Poker Players Ante Up for Lessons

In a recent article “Poker Players Ante Up for Lessons”, still shows that many people are in the dark when it comes to playing winning poker.

A lot of people are spending hundreds and even thousands of dollars at Poker Boot Camps and up to $800/hr. for a poker coach to give them lessons. Conversely and a more common situation, the end of this article mentions a player who knowingly is losing at poker, still refuses to seek out training or a coach. Ego? Who’s right and who’s wrong?

As we know poker is an inexact science with some many variables, most people never learn how to properly develop a style that works best for them. Being good at anything is usually a result of what information you learn it from or how good your teachers where at teaching.

When it comes learning or improving your game, poker like life, it is learning process that never stops. Remember, it’s not the nature of the game that changes, it’s the players whom you are playing against that change.

Only after spending much money and many bad experiences learning or improving your style, does it become self evident that a good education can be invaluable. But at $800/hr, maybe the players mentioned in the article, should be focusing on becoming teachers rather than players.

Click here to read the full article:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/mh-poker-school-20110417,0,4340388.story

If, after the first twenty minutes, you don’t know who the sucker at the table is, it’s you. ~David Levien and Brian Koppelman, Rounders

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Loving Life With A Positive Mindset

Loving life means trying to live a fulfilled life. But doing so can be difficult without having a positive mindset. For many people, it can be pretty hard to enjoy living a life full of problems and worries. But even in a situation such as this, life can be enjoyed by having a positive state of mind.

Having a positive attitude can help a person appreciate life more. It is looking into the good things in life more rather than its bad side. Having a positive mindset can help a person stay focused on what it needs to love life and enjoy it. Building up a positive mindset is not as difficult as others may think.

One of the important things to remember in life is that the way we think can influence greatly the way we act. By thinking always on the positive, we are reinforcing out attitude to focus on what good life has to offer. There are other ways that a positive mindset can be practiced on a daily basis. It is simply a matter of trying it out.

One way of creating a positive state of mind is by simply appreciating having a life. Some people may tend to forget that life itself is short of miraculous. Just the daily functions that life goes through tend to be overlooked most of the time. But in the seemingly ordinary and common activities such as walking, talking and having the ability to see can many of the wonders be exhibited.

Just imagine if you cannot walk anymore, talk to someone or see the beauty that is all around you. What if you suddenly find yourself not being able to do what you normally do? Many people only realize that what they have is valuable only after losing them. So why not appreciate life in general and the many things that you can still do and thank the high heavens for it. Now that would help you start putting on a more positive outlook in life- learning to appreciate what you have and are blessed with.

Another way of trying to develop a positive mindset is by trying to focus on the simple things in life. Life can be so simple and enjoyed more if people only learn to be content. But because some people strive for something more, complications ensue. Along with the complications problems and certain issues may come up. Over time, these things build up and would likely end up as a big burden that will prevent people from eventually loving and enjoying life.

By just focusing on the simple things in life, you try to avoid making life a little more complicated. And along the way, you try to avoid worrying about life the more you think about it. Worrying won’t get you anywhere, only deeper into a hole that you may be building for yourself. The more you worry, the deeper the hole gets and the harder it will take to get out from it.

Another way to develop a positive mindset in life is to share what you feel to others all around you. You may not be aware of it, but loving and enjoying life can be contagious. If you have a positive mindset, try to share it with others by helping them think positively for a change. Just by looking at how good you feel about loving life, they might also wish follow your example.

Helping people develop positive mindset will not only be helping them love and enjoy life, but also be a good way to reinforce your own zest for life. Surrounding yourself with people with a positive outlook makes it easier for you to maintain the habit day in and day out.

“Positive attitudes create a chain reaction of positive thoughts.” ~ Unknown
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About PTN
Poker Training Network is building a Global community of like-minded entrepreneurs with a common goal, “Do Well by Doing Good”. PTN believes in making others financially successful, while in the pursuit of improving the quality of life on a massive scale.

Poker Training Network, LLC. (“PTN”) was incorporated in Texas, June 2008. PTN is headquartered in Dallas, Texas with offices in Pompano Beach, Florida. PTN develops an array of interactive poker educational and training products, Facebook and web based Poker games for the masses.

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Impossible is Just a Word

Everyone, at some point of his or her life, has dreamed of being somebody special, somebody big. Who hasn’t fantasized about being the one who hits the game-winning homer? Who hasn’t dreamed of being the homecoming queen? And how many times have we dreamed of being rich, or successful, or happy with our relationships?

Often, we dream big dreams and have great aspirations. Unfortunately, our dreams remain just that – dreams. And our aspirations easily collect dust in our attic.

This is a sad turn of events in our life. Instead of experiencing exciting adventures in self actualization, we get caught up in the humdrum of living from day-to-day just barely existing.

But you know what? Life could be so much better, if only we learned to aim higher.

The most common problem to setting goals is the word impossible. Most people get hung up thinking I can’t do this. It’s too hard. It’s too impossible. No one can do this.

However, if everyone thought that, there would be no inventions, no innovations, and no breakthroughs in human accomplishment.

Remember, that scientists were baffled when they took a look at the humble bumblebee. Theoretically, they said, it was impossible for the bumblebee to fly. Unfortunately for the bumble, bee no one has told it so. So fly it does.

On the other hand, some people suffer from dreaming totally outrageous dreams and not acting on them. The result? Broken dreams, and tattered aspirations.

If you limit yourself with self-doubt, and self-limiting assumptions, you will never be able to break past what you deem impossible. If you reach too far out into the sky without working towards your goal, you will find yourself clinging on to the impossible dream.

Try this exercise. Take a piece of paper and write down some goals in your life. Under one header, list down things ‘you know you can do’. Under another header, write the things ‘you might be able to do.’ And under one more, list the things that that are ‘impossible for you to do.’

Now look at all the headers strive every day to accomplish the goals that are under things ‘you know you can do’. Check them when you are able to accomplish them. As you slowly are able to check all of your goals under that heading, try accomplishing the goals under the other header-the one that reads ‘you might be able to do.’

As of the items you wrote under things I could do are accomplished, you can move the goals that are under things that are ‘impossible for you to do’ to the list of things ‘you might be able to do.’

As you iterate through this process, you will find out that the goals you thought were impossible become easier to accomplish. And the impossible begin to seem possible after all.

You see, the technique here is not to limit your imagination. It is to aim high, and start working towards that goal little by little. However, it also is unwise to set a goal that is truly unrealistic.

Those who just dream towards a goal without working hard end up disappointed and disillusioned.

On the other hand, if you told someone a hundred years ago that it was possible for man to be on the moon, they would laugh at you. If you had told them that you could send mail from here to the other side of the world in a few seconds, they would say you were out of your mind. But, through sheer desire and perseverance, these impossible dreams are now realities.

Thomas Edison once said that genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Nothing could be truer. For one to accomplish his or her dreams, there has to be had work and discipline. But take note that that 1% has to be a think-big dream, and not some easily accomplished one.

Ask any gym rat and he or she will tell you that there can be no gains unless you are put out of your comfort zone. Remember the saying, “No pain, no gain”? That is as true as it can be.

So dream on, Don’t get caught up with your perceived limitations. Think big and work hard to attain those dreams. As you step up the ladder of progress, you will just about find out that the impossible has just become a little bit more possible.

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About PTN

Poker Training Network is building a Global community of like-minded entrepreneurs with a common goal, “Do Well by Doing Good“. PTN believes in making others financially successful, while in the pursuit of improving the quality of life on a massive scale.

Poker Training Network, LLC. (“PTN”) was incorporated in Texas, June 2008. PTN is headquartered in Dallas, Texas with offices in Pompano Beach, Florida. PTN develops an array of interactive poker educational and training products, Facebook and web based Poker games for the masses.

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Playing Against a Maniac

PTN’s Poker Tip of the Week
Playing Against a Maniac

A “maniac” is poker lingo for the very loose aggressive player. This is the player who not only plays almost every hand, but also raises and re-raises continuously, even though his hole cards usually do not warrant it.

Although maniacs will often lose over the long run, in the short term they can put you at great risk if not approached correctly.

So, how should you go about playing against that loose, wild, and extremely aggressive player?

If they act after you do, you should be very selective in your hole cards. Drawing hands like suited connectors are tempting, but they require high implied odds and pot value to be played profitably, and decrease rapidly in value with maniacs involved in the hand. The maniac will often raise to an amount that will reduce the number of players who are willing to see the flop. For example, you might consider folding 8-7 suited, unless many players have called in front of you, thereby increasing your implied odds.

If you are in position against the maniac, meaning they act before you, the situation changes slightly. This is because when they raise, their hole cards are likely much weaker than the average raising hand of a tight aggressive player. However, if you choose to play against the maniac you might consider re-raising to punish them for their extra aggressive playing style. Another advantage of re-raising is that you increase your chance of going heads-up against them.

If you connect with the board, feel confident that you will get lots of value for your hand. Maniacs usually find it difficult to let their hands go when they have lots of money invested in a pot.

So, this might be a good time to make your move.

Remember to keep sharpening your skills. Log into your PTN Desktop and access your Poker-TEL center and other PTN products, and if you don’t have a copy of the PTN Desktop, download one here, http://ptndesktop.com.

Sincerely,
The PTN Poker Mentors

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Bankroll Management

PTN’s Poker Tip of the Week
Bankroll Management

In poker, your bankroll is the money you can afford to lose.  Some would say it is also your lifeblood because without it, you can’t play.

And yet, many players don’t see bankroll management as a skill that is important to develop.

But, at Poker Training Network we consider bankroll management to be just as important as being able to calculate pot odds, read the texture of the board, isolate opponents, or any other vital facet of the game.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few important guidelines for managing your bankroll.

First, it is critical for the size of your bankroll to dictate the stakes you play. Most poker pros encourage players who are just starting out, to never put more than 10%-15% of their bankroll at risk at ANY one-time.  A standard rule of thumb is that a good player should have about 300 Big Blinds at his or her regular level of play (e.g. $3000 for a 5-10 hold’em game).  If you drop under 300 Big Blinds, total, in your bankroll you’ll be endangering one of two things: your ability to keep playing good poker as you naturally become more protective of your money, or your ability to play poker at all if you continue to play an aggressive game and your bad run doesn’t end.

Second, if your bankroll is crippled, strongly consider playing lower stakes games. If your bankroll dips below 300 Big Blinds for the limit you’re playing after you finish a session, you need to be absolutely certain that your next session is at a limit your bankroll can support. Otherwise you’re leaving your ability to play poker to chance. One of the benefits of poker, as compared to other forms of wagering, is that you can minimize the effects of chance over the long run through the application of skill – so why sacrifice that advantage voluntarily?

Finally, use your poker bankroll for poker and poker only! Many people feel that their bankroll is money that can be tossed around, but if you don’t plan on playing low limit games for the rest of your life, you need to limit your bankroll to poker. That means no craps, blackjack, roulette, slots, etc.

Managing your bankroll boils down to discipline. There are many players who could play higher limits more often than they do if they were to place a few limits on themselves. If moving up in stakes is a goal of yours, you should take careful stock of how you treat your bankroll. Managing it wisely is the best insurance a poker player can have.

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Limit Poker

PTN’s Poker Tip of the Week
Limit Poker

A raise on the flop in a fixed-limit game can mean your opponent has a good hand, but if they have a great hand, you’ll probably face a raise on the turn, when bets double. A raise on the flop can also be a semi-bluff from a player on a draw who hopes to get some more money in the pot. In this case, your opponent will also be satisfied if you fold and they win the pot right there.

Raising may also be an attempt to obtain a free card on a more expensive betting round. A player who raises on the flop, but can’t get his opponents to fold, will hope they all check the turn, so he or she can check too and take a free card. That free card may enable you to draw out on your opponents at half the price you would have paid by calling a small bet on the flop and another, bigger bet on the turn.

If an opponent raises on the flop, they may be signaling that they have a good hand already – or they could be on a draw and semi-bluffing

A raise on the turn usually means your opponent likes his or her hand and deferred raising until the betting limits doubled. This is a dangerous time for you and you’ll need to be very wary of what is in front of you. If you know nothing at all about your opponent – you’ve never played against any of them before and have no read on them whatsoever – and he or she raises on the turn, the message in this bottle is pretty clear: it’s likely they have a strong hand that can beat top pair/top kicker. You should save your ammunition for another battle, unless you think you have a much better hand than they do.

If he or she raises on the turn, where the bets double, your opponent most likely has a very strong hand.

Bluff-raising on the turn is uncommon in fixed-limit games, with the exception of five or six-handed online games, where they are quite common. But we’re talking full games here, not the short-handed variety. A raise on the river can never be a semi-bluff; there are no more cards to come and all hands are fully realized once the final card is dealt. A raise on the river typically comes from someone who has been helped by the river card. Players holding a big, made hand prior to the river usually raise on the turn.

But a river raise can also be a bluff; most of the time this comes from someone who is drawing hand hasn’t improved. This player can only win by bluffing. Tracking betting patterns and analyzing them against the cards that we’re dealt should help you determine when you’re confronting someone who bet with nothing more than a busted flush and a handful of hope.

The only time this analysis is likely to fail is when the river card either pairs your opponent’s kicker or connects with a pocket pair to complete a set. Assessing an opponent’s betting patterns against the cards that were dealt helps clarify whether the river card helped them. If the river card is a 5 – and the flop is 8-Q-K – how likely is your opponent to play his or her underpair into all of the betting and raising that’s likely to take place with three playable cards on the board?

A raise on the river may mean he has been helped by the last card or it could be a complete bluff – however it is never a semi-bluff because there are no more cards to come.

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The Importance of Position

PTN’s Poker Tip of the Week
The Importance of Position in Texas Hold ‘Em
(How to Play After the Flop)



Grabbing information is one of the most important skills that you need in poker. From your opponent’s betting patterns and the “tells” that they make simply define your hand and are simply integral on your next decision. But you can’t do that without proper positioning, which is on the button or somewhere near it.

But, that doesn’t mean that you should fold every hand if you’re not in the proper position, each has its pros and cons, and it should also determine how you should play your hand.

In this article, we will give you some tips on how you can utilize your position after the flop.

Early Position

This poses a lot of difficulties if you are a conservative kind of player. You will get bullied and they will bet relentlessly when they know you are in the pot and are sure that you didn’t hit the flop.
This is also the case for even the aggressive player when he/she just checks after the flop. So the thing is, make sure you have a hand before even trying to check, in an attempt in showing them signs of weakness.

So, a profit-maximizing play in early position is check-raising and slow-playing. Don’t even think of
betting unless you have hit a hand. If you check-raise in an attempt to scoop up the pot, make sure that your opponent is just doing his/her customary continuation bet. Glean this from his/her playing style and how your opponent played the hand before the flop.

Be wary when the game comes to 4th or 5th street. People can get lucky at these circumstances, so you must bet hard before these two events so that your opponent will be discouraged in calling and seeing the subsequent cards. If you did a mistake by betting to little, make a probe bet of around half the pot on 4th street to see if your opponent is still serious in pursuing the hand. So to say, not only do you stomp down your opponent’s motivation of hitting his/her drawing hand, it isn’t too substantial a bet.

Late Position

Of course, late position is a wonderful thing to have in poker. And, when the round goes on to the flop and subsequently, 4th and 5th street, you can bluff your way to the pot and give the impression that you have the best hand. Of course, your betting patterns before the flop and during it should be in line with your sophisticated bluffs. In a nutshell, you shouldn’t slow-play in late position; rather, you have to stomp down on the pot regardless of your hand’s texture. Not only does this conceal your real hands perfectly, it scares your opponent into folding the hand if he/she just checked.

Your strategy after the flop should be entirely different from your pre-flop play. It all depends on
the texture of the board, if it is favorable for your hand or not. And with that decided, you now have to look at your position to get a glimpse of how to play your hand. It is a good time to check-raise or to bluff your way to the end? That can be answered by these variables. Keep those in mind and you’ll be munching away the chips in no time.

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