poker player vs POKER PLAYER
Can you recognize the difference at your table?
poker player-plays his/her cards
POKER PLAYER-plays his opponent’s cards
poker player- plays with extra cash
POKER PLAYER- has a poker bankroll
poker player- buys into tournaments
POKER PLAYER- invests into tournaments
poker player- makes good and bad calls
POKER PLAYER- makes calculated risks
poker player- reads poker books to improve game
POKER PLAYER- reads poker books to study opponents
poker player- remembers his/her phone number
POKER PLAYER- remembers the flop of the second hand of the tournament, he raised in middle position with 2/4 off suit when his opponent was holding KJ and he raised to 220……
poker player- wins the battle
POKER PLAYER- wins the war
poker player- has dreams
POKER PLAYER- has goals
Where do you want to go with your game? It this your hobby or your passion? Can you make the transition?
poker player-plays his/her cards
POKER PLAYER-plays his opponent’s cards
poker player- plays with extra cash
POKER PLAYER- has a poker bankroll
poker player- buys into tournaments
POKER PLAYER- invests into tournaments
poker player- makes good and bad calls
POKER PLAYER- makes calculated risks
poker player- reads poker books to improve game
POKER PLAYER- reads poker books to study opponents
poker player- remembers his/her phone number
POKER PLAYER- remembers the flop of the second hand of the tournament, he raised in middle position with 2/4 off suit when his opponent was holding KJ and he raised to 220……
poker player- wins the battle
POKER PLAYER- wins the war
poker player- has dreams
POKER PLAYER- has goals
Where do you want to go with your game? It this your hobby or your passion? Can you make the transition?
Comments
A little bit of both..
just add a dash of this and a little of that.
Your poetic insights seem that of the early renessance era.
Bravo;
Simply put, you either have it in ya, or ya don't
Yep.... i'm a poker Player
It might take sometime but my GOAL is to get there.
POKER PLAYER - finds it necessary to distinct themselves from other players they find less than worthy.
poker player- enjoys the game and the extra cash that can be made
POKER PLAYER- does not distinct themselves from other players, cause there is easy money to be made
Any one that is trying to step their game up to their next level should be given lot's of credit.
Get back into your hole babyeater. It takes balls not the nutz to go ALL IN.
I have never underestimated anyone at my poker table.
So what is a 'playa' then? I mean, besides a beach in Mexico.
I'm just simply pointing out some differences that make guys like Gus Hanson great....can you play 5-2 off suit the way he does.... I had the pleasure of going out for drinks with Gus, Marcel as many other great European players at the European Championships in Monte Carlo...and let me tell you their dedication and professionalism towards the game makes you look at your game differently.
Again...Gus Hanson is a PROFESSIONAL poker player. He literally plays to live. And he lives very, very well. Some aggressive players, not so much. I takes more than having a big set of brass nads to make it on the WPT, or at the WSOP.
IMO, a "POKER PLAYER" as you put it, is someone who grinds it out everyday, and uses poker as their main (or only) source of income, regardless of the size of their bankroll. Some players could make a very comfortable living playing 10/20 Limit, a relatively low bankroll game.
A "poker player" is someone who enjoys the social aspect of the game, and the thrill of gambling. Thats why Las Vegas is popular. Us working stiffs can go and hang out for a short period of time, and feel like a "pro", just to gamble all day. Again, regardless of bankroll, as some people just enjoy "high rollling" because they can afford it.
Just because you are wicked aggressive (like Gus Hanson), and have a higher roll than someone else doesn't automatically make you more(or less) of a "POKER PLAYER" than anybody else on this forum.
Now Damien, (sorry if misspelled that), I have played with you before, so I mean no disrespect, and I'm not trying to start flame war here.
JohnnieH
I just give so much credit to guys like you JohnnieH, for grinding it out everyday...I don't have the skill or maybe balls to go in that direction...plus I do have a good paying job.
I
thank god for the internet
Usually - otherwise it gets costly...
I think you have to play both (yours and your opponents), but from what I've seen, those with better reading skills have a distinct advantage (fairly obvious) since they can push people off better hands. Also, only playing your own cards makes you a bit more predictable. This is definitely something I need to work on.
I agree, although I would take it further, and say that a "POKER PLAYER" also tracks and studies their play and results. This is probably the most valuable thing I picked up from Dave Scharf's book - know your results. As far as bankroll size ...
I think everyone goes into a tournament "hoping" to win. To me, this distinction is knowing what your real edge is, and whether it's worth playing in a tournament. This is actually my current point of study to figure out my actual expectations in tournaments (and I posted it for discussion under "Why do you play MTT's" - http://pokerforum.ca/forum/index.php?topic=8320.0;topicseen).
I'm not sure what you mean here. All players (even hobbyists) make calculated risks, just some make better calculations (due to experience, knowledge, or reading skills). Are you referring to quality of decisions?
From what I've heard, most of the players who have written books have had to change their styles a bit since everyone knows their moves. Also, the likelihood of playing with a specific author is fairly low for any given player (even pros, since tournaments are so big). With that in mind, I see little real value in "reading poker books to study opponents". As for reading to improve, I think all players benefit from reading insights from others - how often do the better players on this forum post about good books, articles, and software. As discussed in other threads, you need to understand and adapt what you read, but ignoring everything would be foolish.
Ouch - hit me where it hurts. I sometimes misremember my most important hands of the night, let alone a meaningless hand a few hours earlier. I have a lot of respect for players who have this memory skill (magithighs is unbelievable), and I think this adds a special dimension to a players ability to make the "calculated risks" mentioned above (since they have more info to base their decision on).
How very cliche
This is a passion for me, and while I have no desire to go "pro", I do want to become the most skilled amateur I can. Only time will tell if I can.
Good post Damien - gave me lots to think about.
I guess I only lable people at the table by image (tight, loose, maniac, ect) and not by the reason behind their being at the table. Reasons don't make a good player.
But I understand your reasoning behind the post, don't take my objections personally. I am sure there must be something, somewhere that we will agree on!
Now, that's funny. Thanks, Beanie!
I sat beside a guy yesterday, who said "I just want to win one hand". He had to rebuy, but he ending up winning about 2 or 3 hands before getting busted out. In the in end he was truly pleased with his performance.
I think this something similar to the phenomenon where the person who wins 3rd feels better than the person who wins 2nd.
Since when am I grinder? Did I lose my job, and nobody told me? LOL.
I'm actually trying to wn enough cash so I can go to Las Vegas! I think it would be pretty freaking sweet to pay off the whole trip, and not dip into my savings!!
No worrys, Damiem. I took no offence, and I certainly didn't mean any, either.
Peace,
JohnnieH
hey they are my friends -- please be kind.
Cheers
Magi
POKER PLAYER-plays his opponent’s cards
Polka Playa - plays to anyone that will listen
poker player- plays with extra cash
POKER PLAYER- has a poker bankroll
Polka Playa - has an accordian
poker player- buys into tournaments
POKER PLAYER- invests into tournaments
Polka Playa - has no need to buy music -- it's in his soul
poker player- makes good and bad calls
POKER PLAYER- makes calculated risks
Polka Playa - makes mighty fine music
poker player- reads poker books to improve game
POKER PLAYER- reads poker books to study opponents
Polka Playa - reads his audience's feet
poker player- remembers his/her phone number
POKER PLAYER- remembers the flop of the second hand of the tournament, he raised in middle position with 2/4 off suit when his opponent was holding KJ and he raised to 220……
Polka Playa - doesn't need to remember the each song -- they're all the same
poker player- wins the battle
POKER PLAYER- wins the war
Polka Play - wins the babes hearts
poker player- has dreams
POKER PLAYER- has goals
Polka Play - has a need to play
I think you're wise to think of the things which will separate you from the crowd when playing. However, playing can still be fun and profitable even if you're a player. The key is to know what you want. And all polka playas know that.
Cheers
Magi
Here you go:
http://pokerforum.ca/forum/index.php?topic=8354.0
If you're really interested in moving on up, I'd recommend reading/following these articles from Alan Shoonmaker http://www.cardplayer.com/poker_magazine/archives/showarticle.php?a_id=15296&m_id=65583
Cheers
Magi
POKER PLAYER - able to fold KK preflop
I am a POKER PLAYER, I know this because in a heads-up pot, I folded KK preflop, faceup. My opponent (whom I'm not very familiar w/) said "good fold" & showed AA. The table couldn't believe I folded KK preflop.
BTW, I know the poker player who went all-in w/ the 66.
I'm assuming that's a typo. I assume it should say, "Who I'm VERY familiar with."
I wasn't very familiar w/ him but I had played a hand w/ him 1 hr before in Omaha. Of course, I did lose some $ w/ the KK because I reraised before folding to his all-in. After he went all-in, I picked up on a tell that I remembered from the Omaha hand we played.
BTW, this took place on Feb 26, at the Beaches Poker Club (Queen & Carlaw).
Getting there, but definately behind.
I don't have difficulty laying down hands, Hellmuth is a baby, but he is right when it comes to laying down Cowboys, Big Slick etc..