leave them face down, and you don’t peak at all. What you’re doing is playing off of the other player’s betting patterns. This requires total knowledge and awareness of all the nuances of the game. Betting patterns, position, player profiles, blinds, pot. You’re paying attention to everything but your cards. And then you act accordingly. And this, this can strike FEAR into the hearts of your opponents. An example: You’re in middle position. You get checks all around to you. Well, the first few players theoretically shouldn’t have much. So you decided to make a bet. You’ve created a lot of controversy. Your opponents can’t put you on anything, because you don’t even know what you’re on. The people acting after you, have to make a bet on your bet, not your cards. This is totally unreadable. So let’s say you get a couple of callers. Flop comes 8s-7s-5h You’ve still not looked, and it’s again checked to you. Continuation bet time. 2x the pot. Again, the confusion is still there. And you’re gaining more and more information the whole time. With this flop you either have a straight or flush possibility, or two overs. Again, you’re paying attention to the betting, not your poker hand. If they just a little, they’re still unsure. If they fold. Good, you won with minimal effort. They go all in or bet high, then it’s time to look at your cards. But let’s say they just call again. You’re getting exactly what you want here. And you look like you have balls of steel (excuse me ladies, ovaries of steel if it appiles) Turn comes As. Now, good chance of flush draw, and maybe you hit one of your overs. This will be the deciding card. From here, you may bet again, or you may just check. Either way, you’re not giving anything away, you still don’t know your cards. It’s still all about the action going on. Your ability to read the bets of your opponents is far more important anyway. You decide to bet. You just get a call. You can be pretty certain you opponent here has a weak hand. poker!
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