Copyright 2005 Full
Tilt Poker
April 4, 2005
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Lessons)
Poker Lesson: The Script
Author: Phil Gordon
In an effort to simplify my decisions, every single
time it's my turn to act, I try to run through the same script
in my head:
Are my opponents playing conservatively?
Aggressively? Tentatively?
What are some of the hands my opponents
are likely to hold?
What do my opponents think I have?
Once I have the answer to the first question, and
feel confident about my range of answers for the second and third
questions, I move on to the most important question:
Should I bet or raise?
If I think I have the best hand, I nearly always
answer "Yes" and I bet or raise.
If I think I can force weak opponents out of the
pot with this bet or with future bets, I nearly always answer
"Yes" and I bet or raise.
If I don't think betting or raising is the right
decision, I move on to the last question:
Should I check (or fold)?
If I think I have the worst hand, I nearly always
answer "Yes" and I check or fold.
If I think my opponents are strong, I nearly always
answer "Yes" and check or fold.
After a careful analysis, if I'm not sure if I should
raise and I'm not sure I should fold, I feel confident that calling
a bet (or checking) is correct.
I find that even in straight-forward and obvious
situations, by running through the script I often find opportunities
that other players might miss.
And by asking the "raise" question before
the "fold" and "call" question, I ensure that
I am playing aggressive, winning
poker.
Try using this script next time you sit down at
the table, and see if simplifying your inner dialog forces your
opponents into making more complicated decisions.
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