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Championship No-Limit & Pot-Limit Hold'em (On the the Road to the World Series of Poker) b !"#" Clo$tier and !om %&'(o

!/9L' O0 CON!'N!S

0ore<ord- b %anso$r %atlo$bi""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""6 World Series of Poker Champion- *++3

Introduction, by Tom McEvoy....................................7

World Series of Poker Champion- *+75

A Conversation with T. J., by Dana Smith.................9 Chapter One ettin! to "now #our $%%onents......................... &' Chapter !<o (ot)*imit +o,d-em Strate!y................................. ./ Chapter !hree +ow to 0in (ot)*imit +o,d-em Tournaments....... '. Chapter 0o$r +ow to 0in 1o)*imit +o,d-em Tournaments...... 2/. Chapter 0i(e 1o)*imit +o,d-em (ractice +ands.......................27& Chapter Si= Ta,es 3rom T. J................................................... 29.

Cardsmith (ub,ishin!........................................ &2/

FOREWORD
by Mansour Mat,oubi, 299/ Cham%ion, 0or,d Series o4 (o5er

!" #" Clo$tier and !om %&'(o ha(e <ritten a book that is (er m$&h needed b poker pla ers" !he ma be )i(in) too m$&h a<a in Championship No-Limit Hold'em and PotLimit Ho 8d'em """ b$t that's O@ <ith meA 8n fa&t- 8 <as (er s$rprised <hen !" #" told me that he and !om <ere <ritin) this book be&a$se in the past- there ha(e been times at the poker table <hen 8 <o$ld sa somethin) to another pla er that 8 tho$)ht mi)ht help him- and !" #" <o$ld )o ballisti& abo$t not <antin) to Bed$&ateB the opposition" 8 am (er )lad that he has &han)ed his mind" /ll of the top poker pla ers think that if the )et l$&k the are $nbeatable" 9$t d$rin) the World Series of Poker- or in an other bi) no-limit to$rnament- if there is an pla er in the <orld that 8 <o$ld like to trade a pie&e <ith- it is !" #" Clo$tier" When 8 first met him in *+7+ in %alta- it <as the first time that he had e(er pla ed a)ainst '$ropeans" /fter C$st a fe< ho$rs of pla - he basi&all kne< e(er thin) abo$t e(er bod <ho pla ed poker in '$rope" /ll he had to do <as pla o$ for a fe< hands and he kne< e=a&tl <hat o$ <ere made of and <ho <as &apable of doin) <hat" He sits in a to$rnament and mo(es from one table to another table and he soon kno<s e(er poker pla er in the <orldD and if he doesn't- he <ill find o$t in a fe< min$tes """ E$i&ker than an bod else that 8 kno<" Sometimes- 8 &an't fi)$re people o$t as E$i&kl as he does- b$t the <a that he pla s them is a )ood eno$)h e=ample for me to follo<" 8 ha(e ne(er seen an bod so stron)"
4

We pla ed head-$p at the .iamond #im 9rad to$rnament in *++3 C$st after 8 had <on the World Series of Poker" 8 <as r$nnin) )ood at the final table- makin) hands- bettin) and raisin) """ b$t 8 ne(er bl$ffed be&a$se basi&all - 8 didn't need to" When the final hand &ame $p- !" #" had a small pair and a fl$sh dra<- , F 5 F" % hand <as 4 F + F" !<o o(er&ards <ere on the board" !here <as no mo(ement to this pot $ntil the t$rn" / se(en &ame on the t$rn- <hi&h )a(e !" #" a pair and )a(e me a strai)ht dra<" !he ri(er &ard <as another o(er&ard" He &he&ked it and 8 bet all m &hips" 8t <as the first time at the final table that 8 had bl$ffed at the pot" With no hesitation- he &alled me <ith t<o se(ens" No other pla er in the <orld <o$ld ha(e done thatA Later- <e <ere Cokin) abo$t it" !his <as the last G*3-333 to$rnament at the .iamond #im 9rad D the first priHe <as G2>3-333 and se&ond pla&e <as G*43-333" !here hadn't been a deal I <e <ere pla in) for it all" Ho< &o$ld this )$ ha(e read his opponent like thatJ 8 <ill ne(er fo)et that hand """ and 8 ha(e told him man times that he made the )reatest pla that 8 ha(e e(er seen" He is the onl pla er in the <orld that is &apable of &allin) a pot like that" 8 think that !" #" is the best ps &holo)ist in the <orldA Some of $s mi)ht miss thin)s at the poker table""" <e )et in(ol(ed in &on(ersation and other thin)s that are )oin) on" 9$t it seems to me that <hen !" #" is in(ol(ed in &on(ersation at the table- he still isn't missin) a thin)" Someho<- as he is talkin)- he is still pla in) his opponents &orre&tl " 8t &omes so nat$rall to him" 8 think the rest of $s ha(e to <ork hard at it" Sometimes- <hen <e are makin) de&isions abo$t &allin) or not &allin)- <e think abo$t it for a fe< min$tes and then <e mi)ht &han)e o$r minds" 9$t !" #"'s de&isions are based on his first instin&t I !he first thin) that &rosses his mind is his last a&tion" He a&ts more E$i&kl than an one else 8 kno<" !om %&'(o and 8 are more lo)i&al- mathemati&al- and theoreti&al in o$r st le" 9asi&all - <e are lookin) more at the (al$e of the hand than the (al$e of the opponent""" and that

T. J. Cloutier and Mansour Matloubi at Diamond Jim Brady in !!". 4

has been s$&&essf$l for $s" !" #" <o$ld rather pla his opponents than his &ards" His emphasis is more on his opponentspi&kin) his spots at the poker table- <hereas !om prefers to ha(e the best hand" 8n this respe&t- 8 think that !" #" and !om ha(e the best partnership in <ritin) this book" !om <rites the more theoreti&al part and !" #" does the more ps &holo)i&al aspe&ts of the book" 8 think that the are <akin) $p the senses of people <ith the <ritin) of this book" !he first time that o$ read a book- it ma not ha(e an impa&t $pon o$" 9$t o(er time- o$ be&ome a<are of the thin)s that the a$thors are talkin) abo$t" Probabl - <hen !" #" <as learnin) poker- there <as no book to help him" 9$t no<- he and !om are brin)in) their <innin) ideas to o$" /nd in the end- this book <ill make a bi) differen&e" !" #" has not <on the World Series no-limit title et- b$t in m opinion- he is the most deser(in) person to <in it in the f$t$re" He is head and sho$lders abo(e an one else """ he is a le)end" 8 belie(e that- b far- he is the n$mber-one no-limit poker pla er in the <orld" /

INTRODUCTION
by Tom McEvoy 29'6 Cham%ion, 0or,d Series o4 (o5er !" #" Clo$tier and 8 first be)an talkin) abo$t <ritin) a poker book to)ether se(eral ears a)o- b$t <e <eren't s$re e=a&tl <hat t pe of book <e sho$ld <rite" 9et<een the t<o of $s- <e ha(e <on se(en World Series of Poker titles and more than *33 other maCor titles in )ames ran)in) from raHH to no-limit hold'em" 8n fa&t- !" #" holds more titles in pot-limit and no-limit hold'em than an other pla er in the <orld" /fter resear&hin) <hat books are a(ailable on toda 's market- <e de&ided that a man$al that <o$ld help people learn ho< to <in at pot-limit and no-limit hold'em <o$ld be the most (al$able &ontrib$tion that <e &o$ld make" Championship No-Limit and Pot-Limit Hold'em is o$r <a of )i(in) somethin) ba&k to the <orld of poker- a <orld that has )i(en both of $s so m$&h pleas$re- e=&itement- and in&ome o(er the past 23 ears" We also belie(e that this book <ill help to b$ild the ranks of pot-limit and no-limit hold'em pla ers" !hese are e=&itin) poker )ames- )ames filled <ith intri)$e- )ames that reE$ire more than the a(era)e amo$nt of skill" 9$t some pla ers are afraid to tr pla in) them" !he don't kno< ho<- or the ma be s&ared of the bi)-bet aspe&t of them- or ma be e(en of the Bbi)B pla ers that the think the mi)ht ha(e to &ompete a)ainst in to$rnaments" 8f o$ ha(e <anted to tr pla in) pot-limit and no-limit hold'em b$t ha(e been rel$&tant to pla them for an of these reasons- thro< o$r reser(ations o$t the <indo< and di) into Championship No-Limit and Pot-Limit Hold'em KKK be&a$se <e <rote this book for o$"
7

We don't $se an fan& lan)$a)e and <e lea(e no )aps in e=plainin) ho< o$ &an <in" O$r editor- .ana Smith- tells me that <e aren't borin)- either" !" #" dis&$sses ho< to pla pot-limit and no-limit in the same <a that he talks """ in that !e=as- )ood ol' poker pla er- lin)o that e(er bod <ho has e(er heard him talk a)rees is &olorf$l and simple and brilliant" He e(en allo<s me to make an o&&asional &omment abo$t the pla of a hand" 8n fa&t- <e ha(e made it a point to )i(e o$ o$r different (ie<s on poker strate) be&a$se <e think that o$ deser(e to kno< that not e(er bod a)rees on e=a&tl ho< to pla poker" We also in&l$de plent of hand ill$strations to let o$ see <hat o$ are readin)- to (is$aliHe o$rself in a parti&$lar s&enario- and to anal He ho< o$ <o$ld pla in different sit$ations" !" #" also tells o$ ho< hands ha(e been pla ed in a&t$al )ames at the World Series of Poker- in .allas and in California" 8 don't think he's e(er for)otten a hand he's pla ed or a fa&e he has seen or the pla in) st le of an bod he has pla ed a)ainst" His memor is in&redible and his talent is a<esome" What <e ha(e tried to do in this book is to brin) o$ his (ast reser(oir of e=perien&e and e=pertise in )ames that !" #" learned as a road )ambler in !e=as" He is a seasoned (eteran of pot-limit and no-limit )ames <ho has earned his stripes on battle fields ran)in) from din) ba&kroom )ames to the )litH and )lamo$r of the World Series of Poker" 8 am pro$d to be a friend of !" #"'s """ and 8 am pro$d of this book that <e ha(e &reated to)ether" /s soon as o$ ha(e tried some of the strate)ies that <e s$))est- <rite me a note """ let me kno< o$r rea&tions to o$r book """ and the res$lts that o$ are )ettin)" 8'll send o$ a personal thank o$" Lntil 8 hear from o$- 8 hope to see o$ in the <inners &ir&le" /

A CONVERSATION WITH

!" #" CLOL!'R

by Dana Smith

8f o$ ask pla ers on the to$rnament &ir&$it <ho the think are the best poker pla ers in the <orld- !" #" Clo$tier's name al<a s &onies $p" Not be&a$se he's <on the 9i) One1 He hasn't""" et- altho$)h he's &ome mi)ht &lose to <innin) it se(eral times" /nd not be&a$se he's made the most mone at the World Series """ he hasn't- altho$)h he <as the first pla er to make more than G* million at it <itho$t <innin) the main e(ent" !" #" Clo$tier's name is al<a s mentioned be&a$se he is the pla er that the all respe&t and fear" His skills ha(e been honed in the ba&k rooms of !e=as- in )ames <here the <ere all &arr in) )$ns" His &ard sense has been sharpened thro$)h ears of beatin) the best of the road )amblers at no-limit hold'em" /nd his table demeanor has been polished on the ro$)h s$rfa&es of &o$ntr roads as he faded the <hite line tra(elin) to the ne=t )ame" !" #" is one of the last of the le)endar road )amblers <hose n$mbers are- $nfort$natel - d<indlin) ea&h ear" He brin)s a <ealth of e=perien&e- &ard skill- and nat$ral abilit to e(er )ame that he pla s" 9$t more importantl - he al<a s brin)s alon) his kno<led)e of the tho$sands of pla ers that he has fa&ed head $p in the 2* ears that he has made his li(in) as a professional poker pla er" /nd that si=th sense abo$t <hat makes his opponents ti&k """ that innate abilit to p$t a pla er on a hand """ is <h his opponents fear him" 8t is as tho$)h he is lookin) at o$ thro$)h an in(isible mi&ros&opekno<in) <hat o$ are thinkin)- dete&tin) o$r tells- del(in)

into the inner spa&es of o$r mind """ o$ kno< that he kno<s o$- kno<s <hat o$'re )oin) to do ne=t" /nd he's )oin) to $se his en& &lopedi& memor of ho< o$ pla to beat o$" 8 )ot to kno< !" #" first thro$)h hearsa - then b talkin) <ith him and !om %&'(o <hile <e <ere <orkin) on this book- and finall b obser(in) him in a&tion" /ll three en&o$nters ha(e been a<esome" While !" #" and 8 <ere re&ordin) his life's stor - 8 someho< had the feelin) that 8 <as sittin) at the feet of a master """ a master of people" /nd 8 kne< that there <as m$&h that 8 &o$ld learn from the man <hom %anso$r %atlo$bi has &alled Bthe )reatest li(in) no-limit ho8d'empla er in the <orld"B Here is his stor " !" #" Clo$tier )rad$ated from #efferson Hi)h S&hool in .al Cit - C/- <here he <as a three-letter man" /t 4'5B tall- he <as the &enter on the basketball team- pla ed football- and still holds the home r$n re&ord in baseball" So- <ere all the )irls <aitin) in line for a date <ith himJ BWell""" <hen 8 <as a senior- 8 dated Pat @enned - <ho later <on the %iss California title-B he modestl admits" We had a st$d )ro$p of *3 or *> kids that ran aro$nd to)ether- and hi)h s&hool &ame (er eas to me" 8t <as <hen 8 )ot into &olle)e that 8 fo$nd o$t that o$ had to st$d "B !" #" entered the Lni(ersit of California at 9erkele on a baseball and football athleti& s&holarshipand pla ed for Cal in the Rose 9o<l in *+>+ as a sophomore" 9$t <hen his mother be&ame ill- he" dropped o$t of &olle)e to )o to <ork and help his father pa some of her medi&al bills" !hen the arm snapped him $p- sin&e he no lon)er <as a draft-deferred st$dent" !" #" )ained his first e=perien&e pla in) poker <hen he <as a &add at the Lake %er&ed and San 0ran&is&o Co$ntr Cl$bs" When he and the other &addies &ame in from takin) their loops (&add in))- the pla ed a form of poker in the &add sha&k" One da - somebod passed aro$nd some Bl$&k b$&ksB from /rti&hoke #oe's- a &ardroom in San 0ran&is&o" 0or G*>- he re&ei(ed a G23 b$ -in for the lo<ball )ame" So- at *3

the a)e of *, ears- !" #" started pla in) poker in a p$bli& &ardroom and b the time he <as *+ ears old- he <as pla in) head-$p dra< poker a)ainst /rti&hoke #oe himself" BWhen 8 be)an pla in)- all the )ames <ere no-limit- in&l$din) no-limit lo<ball <itho$t the Coker and no-limit hi)h dra< poker-B he refle&ts" B!hen <hen 8 entered &olle)e- 8 pla ed poker at the @appa /lpha ho$se <ith #oe Capp- the Cal E$arterba&k <ho later pla ed in the N0L- and 9obb ;onHaleH- <ho be&ame a s$per(isor in San 0ran&is&o" 8 fo$nd o$t that 8 had a kna&k for the )ame- altho$)h 8 lost e(er thin) 8 had at the time" /&t$all - 8 <as honin) m skills at obser(ation and )ettin) to kno< people" 8'(e al<a s had a sort of photo)raphi& memor for ho< people pla their hands in &ertain sit$ations" 8f o$ and 8 had pla ed poker to)ether fi(e ears a)o- 8 <o$ldn't remember o$r name- b$t 8 <o$ld remember o$r fa&e and ho< o$ pla ed o$r hands in different sit$ations- o$r tenden&ies" 8t's a (is$al memor thin)D 8'(e al<a s been (er obser(ant thro$)ho$t m entire life"B So- o$ keep a book on pla ers- 8 askedJ BNo- it's nothin) that formal" 8t's more like pa)es openin) $p in a book in m mind" /nd that helps """ espe&iall in no-limit )ames"B He then <ent on to pla poker in the arm - <here he f$rthered his trainin) at &ards" When !" #" )ot o$t of the arm he <alked into the offi&e of the %ontreal /llo$ettes and asked if he &o$ld tr o$t <ith them" /fter &he&kin) o$t his re&ord at Cal- the )eneral mana)er told him- BWe'll p$t o$ $p for t<o <eeks- and then o$ &an &ome o$t and sho< $s <hat o$ ha(e"B He <ent to one <orko$t and made the team- after not ha(in) pla ed an football for t<o ears" !he team paid his e=penses $ntil the trainin) &amp be)an- and he pla ed first strin) ti)ht end for the /llo$ettes $ntil he <as traded to the !oronto /r)ona$ts" Canadian football <as a lot different from /meri&an football in those da s" !hirteen /meri&ans <ere s$ited $p- alon) <ith *, Canadians" B% (al$e <as that m father <as born in **

Canada- so 8 &o$ld pla as a CanadianIan /meri&an-trained Canadian <as C$st <hat the <ere lookin) for"B !he team had onl *2 pla ers )oin) ea&h <a - lea(in) C$st si= reser(es- in&l$din) the ki&kers and other spe&ial pla ers" So- in addition to pla in) first strin) ti)ht end- !" #" also <as first ba&k$p to the defensi(e ends" B8t's a r$))ed brand of football- <ide open" When 8 <as pla in)- o$ &o$ldn't blo&k for a pass re&ei(er on&e he &a$)ht the ball past the line of s&rimma)e" !he field <as **3 ards lon)- the end Hones <ere 23 ards deep- and the field <as <ider" Mo$ had to make a first do<n in the first t<o do<ns or else ki&k the ball- sin&e there <ere onl three do<ns" 8t <as a real fast )ame- and e(er bod <as in motion all the time"B /nother different fa&et <as that o$ &o$ldn't blo&k for a p$nt re&ei(erD on&e he &a$)ht the ball- he <as on his o<n" BMo$ had to )i(e the p$nt re&ei(er fi(e ards to &at&h the ball" So- the other team <o$ld &ir&le him like the 8ndians &ir&lin) the settlers- and as soon as he &a$)ht that ball- he <as deadflatter than a pan&ake"B !" #" pla ed Canadian football for fi(e ears """ $ntil his knees )a(e o$t" !hen he re&ei(ed a &all from :i&toria <hen the <ere tr in) to form the Continental 0ootball Lea)$e" :i&toria offered him its &oa&hin) Cob- b$t he also <o$ld ha(e to pla " B/re o$ kiddin)JB he asked" B8f 8 &o$ld still pla - 8'd be pla in) for %ontreal or !oronto"B Of &o$rse- football <asn't the onl )ame in to<n1 / &ardroom in :an&o$(er- 9"C"- spread a poker )ame &alled Bso$sem-B a form of fi(e-&ard st$d" B8n so$sem- a fo$r-&ard strai)ht or a fo$r-&ard fl$sh beats one pair- so it p$ts a lot of a&tion into the )ame-B !" #" e=plained" B8t <as E$ite a )ameno-limit" !he onl other )ame <e pla ed <as no-limit a&e-tofi(e lo<ball"B /nd e(en that )ame <asn't the onl one in to<n" B8n %ontreal- the Hebre< 9$sinessmen's Cl$b spread fi(e&ard st$d" 8 <as )ettin) <hipped prett )ood- b$t it <as all a part of the learnin) pro&ess-B !" #" admits"
*2

When he left Canada- !" #"- his father- and his brother-inla< started 9ets N$alit 0oods- an a&ron m for 9ill- 'd- and !om (!" #"'s first name)- and later bro$)ht !" #"'s brother in <ith them" BWe $sed the mone that 8 had left from football and m dad's retirement to start the b$siness" O$r slo)an <as 'Mo$r 9est 9et in N$alit 0oods"' We bo$)ht a h$)e freeHer from 0oster's- a bi) &afeteria &hain in San 0ran&is&o- <hen the <ent o$t of b$siness and reb$ilt it in o$r <areho$se to handle o$r froHen food" We had a bi) e)) b$siness- too- altho$)h o$ don't make m$&h mone from e))s" 9$t <hen o$'re ser(in) bi) hotels- o$ ha(e to )i(e them the e))s at a )ood pri&e to keep their other b$siness" 8 <as <orkin) *4 ho$rs a da I 8 <o$ld take orders- load tr$&ks- and pi&k $p and deli(er prod$&ts" Later- <e mer)ed <ith / & / 0oodsand the stole $s blind" % dad <on an ** -&o$nt &o$rt &ase a)ainst them- b$t the o<ners left the &o$ntr "B /fter s$fferin) this bad beat- !" #" be)an deli(erin) bread for !os&ana and e(ent$all <o$nd $p as ni)ht mana)er for Wonder 9read in San 0ran&is&o" B% first <ife and 8 split $p abo$t that time- and 8 ended $p headin) for !e=as <ith G*33 in m po&ket-B he remembers" !hat <as in *+,4" B8 <ent to <ork for si= months as a derri&k man on the oil ri)s do<n there" On m off da s- 8 <as pla in) poker" Prett soon- 8 <as makin) more mone at poker than 8 <as on the ri)s""" and 8'd been freeHin) $p there- an <a """ so that's ho< 8 mo(ed into pla in) poker f$ll time"B He pla ed no-limit hold'em in Lon)(ie<- !O- and potlimit hold'em in Shre(eport- L/- >* miles a<a " !" #" had onl pla ed hold'em a fe< times before that" While he <as pla in) lo<ball at the Cameo Cl$b in Palo /lto- C/- a &l$b a&ross the street tried three times to start a hold'em )ame- b$t the poli&e &ame in and b$sted them e(er time" 9e&a$se of the )ood )ames in Shre(eport- !" #" mo(ed mere to pla poker e(er da at the !$rf Cl$b" B!he )ames m$&h smaller than <e're pla in) no<" On S$nda s- the *5

<o$ld ha(e a bi) )ame r$n b an old )ambler named Harlan .ean <ho <as <ell kno<n in all the )amblin) pla&es" He $sed to be ;eor)e 9arnes' partner in the brid)e to$rnaments in :e)as- and he <as one of the ori)inal ho 8d'em pla ers" 8 ended $p sellin) the &hips- and if 8 )ot broke or somethin)- he'd &all $p on a S$nda and ask- 'Well- <e're broke- are <e- oP partnerJ' /nd 8'd sa - 'Well- %r" .ean- 8 kno< o$'re not brokeb$t 8 am"' !hen he'd sa - 'Well- o$ &ome on b toda and 8'll )i(e o$ some &hips"' /nd if 8 )ot loser in the )ame- 8 &o$ld ha(e the &hip ra&k be&a$se he didn't <ant the )ame to end" !hat's <hen 8 started pla in) real serio$s poker"B 8n *+,7- !" #" made his first trip to the World Series of Poker- altho$)h he didn't pla in the &hampionship to$rnament $ntil *+75 (the ear that !om %&'(o <on it)" 9$t the third ear that he pla ed for the World Championship (in *+7>)he finished se&ond to 9ill Smith- <ith 9err #ohnston takin) third" BWhen it )ot do<n to three-handed- 9err #ohnston had the best hand- an /-@" 8 had an /-#" !he flop &ame @-#little- and <e )ot it all in" On the t$rn- 8 &a$)ht a Ca&k and dre< o$t on him to p$t him o$t of the to$rnament" !hen it )ot to t<o-handed and 8 had the lead a)ainst 9ill" 9$t the ke hand of the <hole mat&h happened <hen 8 had t<o nines and he had t<o kin)s" He mo(ed in and 8 &alled him <ith m nines" He <on the pot and do$bled $p" No< he had a bi) lead- and 8 started &hoppin) ba&k at him" !here <ere *63 pla ers that ear- so there <as G *-633-333 in &hipsD 8 )ot ba&k to G5 >3-333" !hen 9ill &ame in <ith a little raise- and 8 looked at an a&e in m hand """ didn't e(en look at the other &ard- b$t made it look like 8 had" 8 C$st <ent o(er the top of him <ith the <hole G5>3-333"* kne< that he had to make a de&ision""" if he made the <ron) one- 8'd be ba&k e(en <ith him a)ain" He had started drinkin)- and he )a(e a<a mone <hen he <as drinkin)" He &alled" When 8 looked ba&k at m hand- m ki&ker <as a three" /nd 9ill had t<o threes" !he held $p and he <on the title"
14

BHe <as one of the )reatest pla ers of all time- 9ill Smith <as" 9ill <as the ti)htest pla er o$'d e(er pla ed in o$r life <hen he <as sober" /nd <hen he <as half<a dr$nk- he <as the best pla er 8'd e(er pla ed <ith" 9$t <hen he )ot past that half<a mark- he <as the <orst pla er 8'd e(er pla ed <ith" /nd o$ &o$ld al<a s tell <hen he <as past the half<a point be&a$se he started &allin) the flop" Sa a flop &ame ,-6-*3 I he <o$ld sa - '2*A' or some other remark like that" When he )ot $p to take a <alk- he <o$ld ha(e a little hop in his step- a ')it $p in his )ittalon)' <e $sed to &all it" /nd then o$ kne< he <as )one" 9$t he had s$&h )reat timin) on his hands <hen he <as o$n)er and <asn't dr$nk""" he <as o$t of this <orld" He kne< <hen to la do<n three of a kind- <hen to &all <ith a bab $nderpair <ith t<o or three o(er&ards on the board" He <as a fab$lo$s pla er- b$t he be&ame an al&oholi& and that <as that" Mo$ ne(er <orried abo$t 9ill <hen he <as sober be&a$se o$ kne< that he pla ed /-9-C I ti)ht I and o$ kne< <here he <as all the time" !he onl time that o$ <orried abo$t him <as <hen he <as abo$t half<a dr$nk- and then he'd pla all the <a to 'H'" He'd make some fab$lo$s pla s- pla s o$ &o$ldn't belie(e" 9ill Smith <as a tr$l )reat pla er"B 8n those da s- !" #" <as li(in) in Shre(eport- pla in) poker e(er da " B8n fa&t-B he said- B8 <as ha(in) a )a old time" 8 <as sin)le then- and <o$ld )o to the Lo$isiana .o<ns *33 o$t of the *3> da s of the meet- and then )o o$t and pla poker e(er ni)ht" 8 learned more abo$t poker in Shre(eport than an <here else in the <orld" !here <as a real )ood )ame P n S$nda and a )$ named #im BLittle RedB /shee $sed to PQ in it" He's bi))er than 8 am I abo$t 4'>B tall and 533 Po$nds- b$t the &alled him Little Red be&a$se he started pla m) there <hen he <as abo$t *4 or *, ears old" 8 learned more from C$st <at&hin) him pla than an other <a "B 8t <as Bke sittin) at the feet of the master- e=&ept that the master <as not instr$&tin) *> !" #" B8 <as a&t$all absorbin) <hat Red

did- and then s$itin) those mo(es to m o<n st le- <hi&h <as a))ressi(e at times and passi(e at other times" Mo$ &an't let them pi)eon hole o$- o$ kno<" B/ lot of people think that Sar)e 0erris <as the best fi(e&ard st$d pla er in the <orld """ <ell- <hen Red <as *, ears old- he <as pla in) <ith Sar)e- Cork %&CorE$odale- Homer %ar&otte """ all the bi) names in fi(e-&ard st$d $sed to pla in Shre(eport" /nd Little Red beat them all the time"B %ar&otte <as killed in .allas" BHe <as &alled '!he Lo$isiana %an' be&a$se <here(er he <ent- he <o$ld sa - B8'm the Lo$isiana %an"B He <as shot dead b some )$ abo$t >'>B tall in a .allas bar ba&k aro$nd *+,7 o(er a G>3 bar bill" !he little )$ kept d$nnin) %ar&otte for the G>3 and Homer kept sa in)- '.on't o$ kno< meJ 8'm the Lo$isiana %an" Mo$ don't d$n me for G>3"' 0inall - this little )$ had heard eno$)h<ent o$t to his &ar to )et his )$n- &ame ba&k in- and shot %ar&otte" B/n <a - <hen Sar)e <ent o$t to :e)as and <on all that mone - he p$t $p a bankroll for Red <hile the World Series <as on so that if Red &ame o$t- he'd ha(e the mone to pla a)ainst an bod that <anted to pla him" !he onl person 8 kno< of that the e(er )ot a )ame on <ith <as ;eor)e H$ber- and he didn't last t<o ho$rs a)ainst Red" Lost abo$t G63-333 to him" Of &o$rse- Red didn't &ome o$t (er often be&a$se he hated to fl " Mo$'d almost ha(e to )i(e him a shot like %ister ! on the old /-!eam sho< C$st to )et him on an airplane" Red liked horses and sports bettin)- so all his mone <ent there- and after he )ot into that- poker <asn't fast eno$)h for him" 9$t at one time- he <as (er <ell respe&ted in pokerespe&iall in the So$th"B / lot of )ood hold'em pla ers &ame from the So$th- from the S$n 9elt states" !" #" is one of the best of them" BWhile 8 <as li(in) in Shre(eport- 8 fo$nd o$t abo$t a real )ood )ame in .allas that <as r$n b a man that 8 <ill &all !he 9i) !e=an" 8t <as a G>-G*3-G2> no-limit hold'em )ame <ith either a G>33 *4

or a G *-333 b$ in" 8 $sed to dri(e the 233 miles from Shre(eport three da s a <eek to pla in that )ame"B !he first *2 times that he pla ed in the )ame- he <on" !hen- on his ne=t (isit- the 9i) !e=an told !" #"- B8'm droppin) the lat&h on o$" 8f o$ don't )i(e me half o$r pla - o$ &an't pla here an more"B So- !" #" )a(e him half his a&tion for his ne=t *3 (isits """ and he <on all *3 times" B!hen one da 8 <ent do<n there and o$t of the bl$ethe 9i) !e=an said to me- '8'm o$t toda "' !hat ran) a <arnin) bell in m head" 8 kne< that there <as somethin) )oin) on- somethin) <as <ron)" !here <ere t<o ne< pla ers in the )ame- so 8 C$st bo$)ht in for G>33 in &hips- pla ed for abo$t an ho$r- and hardl e(er )ot into a pot" !hen 8 left"B !hat <as aro$nd the time that 9ill Smith and !" #" be&ame friends" 9ill's <ife- Cleta- <as <orkin) at %its$bishi /ir&raft in Ne< Orleans and introd$&ed !" #" to #o - <hom he married in *+76" B!hat's the reason 8 mo(ed to .allas from Shre(eport- not C$st be&a$se of the )ame b$t be&a$se #o li(ed there" She <as the personal se&retar to the president of %its$bishi"B #o Clo$tier has one da$)hter from a pre(io$s marria)e- <hom !" #" p$t thro$)h !e=as / & % <here she re&ei(ed her trainin) as a petrole$m en)ineer" !oda - #o tra(els <ith !" #" to most of the to$rnaments on the &ir&$it" B#o is amaHin)" 8 don't kno< <hat she does <hile 8'm pla in) the to$rnaments- b$t the da does not ha(e eno$)h ho$rs for her"B L le 9erman <as !" #"'s first to$rnament ba&ker" /t the time- 9erman <as ba&kin) #a&k @eller and another pla er" When the se&ond pla er fell o$t of their arran)ement- 9erman asked aro$nd to find o$t <ho else he mi)ht ba&k" !" #"'s name <as s$))ested- so he and L le spoke on the telephone and then met at the airport on the their <a to the 9i& &le Cl$b's bi) to$rnament in *+7+" BHe's a s$per )$ " /t the 9ike- he asked ho< m$&h 8 needed to pla the side )ames d$rin) the three da s that <e <ere there" 'Well- 8 )$ess abo$t G*3-333 <o$ld be plent -' 8 said" '8'm )i(in) o$ G53-333-' he an*,

s<ered" He <anted me to ha(e plent of mone to pla <ith in those rin) )ames so 8 <o$ldn't be pla in) s&ared mone " 8'(e been l$&k for him in side )ames and in to$rnaments" We'(e made a lot of mone to)ether"B !" #"'s pla at the World Series of Poker is al<a s open to L le as a ba&ker" BL le doesn't )et to man to$rnaments an more- b$t he al<a s makes it to the WSOP" /s hi)h as o$'(e e(er heard of in a poker )ame- L le pla s it" He pla s in that hi)h )ame at the WSOP <ith .o le and Chip and the ;reek and the others" /nd <hen the pla hi)h- L le's as )ood a pla er as an one ali(e" He's one of the t<o or three people that pla in that )ame <ho &an reall afford it" 9$t that's not it1 He's a )reat &ard pla er- a brilliant poker pla er" He has no fear <hatsoe(er- no matter ho< m$&h o$ bet at him" B8n fa&t- in the final )ame that he and 9ob St$pak pla ed before the Stratosphere thin)- St$pak bro$)ht it in for G2>-333" !he <ere pla in) no-limit de$&e-to-se(en <ith no &ap" Ls$all - the pla ed <ith a G,>-333 &ap- <hi&h means that o$ &an't lose more than G,>-333 on one hand- b$t that ni)ht the <ere pla in) the )ame <ith no &ap" L le &alled the bet <ith 25->-,- dra<in) at the de$&e-to-se(en <heel" He dre< one &ard <hile St$pak stood pat" When all the sho$tin) <as o(er- St$pak had bet G5+3-333 on his hand- an 7-> pat- <hi&h is a )reat hand in de$&e-to-se(en" 9$t L le &a$)ht a si= and made a se(en on St$pak to <in the pot" 0rom <hat 8 $nderstandSt$pak still o<es L le some of that mone "B !" #" has three World Series titles- alon) <ith a lot of pla&e <ins at the WSOP" 8n fa&t- he <as the first man to earn G* million at the Series <itho$t <innin) the bi) one" When 8 asked <hi&h ear he <on the limit Omaha title- he said B8'd ha(e to )o look at m bra&elet" 8'(e <on 65 titles and 8 &an't keep them all strai)ht" !he onl maCor to$rnament <here 8 ha(en't <on the bi) title so far is the World Series- b$t 8 &ame in se&ond to 9ill Smith and pla&ed fifth to Chan the ear that he beat 'ri& Seidel for the &hampionship"B 8n *++6- !" #" <on *7

t<o WSOP to$rnaments d$rin) its sil(er anni(ersar - one in pot-limit hold'em and the other in Omaha hi)h-lo< split" B8n no-limit hold'em- o$'ll re&o)niHe the fa&es at the final table more than in an other to$rnament be&a$se it's the Cadilla& of poker" 8 <on the last G>-333 to$rnament held at the Stard$st- the Stair<a to the Stars" !hat <as the ear that 8 <on the last .iamond #im 9rad to$rnament at the 9i& &le Cl$b- and 8 told them before it started- '8 <on the last one at the Stair<a to the Stars- 8 <on the last one at the Lnion PlaHa- 8 <on the last one at the 0rontier """ this pla&e mi)ht blo< $p ne=t <eek if 8 <in the bi) one here- too"' 8 <o$nd $p <innin) the 9ike's .iamond #im 9rad to$rnament three ears in a ro<" !hat <as sort of a peak for me that 8 don't think &an e(er be repeated" B!he first ear that 8 <on the .iamond #im 9rad %anso$r %atlo$bi and 8 started head-$p pla <ith abo$t e(en &hips" 8 had pla ed <ith him for abo$t fi(e ho$rs that da at the final table and he ne(er ran a bl$ff on an bod one timenot on&e" He <anted to )et do<n to the final t<o" When <e )ot head-$p- he bet me G*23-333 on the final hand- and 8 &alled him <ith third pair in a Ne< Mork split se&ond be&a$se 8 kne< that 8 had the best hand" 8'd been &hippin) a<a at him so bad that he de&ided to tr to r$n a bi) bl$ff on me" /nd that <as the end of it" B!hen <hen !$na L$nd and 8 )ot head-$p the ne=t ear at the .iamond #im 9rad - !$na had G543-333 and 8 had G*23-333" 8 &hipped a<a at him and &hipped a<a at him and &hipped a<a at him" 0inall - he made a G>3-333 bet on the end on one hand and 8 &alled him <ith a pair of nines" He said- 'Mo$ )ot me"' /nd 8 ans<ered- 'Wait a min$te """ before o$ sho< o$r hand- 8'll bet o$ ha(e a N-*3 offs$it"' He t$rned it o(er and s$re eno$)h- that's <hat he had" !hat <as the ke hand" B!he third ear 8 <on the .iamond #im 9rad - it )ot do<n to 9obb Hoff and me- so 8 pla ed a formidable pla er *+

e(er ear" 9$t in this one- 8 had three-to-one &hips on Hoffnot like the se&ond ear that 8 pla ed <hen 8 &ame into the se&ond da of the to$rnament <ith the lo< &hips" !he ke hand that ear <as <hen 8 had t<o nines a)ainst Hal @ant's t<o ei)hts- <hi&h do$bled me $p from G+-333 to G*7-333 and then 8 C$st <ent from there"B While !" #" is &ompetin) in a to$rnament- he often pla s side )ames- too- altho$)h there are times <hen he doesn't pla an side a&tion at all" He also o&&asionall pla s in the satellites" B/t the Hall of 0ame- 8 had a r$n one ear <hen 8 pla ed in si= s$per satellites and )ot a seat in fo$r of themand 8 pla ed in si= one-table satellites and <on fo$r of those" So- 8 <on &lose to G5>-333 on the side in the satellites"B He lo(es pla in) satellites for bi) e(ents" One ear9erman told him to pla in e(er G*3-333 one-table satellite for the WSOP that he &o$ld enter- be&a$se at that time !" #"'s re&ord <as one <in for e(er three satellites he pla ed" BMo$ )et some prett <eak fields in satellites- altho$)h at the bi) one the 're not $s$all as <eak as the are for some of the other to$rnaments" 8n a G*3-333 satellite- o$ )et G2-333 in &hips so o$ &an pla the )ame" 9$t o$ ha(e onl G233 or G533 in &hips in the s$per satellites- so e(er bod 's C$st mo(in) in all the time and o$'ll )et dra<n o$t on a lot" 8f o$ onl ha(e that man &hips- all of them are in Ceopard the first ro$nd that o$ pla " Or o$'ll tr to dra< o$t on somebod else- <hereas o$ <o$ldn't tr to do that <ith a bi) sta&k" One ear- 8 pla ed in a G*3-333 satellite at the ;olden N$))et and fi(e people mo(ed in all of their &hips on the first hand" So one )$ ended $p <ith G *3-333 in &hips after the first hand"B Some people ad(ise limit pla ers to pla the satellites if the <ant to learn to pla no-limit or pot-limit hold'em" !" #" disa)rees <ith that approa&h" B8 disa)ree <ith that idea *33 per&ent" 8 think that o$ ha(e to pla in a li(e )ame to learn ho< to pla those )ames be&a$se satellites are pla ed so dif20

ferentl from a re)$lar )ame" /bo$t the onl thin) o$ )et a feel for from satellites is the raise in limits"B !he thin) that has made !" #" so s$&&essf$l at no-limit and pot-limit hold'emis his obser(ation po<ers" B8 kno< <hat #oe 9lo< is )oin) to do in this sit$ation and in that sit$ation" !hat's <hat helps me" When 8'm in a to$rnament <ith all stran)ers- after *> or 23 min$tes 8'm )oin) to kno< ho< the pla " Sa <hat o$ <ant- b$t there are people <ho ha(e that abilit - and there are people <ho don't ha(e it" Mo$'re either born <ith it or o$ aren't" 8 ha(e a kna&k for pi&kin) $p people's tells and all the little thin)s that the do" Caro has a book on tells- b$t 8 ha(e m o<n book"B What abo$t the o$n) ne< breed of Bs&ientifi&B pla ers8 <ondered" B!here are se(eral )ood pla ers amon) the o$n) b$&ks" Phil Hellm$th is still o$n) and he's a )reat pla er" Ho<ard Lederer is another one" !here's also a kid from Los /n)eles named .a(id Oppenheimer <ho's a (er )ood limit pla er" H$&k Seed's a )reat o$n) pla er- too" He took on the best and beat them" / lot of the old timers sa - 'Well- the ha(en't been broke- et" Let's see <hat kind of pla ers the are <hen the )et broke"' Mo$ see- all the top pla ers ha(e had bi) mone and ha(e been broke and ha(e &ome ba&k and been broke and then &ome ba&k a)ain" !he 're the top pla ers- and that's the nat$re of the )ame" 9$t <hen o$ fa&tor in ho< m$&h mone o$ ha(e to make to meet o$r n$t- o$ ha(e to be prett s$&&essf$l to C$st sta ali(e e(er ear"B So- are these ne< pla ers pla in) somethin) like Bform$laB pokerJ B!he )$ s 8'(e mentioned are all (er )ood o$n) pla ers" 9$t all the rest of the ne< pla ers seem to be the same t pe I the '(e read some books- and the all pla the same <a " 8 don't think that's )ood- be&a$se 8 like to see them <hen the ha(e a fe< mo(es to them- a little &reati(it some mo=ie" 9$t o$ C$st don't see that amon) them" !he old-t pe pla ers like .o le and #ames B;oodieB Ro and 9$&k 9$&hanan (<ho's dead no<)- and ma be e(en )$ s like me2*

are d in) o$t" '(er bod toda is book-learned- b$t in the old da s it <as e=perien&e-pla - <here o$ had to learn o$r pla ers" 8 pla ed <ith a kid do<n in L" /" <ho &an't <in a hand $nless mone is )i(en to him" 9$t 8'(e ne(er seen him lose be&a$se somebod <ill )et in the )ame and C$st )i(e his mone to him" /n top pla er <o$ld see that this kid doesn't pla a hand $nless it's a h$)e- h$)e hand- so <h <o$ld o$ e(en )et in(ol(ed <ith this manJ !hose t pes of pla ers &an't beat me o$t of an mone $nless 8 do it to m self"B /re these ne<- o$n) pla ers makin) Bform$laB pla s and rel in) on <hat the learn from books be&a$se the don't ha(e the trainin) )ro$nd a(ailable to them that the B(inta)eB pla ers- the road )amblers- hadJ BWe $sed to 'fade the <hite line-' the <hite line of the hi)h<a )oin) from )ame to )ame" Mo$ don't ha(e to do that an more be&a$se of all the &ardrooms and &asinos" 8n California- the ne< pla ers learn limit poker and most of them don't ha(e a &han&e in no-limit" !he learn to pla hands in limit ho 8d'em like se&ond pair and dra<sand o$ &an )et eaten ali(e in no-limit <ith that kind of pla " Pl$s- the onl ha(e one mo(e <hen the pla no-limit1 !he 're afraid to pla o$t a hand" So- <hen the pla no-limit- the C$st p$t in their <hole sta&k in sit$ations <here an e=perien&ed pla er mi)ht make C$st a de&ent little raise and )et more mone o$t of a person" BMo$ see- the <hole idea in poker is to ma=imiHe the mone that o$ &an )et o$t of a hand" 9$t these ne< )$ s are rammin) and Cammin) <hen the )et a bi) hand- pla in) limit st le" !he 're so afraid of the dra< o$ts that the 're $sed to )ettin) in limit that the C$st p$t in all their &hips and p$t somebod to the test on e(er hand""" <hi&h is not the <a to do it- be&a$se people C$st thro< their hands a<a " Sa that o$ ha(e G*3-333 in front of o$" Mo$ ha(e t<o E$eens and some )$ bet G*3-333 before the flop" He mi)ht ha(e a&es or kin)s or /-@" Mo$'re )oin) to thro< o$r E$eens a<a " Wh take the &han&eJ #$st thro< the hand a<a and <ait to pi&k
22

$p another hand" !hese t pes of ine=perien&ed bettors aren't )oin) to )et paid on their )ood hands"B !hese are the t pes of thin)s that road )amblers ha(e learnedD the aren't thin)s that o$ pi&k $p from readin) books at home" B8 &an remember one time in the World Series <hen 8 had t<o kin)s t<i&e d$rin) the first t<o ho$rs of the G *3-333 &hampionship to$rnament" 9oth times- 8 made a little raise and <as reraised- and 8 thre< the kin)s a<a before the flop" /nd both times- 8 <as ri)ht1 %ike /llen sho<ed me a&es on both hands" 8 kne< the pla er and so 8 kne< the kin)s <eren't an )ood" 8t's (er hard to la do<n t<o kin)sD it's easier to pla E$eens be&a$se o$ &an )et a<a from them easier than o$ &an t<o kin)s" B9$t then- 8 remember a time <hen 8 ble< it at the Hall of 0ame" !here <as one )$ at the table that 8 didn't kno<" 8t <as the first hand that <as dealt and 8 <as in the bi) blind <ith the @-+ of diamonds in an $nraised pot" !he flop &ame ,2-5 of diamonds" !his )$ led off and bet from the n$mber one seat- the fello< on the b$tton &alled- and 8 raised ri)ht there" !he )$ in the one-seat mo(ed all in- and the man on the b$tton (<ho had t$rned a set) &alled" Ordinaril - 8 <o$ld ha(e thro<n a<a m hand" !he onl pla er that 8 didn't kno< <as the )$ <ho mo(ed all in """ and he had the /-# of diamonds in his hand" So- 8 <ent broke on the hand and <ent o$t first in that to$rnament"B .o beats like that &a$se pla ers to steam- 8 <ondered" BNo- 8 ne(er steam" 8 mi)ht steam on the inside- b$t 8 ne(er let other pla ers see it" 9$t 8 remember one time <hen Phil Hellm$th )ot kno&ked o$t of the .iamond #im 9rad to$rnament" / (el(et rope <as &onne&ted to t<o poles at ea&h door so that people &o$ldn't <ander into the room" Phil <ent on a dead sprint and tried to leap o(er that rope- &a$)ht his foot on rt- and <ent t$mblin) o$t into the room" B/nother time d$rin) a limit hold'em to$rnament at the .iamond #im 9rad - the <hole room <as &ompletel pa&ked25

and o$ kno< ho< m$&h noise there is in a to$rnament room like that" / %$latto )irl &ame into the room <earin) a dress <ith &ross hat&hes do<n the ba&k of it &$t all the <a do<nreal lo<" She <as an absol$tel bea$tif$l <oman" She <alked o(er to talk <ith #err 9$ss- and the <hole room <ent silenttotall silent" When she finished talkin) <ith #err - the entire room started &lappin) """ in the middle of the to$rnament" 8n &ontrast- 8 <as in a to$rnament at the Normandie one time <hen 8 sa< an older lad pi&k $p her hand to look at it $p &lose- had a heart atta&k- and keeled o(er dead" !he t<o tables aro$nd her &a$sed some &ommotion- b$t the other tables didn't e(en stop pla in)""" nobod e(en noti&ed" 9$t this )irl stopped the <hole roomAB .o pla ers prepare for to$rnamentsJ BWhen 8'm takin) m sho<er in the mornin)- 8 think abo$t a fe< thin)s- de(ise a plan" !hen m <ife- <ho's <ith me most of the time- )i(es me a kiss and sa s- '8 lo(e o$ and )ood l$&k"' !hen she sa s'No<- &on&entrate and don't do an thin) foolish" Cat&h some &ards"' 8t's the same thin) ea&h time"B !" #" also pla s in to$rnaments other than no-limit and pot-limit ho 8d'em- in&l$din) se(en-&ard st$d- Omaha- Omaha hi)h-lo< split- and lo<ball" B8 ne(er $sed to pla st$d to$rnaments- be&a$se bein) from !e=as and seein) <hat thin)s &an be done <ith a de&k- 8 ne(er liked a )ame <here the same person al<a s )ets the first &ard like the do in st$d" 8'(e r$n into eno$)h &heats and me&hani&s in m lifetime <ho &o$ld <in e(er pot if the ri)ht )$ <as dealin)" /nd- of &o$rsemost of the pla ers in a st$d to$rnament pla the )ame e(er da - so 8 <o$ldn't pla in one" 9$t <e <ere ba&k in 0o=<oods and Phil talked me into pla in) the G>-333 satellite for the se(en-&ard st$d to$rnament- and 8 <on it" !hen 8 finished fo$rth in the to$rnament- and he said- 'No< o$'(e )ot to pla in all the st$d to$rnaments"' So- in the first *2 st$d to$rnaments that 8 pla ed- 8 <on one- had t<o se&onds- t<o thirdsand a fo$rth-pla&e finish"B
26

!oda - he no lon)er feels $nkindl to<ard st$d" BMo$ that there's nothin) )oin) on in st$d to$rnaments like there $sed to be in some of the rin) )ames" '=&ept for the ear that Larr 0l nt pla ed in the to$rnament at 9inion's <hen he tried to b$ off the table" He had a bi) bet <ith .o lesomethin) like G* million-to-G *3-333 that Larr &o$ldn't <in the to$rnament" When it )ot do<n to three or fo$r tablesLarr tried to b$ off some of the pla ers and a&t$all did b$ off some of them b )ettin) them to thro< off their &hips to him" 9$t #a&k 9inion had )otten <ind of it and he had .e<e !omko <at&hin) the table for him from the side" He sa< <hat <as )oin) on- and Larr 0l nt <as ne(er allo<ed to &ome ba&k and pla in the WSOP" Of &o$rse- none of this poker st$ff <as in the mo(ie abo$t 0l nt"B 8 <as &$rio$s abo$t ho< !" #" opened $p his repertoire of poker )ames to in&l$de Omaha and Omaha hi)h-lo< split" B!he first time that 8 e(er pla ed limit Omaha- 8 <on the WSOP title" 8 had ne(er pla ed limit Omaha- altho$)h 8 had pla ed a lot of pot-limit" 9$t to$rnaments are to$rnaments" Mo$ $se the same pro&ess in e(er )ameD o$ <ork o$rself $p to the final table" 0inal table pla is the same- no matter <hat the )ame is" So- if o$ ha(e a kna&k for pla in) the final tableo$ ha(e a &han&e to <in" 8 kno< a lot of pla ers <ho &an )et to the last table- b$t (er fe< of them kno< ho< to pla it on&e the )et there"B Of the to$rnaments that !" #" has pla ed o(er the ears- there ha(e been onl t<o or three times <hen he hasn't pla&ed in the top three in at least one of them" Ls$all - he s&ores at least one (i&tor in ea&h to$rnament" !he Pla&e finishes that he makes Bpa s the frei)ht-B takes &are of his to$rnament e=penses" 8s it diffi&$lt to maintain a stable relationship <hen o$ Pla poker professionall J B% poker pla in) is m Cob- and 8 separate it from m life o$tside the poker room" 8 &annot $naRrstand people <ho &an pla poker three or fo$r da s in a rP < and then &an't <ait to )et ri)ht ba&k to it a)ain """ the
2>

don't ha(e an other life" 8 $sed to pla stead in .allas- fi(e da s a <eek- stri&tl no-limit hold'em a)ainst the best pla ers in the <orld" Pla ers $sed to &ome from :e)as and e(er <here else to pla in that )ame" /t least on&e a <eek- <e had o(er G*33-333 on the table" !his )ame <as pla ed e(er %onda - Wednesda - and 0rida D there <as another )ame that <as pla ed on !$esda s and !h$rsda s" Mo$ &o$ld pla at noon e(er da - and then a)ain at ,133 that ni)ht" So- 8 <o$ld pla $ntil >133 ea&h ni)ht- )o see a mo(ie- and then )o pla the e(enin) )ame- $nless the first )ame <as so )ood that 8 didn't <ant to lea(e it" 8 follo<ed that s&hed$le for earsD and 8 ne(er pla ed on the <eekends" When poker is o$r profession- o$ treat it like a Cob" 9$t for some pla ers- poker not onl is their (o&ation- it's their a(o&ation as <ell" Mo$ need some balan&e"B When the are at their home in .allas- !" #" doesn't like to )o o$t in the e(enin)s" He enCo s )olfin) at the &o$ntr &l$b and then meetin) his <ife for dinner after he lea(es the )reens" She likes antiE$in) and takin) &are of their home" B#o is m s$pport" She ne(er sits ri)ht b me at a to$rnamentD she sits in the ba&k)ro$nd" She's ri)ht there and she kno<s that 8 kno< she's there" 8 look o(er and smile at her- or if 8'(e lost a hand- 8'll make a little e=pression that she re&o)niHes" She doesn't kno< an thin) abo$t poker- b$t she kno<s that if 8 mo(e all of m &hips in and then )et the pot ba&k- 8'(e <onD b$t if 8 don't- 8'(e lost" She does all the book <ork and takes &are of the b$siness end of thin)s"B When he and #o <ent on their hone moon- the spent a fe< da s in Ne< Orleans" While #o <ent antiE$in)- !" #" <ent to the tra&k and <on G>-333 on the horses" 0rom therethe tra(eled to !ampa <here the <ent to the do) ra&es and <on another G5-733" B/fter all o$r e=penses <ere paid- <e &ame home G>-333 ahead-B he la$)hed" 8n <hat other profession in the <orld- 8 tho$)ht- &an o$ )o o$t for an e(enin)'s dinner and entertainment- pla some poker alon) the <a - and 24

&ome home <ith more mone than o$ started <ithJ BMes-B O" #" said- Bb$t in <hat other profession &an o$ <ork all da lon) and &ome home losin) for the da JAB Considerin) that he is one the most feared pla ers on the to$rnament &ir&$it toda - !" #" a&t$all &omes a&ross as bein) E$ite modest abo$t his a&&omplishments" B8 <o$ldn't sa that 8'm modest- b$t 8'm not the t pe to )o aro$nd sa in)- '8'm the Lo$isiana %an"' 8 feel in m o<n bones that 8 &an pla <ith an one- and 8 don't fear an bod ali(e"B !hat feelin) of &onfiden&e <itho$t the dra<ba&k of e)o in(ol(ement ma be the &ombination that )i(es !" #" his ed)e at the poker table" Like so man poker pla ers and to$rnament <inners that 8 ha(e inter(ie<ed- !" #" admits that he doesn't ha(e that same ed)e in e(er )amblin) )ame that he has pla ed" '(en the best ha(e a fe< leaks in their )amin) a&ti(ities" B8'(e had a lot of holes that 8'm tr in) to pat&h $p" 8 lo(e &raps and o(er the ears- 8'(e lost a lot of mone at it" 8 $sed to lo(e to r$n to the &rap table all the time and- of &o$rse- that h$rts o$r side pla be&a$se it's so m$&h faster than the poker" 9$t no< if 8 pla &raps- 8 ne(er )o to the table <ith more than G633- no /!% &ard- nothin) like that" 8'(e made se(eral s&ores of o(er G>3-333 off of G>33- b$t if 8 )o to the table <ith G23-333 8 don't <in a sin)le betA So no<- pla in) &raps is a on&e-in-a<hile thin) for me" B 8t's C$st another of the lessons that !" #" has learned thro$)ho$t his &areer" !he rest of them- he has do<n pat" S

2,

iD

Cha%ter $ne

GETTING TO ENOW YOUR OPPONENTS

The Most 7a,uab,e S5i,, in 8i!)8et (o5er

Dt has al<a s been m belief that kno<in) o$r opponents in pot-limit and no-limit hold'em I ho< the $s$all pla - and ho< the pla in spe&ifi& sit$ations I is the most important thin) in the )ame" 8 on&e took a friend <ho didn't pla m$&h poker to a )ame <ith me" He sa< $s talkin) <hen <e <ere o$t of a hand- and then he noti&ed me talkin) to a )$ a&ross the table <hile a hand <as bein) pla ed" He asked meBHo< &an o$ tell <hat's )oin) on if o$'re talkin)J Ho< do o$ kno< <hat o$r opponents are doin)JB B8f a <in) fell off a )nat at the end of the table- 8'd see it-B 8 told him" What 8 <as tr in) to )et a&ross to him <as that o$ ha(e to be alert at all times" When o$'re not in a hando$ &an learn somethin) (er (al$able" 8f o$'re )oin) to be s$&&essf$l at pot-limit or no-limit hold'em- o$'(e )otta' be able to sit do<n at a table <ith ei)ht or nine people that o$'(e ne(er pla ed <ith in o$r life- and-after *3 or *> min$teskno< ho< ea&h one of them pla s """ <hether the 're a))ressi(eD <hether the 're passi(eD ho< the pla earl positionmiddle position- late position" Mo$ ha(e to )et an initial line on their pla " We're C$st like leopards1 We &an't &han)e o$r spots" / fella' <ho $sed to pla <ith $s in !e=as ears a)o <o$ld pla as )ood a poker )ame as an bod 8'd e(er seen pla """ for the first t<o ho$rs" Mo$ &o$ld'(e p$t a stop <at&h on him -He'd hit a stone <all after t<o ho$rs and then his <hole )ame
27

<o$ld re(ert ba&k to the <a he al<a s pla ed" He <o$ld start bl$ffin) in bad spots- and started )i(in) his mone a<a " With a pla er like that- o$ &an C$st <ait on him" Mo$ kno< he's )oin) to &r$mble in t<o ho$rs- so <ait him o$t" Mo$'re )oin) to <in the mone " 8 mi)ht for)et a person's name- b$t 8'll ne(er for)et his fa&e or ho< he pla s in all sit$ations- no matter if 8'(e onl pla ed <ith him one time in m life" !he main thin) is bein) (er obser(ant and <at&hin) <hat pla ers do in different sit$ations" 8f a pla er has raised before the flop <ith /-@ and the flop &omes <ith three babies- is he the t pe of pla er <ho <ill lead <ith this handJ Or is he the t pe of pla er <ho <ill &he&k his /-@ be&a$se he doesn't ha(e an thin) etJ S$ppose somebod else bets <hen the bab flop hits- and he &alls" What does that tell o$J 8t tells me that he has &ommitted a mortal sin in poker" 8f o$ don't flop to it- )et rid of o$r hand" 9$t o$ see potlimit and no-limit pla ers <ho &all in this sit$ation all the timeespe&iall <hen o$'re pla in) a)ainst people <ho are $sed to pla in) limit hold'em" !he 're )oin) to bet /-@ a)ainst a board <ith three babies- or the 're )oin) to &all <ith /-@" 9$t o$ al<a s ha(e an ed)e on them if o$ kno< ho< the pla in that spot"

O(erl -/))ressi(e Pla ers

!hen there are pla ers <ho are o(erl a))ressi(e" 8f o$ <at&h them (er &aref$ll - o$ <ill find that the &an't stand t<o &he&ks" So- o$ &he&k to them t<i&e """ o$ ha(e a bi) hand and o$ &he&k to them twice. Let them eat themsel(es $p" t-(en some of the le)endar pla ers <ho ha(e had a lot of s$&&ess on the &ir&$it &an't stand t<o &he&ks """ and o$ &an rap some of these bi)-name pla ers b C$st &he&kin) it to em t<o times" Some of the reall a))ressi(e pla ers s$&h as St$ Ln)ar fit into this &ate)or " 2+

8n to$rnament poker- o$ &an &ome o(er the top of these a))ressi(e pla ers" Mo$ kno< their le(el of toleran&e- that the &an't stand t<o &he&ks" Mo$ don't e(en need a hand to <in the potA /ll o$ need to do is pla ba&k a)ainst them on fo$rth street" When o$'re r$nnin) )ood- the 'll thro< their hands a<a e(er time" /nd then the one time that o$ reall ha(e a hand and make this pla - that's the time <hen the 'll &all o$" !imin) is e(er thin) in poker" One of the main &on&epts in pot-limit and no-limit is that there are sit$ations <hen o$ don't need to ha(e a hand to <in a )ood pot- <hereas in limit hold'em- o$ ha(e to sho< do<n a hand almost e(er time"

@eepin) a 9ool
8 ha(e almost a photo)raphi& memor abo$t sit$ations in pokerso 8 don't need to )o home and <rite thin)s do<n- b$t 8 think that it's a )ood pra&ti&e for most pla ers" /fter o$r session)o home and think abo$t the )ame and the pla ers" .$rin) an ei)ht-ho$r session- 53 to 63 ke hands <ill be pla ed" Mo$ sho$ld be able to remember these hands" @eep a little book on all the pla ers- <hat the did in these ke hands """ be&a$se the 're )oin) to do the same thin) the ne=t time o$ pla them" /nd o$'re )oin) to be the re&ipient of their )enerosit of their pla in) patterns" 0or e=ample- 8 kno< a pla er <ho <ill al<a s brin) it in for a small raise <hen e(er bod has passed to him on the b$ttonD he ne(er &omes in flat" /nd he's a )ood eno$)h pla er that he doesn't stand a reraise $nless he has a bi) hand" @no<in) that he pla s (er a))ressi(el on3 the b$tton- o$ &an make a lot of mone from this man <hen o$'re in the little blind or the bi) blind b C$st poppin) him ba&k three or fo$r times in a session" Ob(io$sl - if o$ do it e(er time- o$'re )oin) to )et o$rself killed- b$t o$ &an tell <hen to do it"
30

!he thin) that 8'(e al<a s tho$)ht abo$t hold'em is that if o$'re pla in) nine-handed and si= pla ers ha(e passed to o$ on the b$tton- there's a prett )ood &han&e- <ith *7 &ards alread dealt o$t- that somebod behind o$ mi)ht ha(e a hand sin&e nobod in front of o$ does" !om &alls that Bthe b$n&hin) fa&tor"B 8n Tournament #oker, he mentions that it doesn't ne&essaril ha(e to <ork that <a - b$t it seems reasonable to ass$me that if e(er bod has passed- it is more likel than $s$al that the blinds- or possibl the b$tton- &o$ld ha(e a le)itimate hand" Remember that <hen o$'re on the b$tton- o$'re in the po<er position" !he blinds <ill al<a s ha(e to a&t before o$ do after the flop" / lot of times- o$ don't ha(e to make that b$tton raise" 8f o$ C$st &all- the <ill ha(e to &ome to o$" /nd <hen the ha(e to &ome to o$- that )i(es o$ all the options in the <orld after o$'(e seen the flop" Contrar to <hat a lot of pla ers do- 8 limp on the b$tton E$ite often$nless 8 ha(e a bi) hand" %an pla ers in to$rnaments )et into the habit of raisin) on the b$tton <ith no hand to pi&k $p the blinds" Sometimes- 8 mi)ht steal a )$ 's b$tton b makin) that pla from C$st in front of the b$tton I 8'm not al<a s on the b$tton <hen 8 tr to steal" 8n a to$rnament 8 re&entl pla ed- a pla er had raised on the b$tton a)ainst m bi) blind abo$t *3 strai)ht times" !hree times- 8 had )one o(er the top of him" 8n this parti&$lar handhe &ame in for a small raise <hen 8 had /-# in the bi) blind" 8 kne< that this man <as )oin) to make a mo(e on me- he's that t pe of pla er" 8 had pla ed <ith him before and remembered ho< he pla ed" So 8 raised him" !hen he sa s- B8'm mo(in) all in"B /ll 8 had <as /-#- b$t 8 kne< that 8 had the best hand" /nd s$re eno$)h- 8 did ha(e the best hand1 He had +-4 offs$it" He )ot l$&k and <on the pot <hen he flopped t<o nines- b$t that's not the point" !he pla <as &orre&t in the <a that 8 had set it $p"
31

Settin) Lp Pla

Pot-limit and no-limit ho 8d'em are )ames in <hi&h o$ &an set $p pla s" /t :e)as World ears a)o- 8 <as <at&hin) B#oe .okesB pla " Sin&e then- #oe has t$rned into a (er de&ent pla er and has finished hi)h in a lot of to$rnaments- b$t this in&ident happened <hen he first started on the poker s&ene" 8t <as passed to me on the b$tton and 8 made a pla at the pot <ith /-, offs$it be&a$se the blinds <ere prett )ood siHed" #oe reraised me from the bi) blind" 8 had more &hips than he had- and 8 kne< that there <as onl one hand that he &o$ld ha(e that he <o$ld &all me <ith if 8 mo(ed in on him o(er the top for the third raise" He <o$ld ha(e to ha(e a&es" Seein) that 8 had an a&e- 8 made the pla and <ent all-in on him" #oe had t<o kin)s- b$t he thre< them a<a " !hen 8 sho<ed him the /-, """ for a p$rpose" /bo$t 5> min$tes later- 8 had t<o se(ens on the b$tton" 8t <as passed to me and 8 made a sli)ht raise" #oe &alled and 8 kne< that he <as tr in) to trap me b the <a that he a&ted <hen he &alled """ he s&re<ed $p to the table and made a fe< mo(es that 8 had obser(ed before" !he flop &ame ,-6-2" He &he&ked to me- 8 bet- and he beat me to the pot mo(in) in" He had a bi) pair and 8 ate him ali(e <ith the trip se(ens" #oe )ot trapped be&a$se of the /-, that 8 had sho<ed him pre(io$sl " Mo$ see- one pla &an set $p another pla - and o$ ha(e to think this <a all the time that o$'re pla in)" Of &o$rse- these t pes of pla s are far more &ommon in pot-limit and no-limit than the are in limit hold'em" 8 think that limit hold'em is a )ame that o$ ha(e to pla so m$&h ti)hter than o$ pla pot-limit and no-limit" Mo$ don't ha(e man different mo(es"!om des&ribes limit hold'em as bein) m$&h more te&hni&al- a )ame <here o$ ha(e to sho< do<n some hands"
52

Se(eral )ood pla ers that 8 kno< raise <ith some f$nn hands" 0or e=ample- Phil Hellm$th raises <ith some hands that 8 <o$ld ne(er &onsider raisin)" /nd he &alls <ith hands that 8 <o$ldn't &all <ith" People lookin) on <ill sa - BHo< &o$ld he make that pla J /nd he <ins <ith itAB 9$t he has a reason for doin) it" 8t all depends on <ho he's pla in) <ith and <hat he's tr in) to a&&omplish" When o$ )et to the top r$n) of the ladder- the skill le(el is e=tremel hi)h" Mo$ &an set $p pla ers in no-limit- b$t o$ &an't set them $p (er often in limit" %&'(o sa s that it's so eas for them to &all in limit poker that it limits o$r options" .on't e(er be a &allin) station in pot-limit or no-limit" 9$t <hen o$ do &all- make s$re that o$ ha(e a )ood p$rpose" Of &o$rse- there are some times <hen o$ do &all" Sa the flop &omes +-7-," Mo$ ha(e N-# in o$r hand- o$ ha(e a lot of &hips in front of o$- and so does o$r opponent" He makes a de&ent bet on the flop" !here's nothin) <ron) <ith &allin) one time be&a$se o$ ha(e t<o o(er&ards and a strai)ht dra<" 8f o$ pop that *3 to make o$r strai)ht on the t$rno$ no< ha(e the n$ts- and &an pla the hand man different <a s in order to <in a prett )ood-siHed pot" 8n limit hold'emo$ e=pe&t to see this pla - b$t in no-limit- o$ don't e=pe&t it" 8t's not somethin) that o$'d e(er tr to do <ith a short sta&k in a to$rnament- eitherD it depends on o$r sta&k siHe a)ainst him- and o$r pot odds"

Wat&hin) the N$alit o0 Cards

Mo$ ha(e to <at&h the E$alit of &ards that o$ pla - and the E$alit of &ards that o$r opponents pla " Limit pla ers pla bi) &ards I @-N- N-#- #-*3- @-#- @-*3- s$ited or $ns$ited -that's the nat$re of the )ame" In no$limit, t%ese are absolute trap %ands. 8f o$ flop top pair <ith an of those hands- there A s a (er )ood &han&e that o$'ll <ind $p <ith se&ond-best
33

hand and )et broke to it" Mo$ don't stand raises <ith hands like *3-7 or #-7 in a to$rnament at a f$ll table" Mo$'ll )et trapped <ith an of these hands" So- o$ keep a book on e(er bod and o$ p$t in it the kinds of hands the pla " %&'(o and 8 started pla in) to)ether aro$nd *+,+- and 8'm s$re that he kno<s <hat 8 doand 8 kno< <hat he does- too" We'(e <at&hed all the reall )ood pla ers o(er the ears """ and e(er one of them has a tell" '(en le)endar pla ers like Phil Hellm$th- #ohn 9onetti- St$ Ln)ar- .o le 9r$nsonI8f o$ obser(e eno$)h and <at&h them pla hands for lon) eno$)h- o$'ll find that the all ha(e a &ertain tell <hen the ha(e a reall bi& hand (ers$s C$st a hand" Of &o$rse- the top pla ers don't sho< tells (er oftenb$t the do do it" /nd that's prett tr$e of e(er bod else in poker- too" 0or e=ample- one top-not&h to$rnament pla er has a <a of bettin) his &hips" He starts to make a &all and then )oes ba&k to )et more &hips and sa s- BRaise"B '(er time this pla er makes that )o-ba&k mo(e- he's there <ith a hand" /nother pla er has a Bhit&hB mo(e <hen he has a bi) hand" He'll &ome o$t <ith the amo$nt that he's s$pposed to &all <ith- hesitate o$t there <ith his hand- )o ba&k to his sta&k- and then &ome ba&k o$t <ith a raise" '(er time he does this- he's )ot a bi) hand" 8f he doesn't do it- there's a bi))er &han&e that he has a medio&re hand" 8n other <ords- if his mo(e is more fl$id- he $s$all doesn't ha(e E$ite the stren)th that he is representin)" !hese are fab$lo$s thin)s to kno< abo$t o$r opponents" /nd o$ )et to kno< them onl thro$)h obser(ation"

34

Obser(e the Other Pla ers

Obser(e all of the pla ers as the &ards are bein) dealt" /s people are makin) bets- al<a s look at the people in front of and behind o$" 8 look at m &ards <hen 8 first )et them so that 8 &an obser(e the boardD 8 don't <ait for the a&tion to )et to me before 8 look at m hand" 8f o$'re lookin) at o$r hand <hen the a&tion )ets to o$- rather than lookin) at the people behind o$ that ha(en't a&ted et- o$'re missin) a lot" 8t's the old Bload-$pB theor " !here are a lot of poker pla ers <ho &an't stand it <hen the pi&k $p a bi) hand- and so the 'll load $p their hands <ith &hips before it's their t$rn" 8f o$'re obser(ant- o$'ll thro< do<n a medio&re hand be&a$se o$ kno< that the )$ behind o$ is )oin) to raise" 8t happens man - man times"

@no< Mo$r O<n Habits

One time <hen 8 <as C$st startin) o$t in poker- 8 &a$)ht m self in the habit of p$shin) m &ards ba&k into m &hips <hene(er 8 had a bi) hand- instead of C$st lea(in) them o$t there" BWell-B 8 tho$)ht after 8 had dis&o(ered m o<n tell- Bma be 8 &an $se this in re(erse"B So- one or t<o times d$rin) a )ame- 8'd p$sh m &ards ba&k to<ard m &hips <hen 8 didn't ha(e a hand" /nd bo - it <orkedA Mo$ ha(e to kno< o$r o<n &hara&teristi&s" Ho< man times ha(e o$ had the absol$te n$ts- and o$ ha(e an opponent <ho is a prett loose pla er- and o$ <ant him to &all o$J /nd he starts i&in) o$ do<n- lookin) at o$ before he &alls to see <hether o$ ha(e a tell or are )i(in) an &l$es" /t T hose times- 8'(e s<allo<ed hard and looked to the side- tr mU to ind$&e him to &all" So- o$ &an $se some of these tells 're(erse to o$r fa(or"
5>

0ollo< Mo$r 0irst 8nstin&t

!om told me a stor abo$t se&ond-)$essin) himself on a pla er's tell" B8 <as in there <ith a prett <eak handan /->- <hi&h 8 had raised <ith from a middle position before the flop" 8'd been &at&hin) some hands and m table ima)e <as stron)" 0redd .eeb &alled m raise" !he flop &ame #-#->"* bet the flop and .eeb &alled" / nothin)-&ard &ame off on the t$rn and 8 &he&ked" So did he" /nother blank &ame on the ri(er and 8 &he&ked a)ain" !hen 0redd made a bi) bet at the pot" 8 looked at him and his hand <as tremblin)" % first instin&t <as to m$&k m hand- b$t 8 tho$)ht that he looked a<f$ll ner(o$s and mi)ht be p$ttin) a pla on me" 8 &alled and he t$rned $p a #-4 s$ited" So- dete&tin) ner(o$sness doesn't ne&essaril mean <eaknessD it &o$ld mean stren)th- too" /s it t$rns o$t- he <as ner(o$s that 8 mi)ht not &all himAB 8 ha(e an opinion on those t pes of hands" When it &omes #-#-> like that- if o$ ha(e raised )oin) in and the man stood the raise- o$ don't ha(e an thin)" He &o$ld ha(e t<o si=es in the hole and ha(e o$ beat" On&e o$ make o$r little &$rsor bet at this pot- o$'re thro$)h <ith this hand if o$ )et &alled" Mo$'re &ompletel thro$)h <ith it1 Mo$ &annot lose an more mone to this hand- 8 don't &are w%at the opponent has" !om admits that his )$t instin&t <as- BO@- 8'm done <ith it"B 9$t tr in) to pi&k off the tell- he se&ond-)$essed himself" Mo$r first instin&ts are better than +> per&ent &orre&t if o$'re a poker pla er" !hat's be&a$se o$r first instin&t &omes from all the trainin) and pra&ti&e and skills that o$'(e learned o(er the ears" What o$ think a)ter o$r first instin&t is the t pe of thinkin) that )oes- BWhat hands &an 8 beatJB Mo$ ne(er think abo$t <hat hands o$ &an beat" B.o 8 ha(e the best handJB is <hat o$ sho$ld be thinkin)" Remember- a bettor be- a &aller ne(er" 8f o$'re &allin) in a poker )ame- o$'re &allin) be&a$se o$'(e set a man $p and o$ <ant him to bet 54

o$" Mo$ ha(e t<o &han&es at the pot b bettin)1 'ither he'll m$&k his hand- or o$ ha(e the best hand" When o$'re &allin)- o$r &han&es are slim and none $nless o$'(e set thin)s $p for a &all" % <ife #o <as sittin) on the sidelines <at&hin) $s pla at 9inion's in *++6 <hen 8 <on the pot-limit hold'em to$rnament at the World Series" She heard the people aro$nd her sa in)- BWhat's happenin)J !" #"'s not pla in) an pots" He's )ot &hips- b$t he's C$st sittin) there"B / fella <ho had <at&hed me pla a lot of to$rnaments said- BMo$ <at&h <hat happens <hen the )et do<n to three pla ers" !he mone 's in the top three positions """ C$st <at&h him open $p and )et a))ressi(e t%en.* /nd that's e=a&tl <hat happened" When o$'re pla in) to$rnament poker- the mone 's in the top three spots and o$'(e )ot to )et there" S$re- o$'re )oin) to pla mar)inal hands sometimes- and o$'re )oin) to pla different sit$ations" 9$t o$ &annot do that all of the time" Mo$ ha(e to $se &orre&t timin)"

Pla er /nal sis

No< let's anal He the pla of a top-not&h to$rnament pla er <ho has <on some maCor titles" 8'm )oin) to &all him B#ohn Smith"B Smith has a (er bi) BsiHHB potential" When pla ers like Smith )et a (er bi) hand beaten- <hat do the do d$rin) the ne=t *3 or *> min$tesJ !hat's <hen o$ look for the potential siHH- the tilt fa&tor" / lot of pla ers be&ome o(erl a))ressi(e <hen the take a bad beat" !he <ill pla a hand that the sho$ldn't be in Wlth- )et a little flop to it- and then )et it beat I and then the )et e(en &raHier" Smith often does this <hen he )ets a hold of a lot of &hips" He's a tr$l )reat pla er- b$t he has a bad habit P f thinkin) that nobod else at the table &an pla " So- he thinks hat be&a$se he makes a mo(e at the pot- his opponents sho$ld
37

a$tomati&all lose the pot to him" 9$t it doesn't happen that <a " /n pla er sho$ld be able to take an kind of a beat and not let it &han)e his st le one iota" O(er *3-333 or *33-333 hands- e(er bod is )oin) to &at&h the same kinds of &ards" 8t's ho< o$ pla them that &omes o$t in the <ash" When Smith breaks his &hips do<n to &all- he <ill t$rn them o$t in sta&ks of fi(e or so- then he'll sta&k them $p- and then he'll )o ba&k to the sta&k- then brin) them ba&k o$t and sta&k them $p a)ain" /nd he $s$all makes the &all or a raise <hen he does this" When he )oes ba&k and forth <ith his &hipsmost of the time he has a bi) hand" /nd he $s$all &$ts oifhis &hips to the ri)ht" 9$t e(er on&e in a <hile- 8'(e seen him &$t them oif to the left" No<- <hen he sta&ks them re(erse to his $s$al pattern- he's $s$all on a dra< or a bl$ff" !his is C$st an e=ample of the thin)s that o$ &an obser(e in a poker )ame and $se to o$r ad(anta)e" Mo$ &an e=pe&t Smith to pla (er )ood poker $nless he takes a (er bad beat" !hen he siHHles" So- the time to )et a C$mp on a pla er like Smith is d$rin) the *3 or *> min$tes after he takes a bad beat" Mo$'re )oin) to take beats in pokerthat's all there is to it" #$st <at&h o$t for the siHH" !hen there's the t pe of pla er <ho splashes his &hips in front of him I he ne(er sta&ks his &hips in front of him- he C$st splashes them o$t to<ard the pot" S$ppose he's been doin) this all da lon) in o$r )ame" !hen s$ddenl - he &$ts his &hips o$t and sta&ks them $p (er ni&el " No< that's a bi) differen&e in his $s$al st le" When he splashes his &hips- does he ha(e a hand or doesn't he ha(e a hand- as opposed to <hat he has <hen he sta&ks them o$t neatl J 8f o$'(e been <at&hin) him- o$'ll kno<" No< o$'(e learned somethin) abo$t this pla er I <hi&h <a he has a hand- and <hi&h <a he doesn't ha(e one- or <hether the <a he p$ts in his &hips means an thin) at all" 8t ma not- b$t $s$all it does" Like 8 said before- people al<a s re(ert ba&k to their o<n st les" !om points o$t that a lot of pla ers in a to$rna57

ment pla their /-)ames for an ho$r or so- $ntil the &an't stand it an lon)er" !hen the all )o ba&k to their nat$ral st le of pla - %a be the '(e been tr in) to pla real sn$) or real solid- <hate(er the think their /-)ame is" Some of the better pla ers ma e(en hold o$t for t<o ho$rs" Of &o$rse- !om's not talkin) abo$t the )reat pla ers <ho )et the mone most of the time in to$rnaments" !here are a lot of pla ers in to$rnaments <ho don't ha(e an /-)ame" !hese pla ers &an be (er dan)ero$s- tho$)hbe&a$se an bod &an pi&k $p t<o &ards and )et a flop to them" 9$t in the lon) r$n- the <eaker pla ers are )oin) to make &alls and pla s that are so far o$t of line that the don't ha(e a &han&e to <in the to$rnament" '(er no< and then- somebod <ill &ome alon) like the late Hal 0o<ler" When he <on the World Series in *+,+- it mi)ht ha(e been the bi))est $pset in the histor of poker" He made fo$r or fi(e inside strai)hts at the final table I three of them a)ainst 9obb Hoff <hen the <ere pla in) head-$p" Mo$ &o$ld'(e pla ed as )ood as ;od &an pla - and o$ &o$ldn't ha(e <on those pots" Mo$ &an't <in a to$rnament <hen a man is doin) that to o$ for a bi) amo$nt of mone " 9$t re)ardless of these t pes of amaHin) thin)s that o&&asionall happen- still pla o$r /-)ame and maintain o$r obser(ation po<ers" Obser(ation is s$&h a stron) tool- kno<in) ho< the other people pla in (ario$s sit$ations <ith different hands- and keepin) that book on e(er bod are so important that 8 &an't sa it often eno$)h I Obser(ation is the stron)est thin) in pot-limit and no-limit poker" /

Cha%ter Two

PO!-L8%8! HOL.''% S!R/!';M

ot-limit hold'em is the ne=t C$mp $p from limit hold'em" Mo$ &an bet <hat is in the pot at an time- b$t only <hat is in the pot at an time" 8n m opinion- pot-limit hold'em is a )reat )ame <hen it is pla ed <ith a hi)h blind str$&t$re" No-limit is a )reat )ame <ith an blind str$&t$re" !he main differen&e bet<een the t<o )ames is that in potlimit- be&a$se of the siHe of the bets that o$ are for&ed to make- o$ &annot r$n people o$t of the pot <ith a bi) bet like o$ &an do in no-limit" 8n no-limit- o$ &an prote&t o$r hand (if o$ <ant to) b p$ttin) in a bi) raise" No-limit hold'em is an a))ressi(e )ame" Pot-limit is a semi-a))ressi(e )ame" Mo$ &annot prote&t bi) pairs before the flop in pot-limit """ $nless o$ limp in- and somebod raises- and there's a reraiseand then o$ raise a)ain so as to )et some people o$t of the pot <ith a bi) raise" Mo$ ha(e more opport$nities for trap pla s in pot-limit" /nd in pot-limit- o$ &an raise <ith some hands that o$ &an't raise <ith in no-limit" 9$t after that- o$r a))ression sho$ld sh$t do<n a little bit" !here are a lot of pla ers takin) shots <ith the same hands in pot-limit and o$ &an )et o$rself in a trap- <hereas in no-limit- o$ &an bet eno$)h mone to p$t people to a test e(er time" !here are t<o <a s of pla in) pot-limit hold'em" 8n strai)ht pot-limit- if there is a G> and a G*3 blind- o$ &an &all the G*3 and raise G2>" !he se&ond pla er &an &all the siHe of the pot- or raise the siHe of the pot <ith his bet in it" !he se&ond )ame str$&t$re $ses the old form$la that $sed to be $sed a lot in pot-limit )ames- in <hi&h the openin) bet &an be 40

fo$r times the siHe of the bi) blind" /nother <a that <e $sed to pla ' !e=as <as to ro$nd off the bets to the nearest G2>" 8nstead of ha(in) to fi)$re o$t a lot of little bets- <e <o$ld simpl ro$nd it $p" 8f there <as G*73 in the pot- <e &o$ld bet $p to G233" 9$t the main feat$re abo$t pot-limit hold'em is the prote&tion pro&ed$re" 8t is a )ame desi)ned for people <ho <ill take flops to hands like 6->- >-4- or ,-7 s$ited for a minim$m amo$nt of mone " 8f a pla er brin)s it in for G63 and o$ &an pla for C$st G63- o$ mi)ht be able to take someone off <ho has a bi) hand" 8f an opponent has t<o a&es or t<o kin)s- for e=ample- and the flop &onies o$t 5-4-,- he's not )oin) to )i(e o$ &redit for 6->- he's &omin) o$t bettin)" So- a lot of timeso$ &an trap a pla er in pot-limit" Mo$ &an't do it as m$&h in no-limit be&a$se it &osts o$ too m$&h to make that &all" 9e&a$se of this- a lot of people prefer pot-limit to nolimit hold'em" Pot-limit is a )ame that )i(es pla ers a &han&e to pla a lot of little pairsD it is desi)ned for that" Some pla ers <ho are (er a))ressi(e <ill p$t in a lot of small raiseshopin) to flop somethin)" 0or a minim$m bet- the siHe of the bi) blind in an $nraised pot- or fo$r times the bi) blind if someone brin)s it in for that amo$nt- o$ &an pla po&ket si=es or se(ens I and o$ mi)ht flop somethin)" 8t is a )ame that is &ompletel different from no-limit in this respe&t" 8n addition to the small pairs- some pla ers <ill e(en tr to s<eeten the pot <ith a little pot-b$ilder raise <ith hands like #-*3 or +-7 s$ited" !he 're hopin) to b$ild a pot <ith their modest raises to make s$re that there's a little somethin) < the pot in &ase the hit a hand" !here's nothin) <ron) <ith this strate) i) you+re a )ood eno$)h pla er to )et a<a from a hand" Sa that o$ raise <ith #-*3 and o$ )et t<o or three K alters" !hen the flop &omes #-6->" No<- ho< do o$ pla the CV3BJ !hat's the bi) E$estion" 8f o$ bet and )et an a&tion on e hand- there's a prett )ood &han&e that o$'re beaten al6*

read " So- o$ ha(e to be skilled eno$)h to kno< <hen o$r hand is )ood and <hen it isn't" /nd that )oes ba&k to the first &hapter on obser(ation and kno<in) ho< other people pla " !here are man times <hen o$ <ill &he&k this hand (in the e=ample abo(e) be&a$se o$ <ant to find o$t <here o$ are" /n time that o$ hear somebod sa - B8 made a bet to find o$t <here 8 <as-B o$ kno< that person is makin) a bad pla be&a$se it is foolish to p$t mone into a pot to find o$t <here o$ are" Mo$ sho$ld be obser(ant eno$)h and pla <ell eno$)h to find that o$t <itho$t ha(in) to p$t mone in the pot" 8'(e heard so man pla ers sa that the '(e bet G233 at a pot be&a$se the B<anted to see <here 8 <as"B !o me- that is a ridi&$lo$s statement in poker" Wh <o$ld o$ e(er do somethin) like thatJ S$ppose o$ p$t in G233 and some )$ raises o$" What are o$ )oin) to do <ith the handJ Mo$'re )oin) to thro< it a<a " 9$t if o$ had &he&ked and the man then made a de&ent bet- o$ <o$ld kno< that he had some kind of hand" !hen it's $p to o$ <hether o$ <ant to &all him" Mo$ s$re <o$ldn't ha(e <asted that G233A

;oals in Pot-Lniit Hold'em

!he main idea that dri(es a )ood pot-limit pla er's a&tions is ma=imiHin) the amo$nt of mone that he &an <in on a hand" / )ood pot-limit pla er &an ma=imiHe the mone that he &an <in be&a$se his bettin) seE$en&es are &orre&t" 8f o$ ha(e a hand that o$ &an raise <ith- o$ <ant to b$ild the pot- not limit the field" 8 don't belie(e in (ar in) the siHe of o$r bets- either" 8 al<a s bet the siHe of the pot" 8f o$ al<a s bet the siHe of the pot- o$r opponents &an't )et a tell on o$- or a tell on <hat kind of a hand o$ ha(e" So man pla ers )i(e a<a information b the siHe of their bets" / bi)-time pla er that 8 kno< has the bi))est tell in the <orld1 When he makes a bab raise- he
42

has a bi) hand- and <hen he makes a bi) raise- he has a mar)inal hand" !his re(erse tell of his is as p$re as the dri(en sno<" He's al<a s afraid that he <on't )et &alled if he p$ts in a bi) raise <hen he has a bi) hand" On&e a)ain- o$ &an learn this t pe of information abo$t pla ers if o$ are al<a s obser(in) their pla and keepin) a mental or <ritten book on them" 8n pot-limit- <hen o$ ha(e the &hips and o$ ha(e the hand that o$ <ant to pla - o$ <on't be )i(in) a<a an information if o$ al<a s bet the siHe of the pot"

'ffe&ts of 9lind Sise on ;ame Strate)

.oes the siHe of the )ame affe&t the <a that o$ pla J % theor is that it does not" Sa that o$ ha(e o$r &hoi&e of three pot-limit )ames1 a G>-G *3- a G*3-G *3- and a G*3-G2>" !o pla the G*3-G2> )ame- o$ sho$ld ha(e eno$)h bankroll to pla " '(en if o$r bankroll is fo$r or fi(e times the amo$nt o$ need to pla the )ame- o$'re still )oin) to pla it the same <a " Mo$ sho$ld pla the same hands- no matter <hat the str$&t$re" 8n side )ames- o$r strate) sho$ld not be affe&ted b the siHe of the blinds" Personall - 8 like to pla in )ames <ith a hi)h blind str$&t$re be&a$se then 8 &an )et more prote&tion for m hands" Mo$ sho$ld ha(e the same standards for the hands that o$ pla re)ardless of the siHe of )ame o$'re pla in)" Some people <ill pla looser <hen the 're pla in) in &heaper )ames- pla hands that aren't as )ood as the <o$ld pla in hi)her limit )ames- be&a$se the fi)$re that it isn't &ostin) them m$&h to 'B aW !he are the losers" 8f o$r standards are the same for :er siHe of )ame o$ pla - o$'re )oin) to )et the mone "
43

/ )ood pla er doesn't hope to )et a 43-63 break in the &ards" 8f the &ards break e(en- a )ood pla er <ill <in the mone """ at all times """ be&a$se he's )oin) to make fe<er mistakes than a bad pla er <ill make" What does poker break do<n to in the lon) r$nJ %ost of the mone o$ make &omes from somebod 's mistakes" ;ood pla ers also make mistakes- b$t the make fe<er of them" 8n to$rnament pla - tho$)h- the siHe of the blinds does affe&t o$r pla " /s o$ pro)ress in a to$rnamento$ <ill ha(e more &hips (or o$ <on't pro)ress)" /s the blinds in&rease- o$r &hips sho$ld in&rease" Of &o$rse- the rise in blinds sho$ldn't affe&t o$r pla a lotb$t o$ do ha(e to be a little bit more sele&ti(e on o$r startin) hands" Ho 8d'em is a position )ame- and o$'re )oin) to pla o$r position stron) as the le(els )o $pno matter <hat the blinds are"

Siariin) Hands
We all kno< the standard hands to start <ith in ho 8d'em- and <e kno< that bi) pairs are the stron)est startin) hands" 9$t <hen some people be)in to rate startin) hands- the <ill rank them in this order1 t<o a&es- t<o kin)s- /-@- t<o E$eens" !he p$t /-@ before t<o E$eens" 8 don't" Big Pairs and Big Slick. 8 rate the bi)-&ard startin) hands as a&es- kin)s- E$eens- Ca&ks- tens- and t%en /-@" 8 realiHe that some &omp$ter people rank /@ hi)her- b$t if o$ pla da -to-da - o$'ll see the (al$e in rankin) 9i) Sli&k belo< the hi)h pairs"!om rates /-@ belo< E$eens- on abo$t the same par as Ca&ks- so <e're fairl &lose in o$r thinkin)" !he reason that 8 )o all the <a do<n to tens before thro<in) in 9i) Sli&k is be&a$se o$ &an still make the n$t strai)ht <ith a *3" (Mo$ &annot make a strai)ht in hold'eni <itho$t a *3 or a fi(e") Pl$s- o$ <ill make more n$t strai)hts (a&e-hi)h) <ith a *3 than <ith an other &ard" With tens- o$
44

ake the /-@-N-#-*3 strai)ht- all the <a do<n to the *3-+-7-,-4 strai)ht I and those hands do &ome $p" !hat is h( 8 rate a pair of tens abo(e /-@ as a startin) hand" Ac !S"all S#i$ d. 8 ha(e been asked if there is a time <hen o$ <o$ld pla /&e-small s$ited in pot-limit" S$re there Ds be&a$se o$ &an )et in so &heapl in an $nraised pot" !hat's one of the main ideas in pot-limit hold'em" 8f o$ &an )et in for a &heap pri&e- <h not take a flop to /&e-small s$itedJ Mo$ &an &ome into an $nraised pot from an position <ith the hand- and then if someone raises behind o$- o$ &an al<a s thro< it a<a """ and it hasn't &ost o$ m$&h of an thin)" Remember that <hen o$ are pla in) /&e-small (/-2/-5- /-6- /->)- there are a n$mber of hands that o$ &an either flop or make- in&l$din) a n$t fl$sh- a strai)ht- t<o pairand sometimes e(en a small set s$&h as three de$&es- tre sfo$rs- or fi(es """ and all of these sets ha(e the top ki&ker- the a&e- to )o <ith them" S"all Pairs. Mo$ also &an start <ith small pairs- dependin) on the siHe of the pair- o$r position- and the a&tion" Mo$ mi)ht pla hands like de$&es- tre s- fo$rs- or fi(es- from fifth position or later" S$ppose that o$'re in fifth or si=th position in a G*3-G *3 )ame- a pla er has bro$)ht it in for a small raise of G63- and there alread are three pla ers in the pot" !he pot is la in) o$ )ood odds- so <h not &all the G63 <ith o$r small po&ket pairJ 8f o$ flop a set- o$'re probabl )oin) to <in a )ood-siHed pot" 8f o$ don't flop a set- o$ &an )et a<a from it and all it has &ost o$ is o$r ori)inal bet" 8t is the <eak pla ers <ho trap themsel(es <ith the small Pairs" Sa that the flop &omes #-7-4 and a pla er bets on the lloP- !he <eak pla er is holdin) a pair of fo$rs and he &allsBopin) to &at&h a fo$r on the t$rn" !hat is a horrible pla " 0or e n$mber of times that o$ <ill &at&h o$r &ard in that instan&e- o$ mi)ht lose 53 times" /nd e(en if o$ do &at&h itP$ nii)ht be $p a)ainst a lar)er set and end $p losin) o$r <hPle bankroll" Callin) <ith an $nderpair on the flop is limit
m

45

strate) - and limit strate) doesn't <ork in pot-limit hold'ern !om and 8 both a)ree that e(en in limit ho 8d'em- it is a bad pla to &all <ith an $nderpair on the flop" 9$t if o$ re)$larl - o$ <ill see pla ers doin) it tho$sands of times" !om notes that B8f 8'm in a rammer-Cammer )ame <here there's a lot of pre-flop raisin)- the small pairs and s$ited &onne&tors don't pla (er <ell be&a$se it )ets to be too e=pert-si(e to see the flop <ith them" 9$t <hen o$'re in a normal pot-limit )ame <here there's a lot of limpin) )oin) on and C$st an a(era)e amo$nt of raisin)- o$ &an limp in <ith the small pairs o$t of position- e(en from an earl position in pot-limit hold'em" B8 <ill &all a small raise if it looks like 8'm )oin) to )et m$lti<a a&tion on m small pair" 0or e=ample- if a &o$ple of people ha(e limped and then a pla er raises the pot to G63 or G>3- the )amble is <orth it be&a$se the implied odds are there" Sometimes- o$r &all of a small raise <ill attra&t other &allers and then o$ are almost )$aranteed to )et a )ood pri&e O9 o$r hand" So <hat if o$ miss the flopJ Mo$'re onl in there for a small amo$nt and o$ ha(e the &han&e to <in a bi) pot"B 8 disa)ree some<hat <ith !om on the <a that he pla s the small pairs" 8 belie(e that <hen o$ &ompare the n$mber of times that o$ <ill flop a hand <ith o$r small pair and )et a pla on the hand after the flop- <ith the n$mber of times that o$ <ill b$rn $p G63 or G>3 makin) the &all- the n$mbers don't e(en o$t" 8n the lon) r$n- 8 think that o$ <ill be a loser to the small pairs" 0irst of all- if o$ &at&h a set to the small pair- o$ ha(e to )et a pla on the flop" Mo$ mi)ht )o 23 or 5d hands <itho$t hittin) a flop" Lnless o$ ha(e a bi) &ash reser(e in a pot-limit rin) )ame- o$ &an r$n thro$)h a lot of mone that <a " Of &o$rse- !om is talkin) abo$t the times that he &alls a raise <ith small pairs <hen it looks like the pot is )oin)to de(elop m$lti<a - <hereas 8 am dis&$ssin) openin) <ith pairs from an earl position" 8f it looks like he's )oin) to 64

* (in) head-$p- then !om doesn't &all the raise """ he onl lls it if W looks like the pot is )oin) to be pla ed m$lti<a " S"all S#i$ d C%nn c$%rs. Pot-limit is desi)ned for la(in) s$ited &onne&tors for the same reason that it is desi)ned for pla in) a small pair1 Mo$ &an )et in &heapl <ith the &onne&tors" Sa that o$ are on the b$tton <ith 6S > /the pot has been raised- three or fo$r people ha(e &alled the pot- and it &osts o$ G63 to &all" Mo$ &an take a flop to this t pe of hand for G63" Mo$ mi)ht flop the n$ts and break somebod <ho is holdin) a bi) o(erpair" 8f o$ don't flop to it- it's the easiest hand in the <orld to )et a<a from" 8t's a different s&enario in no-limit" Seein) a flop <ith these t pes of hands in no-limit probabl <ill &ost o$ a lot of mone - b$t in pot-limit side )ames- o$ &an take flops <ith them" With the small &onne&tors- o$ mi)ht flop t<o pair- three-of-a-kind- or a strai)ht- all of <hi&h &an be )ood hands" 8f o$ <at&h a )reat pla er like 9obb Hoff pla in) in side )ames- o$'ll noti&e that he seldom <ins <ith hands like a&es- kin)s- or E$eens" When he's on the b$tton <ith t<o &onne&tors- he'll brin) it in for a bab raise e(er sin)le time" !he &ards don't e(en need to be s$ited" 8f o$ look at &omp$ter r$ns- the <ill tell o$ that s$ited &onne&tors are al<a s better than nons$ited &onne&tors" 9$t the &omp$ter doesn't fa&tor into the eE$ation that there ma be three or fo$r other pla ers in the pot <ho &o$ld be holdin) &ards in o$r same s$it""" and there's a )ood &han&e of that happenin)" % thinkin) in pot-limit is that <hen o$ pla &onne&tors- the don't ne&essaril need to be s$ited be&a$se <hen he are s$ited- the &an be&ome trap hands" !here is more (al$e in the &ards bein) connected than in bein) s$ited" 8n a& t- a lot of times- o$ don't <ant to be s$ited <ith those smaL &onne&tors be&a$se if the flop &omes t<o-to-a-s$ite re s a &han&e that o$ mi)ht be $p a)ainst a hi)her fl$sh a<' Wd then the hand &an &ost o$ a lot of mone "
47

!om doesn't fa(or s$ited &onne&tors as m$&h in the earl positions be&a$se o$ $s$all ha(e to make a lot of tri&k C$d)ment pla s" Sometimes- o$'ll make somethin) <ith o$r hand and still ha(e to m$&k it- espe&iall <hen o$ flop a fl$sh dra<" Other times- o$'ll flop top pair <ith a strai)ht dra<- b$t o$'re o$t of position I and then <hat do o$ doJ !he broke pla er's lament as he's <alkin) o$t the door from a pot-limit or no-limit )ame is B8 lost a bi) pot &allin) <ith a s$&h-and-s$&h hand """ b$t 8 <as s$ited"B 9i) dealA !here are a lot of times <hen o$r s$it &omes $p- b$t there are also a lot of times <hen it doesn't" Of &o$rse- if o$ ha(e /( @F a)ainst /-@ ofls$it- o$'re a fa(orite" Mo$'re a sli&%t fa(orite- b$t still o$ are a fa(orite for the fe< times that the flop &omes in o$r s$it" 8'(e also seen t<o a&es a)ainst t<o a&es- fo$r-of-a-s$it &omes- and one of the pla ers <ins the pot <ith his s$ited a&e" When that happensit's like the r$b of the )reen in )o 8f or C$st bein) $nl$&k in poker" When o$'re in a head-$p sit$ation in a raised pot- o$ &annot &all <ith the &onne&tors" !he pot has to be la in) o$ odds for o$ to pla them I three or fo$r pla ers in the pot" Mo$ don't <ant to be head-$p <ith a dra<in) hand <here o$ ha(e to )et l$&k to flop to it" When o$'re head-$p- o$ <ant to ha(e a hammer" Mo$ don't <ant to pla the small s$ited &onne&tors in to$rnaments- either- be&a$se o$ &an't rea&h into o$r po&ket for more &hips" 8n to$rnaments- 8 don't pla the &onne&tors be&a$se 8 al<a s tr to pla top hand if 8 &an"

67

T&% Big Cards. %an pla ers <ill pla an t<o bi) &ards from an position- b$t that is not a )ood idea- in m opinion" Let's start <ith /-#- the bi))est trash hand that o$ &an pla - and also the bi))est trap hand of the trash hands" !ake a look at this s&enario" Mo$ are holdin)1

Sa that o$'re in a pot for a little raise- or ma be o$'re pla in) in an $nraised pot <ith three or fo$r pla ers" !he flop &omes1
A *

?* 4 V

t*

*****

**

Mo$ &an )et trapped (er easil <ith /-#" Mo$ mi)ht be a)ainst @' /-N- an t<o pair- or an set" 0rom an earl position in side )ames- /-# is a )ood hand to d$mp" @-#- @-N- @-*3 aL ofthese t pes of hands I are dan)ero$s" 8f o$ don't flop a strai)ht to them- or flop a f$ll ho$se to them (<hen o$ flop t<P of one rank and one of the other rank)- o$'re in tro$ble" What do o$ <ant to &at&h to these t pes of handsJ Mo$ n <ant to make top pair be&a$se &han&es are that o$'ll s Wki&ked- or somebod mi)ht hold an o(erpair" 8 like the *** and medi$m &onne&tors better than t<o bi) &ards" Of
49

&o$rse- if it's passed to o$ on the b$tton <hen the onl hands to a&t after o$ are the blinds- then these hands mi)ht ha(e some (al$e" 9$t in earl positions- the are horrible hands" When &an o$ pla t<o bi) &ards in pot-limit hold'emJ 8 prefer ha(in) the a&tion passed to me <hen 8'm in one of the ba&k fo$r positons" !hen- 8 <ill pla hands that 8 normall <o$ldn't pla I @-N- @-#- or @-*3- for e=ample" When o$ &all <ith t<o bi) &ards from a late position- there is a fairl )ood &han&e that o$ <on't )et raised- and e(en if o$ doo$ ha(e onl &alled the ori)inal bet and the hand is eas to )et a<a from" S$ppose that o$ flat &alled before the flop <ith @-#and onl the t<o blinds and o$ are in the pot" !he flop &omes @-6-2" 8f one of the t<o blinds leads at the pot- o$ probabl <o$ld C$st flat &allD b$t if the both &he&k- then o$ <o$ld bet" !he reason that o$ <o$ld flat &all the blind's bet in an $nraised pot is be&a$se he &o$ld ha(e an t<o random &ards and &o$ld ha(e flopped t<o pair" Random &ards )et a lot of people in tro$ble" Mo$ &an )et into tro$ble b bettin) bottom t<o pair or a kin) <ith a <eak ki&ker (in this e=ample)" Ls$all - these pla ers are bettin) their hands to be the best hand- sin&e the are in an $nraised potD the are not makin) an BinformationB bet" Chan)in) the s&enario- s$ppose the flop &omes @-*3-2 in an $nraised pot" / lot of times- the blind <ill lead at the pot <ith se&ond pair- espe&iall if he is holdin) somethin) s$&h as /-*3 offs$it" !he small or bi) blind is the pla&e from <hi&h a lot of pla ers <ill bet se&ond pair in an $nraised pot" With o$r @-#- o$ &an be fairl s$re that o$ ha(e the best hand and o$ ha(e the &han&e to kno&k o$r opponent off" 8 don't s$))est raisin) <ith the handD C$st &all" !hen if o$r opponent sh$ts do<n on fo$rth street- o$ &an bet" Or o$ &an pla to <in C$st the one bet on the flop" 8n an $nraised pot- there is nothin) <ron) <ith C$st pla in) to <in a small pot on the flopso that o$ don't )et o$rself trapped" >3

S$ar$ing Hands '( P%si$i%n. Position is more imortant in pot-limit and no-limit hold'em than it is in limit hold'eni" !o pla from an earl position- o$ sho$ld ha(e an /-O s$ited or abo(e" 0rom a middle position- fifth spot and later- o$ mi)ht pla /-# or /-*3 s$ited and $p" 0rom a late position into the blinds- o$ &an pla @-*3 s$ited and abo(e" 9e mindf$l that a hand s$&h as #-*3 s$ited is rated as a better hand than @-*3 s$ited in a m$lti<a pot" !he #-*3 )i(es o$ more strai)ht possibilities- and be&a$se of o$r ki&ker- it is easier to )et a<a from if o$ flop top pair" 0or e=ample- if the flop &omes *3-,-2- o$r ki&ker is onl a Ca&k- <hereas <ith the @-*3- o$r ki&ker is the se&ond-hi)hest one that o$ &an ha(e" 9$t pla in) hands s$&h as @-+- no" 8 am not )oin) to pla an three-holers s$&h as @-+ or +-> or ,-5" S$re- o$ &an flop a strai)ht to these hands- b$t o$ &an ne(er make the nut strai)ht" /ltho$)h a lot of people pla them- 8 don't pla threeholers in hold'em- period" 8n poker- the @-+ is &alled Bsa<mill"B Here's a tr$e stor abo$t ho< it )ot that name" Co<bo Wolford and %ilton 9$tts <ere pla in) $p in the hill &o$ntr in !e=as and Co<bo had )otten broke in the )ame" So- the <ere dri(in) do<n a hill )oin) o$t of to<n <hen the passed b a bi) l$mber &amp" Co<bo looked o(er at %ilton and said- B'(en those )$ s <orkin) in that sa<mill <o$ldn't ha(e )ot broke on a @-+"B /nd that hand has been &alled a Bsa<millB e(er sin&e then" 8n a to$rnament str$&t$re- on&e o$ )et $p to the G*33G233 blinds <ith an ante in no-limit- pla ers <ill pi&k $p pots <ith hands like @-+ s$ited- b$t in pot-limit to$rnaments- there ne(er is an ante" !herefore- the idea of pi&kin) $p pots in pottaait hold'em to$rnaments does not ha(e the (al$e that it does m no-limit to$rne s be&a$se- <itho$t the antes- there isn't as m$&h to pi&k $p in pot-limit" !hese are openin) hands- b position- that !om and 8 a(e been dis&$ssin)" !he are not ne&essaril hands that o$
>*

<o$ld &all <ith """ the are hands that o$ <o$ld open <ith" Of &o$rse- there are other hands that o$ <ill pla <hen three or fo$r pla ers are alread in the pot- altho$)h in $nraised pots- it takes prett m$&h the same standards to &all a pot that it does to open it"

Raisin) Hands
!he raisin) hands in pot-limit are the standard raisin) hands in all of hold'em1 a&es- kin)s- on do<n to /-@" 9$t be&a$se potlimit ho 8d'em is a str$&t$red )ame- if 8 ha(e a pair of nines or abo(e- 8 probabl <ill brin) in the hand for a minim$m raise (G63 in a G*3-G *3 )ame)" 8f 8 )et reraised- <hether 8 &all depends $pon m obser(ation of the pla ers I <ho does <hat in <hi&h sit$ations" !<o nines on a reraise isn't m$&h of a handD o$ &an al<a s )et a<a from it" / lot of times- a pla er <ill stand a reraise <ith a pair of nines" 8f he has bro$)ht it in for G63- the reraiser &an &all the G63 raise and reraise it G*33" !he three blinds are in for G>G>- and G*3 and o$ ha(e raised it b G63- makin) G43 in the pot" /ddin) the G63 reE$ired to &all o$r raise- the reraiser &an raise the pot b G*33" So- the ori)inal raiser often <ill take a flop <ith po&ket nines be&a$se it onl &osts him G*33 more and he mi)ht break the reraiser if he flops a set" Mo$ &an raise the pot for an amo$nt $p to the siHe of the pot- b$t 8 s$))est that o$ al<a s raise the amo$nt of the pot" !he onl thin) that <o$ld stop me from raisin) the siHe of the pot is if 8 didn't ha(e eno$)h mone in front of me to raise the siHe of the potD and in that &ase- 8 <o$ld raise all-in" S$ppose that Pla er / has bro$)ht it in for a raise and o$ ha(e &alled the raise" !hen Pla er C reraises behind o$What do o$ doJ Mo$ ha(e all kinds of options" Mo$ mi)ht be holdin) t<o kin)s and C$st flat &all Pla er /'s raise- b$t Pla er C reraises behind o$- o$ ha(e to de&ide <hether
>2

ha(e the best hand" / lot of times- a)ainst a(era)e pla ers(o$r kin)s <ill be the best hand and o$'re )oin) to &all Pla er C's reraise" 9$t o$ sho$ld not take the option of reraisin) the pot a)ain- be&a$se o$ mi)ht be $p a)ainst t<o a&es" Mo$ also <ant to see if an a&e hits the flop before o$ &ommit a lot more mone to this pot- so o$ C$st flat &all before the flop <ith o$r kin)s" 8f an a&e doesn't hit the flopand if o$ don't p$t o$r opponent(s) on a&es- o$ probabl ha(e the best hand """ $nless somebod flops a set- in <hi&h &ase the a&tion <ill tell o$ <hat to do ne=t" W) n N%$ T% Call a Rais . !here are sit$ations <hen o$ <on't &all a raise before the flop" S$ppose that Pla er C raises on the b$tton and one of the blinds pops it a)ain" Lnless o$ ha(e a pair of a&es- o$ probabl sho$ldn't &allD o$ sho$ld thro< a<a o$r kin)s" Mo$ don't ha(e m$&h in(ested in this pot and e(en if he doesn't ha(e a&es- it's not a bad pla to fold the kin)s" Where 8 <as s&hooled in .allas- the se&ond raise probabl <o$ld ha(e been a&es- and the third raise <as like 8(or sno<1 ++"+ per&ent p$re a&es" 8t's not /-@ in this sit$ation1 8t's a&es" Whether o$ &all or fold all )ets ba&k to kno<in) o$r pla ers" !here are pla ers that o$ kno< are loose eno$)h to p$t in the third raise <ith t<o E$eens" 9$t o$ kno< that alread D so no<- o$r onl E$estion is- BWas he l$&k eno$)h to pi&k $p t<o a&es in this pot- or do 8 ha(e the best handJB l hen o$ make o$r de&ision" !here are other pla ers that o$ kno< <o$ld ne(er p$t in the third raise <itho$t t<o a&esso then it's (er eas to d$mp the t<o kin)s" 8n fa&t- 8 d$mped /em t<i&e a)ainst one raise d$rin) the World Series of Poker *** *+7>" 8 raised the pot- %ike /llen reraised- and 8 thre< them a<a both times """ and both times- /llen sho<ed me t<o a&es" / <orld-&lass pla er that 8 kno< likes to reraise <ith t 8f L-WLeens' be&a$se the raise helps him find o$t <here he is" **7 opponent mo$nts him for all his &hips- then he kno<s
>5

that his hand is no )ood" 9$t this reasonin) )ets ba&k to m theor that o$'re s$pposed to kno< <here o$'re at wit%out ha(in) to p$t mone in the pot" 8f o$'re in a )ame <ith a lot of pla ers that o$ don't kno<- o$ sho$ld be able to )et a line on ea&h of them <ithin the first *> min$tes of the )ame" 9$t this t pe of sit$ation mi)ht not &ome $p d$rin) that timeso then o$ C$st ha(e to make a de&ision and li(e <ith it" T) P#r*%s %+ $) Pr !Fl%* Ac$i%n. With a )ood hand- the p$rpose of this pre-flop a&tion- remember- is to b$ild a pot" !he pre-flop a&tion in no-limit hold'em is m$&h bi))er be&a$se o$ &an )et all of o$r &hips in the pot before the flop- b$t in pot-limit that $s$all isn't the &ase" Mo$ mi)ht ha(e the same &riteria for startin) hands in no-limit that o$ ha(e in pot-limit- b$t o$ ha(e to be m$&h more &aref$l <ith them in no-limit be&a$se an time that o$ pla a hand in nolimit- o$r entire pile of &hips is at risk" 8n pot-limit- it is not" 8n no-limit side )ames- a lot more hands are <on <itho$t seein) a flop than happens in pot-limit side )ames" !hat is be&a$se o$ &an't p$t as m$&h press$re on o$r opponents before the flop in pot-limit )ames as o$ &an in no-limit )ames" !herefore- o$'ll see a lot more flops in pot-limit hold'em" 8n no-limit- a three-<a pot is some<hat $n&ommonD $s$all - it's onl t<o-<a a&tion" 9$t in pot-limit hold'em- a lot more people <ill see the flops- and there <ill be more m$lti<a pots- espe&iall <hen o$ )et a lot of pla ers in the )ame <ho ha(e a lot of mone and are liberal <ith their preflop a&tion" !his is <hat makes the pot-limit side )ames d$rin) a to$rnament so C$i& sometimes" 8f o$ make the n$ts on these more liberal pla ers- o$'ll )et a&tion from them- <hereas in no-limit- o$'re $s$all $p a)ainst C$st one )$ and o$ <on't )et the a&tion that o$ <ant" !he m$lti<a pot feat$re of pot-limit hold'em is another reason <h o$ &an pla the s$ited &onne&tors and the small pairs more often""" that's the <hole idea of the )ame"
>6

T) C) ck!Rais . ;ood pla ers al<a s tr to ma=itheir bets in pot-limit to <in all that the &an )et o$t of a hand" 8f o$'re pla in) &he&k-raise- o$'re al<a s takin) the &han&e that o$r opponent <on't bet" !hen- if o$ ha(e a bi) hand- <hat <ill o$ <in in that potJ !herefore- the &he&kraise is $sed far more often in no-limit hold'em than it is in pot-limit hold'em" Pla(ing $) Blinds. / player does not stand raises <ith a <eak hand in the blindsD a non-pla er does" !he nonpla er sa s to himself- B8t's onl &ostin) me G53 more (dependin) on the limits)" Sin&e it's onl a minim$m raise and 8 ha(e #-*3- 8'll C$st &all and take offa &ard"B !hat kind of thinkin) b$rns $p a lot of mone " Mo$ <o$ld need to hit the perfe&t flop to <in <ith a hand s$&h as #-*3" !op pair (Ca&ks) is no )ood be&a$se o$ ha(e no ki&ker" One of the onl t<o times that o$ &an pla the hand is <hen o$ kno< that o$r opponent makes a token raise <ith an small pairD then o$ mi)ht look at the flop" 8f it &omes <ith a Ca&k- o$ mi)ht bet be&a$se o$ kno< that o$r opponent is o(erl a))ressi(e and ma ha(e raised <ith a pair s$&h as threes" !he other time that o$ &an pla this hand from the blind is <hen o$r opponent is the t pe of pla er <ho al<a s bets on the b$tton <hen it is &he&ked to him" 8n this &ase- o$ mi)ht &ome ba&k o(er the top of him from the blind <ith #-*3 and <in the pot ri)ht there" Of &o$rse- e(er time o$ do that- o$ had better be ri)ht" /nd the man on the b$tton has to be a de&ent pla er- one that o$ kno< <ill la do<n a hand a)ainst a raise"

55

Pla in) on the 0lop

!he strate) in pot-limit is to b$ild the pot" /l<a s tr to ma=imiHe the amo$nt of mone that o$ &an <in <hen o$ ha(e a <innin) hand" !herefore- to slo< pla on the flop doesn't make m$&h sense- does itJ Sa that o$ flop a bi) hand and o$ &he&k on the flopand all of o$r opponents also &he&k" !he res$lt is that on fo$rth street- all that o$ &an bet is the amo$nt that o$ &o$ld ha(e bet on the flop" 9$t if o$ bet on the flop and )et a &all or t<o- o$r ne=t bet &an be a prett )ood-siHed bet" No< o$'re ma=imiHin) <hat o$ &an <in in the pot as o$ )o alon) <ith the hand" !he art of pot-limit hold'em is kno<in) ho< to b$ild the pot" !hat's the <hole idea of the )ame" Mo$ &an slo< pla hands a lot more in no-limit be&a$se o$ &an bet an amo$nt that o$ <ant at an time" 9$t in potlimit- <ith its str$&t$red bets- o$ ha(e to build the amo$nt that o$ &an bet" Mo$'re not lookin) to set a trap <ith the slo< pla D o$ <ant people to pla <ith o$" So- o$ lead <ith o$r sets and hope that somebod <ill pla ba&k at o$" 8f the don't pla ba&k- o$'re hopin) that the <ill at least &all be&a$se o$r ne=t bet is )oin) to be lar)er and o$'re hopin) that the <ill &all a)ain" /s o$ pro)ress thro$)h the bettin) sta)es- if o$r opponents are still <ith o$- o$ &an al<a s bet more as o$ )o alon)" /nd that is ho< o$ ma=imiHe the amo$nt that o$ &an <in on the hand"

>4

P$ &ome
!he flop &omes1

Let's sa that o$ &he&k on the flop" Wh <o$ld o$ do thatJ /re o$ hopin) that someone <ill bet it for o$ so that o$ &an p$t in a raise and sh$t o$t o$r opponentJ Wron)A 8f o$ lead <ith the handnobod <ill kno< for s$re <hat o$ ha(e" 8f someone flat &alls o$- that's O@ be&a$se he doesn't kno< <here o$'re atand o$'re )ettin) more mone into the pot so that o$ &an lead at it a)ain" Orsomebod mi)ht raise o$- in <hi&h &ase o$r best (<ith the kin) on the board) ma be to C$st &all I not $se Mo$'re afraid

that he has trip kin)sb$t be&a$se o$ Pn't <ant to blo< him o$t of the pot" Mo$ still <ant to b$ild that potA 'f o$ are raised and o$ C$st flat &all- then on fo$rth t there is some )ood mone in the pot" No< o$ mi)ht lP &he&k let ' him make the betand then )o o(er the top Wlth a raise" No< o$ ha(e him pot&ommitted"

Of &o$rse- there are a lot of <a s to pla an hand- bm <hen o$ ha(e a bi) hand- al<a s keep in mind that o$r )3ai is to ma=imiHe <hat o$ &an <in in the pot" Mo$ don't <ant to take the &han&e of floppin) a bi) hand and C$st <innin) G63 <ith it" !hat happens a lot of times- and sometimes o$ &an't help it1 Mo$ lead and the thro< their hands a<a - so all 3ll <in is <hat is in the pot" /nother reason that o$ <ant to lead at the pot <ith o$r Ca&ks a)ainst the @S #S 6 / flop is that o$ don't <ant to )i(e o$r opponents a &heap dra< at o$" With a &o$ple of s$ited &onne&tors- someone &o$ld easil ha(e a <rap-aro$nd strai)ht dra< or a fl$sh dra<" So- o$ <ant to make them p$t some mone in the pot to make their dra<s- make them pa to pla " !hen if the possible strai)ht or fl$sh &omes- o$ &an al<a s )et a<a from o$r hand" 8n no-limit hold'em- o$ &an distort the siHe of the pot <ith o$r bets- makin) it $nprofitable for o$r opponent to pla the dra<" 8n pot-limit- o$ &an't do that as m$&h b$t o$ still &an make it e=pensi(e eno$)h that o$r opponents <on't be able to dra< at o$ &heapl " / bi) part of o$r strate) in pot-limit is to manip$late the siHe of the pot <ith o$r bets" Pla(ing S c%nd Pair in ,a$ P%si$i%n. S$ppose that a &o$ple of pla ers ha(e &he&ked on the flop- o$ ha(e se&ond-pair- and it's $p to o$" 8 don't s$))est that o$ bet it ri)ht there" Mo$ &an take off another &ard and )et a little more information on the hand <itho$t p$ttin) an mone into the pot" 9elie(e me- another &ard <ill )i(e o$ a lot more information- and o$ <on't be takin) an &han&es in &ase o$'re pla in) a)ainst )$ s <ho like to &he&k raise" /s !om sa s- B8' o$ kno< that o$r opponents are likel to &he&k raise ar< la traps- o$ are less likel to bet than if the are pla inS strai)htfor<ardl - in <hi&h &ase o$ ha(e more reason to bet 8t all )oes ba&k to kno<in) o$r opponents"B

58

T%* Pair- ./0 1ick r. Mo$r bi))est <orr in pot-limit 8d'em is )ettin) broke in an $nraised pot" 9$t if o$ flop pair <ith top ki&ker in an $nraised pot- o$ ha(e to p$t in het Sa that o$ ha(e /-+ s$ited or offs$it- o$'re in one of the blinds- and o$ &an )et in &heapl " Mo$r hand1

!he flop &omes1

'(en from a front position- o$ ha(e to bet o$r hand- be&a$se m an $nraised pot- there is better than a ,> per&ent &han&e that o$ ha(e the best hand" !he onl thin) that o$ ha(e to <orr abo$t is that someone has limped into the pot (probabl m on e of the blinds- sin&e it is an $nraised pot) <ith t<o de$&es or fi(es and flops a set or t<o pair" / pla er also &o$ld ha(e a 5-6 s$ited- b$t o$ <o$ld like 0irst of all- o$ ha(e the a&e in o$r hand- <hi&h is one Pf his strai)ht &ards" Se&ondl - an time that o$ are a 2-to-l orite in a hand- o$ <ant o$r opponents to dra<" 8f the
>+

make it- the make it- b$t o$ ha(e the best of it" So- <ith the t pe of flop mentioned abo(e- o$ definitel <ant to lead W <ith o$r /-+" We are spe&ifi&all dis&$ssin) the /-+ be&a$se <ith thCG t pe of hand- o$ are likel to C$st limp in <ith it in an $nraised pot if there are a b$n&h of limpers in front of o$" 9$t no< s$ppose that o$ ha(e an /-N in the blind and there are a lot of limpers in the pot" With the /-N- o$ probabl <o$ld <ant to raise" When o$ flop top pair and bi) ki&ker- o$ don't ne&essaril ha(e to ha(e the top ki&ker to lead bet" Sa the flop &omes +->-2 and o$ ha(e N-+ in o$r hand" Sin&e o$ )ot in the pot for nothin)- o$ &an lead bet" Mo$'re not leadin) to find o$t informationD o$'re leadin) to <in the pot- o$'re bettin) it as the best hand" !here is a bi) differen&e in bettin) o$r hand as the best hand- and bettin) Bto find o$t <here o$ are at"B No< s$ppose that o$ are holdin) the /-+- the flop &omes +->-2- o$ bet- and o$ )et &alled" / kin) &omes on the t$rn" Sho$ld that s&are o$J No- not in either pot-limit or no-limit" 8f o$ <ere &alled on the flop- it probabl means that somebod had somethin) <ith the nine """ a dra<- or ma be e(en a pair in a rank bet<een the fi(es and nines (a pair of se(ens- for e=ample)" Lnless a pla er had a @-> or @-+- <h <o$ld he ha(e &alled o$J /nd if o$ <ere holdin) the N-+ (as in the se&ond e=ample abo(e)- o$ <ere alread beaten an <a " 8n limit hold'em- that kin) on the t$rn <o$ld s&are o$ to death- b$t in pot-limit and no-limit- it <o$ldn't" / m$&h s&arier &ard on the t$rn <o$ld be a &onne&ted &ard to the nine- a *3 or an ei)ht- be&a$se someone &o$ld ha(e limped in <ith a *3-+ or a +-7 s$ited to make t<o pair on the t$rn" '(en a Ca&k on the t$rn <o$ld be s&arier than a kin)" /n thin) that &onne&ts <ithin t<o holes of the *3 <o$ld be s&ar be&a$se most pot-limit pla ers <ill pla a one-holer (#-+ or N-*3- fPr e=ample) or a t<o-holer (#-7 or N-+)- espe&iall in to$rna' ments- b$t the <ill not pla a three-holer (N-7 or #-,)" 43

90a,5in! 8ac5 to +ouston,9 (,ayin! 8i! S,ic5. X 26+ miles from .allas to Ho$ston" We $sed to sa that if pla 9i) Sli&k often eno$)h in .allas and o$ li(e in , $ston- o$'re )onna' ha(e to <alk ba&k to Ho$ston a fe< mes and for a )ood reason" 8n both pot-limit and no-limit 8d'em- a&e-kin) is the t pe of hand that o$ <ant to <in <itho$t seein) a flop" Mo$ raise <ith the hand- es- b$t o$ raise because o$ <ant to <in the mone ri)ht then and there" S$ppose o$ are holdin)1

!he flop &omes1

Mo$ $s$all <o$ld lead at the pot in this sit$ation- b$t there are a fe< o&&asions <hen o$ mi)ht slo< pla the hand" /ltho$)h <e ha(e said that o$ ne(er slo< pla in pot-limit 2& em- a&t$all <e sho$ld ne(er sa ne(er, be&a$se e(en in Pot-limit- there are e=&eptions to the r$le" 0or e=ample- s$ppose that o$ ha(e raised the pot bere *' flop" !here are <eaker pla ers <ho <ill &all the pot Wlth hands s$&h as @-N- @-#- or @-*3" Wh not )i(e them &he&k """ o$ kno< that the <ill &ome ri)ht o$t of their 4*

shoes if the flop top pair """ and then o$ &an )et thern (<i a &he&k-raise" 9$t if o$ are )oin) to &he&k raise- o$ W do it on t%e )lop so that o$ don't )i(e o$r opponents &han&e to make a se&ond pair or an thin) else on the t$rn" O(er the ears- so man pla ers ha(e said- BHo< &oW o$ )et broke <ith one pairJB !hat is <h o$ &he&k raise 3the flop- <itho$t )i(in) them a &han&e at makin) a do$bt pair or some fantasti& dra<o$t on the t$rn" !here are *3 &ards that are &onne&ted to the kin)- and the &o$ld be pla in) C E$een- Ca&k- a *3- or <ith some bad pla ers- e(en a nine" So<hen o$ &he&k- the ma fi)$re- BWell- he's )ot somethin) bet<een tens and kin)s- so 8'd better take this pot ri)ht no<"' !hen o$'(e )ot 'emA So m$&h of this strate) depends $pon the te=t$re of the flop and the nat$re of the pla ers at the table" #$st be s$re that o$ kno< o$r opponents <ell eno$)h that o$ fi)$re one of them <ill bet on the flop so that o$ &an p$t in o$r &he&kraise" !he <hole idea is to )et them pot-&ommitted" /n time that o$ ha(e the top hand- o$ <ant to )et o$r opponent &ommitted to the pot" 8f o$ ha(e the /-@ and the flop &omes @-N- o$'re a little afraid of it- b$t o$ still bet it" Mo$ realiHe that if he pla s ba&k at o$- o$'re still tr in) to &at&h a &ard- most of the time """ $nless o$r opponent is a <eak pla er" 8f the flop &onies @-N- o$r opponent mi)ht be holdin) @-N or #-*3" 8t's e(en possible that he mi)ht &all o$ <ith /-*3- hopin) to &at&h the )$t-shot strai)ht O9 the t$rn" Pla(ing Dra&s. What's the $se in pla in) a dra<tf o$ &an't )et it paid off <hen o$ make itJ !hat is the fallal in pla in) dra<s in pot-limit and no-limit" /)ainst a top pla et if the flop &omes <ith t<o of a s$it and o$ &all a bet- and theB if the third &ard to o$r s$it &onies on the t$rn and o$ * o$r fl$sh- the top pla er <on't pa o$ off" Mo$ are a 6">-tP' * $nderdo) to make the dra< <ith one &ard to &ome- and
42

s$&&essf$l in makin) o$r hand- o$ aren't )oin) to <in an more mone <ith it- an <a " So if o$ de&ide to make the dra<- the onl <a to pla " to pLt in a pot-siHed bet to )et eno$)h mone into the pot make it <orth o$r <hile to dra< to it" !he onl <a that akin) s$&h a dra< makes sense is to do it a)ainst <eaker nla ers- be&a$se the <ill pa o$ off on the end" Strai)ht dra<s &an be harder for o$r opponents to read than fl$sh dra<s- so o$ mi)ht prefer dra<in) to a strai)ht than dra<in) to a fl$sh" B%$$%" T&% Pair. 8n a pot-limit )ame that 8 <as pla in)- fi(e pla ers <ere in for G63 ea&h" 8 had the N : #( and 8 <as )ettin) bi) odds for m mone - so 8 &alled on the b$tton" !he flop &ame #-,-7 <ith t<o hearts" 8t <as pass- pass- betand 8 raised" 8 had top pair- an o(er&ard- and a fl$sh dra<" One of the )$ s beat me into the pot <ith his &all" !hen the board ra))ed off on fo$rth street" 8 had be)$n the hand <ith G7>3 and 8 had aro$nd G533 leftD 8 <asn't )oin) to do) the hand at that point- so 8 &ame at it a)ain" On the ri(er- 8 missed e(er thin)D 8 still C$st had top pair" % opponent <on the hand <ith 7-, offs$it" 9$t on the flop- m hand <as fa(ored o(er 7-, offs$it- the bottom t<o pair" 9ottom t<o pair in both pot-limit and no-limit hold'em is a trea&hero$s hand" / lot of pla ers for)et that there is s$&h a thin) as a r$nnin) pair" 0or e=ample- the board &o$ld ha(e &ome <ith a fo$r on the t$rn and another fo$r on the ri(ermakin) ei)hts and se(ens for m opponent in this s&enarioand Ca&ks and fo$rs for me" /s !om reminds $s- o$ ha(e to prote&t o$r hand if o$ ha(e bottom t<o pair""" do <hate(er YOL &an to <in it on the flop" 8 had m$ltiple <a s to <in the PPt nine hearts- t<o Ca&ks- and three E$eens- times t<o (t<o ra<s)- pl$s the possibilit of a r$nnin) pair I 52 <a s to the hand- in&l$din) the r$nnin) pair" 8n .allas- <e $sed Ct1p 27 o$ts <ith t<o to &ome an e(en hand" 8n Ho$ston&alled 26 o$ts an e(en hand" Pl$s- <hen o$ are doin)
are

45

the bettin)- o$ ha(e e(en more of an ed)e" /nd e(en th o$ mi)ht lose the pot (as 8 did)- o$ sho$ld al<a s )et 3(t mone in &orre&tl " / lot of times- o$ mi)ht <in the pot ri)k on the flop <ith o$r bet" /nd e(en if o$r opponent do$k pairs and &alls or raises o$r bet- o$'re still a sli)ht fa(orit" <ith t<o &ards to &ome" !om points o$t- too- that if a pla er flops bottom tZ(o pair- it mi)ht be &orre&t for him to &ontin$e <ith the hand BHe alread has p$t a lot of mone into the pot if it <as raised before the flop- and so it be&omes &orre&t for him to keep pla in) the hand- C$st as it is &orre&t for the pla er <ith top pair[top ki&ker to &ontin$e" '(en if he is a sli)ht do)- he isn't m$&h more of a do) than the other hand" %an timesthen- it is &orre&t for both pla ers to )o to the &enter"B Here is an amendment to this stor " When the )ame started- 8 had G *-333 and <hen this hand &ame $p- 8 had G7>3 that 8 <as CeopardiHin) in the pla of this hand" 9$t if o$ had G>-333 in front of o$- or e(en G5-333- o$ mi)ht pla the hand &ompletel differentl " With a bi) bankroll- o$ mi)ht trail <ith this hand all the <a " 8f o$ don't hit on fo$rth streetand o$r opponent is an a))ressi(e pla er- he <ill p$t the test to o$" !hen- <hat are o$ )oin) to doJ Mo$ onl ha(e one &ard to &ome to hit the handD one-half of o$r o$ts are )one9$t <ith a short amo$nt of mone in a raised pot s$&h as this one- the )amble is <ell <orth it" Mo$ see- <hen o$ ha(e more mone - o$ ha(e more reason to prote&t o$r sta&k- espe&iall in a to$rnament" less mone - o$ mi)ht be more likel to )amble be&a$se risk is limited" 8n a to$rnament- in fa&t- 8 <o$ld ne(er niake the pla that 8 did- be&a$se it isn't smart to CeopardiHe yo<hole sta&k in an e(en-mone sit$ation" /lso- o$ <o$ldn' be pla in) the N : #X in a to$rnamentD o$ <o$ldn't e(en &aB the ori)inal bet <ith it" !om s$))ests- ho<e(er- that he <o$'B pla the hand in a reb$ to$rnament- or in the earl sta)es o an to$rnament- if he is on the b$tton <ith it and onl has 8 46

** a small bet <ith the hand" So there are at least t<o <a s of lookin) at this sit$ation" !he s&enario &han)es dependin) $pon the &ir&$mstan&es1 /t a fo$r-handed table in a to$rnament- o$ mi)ht pla the hand a))ressi(el a)ainst the flop mentioned earlier- be&a$se fo$r-handed- o$ don't ne&essaril need to ha(e a bi) hand or a bi) flop" /s !om points o$t- in shorthanded to$rnament a&tion- people are atta&kin) the blinds all of the time- and the don't need bi) hands to do that" B8f 8 flop top pair and a fl$sh dra< a)ainst one opponent (<ho doesn't ha(e to ha(e a bi) hand to be in the pot)- 8 (er likel <ill &ome o(er the top of him ri)ht on the flop"B So- if o$ pla this hand shorthanded in a to$rnament- o$ pla it a))ressi(el from the flop on<ardor o$ don't pla it at all" !he sit$ation <hen o$ <o$ld pla N-# s$ited in a to$rnament is <hen the openin) raise is a small one- o$ ha(e a lot of &hips in front of o$- and o$'re tr in) to kno&k o$r opponent o$t of the to$rnament" When o$ make o$r ori)inal &all- o$'re not thinkin)- B8 ha(e the best hand <ith a E$eenhi)h"B 8f o$ )et the top-pair[fl$sh-dra< flop- o$ ha(e to pla it a))ressi(el - the <a that 8 pla ed the hand <ith short mone " !om e=plains that B%an times- o$ kno< that o$ don't ha(e the best hand )oin) in- b$t o$ ha(e a hand that has some potential" With the h$)e implied odds in pot-limitremember that o$ don't ha(e to start <ith the best hand all of the time" 8t all depends on <hether o$ think that o$ &an o$tpla o$r opponent- or that o$ <ill be paid off if o$ hit o$r hand"B Ob(io$sl - the n$mber of pla ers at o$r table has a lot $npa&t on the hands that o$ pla in a to$rnament" %ost to$rnaments toda start <ith a *3-handed table- b$t <e $sed *3 start <ith ** pla ers in .allas I 9elie(e me- it takes a (Ti$&h bi))er hand to <in an **-handed )ame than it does to a Bhanded )ame" !his applies e(en more to rin) )ames I3$$l rt does to to$rnaments" !he optimal field for a pot-limit
4>

or no-limit )ame or to$rnament table is ei)ht-handed be&a$se o$ ha(e a lot more mane$(erabilit in the <a that o$ pk- and in o$r hand sele&tion" !he more people in the )ame- the bi))er the hand it takes to <inD the fe<er peoplethe smaller the hand it takes to <in" 0$llhanded- o$ ha(e to )i(e more respe&t to o$r opponents" Shorthanded- thin)s )et do<n to the n$ts and bolts of the )ame- and that is <hen o$ find o$t <hat kind of pla er o$ are- espe&iall in to$rnaments" !he point is that o$r pla &han)es dramati&all dependin) $pon the n$mber of pla ers in the )ame" /s !om s$mmariHed- o$ ha(e to be more &o)niHant of the E$alit of o$r hands in a f$ll rin) )ame- <hereas in shorthanded pla o$ ha(e to be more &o)niHant of the E$alit of o$r opponents" !his brin)s to mind on&e a)ain that there are a lot of pla ers <ho ha(e the skill to &et to the final table- b$t there are (er fe< <ho ha(e the skill to play the final table" 9oth !om and 8 ha(e been approa&hed b no less than *33 pla ers <ho ha(e asked $s- BWhat am 8 doin) <ron)JA )et there- b$t 8 ne(er <in"B !he bottom line is that the ha(en't honed their shorthanded skills <ell eno$)h" /s !om sa s- BHere is <here 8 think people falter1 !he don't kno< the (al$e of their hands- as hand (al$es &han)e dramati&all in shorthanded pla " /nd the don't seiHe sit$ations properl "B 8n Latin- carps diem. SeiHe the da " Mo$ ha(e to do that to <in a to$rnament"

44

*la(ing Big Pairs. !he three hands that kno&k more ole o$t of pot-limit to$rnaments than an other ones are a air of E$eensa pair of Ca&ks- or a&e-kin)" S$ppose o$ ha(e1

!he flop &omes1

8f o$ ha(e t<o E$eens and the flop &omes <ith either a kin) or an a&e- 8 think that o$ sho$ld be read to )i(e it $p" 8f o$ are )oin) to <in the pot (<ith the kin) or a&e on the board)o$ <ant to <in it in a sho<do(mD o$ don't <ant to p$t an mone in the pot" 8f o$'re a)ainst onl one opponent <ith o$r pair of E$eens and the flop &omes somethin) like @-,-6- !om <ill bet the pot in an attempt to <in it ri)ht there" 8f his opponent Bas a kin) in his hand- ob(io$sl !om <on't be s$&&essf$l- b$t at Weast he hasn't )i(en the man a &han&e to hit an a&e- in &ase has one in the hole <ith a &ard other than a kin) (an /-# or /-N- for e=ample)" 8 <o$ldn't make a pla at this pot m selfthat is the differen&e in o$r approa&hes"
4,

_^

% thinkin) is that i) I am pla in) in a pot that 8 ha(e raised before the flop- it is likel that m opponent(s) <ill ha(e the o(er&ard if it &omes on the flop" !he idea of bettin) to find o$t <here o$ are in the hand C$st doesn't make sense to me in this s&enario- <hether the pot is m$lti<a or t<ohanded" % theor is that if m opponent bets on the flop- 8 &an make a de&ision abo$t <hether he has a hand- b$t if 8 bet into him- 8 take the &han&e of )ettin) raised" 8f m hand is the best one on the flop- there is a )ood &han&e that another o(er&ard is not )oin) to &ome o$t" No<- 8 ha(e m information <itho$t losin) an mone " So- o$ &an bet the hand on fo$rth street- if o$ <ant to- or o$ &an pla it to sho< it do<n" 9$t <h lose mone in the potJ !here alread is eno$)h in the pot so that o$ &an <in some real mone - so <h bet it a)ainJ S$ppose that o$ are in front position <ith the pair of E$eens- o$ &he&k- and o$r opponent bets" /sk o$rselfBWho am 8 pla in) this pot a)ainstJ 8s m opponent a )$ <ho <o$ld bet an $nderpair- or <o$ld he need top pair to betJB Sin&e o$ ha(e pla ed <ith him for a <hile- o$ sho$ld kno< the ans<er" 8 belie(e that o$ <ill make more mone in this sit$ation b &he&kin) than o$ <ill e(er make b leadin) be&a$se o$ &an )et o$rself in a trap b bettin) the hand" No<- s$ppose that o$ &he&k and o$r opponent also &he&ks" Mo$ prett <ell kno< that o$rs is the best hand- be&a$se if he <anted to trap o$ in this sit$ation- he <o$ld be trappin) o$ <ith a bi) hand" 8f he had a kin) <ith a de&ent ki&ker- he <o$ld bet it- b$t if he flopped a set- he <o$ld let o$ &ome to him be&a$se o$ <ere the ori)inal a))ressor" S$ppose that m opponent is sittin) in front of me and 8 am sittin) behind him <ith the E$eens" !he flop a)ain &omes @-ra)-ra)- and he &he&ks it to me" Whether 8 <o$ld bet in this sit$ation depends on <hat 8 kno< abo$t m opponent" 8f a** a))ressi(e pla er s$&h as !om &he&ks to me- 8 probabl <o$ld bet it- b$t 8 still am not )oin) to )et broke to this hand- nP matter <hat" 47

Z:hat happens if o$ bet and )et &alledJ '(en tho$)h -'(e made the bet- o$ &an still sh$t do<n" Mo$r opponent K)ht be holdin) @-ra) in the bi) blind- for e=ample- and (o$ldn't bet the hand- b$t he mi)ht &all o$ <ith it" Mo$ ne(er lWo< <hat some pla ers <ill &all a raise <ith from the bi) blind- espe&iall <hen it is shorthanded in a to$rnament" 8f it's do<n to fo$r or fi(e pla ers in a to$rnament- a pla er mi)ht &all a raise <ith a ra) a&e or a ra) kin)" %an times- pla ers <ill &all <ith hands s$&h as @-> s$ited- B!he 9rake's Lament"B Of &o$rse- you are not )oin) to pla that <a - b$t some other pla ers do" Hi$$ing a S $ %n $) Fl%*. When o$ hit o$r set of E$eens on the flop- ho< o$ pla the hand depends on ho< man pla ers ha(e &alled o$r raise before the flop" Sa that o$ raised and had three &allers1 8n this &ase- o$ &an lead <ith the hand and C$st pra that the pla ba&k at o$" 8f there are a &o$ple of &onne&tors on the flop- espe&iall if the are s$ited- o$ ha(e all the more reason to bet the pot" /nd if o$ are pla in) a)ainst s$per a))ressi(e pla ers- o$ definitel <ant to bet be&a$se the often <ill bl$ff at o$- or <ill &all <ith an $nderpair" Mo$ <ant to )et these t pes of pla ers to &ommit mone to the pot as soon as possible" /fter all- three E$eens is a bi) hand" Sa that o$ raised the pot before the flop- nobod reraised- and the flop &omes /-@-N" Mo$ are still the fa(orite to <in the pot- altho$)h in smaller pot-limit )ames- o$ mi)ht also r$n into a pla er holdin) #-*3" Still- 8 <o$ld lead at the PPt- hopin) that someone has flopped a&es and kin)s" Mo$ &an't be afraid to bet- al<a s thinkin) that the n$t hand is o$t a)ainst o$"

4+

W) n Y%# Fl%* an O4 r*air. What do o$ do if 3$ are holdin) E$eens in a raised pot <ith t<o &allers- the flop &omes #S 7S 2S- and o$ are not holdin) the E$een of &l$bsJ Mo$r hand1

!he flop &omes1

!om <o$ld pla the hand this <a 1 B8f 8 am first to a&t <ith onl t<o opponents- m E$eens probabl are the best hand$nless someone has flopped a l$&k fl$sh" / more likel hand for an opponent to be holdin) is somethin) like the /S #S<ith a dra< to the n$t fl$sh" With onl t<o opponents- 8 am )oin) to lead at the potD ho<e(er- a)ainst fo$r opponents- the t<o E$eens (an o(erpair) are m$&h more ($lnerable" 8f 8 am first to a&t- 8 <ill C$st &he&k- b$t if 8 am last to a&t- 8 <ill bet"B Sa that o$ ha(e an opponent <ho ne(er reraises <ith /-@ (<hi&h isn't a bad pla on his part be&a$se o$ &an )et o$r self into a trap <ith /-@)" /)ain- the flop &omes #S 7S 2 S" What do o$ do in this sit$ationJ Mo$ don't kno< <hether o$r opponent has /-@- b$t it is a likel hand for him to b4
70

8din)- He &o$ld ha(e the /S@S- makin) o$ an $nderdo) Kthis hand" 8n that &ase- he <o$ld ha(e 27 o$ts- in&l$din) , &i$bs- three a&es (if he has the /S)- and t<o kin)s- makK a his hand abo$t e(en-mone " Ho< o$ pla the hand a)ainst this opponent )oes ba&k to the first &hapter on kno<in) o$r opponents- the most important skill in bi)-bet poker" No<- let's take a look at a different s&enario" S$ppose o$ are holdin)1
A * # V

/)ain- the flop &omes1

/s for me- if 8 <ere holdin) the /S *3 / (for e=ample) a)ainst the #S )S 2S flop- 8 <o$ld ne(er &all a bet- ne(er. 8n pottaat and no-limit- <hen 8 ha(e t<o of a s$it in m hand and t<o of m s$it &ome on the flop- it al<a s seems to me that 8 ha(e a better &han&e of makin) the hand than <hen the flop &omes s$ited and 8 ha(e one of the board s$it in m hand" Of * P$rse- the odds are e=a&tl the same in either s&enario- b$t 8 Pn't dra< for the fo$rth s$ited &ard to &ome on the board" s lorn sa s- ho< am 8 )oin) to )et an a&tion- an <a - if the P$rth &l$b &omes on the boardJ 9$t <hen 8 ha(e t<o of the
,*

s$it in m hand and a t%ird s$ited &ard falls on the board

> S

ma )et a&tion <hen 8 bet the fl$sh" /n intermediate or no(i&e pla er <ho holds one of the board s$it mi)ht still dra< for the fo$rth s$ited &ard to hit the board- b$t 8 think that is an error" Pla(ing P%ck $ Ac s. Ob(io$sl - po&ket a&es is the best hand that o$ &an start <ith" !he onl time that 8 <o$ld e(er limp <ith a&es is in a (er a))ressi(e )ame- be&a$se in an a))ressi(e )ame <hen o$ limp <ith a&es- one )$ mi)ht raisethen this one &alls- that one &alls """ and o$ &an t$rn the a&es into a po<erho$se b &omin) o(er the top of them" Mo$ &an eliminate a lot of the pla ers that <a - and if o$ )et &alledo$ kno< that o$ ha(e the best hand )oin) in" !hen- it's C$st Lad L$&k's &all from the flop on<ard" /nother <a of pla in) a&es is to brin) them in for a raise and hope that someone reraises o$" 8f o$'re a)ainst onl one opponent- o$ C$st flat &all the reraise" !hen if the board &omes <ith ra)s- o$'re in )ood shape" !he onl time that o$ sho$ld be afraid is <hen the board &omes <ith kin)sE$eens- or Ca&ks be&a$se o$r opponent &o$ld ha(e been raisin) <ith po&ket pairs of these ranks and flop a set" 8f the flop &omes @-N-#- o$ &an d$mp the a&es in a flash if o$r oppo- C nent &omes o$t s<in)in) at o$- <itho$t an one kno<in) that o$ held po&ket a&es (sin&e o$ onl flat &alled the raise)" 9$t <hen the flop is a split board- o$ &an trap a sin)le opponent reall )ood be&a$se o$ didn't reraise him """ o$ didn't sh$t him o$t before the flop" 8f o$'re pla in) in a normal )ame- o$ $s$all brin) it in for a raise <ith po&ket a&es be&a$se- altho$)h o$ <ant to make mone <ith them- o$ don't <ant to ha(e se(en people dra<in) at o$r a&es" '(en tho$)h the a&es are still the fa(orite- the are not a bi) fa(orite <ith that man people in the pot" !he <orst s&enario <hen o$ hold po&ket a&es is this1 Sa that o$'re pla in) in a G*3-G *3 )ame and o$ &an onl raise G63 from the first seat <ith o$r a&es- and o$ )et siS &allers """ all of <hom ha(e po&ket pairs" !his &o$ld happen'
72

! <as in a pot on&e in .allas <hen the flop &ame <ith the *3\>S- One pla er had the n$t fl$sh and the other three h flopped a set" !he t$rn and ri(er &ame <ith a r$nnin) " f follrs and the E$eens-f$ll <on the pot" !he <orst pla er the hand <as able to )et a<a from the three tens be&a$se f the amo$nt of mone bein) mo(ed at the pot" So- the <orst ossible s&enario <hen o$ ha(e po&ket a&es is for e(er bod <ho &alls o$ to be holdin) a pair I /n broken board in the <orld &an &ome- and somebod <ill flop a set" 9$t o$ kno< that this is a possibilit &omin) in- and that is <h o$ raise before the flop to limit the n$mber of o$r opponents" S$ppose that o$ are holdin)1
A * *

!he flop &omes1

" < do o$ pla trip a&es in this s&enarioJ !om sa s that he 'ikes to lead <ith the a&es in this sit$ation" B!he onl thin) SKS 8'm <orried abo$t is the @-N- and e(en then 8'm not ead" What o$ don't <ant to do is let people dra< at o$ for ee' be&a$se if a kin) or a E$een slips off the de&k- it is (er
73

possible that someone <ill make a strai)ht" So- o$ <ant tn take the lead a)ainst this dan)ero$s flop and if o$ are raised o$ probabl <ill <ant to mo(e in on the raiser" 0rankl C mi)ht )et broke <ith this hand"B !om is ri)ht1 /n bod in&l$din) me- mi)ht )o broke <ith this hand" !he perfe&t flop- the one that o$ <ant to see <hen o$ ha(e po&ket a&es- is /-@-ra)- /-N-ra)- or /-#-ra)" Some-bod mi)ht be holdin) an t<o of the top &ards and make t<o pair on the flop" Oh- bo - do 8 like to lead <ith this t pe of flopA /s !om anal Hes it- BMo$ <ant o$r opponent to ha(e an a&e in his hand be&a$se he &an't )i(e o$ an a&tion $nless he has an a&e or has flopped a set" Mo$ definitel <ant to lead at the pot be&a$se o$ don't <ant to )i(e o$r opponent the &han&e to make a bell -strai)ht on the t$rn"B Ho<e(er- 8 ne(er lead at it <ith that tho$)ht in mindD 8 lead at the pot thinkin)" BOh- bab - 8 kno< he's flopped t<o pair and he's )oin) to pla ba&k at meAB No<- s$ppose the same t pe of flop &omes- e=&ept that t<o of the &ards are s$ited1

!his is another flop that o$ <ant to lead at <ith po&ket a&eS be&a$se o$ <ant o$r opponents to pla ba&k at o$" 8fBS' make their fl$sh or strai)ht- so <hatJ Mo$'re still a bi) fa(oW in the hand <ith o$r three a&es" /s !om sa s- BLeadin) at the pot in pot-limit or no$/0 al<a s makes sense be&a$se if o$r opponents hit the <ith t<o pair- the &an't )et a<a from it and o$ &an b$i
74

not for o$rself- espe&iall if the raise <hen o$ bet" rti n o$ kno< that o$ ha(e them b the throat be&a$se the made a s$bstantial &ommitment to the pot- and the <ill e to make a strai)ht or a fl$sh to beat o$ if the ha(e dra<in) hands" B/ lot of times- if o$ &he&k- o$r opponent bets- and then o$ raise- he <ill la do<n his hand- be&a$se o$'re tippin) off the stren)th of o$r hand" 9$t if o$ lead at the pot- the ordinar pla er (a be)innin) or intermediate pla er) <ill seldom )i(e o$ &redit for ha(in) the n$ts"B Sa that the flop &omes /-N-#- o$ are sittin) in last position- and a pla er leads at the pot" No< <hat do o$ do <ith o$r trip a&esJ 8t all depends" 8 am a &han&e taker- and 8 like to <in bi) pots- so 8 ma C$st smooth &all him on the flop and <ait $ntil fo$rth street to make m mo(e" Of &o$rse- o$ &an lose the pot if the <ron) &ard &omes off- b$t Col$mb$s took a &han&e- so <h not o$ tooJ

+1m Mc2(oy wins 3$Card 4tud e(ent at 5e&ends o) #oker in !!6.

75

Pla in) on the

On the t$rn in pot-limit hold'em- o$ still <ant to b$ild tC pot if o$ ha(e a hand" /nd a)ain- 8 s$))est that o$ al<a(bet the siHe of the pot be&a$se o$ ne(er <ant to tip off # opponents one iota abo$t the (al$e of o$r hand" 8f 8 ha(es made hand- 8 $s$all <ill still lead at tip pot """ $nless 78 pla in) a)ainst a loose -)oose t pe of pla er <ho )i(es afei of a&tion" 8n that &ase- 8 ma &he&k theliand and let him &one at me" !om sa s that a)ainst this t pe of loose pla er- he maD &han)e the siHe of his bet""" bet onl three-E$arters of the pot for e=ample" !hat approa&h also has some (al$e" 9$t s$ppose there are fi(e )ood pla ers in the )ame and fo$r not-so-)ood pla ers" When o$'re in a pot <ith the fi(e )ood pla ers- art o$ )oin) to make a f$ll bet- and then <hen o$'re in <ithtk fo$r other pla ers- are o$ )oin) to make a lesser betJ 8 belie(e that if o$ red$&e o$r bet siHe <ith some of them- o$ ha(e to do it <ith all of them- or else o$'re )oin) to tip the (al$e of o$r hand" /nd 8 ne(er <ant to tip the stren)th of nJ hand one iota" 8 $nderstand that !om is talkin) abo$t (ar in) his te siHe in a head-$p sit$ation a)ainst a loose pla er- b$t the ottiff pla ers are still sittin) in the )ame I and o$'re )oin) to 8S pla in) hands <ith those other )$ s- too" What are o$ )]S to do- tip them off that <hen o$ $nderbet the pot- o$ ' a bi) hand- and <hen o$ bet the siHe of the pot- o$ don l don't belie(e that o$ sho$ld do that be&a$se the $ndetS that o$ make in the hand a)ainst a loose opponent is P one hand amon) man hands that o$'re )oin) to be pla **S 8 don't <ant to )i(e the )ood pla ers a tell that 8 $nderbet pot <hen 8 ha(e a hand """ $nless 8'm tr in) to p$t a re(e tell on them"

Z:hat 8'm lookin) at is the bi) pi&t$re of the )ame" One 9 +s onl a small part of the p$HHle and 8 don't <ant to )i(e an pie&es of the p$HHle b the <a that 8 pla one hand 5 h &a$se the )ood pla ers <ill pi&k $p on it" ;ood pla ers K k $p on e(er thin)" !hink of the bi) pi&t$re all of the time f(hile o$ are pla in)" Dra&ing Hands. No< s$ppose that o$ ha(e a dra<" On the flop- o$ mi)ht <ant to bet o$r dra< be&a$se o$ ha(e t<o &han&es to <in1 !he mi)ht thro< their hands a<a or o$ mi)ht &at&h o$r &ard on the t$rn and make a bi) hand" On fo$rth street- ho<e(er- 8 <o$ldn't bet the dra<" !he main thin) to realiHe abo$t dra<in) hands is that o$ m$st be in position to pla them" S$ppose that o$'re in earl position <ith a dra< on the flop- and it doesn't )et there on the t$rn" Can o$ lead at this hand a)ainJ No- o$ &an't" Mo$r opponents are )oin) to dete&t that o$'re on a dra<in) hand and the 're )oin) to tr to take the pot" 9$t if o$'re in position on a dra<in) hand I the other )$ s are in front of o$ I then o$ &an bet o$r dra<" !he onl time that o$ &an bet a dra< is <hen o$ are behind the other pla ers- <hen the &he&k to o$ on the flop and o$ bet" !hen on fo$rth street- the still ha(e to a&t first" Q bettin) the dra< on the flop- if the &he&k to o$ on fo$rth street' then o$ also &an &he&k and )et a free &ard """ similar to ''mit hold'em" !he differen&e is that in limit pla - o$ ha(e to raise to * at frRe &ard- <hereas in pot-limit- o$ pla position to " ee &afd" 8n pot-limit and no-limit <hen o$'re in late and o$'re on a dra<- one of the <orst thin)s that n do is bet a dra< on fo$rth street- <ith one &ard to
oA

aott - e(er bod has &he&ked to o$" Mo$ &o$ld ha(e P tle n for Lrt8lermore X if o$ bet on the t$rn0 Se dra< for nothin)A the o$'re openin) it $p don't m' P mSSe WPL an]W sW$t P$ o$t Pf nWin) (o$r dra<- * makin) the bet on the flop and openin) it to a raise
77

be&a$se then 8 ha(e t<o &ards to &ome" 8f someone doesra on the flop- then 8 &an de&ide <hether 8 <ant to pla the dr or fold ri)ht there" /lso- 8'm not sa in) that o$ al<a s ha(e to bet odra< on the flop from a late position" Sometimes- o$ n< de&ide to C$st &he&k" 9$t remember- <hat's the $se of rnakk a dra<in) hand and not <innin) an mone <ith itJ !omals notes that there is the de&eption fa&tor <hen o$ bet o^ dra< on the flop" Mo$r opponents &an't be s$re of <hat t p- of hand o$ ha(eD the ma not )$ess that o$'re on a dra_ 9 bettin) on the flop- o$ ma <in the pot ri)ht there" * pot-limit- o$r options are better <hen o$ bet the dra<thC <hen o$ don't bet it" 8f o$ bet a dra< in earl position and it doesn't )t there- o$'re thro<in) $p a <hite fla)" Mo$ &an't bet it_ fo$rth street <hen it doesn't )et there""" be&a$se if o$ dob it- o$'re &ommittin) a lot of mone <ith onl one &ardA &ome" Mo$ also mi)ht )et raised- and then <hat do o$ doA !he &ardinal sin in pot-limit is bettin) that dra< a&a on fo$rth street- openin) o$rself $p to a raise" 8n fa&t- SO9 of the )ood pla ers mi)ht p$t o$ on a dra< and raise <it nothin) C$st to sh$t o$ o$t of the potA So- o$ &an bet o$r dra< on the flop from a late post tion <hen o$'re last to a&t- b$t not from a front spot" W% o$'re in late position- if an opponent makes somethin) PD the t$rn and bets into o$- o$ &an al<a s )et a<a from*B hand if o$ ha(en't made it" Pl$s- o$ mi)ht ha(e made aS hand- in <hi&h &ase o$ ma <ant to &he&k it alon) on )1' street" !hen o$ &an let them &ome at o$ on fifth street- <W* o$ &an p$t a raise on them" 9ein) in that late position )* o$ lots of options"

,7

Bl#++! We all bl$ff- b$t nobod &an bl$ff a <eak !hat <o$ld be like &ommittin) s$i&ide" /n time o$ bl$ff &allin) stations- the are likel to &all o$ <ith the possible hands that o$ &an ima)ine" /ll the kno< t is <hat the ha(e1 !he ne(er think abo$t <hat an bod else is holdin)" O&&asionall - tho$)h- o$ can bl$ff a <eak pla er- b$t i in &ertain sit$ations" Sa that o$ ha(e a lot of &hips and 8 e doesn't ha(e (er man &hips" 8f o$ bl$ff at this man- o$ ha(e p$t it to him that if he &alls and is <ron) in makin) the &all- he is o$t of the to$rnament" Mo$r bet sa s- BMo$'d better be ri)ht- be&a$se if o$'re <ron) o$'re o$t of a&tion"B !his t pe of bl$ff is $sed a lot b stron) pla ers be&a$se the kno< that it is (er hard for the &allin) station to make the &all $nder these &ir&$mstan&es" !he ma ha(e been &allin) stations all alon)- b$t <hen it CeopardiHes all of their &hipsthe s$ddenl )et s&ared" Ho<e(er- this is a sit$ation in <hi&h o$ <o$ld not bl$ff a )ood pla er be&a$se a stron) pla er <ill pi&k it off in a Ne< Mork min$te" !herefore- 8 ne(er tr this t pe of bl$ff a)ainst a )ood pla er" 0or e=ample- one ear at the World Series of Poker deep into the to$rnament (the third da of the Championship no-limit hold'em e(ent)- the a&tion <as passed to 9err #ohnston <ho held the @( 7 : on the b$tton" He bro$)ht it in lor a raise- tr in) to pi&k $p the blinds" !omm ;rimes had an /'N behind him and &ame o(er the top of him" 9$t 9err had P ne-half of his &hips in the pot and de&ided that he <asn't )P m) to )i(e it $p" He &a$)ht an ei)ht to <in the pot""" and T T &nhe <ent on to <in the to$rnament" !his <as the ke hand r$m- !he point is that o$ C$st don't mess <ith a top pla er Allless o$'(e )ot the )oods"

,+

T) Big Bl#++. !he best bl$ff is the bi) bl$ff" somebod is tr in) to take a shot at o$- o$ &ome ba&k o( the top of him - - !his is the resteal- or the rebl$ff" !om e( plains that BMo$ &an tr to resteal <hen o$ think that a pla e is o$t of line" %a be he's been brin)in) in a lot of pots ft raises- and he doesn't al<a s ha(e premi$m hands <hen h& does it" So no<- o$ mi)ht de&ide to )amble <ith that /-# that o$ mi)ht ha(e m$&ked a)ainst a solid pla er's raise fron earl position"B Mo$ &an make a stron) rebl$ff b <aitin) $ntil later in the hand" 0or e=ample- o$ mi)ht not e(en hold a pair- b$t o$ kno< from the <a that the a&tion is takin) pla&e that the raiser is s<in)in) at the pot" Mo$ mi)ht tr to take it a<a from him on fo$rth or fifth street- rather than on the flopbe&a$se o$ <ant a little bit of mone in the pot to make ii <orth o$r <hile" 8 on&e tried a resteal in a limit hold'em to$rnament <hen 8 kne< that m opponent <as o$t of line" 8 bro$)ht it in fora raise <ith the @S #/" !he flop &ame + / 7S 6 /)i(in) me t<o o(ers and a fl$sh dra<" !he bi) blind &he&kraised me on the t$rn <hen a nothin)-&ard &ame off" He &o$ld ha(e had a (ariet of hands- b$t 8 flat &alled him" On fifth street- the board paired <ith nines" !he bi) b$nd &he&ked to me- and 8 bet- !hen he raised and- altho$)h 8 had missed e(er thin) and onl had t<o o(er&ards- 8 &ame ba&k o(er the top of him a)ain" He m$&ked his hand" 8 am not s$))estin) that o$ e(er tr this pla in Iti: hold'em- b$t in almost e(er to$rnament that 8 ha(e <on-X ha(e made at least one )randstand pla " L$&kil - 8 ha(e beeB ri)ht abo$t +> per&ent of the time" 9$t on&e in a <hile- inpPtlimit or no-limit rin) )ames as <ell as in to$rnaments- o$ &aB make this pla <hen o$ p$t a )$ on a <eak hand- be&a$? there is eno$)h mone in the pot so that o$ &an reall send * to him" #$st be&a$se 8 am the t peWf pla er <ho likes to te; at pots in pot-limit doesn't mean than e(er bod does" /*P of pla ers don't like to do that" 73

Pla in) on the Ri(er

talks abo$t ho< he pla s the ri(er in pot-limit" BS$ppose (- t o$ are in(ol(ed in a m$lti<a pot on the ri(er" 8f t<o or three pla ers ha(e been &ontestin) the pot- it is probable that t least one of them has a dra<in) hand" 8f a s&are &ard &omes on the ri(er that looks as tho$)h it mi)ht &omplete a dra<in) hand- 8 mi)ht C$st t$rn o(er m &ards <itho$t a bet if the a&tion is &he&ked to me- e(en if 8 ha(e top set" So- 8 <ill be some<hat sele&ti(e in <hat 8 bet if a s&are &ard &omes on the ri(er" B8f a s&are &ard doesn't &ome on the ri(er- 8 <ill )o ahead and bet if 8 think that 8 ha(e the best hand- e(en if it's onl top pair <ith top ki&ker" Sometimes- a pla er <ill tr to trap me on the ri(er- b$t he $s$all <ill ha(e spr$n) his trap sooner than the ri(er &ard (tho$)h not al<a s)" 8f someone has p$t me on a dra<- he $s$all <ill make his pla on fo$rth street be&a$se he doesn't <ant me to be dra<in)" !herefore- 8 am less <orried abo$t a trap on the ri(er <hen a blank &omes than 8 am <hen a s&are &ard &omes- and 8 <ill )o ahead and (al$e bet if 8 think that 8 ha(e the best hand" B8f 8 bet on the ri(er <hen a blank &omes off and then somebod raises me- 8 <ill ha(e to ree(al$ate m hand" 8t be&omes a E$estion of C$d)ment- based on <hat 8 kno< abo$t the pla er" (Or in a to$rnament- it ma be a de&ision that is based on &hip position") !he stren)th of m hand also infl$en&es m de&ision" One-pair hands that are &he&k raised at the ri(er $s$all are (er ($lnerable- tho$)h not al<a s" 8t depends some<hat on the pla er- <hether he is somebod <ho <ill take a shot at o$"B Certain pla ers <ill tr to <in a hand from o$ on the L:er <ith a stone bl$ff" 9$t o$ sho$ld kno< <ho the arePart of that depends on C$st ho< thin)s &ome $p- ho< the d is pla ed" 8f o$ ha(e been a pla er for a lon) time- o$
m

81

T;
<ill noti&e that- o(er the ears- o$r first instin&ts are &orre&t $p to +7 per&ent of the time" !hose instin&ts &annot be ta$)htthe &ome from tho$sands of ho$rs of pla in)" Whene(er 3lA )o a)ainst them- o$'re tr in) to fi)$re o$t some <a in <hi&h this or that s&enario &o$ld &ome $p" 8n essen&e- o$ start talkin) o$rself o$t of somethin)" Mo$'re s&arin) o$rself" 8t's like the )$ <ho &alls on the end1 He fi)$res o$t a hand that he &an beat- and then he p$ts his opponent on that hand """ not the hand the man has- b$t the hand that he &an beat" He does this to C$stif &allin) the bet" People do this all the time" 8n limit hold'em- it's the <orst thin) in the <orld to do- be&a$se at the end of the da - the bets that o$ sa(e on the end probabl <ill add $p to <hat o$ <in for the da " 8f o$ &an <in three or more bets an ho$r in limit poker- that's a prett ni&e deal" 9$t in pot-limit and no-limit- o$'re lookin) to <in a lot more than that" 8f o$ )et st$&k in pot-limit and no-limit hold'em- espe&iall no-limit- o$ &an )et e(en on one hand if o$ ha(e a bankroll" Or o$ &an )et <inner on one hand" Mo$ &an be G>-333 st$&k- p$t G*3-333 in the pot- <in one hand- and s$ddenl o$'re a G>-333 <inner" 8n pot-limit- if o$ $se the strate) that <e ha(e been talkin) abo$t I ma=imiHin) the potI o$ &an )et e(en E$i&kl if o$'re st$&k- or &ome from behind to <in" 9$t on&e o$ )et b$ried in limit hold'em- o$ ha(e to <in a <hole lot of hands to )et e(en""" and it's hard- it's really hard- to do that" 8n addition to ha(in) C$d)ment and e=perien&e- the pla ' ers <ho &an ma=imiHe the pot in pot-limit and no-limit hold'em are the better pla ers """ that's <hat makes them the better pla ers" When it &onies do<n to the end <here o$ ha(e to de&ide <hether to bet the hand or &he&k it- the better pla er <ill know <hether or not he has the best hand- and he <ill )et a bet o$t of it in sit$ations <here the lesser pla er <ill not-

72

!heoreti&all - the &ards break e(en in the lon) r$n- e(en h there <ill be fl$&t$ations in the short r$n and o(er a $) rf timeJ some pla ers <ill be sli)htl l$&kier than others" 9$t [maintain that the top pla er not onl <ill beat o$ <ith %is rds he <ill beat o$ wit%your &ards" He <ill <in more <ith (o$r &ards than o$ <ill- and he <ill lose less <ith them" Poker is a )ame of mistakes """ espe&iall to$rnament poker" /

The 8est 0oman (,ayer in the 0or,d

here has ne(er been a female pla er that &o$ld to$&h 9ett Care " She <as the best <oman pla er that 8 ha(e e(er seen at no-limit hold'em" !here are a lot of (er )ood female limit hold'em and se(en-&ard st$d pla ers- b$t 9ett <as in a &lass b herself at no-limit" She took on all of the top pla ers and pla ed them head-$p" Like 9arbara 'nri)htshe had a lot of )$ts" 9ett also had the bi))est <in an bod e(er made at 9issell's I G>*-333 in a G>-G*3-G2> no-limit hold'em )ame one ni)ht" She had all the hands in the ri)ht spots and the )$ s <eren't )i(in) her &redit for bein) the pla er that she <as" She ate them ali(e" 8 <as happ to )et o$t of there e(en" 9ett <as a &ons$mmate )ambler" She )ambled hi)hto)h- hi)h" One ni)ht- she &ame into the Stard$st <hen .od Roa&h and 8 <ere at the &rap table" When she sa< $s- she sat do<n her ba)s- and ble< G43-333 before she e(en &he&ked mto the hotel" .od <as bettin) more than 8 <as- and she <as bettin) more than .od " Mes- 9ett <as a )ambler" S

75

Cha%ter Thr6e

HOW !O W8N PO!-L8%!! HOL!'% !OLRN/%'N!S

World Series of Poker made some si)nifi&ant &han)es in format in *++4" 9efore that time- all of the G*->33 pot-limit to$rnaments be)an <ith G*3-G2> limits- b$t in '+4 the e(ents be)an <ith limits of G2>-G>3" !his &han)e essentiall eliminated the first ro$nd of pla and &a$sed the to$rnaments to be)in at <hat formerl had been the se&ond ro$nd- th$s makin) the pla mo(e m$&h faster" !o$rnament offi&ials made the &han)e be&a$se of the lar)e n$mber of entries in the e(entD the <anted to )et it o(er <ith faster so that the to$rnament <o$ldn't ha(e to )o to a t<o-da format" 8n *++,- the entr fee rose from G *->33 to G2-333- <hi&h meant that pla ers had more &hips to start <ith- and <hi&h made startin) the blinds at G2>-G>3 more a&&eptable" !o$rnament offi&ials also de&ided to )o to a t<o-da format for both the G2-333 (formerl the G*->33) and the G5-333 (formerl the G2->33) pot-limit hold'em e(ents- as <ell as all of the other to$rnaments in the Series- e=&ept for the fo$r-da -lon) G*3-333 &hampionship e(ent" '(en tho$)h this is a sli)htl faster format than the top pla ers like- the additional G>33 in &hips some<hat &ompenB sates for it" Still- the G2>-G>3 be)innin) blinds are fairl ' &ompared to the n$mber of &hips that o$ start <ith in HT G2-333 to$rnament" !he more time that o$ ha(e to pla (the lon)er the ro$nds or the smaller the blinds)- the better it is * top pla ers" Loose and a))ressi(e pla ers prefer faster W mats <ith shorter ro$nds and hi)her blinds" !he more &hip that the top pla ers ha(e to pla <ith in relationship to 76

K e of the blinds- the more opport$nities the ha(e to o$tmane$(er and o$tpla the lesser pla ers"

! pes o0 Pla ers

po$r different &ate)ories of pla ers enter pot-limit ho 8d'em to$rnaments" !here are pla ers like 0redd .eeb and St$ Ln)ar <ho are s$per a))ressi(eD the are )oin) to pla more hands than the <hole table &ombined <ill pla " !he stand raises <ith hands that a lot of pla ers <o$ld fold" !he either amass a lot of &hips or the 're o$t of the to$rnament" !hen there are the semi-a))ressi(e pla ers" 8 &lassif m self in this &ate)or " 8 am (er a))ressi(e late in the to$rnament- b$t am semi-a))ressi(e in the middle sta)es" !here also are passi(e pla ers and defensi(e pla ers" !he passi(e pla er <ill pla pots b$t he ne(er leads at the pot" Ls$all he's pla in) from behind- lettin) somebod else bet for him" 8f he has a @-*3 in his hand and the board &omes @-*3-7- he doesn't lead <ith the hand- and then he doesn't raise on the flop if somebod else bets" He's afraid that a E$een or a Ca&k is )oin) to &ome off on the t$rn and make a strai)ht for somebod " He doesn't )et f$ll (al$e from his hands" He ma last a lon) time- b$t he ne(er )ets eno$)h &hips to <in the e(ent" !he defensi(e pla er $s$all is a s&ared pla er" He be&omes intimidated b pla in) at a table <ith kno<n pla ers" Mo$ kno< he's afraid e(en before the &ards are dealt" 8 hear it a ^t1 BOh- no- don't tell me 8 ha(e to pla at the table <ith so-dna-so"B .efensi(e pla ers don't $s$all make it to the final 'P' ' and if o$'re a stron) pla er- o$ ha(e them at a disad-n a)e e(en before the to$rnament be)ins" Mo$ kno< that in *$ n)nt spot- o$ &an make them la do<n a hand"

7>

Perfe&t !o$rnament Strate)

!he perfe&t to$rnament strate) is that o$r &hips ha( in&reased at the end of e(er le(el" !he don't need to in&rease b an spe&ified amo$nt- b$t the al<a s need to m$ltipl !his is the perfe&t s&enario- be&a$se it sho<s that o$ are pla in) a stead brand of poker" / lot of pla ers &an make the final table- b$t there are (er fe< <ho reall kno< ho< to play the final table" !hat's <h o$ see the same fa&es most of the time at the final table in pot-limit and no-limit hold'em" / lot more skill is in(ol(ed in these )ames than in other ones"

'arl Sta)e
With the openin) blinds at G2>-G>3- the first pla er in the pot &an C$st &all G>3 or he &an &all G>3 and raise G *2>- the amo$nt that is in the pot (in&l$din) his G>3 &all)- meanin) that he &an &ome in for G *,>" /fter that- the pla is strai)ht pot-limit" !he ne=t pla er &an &all the G*,> and raise for a G>2> total bet" !he a&tion )oes like this all the <a aro$nd the &ir&le" Remember that in to$rnament poker- o$ ha(e to s$r(i(e to ha(e a &han&e to <in" '(en tho$)h some people ma be pla in) &raH and a fe< pla ers are <innin) a lot of &hipso$ still m$st ha(e onl one )oal in o$r mind at all times .< <innin) the to$rnament" Mo$ &an't <in it in the first ho$r- or in the first t<o or three ho$rs" Mo$ ha(e to o$tlast the other pla ers" 9e&a$se of this- o$ don't <ant to open $p too ffl$&n d$rin) the first three- fo$r- or fi(e ho$rs of the to$rnament' Mo$ <ant to pla solid and let the others make mistakes" MP$ <ill be pla in) o$r perfe&t rin)-)ame strate) "

5raWS. !he )ood pla ers sta a<a from dra<s- ala% there are sit$ations in <hi&h o$ m$st pla a dra<" "-' Wat 3$ ha(e raised the pot <ith the /: @:" !he board W mes *3-,-2 <ith t<o hearts" 0ollo< the old st$d strate) 1 ( $ don't dra< at a fl$sh $nless o$ ha(e t<o o(er&ards to the board and are dra<in) to the n$t fl$sh" When o$ ha(e t<o o(er&ards and the n$t-fl$sh dra<- o$ ha(e a h$)e handD in fa&t- it is the onl t pe of fl$sh dra< that 8 <ant to pla be&a$se the hand has so man o$ts ( o$ &an hit either one of the o(er&ards or make the fl$sh to <in)" Pla in) a &ommon fl$sh dra< in the earl sta)es of the to$rnament is foolish" Some <eaker pla ers <ill )et in(ol(ed <ith a fl$sh dra< and <ill p$t one-half of their &hips in the pot <ith their &han&es of makin) the fl$sh onl * -in-5" Sometimesthe <ill make the fl$sh and still lose to the n$t fl$sh" !his is a &ommon mistake that a lot of pla ers make- b$t one that the top pla ers ne(er make" 8t is almost al<a s these <eak pla ers <ho p$t the beats on o$- not the stron) pla ers <ho are pla in) sensibl " Of &o$rse- if it <eren't for <eak pla ers- <e <o$ldn't ha(e s$&h h$)e o(erla s in the WSOP" 9$t it's (er fr$stratin) to see a bad pla er make a bad pla I Sa - p$t all of his mone in <ith the +( 7(- )et there- and kno&k o$ off at the ri(er<hen he sho$ldn't ha(e been dra<in) to the hand at all" Mo$ kno< that this t pe of pla er has Hero &han&e of <innin) the to$rnament- b$t he has totall eliminated your &han&es" /nother thin) that is fr$stratin) is that those pla ers $s$-a t take other people do<n <ith them" Sa that o$'re in a lttee-<a pot <ith a prett de&ent hand" 8f o$ ha(e a hand * 'lt o$ need to pla - o$ &an )et &a$)ht in the middle and K lo&ked off b a lesser hand" to / n 6a7 . 0or this reason- 8 think that o$ sho$ld treat iarnent poker like o$ <o$ld a maHe that has nothin) b$t st Pors aL o(er the pla&e" Mo$ al<a s ha(e to be &aref$l to P$t of those traps" !hinkin) alon) these lines sho$ld &ome
7,

as se&ond nat$re to o$" 9e an offensi(e poker pla er `D pla s defense nat$rall " 8f o$ don't ha(e an thin) at all on the flop- sornebod &an pi&k $p on that and be sharp eno$)h to sh$t o$ o$t the t$rn" 9$t if o$ don't take the first &ard off <ith a medCo ere hand- o$ <on't <aste a lot of &hips" On&e a)ain- p$ sur(i(al. 8n the fl$sh-dra< dis&$ssed abo(e- o$ don't let an " bod sh$t o$ o$t be&a$se o$'re the one <ho's p$ttin) W mone in the pot" Mo$ f$ll &ommit o$rself to the hand" 8n the earl sta)es- o$ don't <ant to make a lot of s$d" den mo(esD o$ C$st ha(e to pla a patient- &ontrolled )ame <hile lookin) for a fe< openin)s" Pla more &on(ersati(el i the openin) ro$nds- b$t o$ don't need to pla so ti)ht thai o$ don't take an risks"

%iddle
!here is no &$t and dried form$la as to <hen o$ start openin) $p o$r pla in a to$rnament" Mo$ ha(e to siHe $p the table that o$'re on- ho< o$r opponents are pla in) in different sit$ations" 9 the time o$ )et to the middle sta)e- o$ sho$ld kno< <hi&h pla ers are mo(in) in <hi&h sit$ations- <hi&li pla ers are liable to &all o$ and <hi&h ones are not" Mo$ also kno< that the <orst pla that o$ &an e(er make is to bl$ff at a bad pla er" 9ad pla ers <ill not la do<n a hand- e(en in a to$rnanient" !he don't kno< an better" 8 o$'re )oin) to r$n a bl$ff- o$ sho$ld r$n it at a )ood pla et be&a$se he's not afraid to la do<n a hand" 8n the first ro$nd <hen the blinds are relati(el small- there ma be some oc;+ sions <hen o$ &an bl$ff- b$t mostl - o$'re C$st <aitin) fPr )ood hand and the ri)ht openin) to tr to trap o$r opP 3' nents" Ls$all - it is the <eaker pla ers that o$'re <aitin) trap- not the stron) ones I !he stron) ones are <aitin) to e=a&tl the same thin) to o$A

i8Aggr ssi4 n ss. !om e=plains <hat <e mean be&omin) semi-a))ressi(e and openin) $p- steppin) $p o$r W K a not&h or t<o1 B8n this middle sta)e- aro$nd the fo$rth P fifth le(el- the bi) blinds are abo$t G233" /t this pointPi ers are be)innin) to a&&$m$late &hips and abo$t one-half f the field has been eliminated" Sa that o$ ha(e in&hed $p - SC2e Of o$r sta&k from o$r ori)inal G2-333 in &hips to -p >33aaa Mo$ no< ha(e a s$b-standard sta&k" Mo$ &an't C$st sit there and pla a s$per-&onser(ati(e )ame- be&a$se the blinds are be&omin) too bi)" So- o$ ha(e to open $p o$r )ame a bit- take a fe< more risks"B Picking Y%#r S*%$s. !akin) a fe< more risks means pi&kin) spots <hen o$ &an be the a))ressor- <hen o$ &an be the first one in the pot I <hen o$ &an do the p$shin)- not the &allin)" 0or e=ample- if o$'re in a middle position- o$ mi)ht raise it $p <ith the / S *3 S or the @S #S- <hereas o$ ma ha(e passed <ith those hands earlier" Of &o$rse- if o$ )et too m$&h a&tion- o$ ha(e to pass" Mo$ mi)ht do the same t pes of thin)s if o$ ha(e do$bled or tripled $p and ha(e one of the bi))er sta&ks at the table- <hen e(er bod else is C$st han)in) on" Pla(ing a S)%r$ S$ack. Ho<e(er- o$ don't <ant to open $p too m$&h if o$'re half-sta&ked- be&a$se o$ are more 'ikel to )et &alled or pla ed <ith" Mo$ <ant to <ait for a bi) pair or /-@- or pla a))ressi(el onl in the last t<o seats" Short-sta&ked or not- if nobod has entered the pot and P$ re t<o spots a<a from the b$tton- o$'re not )oin) to thro< a<a the /6 *3S" 8f o$ )et raised- o$ &an thro< a o$r hand <itho$t &ommittin) all of o$r &hips to it" f ftJrtbsta&ked- 8 am )oin) to mo(e in all of m &hips from W n position on ba&k <ith this t pe of hand- if 8 ha(e to I or M 4fst P$t i** eno$)h &hips to be&ome &ommitted to the pot" re far less likel to )et a<a from a hand short-sta&ked ' S MOL ha(e a bi))er sta&k"
srn

7+

!he point is that o$ ha(e to take more risks <ith a sh sta&k" Mo$ &an't C$st <ait aro$nd for a&es or /-@ be&a$ o$ don't )et them often eno$)h" Mo$ don't need to ha(e )iant hand to start makin) some mo(es" #$st be s$re that these sit$ations- o$ are the a))ressor1 Mo$ are not rea&tCCto o$r opponents- t%ey are rea&tin) to o$" !he onl time that this strate) doesn't r$n tr$e is <heo$'re pla in) a)ainst s$per-a))ressi(e pla ers <ho are 6 tin) behind o$- be&a$se the are liable to &hop o$ off E$i&kc( 8f o$'re pla in) <ith normal pla ers- de&ent pla ers- this is (er )ood strate) " 9$t if o$ ha(e a St$ Ln)ar t pe sittin) behind o$ <ith a lot of &hips- it doesn't <ork that <ell" /t this middle sta)e- o$ probabl <ill see more t<o 3* three-<a pots- <hereas in the earlier sta)es there <ere aloi more m$lti<a pots" !here isn't nearl as m$&h limpin) from the se&ond ro$nd on<ard" !he people <ho <ere pla in) anD t<o s$ited &ards in the earlier ro$nds $s$all are o$t of the to$rnament b no<"

Late Sta)e
/t different sta)es in the to$rnament- o$ &han)e o$r st le of pla from bein) a))ressi(e to pla in) semi-a))ressi(el to pla in) more passi(el " 8n the earl sta)e- o$ pla solid pokff 8n the middle sta)e- o$ &an pla semi-a))ressi(el - openifl $p o$r pla in the ri)ht spots" !hen in the late sta)e- <henB )ets to three or fo$r tables- o$ pla passi(el for a <hile- / a f$ll table- o$ are still pla in) rin)-)ame strate) " Mo$ <aB other pla ers to kno&k ea&h other o$t so that o$ &an )et the final table" !hen o$ )et to the Bmo(eB period <hen o$'re thtfe fo$r o$t of the mone " !his is <hen o$ pla a))ressi(e pP so that o$ &an a&&$m$late &hips to be &ompetiti(e : mone table" When it )ets do<n to t<o from the mone S [

+3

'
R

positio n-

la( (er a)Sressi(et - Ho<e(er- if o$'re a &o$ple of -" o$t of the mone <ith a short sta&k- o$ ha(e a lot less $(erabilit " Mo$ &an't )et too far o$t of line be&a$se some-WC i s )oin) to look o$ $p- hopin) to b$st o$" /t this a))ressi(e pla ers like %en N)$ en a&&$m$late a lot hios'b &onstantl keepin) the heat on their opponents" With a medi$m or sli)htl abo(e a(era)e sta&k- o$r ponents <on't <ant to mess <ith o$ $nless the ha(e a real hand be&a$se it al<a s takes )reater stren)th to &all a raise than to make a raise" 8n to$rnaments- o$ ha(e to be (er &aref$l abo$t the hands that o$ &all raises <ith" B $$ing Y%#rs l+ O#$ %+ a P%$. !om dis&$sses the dan)er of pla in) a dra<in) hand and bettin) o$rself o$t of a pot1 B8n pot-limit and no-limit to$rnaments and rin) )amesthere are times <hen o$ mi)ht a))ressi(el bet a dra<in) hand be&a$se o$ think that o$ ha(e a reasonable e=pe&tation of <innin) the pot" 9$t there are other times <hen o$ are far better off to C$st take a free &ard- espe&iall <hen o$ are pla in) a)ainst tri&k and a))ressi(e pla ers <ho do a lot of &he&k-raisin)" B0or e=ample- s$ppose o$ ha(e slipped into the pot from late position <ith /S 7 6" !he flop &omes @S < 6 2 /" !here are three people in front of o$ in the pot- and t<o of them are tri&k and a))ressi(e" With this flop- o$ often <o$ld take a &ard off if somebod bets be&a$se o$ ha(e an o(er&ard <orkin) and the n$t fl$sh dra<" 9$t <hat if nobod bets on *3 'PPJ /)ainst a))ressi(e and tri&k opponents- it $s$all *> &Prre&t to also &he&k and take the free &ard" 8f o$ pla&e a bet- espe&iall if o$ make a pot-siHe betWmebod &omes o(er the top of o$ <ith a ma=im$m tal&*Se WPL WW Wla(e to #ePParWiHe too man of o$r &hips to dra< """ $nless either one of o$ is so short-sta&ked tL o$ de&ide to )o <ith the hand" Mo$ are better off in takin 7 the free &ard and tr in) to hit o$r dra< for nothin)"

BNo<- let's look at a different s&enario" Mo$ ha(e same /\ 7 \ and the flop is the same- b$t o$'re $p i onl one opponent" Sa that o$ ha(e made a positionalW before the flop- the bi) blind &alled o$- and no< o$BB
5lf

head-$p" 8f he &he&ks to o$ on the flop- o$ &an bet the W Or sa that- in addition to the bi) blind- there is one limpet the pot" !he both are some<hat passi(e pla ers" 8f the $ &he&k to o$ on the flop- then o$ &an bet" B/n time that o$ think a bet <ill <in the pot for 3ll )o ahead and bet" Sin&e a kin) is on the board- the ma pW o$ on a pair of kin)s rather than a fl$sh dra<" 8f neither oC them has a kin)- it <o$ld be diffi&$lt for them to &all 3tt b$tton bet" 8f one of them &alls o$ <ith a little kin) (a@-* for e=ample)- o$ &an al<a s &he&k on the t$rn (if o$ ha(t no impro(ement) and <ait for the ri(er &ard to tr to mah o$r hand" BOf &o$rse- o$ also &o$ld make a se&ond bet on tk t$rn &ard if o$ think that it <ill <in the pot for o$""" b$t thai is a C$d)ment &all based on o$r kno<led)e of o$r opponents" !here al<a s is the dan)er that o$ &o$ld ha(e maS o$r hand &heapl - <hereas o$ mi)ht )et blo<n off the pot 7' - o$ take an a))ressi(e post$re" BRemember than in pot-limit or no-limit- pla ers &andis tort the siHe of the pot b p$ttin) in a si)nifi&ant bet- raise- o' reraise" With a hand that o$ probabl <ill make onl one $ three times- o$ <ill be pa in) too hi)h a pri&e if o$ ha(etB p$t in a lar)e amo$nt of mone to dra< to it" !his is <h 3* ha(e to be (er sele&ti(e <hen o$ ha(e a dra<in) hand" SonS pla ers pla dra<in) hands too a))ressi(el - rather thankiSS in) ba&k and pla in) them more passi(el " B/nother sit$ation of this t pe is <hen o$ flop bPttot<o pair and are first to a&t" S$ppose o$ are in the blind W 7-,- and the flop &omes #-7-," 9ottom t<o pair &an be a W )ero$s hand" Sa that o$ lead at the pot a)ainst se(eral p W ers and one of them &omes o(er the top of o$ <ith a ^ +2

!here &o$ld be a strai)ht o$t there- a set- or top t<o s&enario- it is better to &he&k from the front and Pa ' -at happens- rather than makin) a rmCor &ommitment to same bPttom t<o $ * * ot 8f P i)ht p$t in a bet if it is &he&ked to o$takin) the risk of &he&k raised" BNo<- sa that o$ are in late position in an $nraised pot ith onl t<o other people- and o$ ha(e flopped bottom o pair" One of o$r opponents- a kno<n a))ressi(e pla er t< ho <ill represent hands that he doesn't ha(e- bets in front of < o$" 8n this &ase- 8 mi)ht &ome o(er the top of him to prote&t m t<o pair" /)ain- it all )oes ba&k to pla in) the pla ers and the sit$ation" B/l<a s be leer of bettin) o$rself off a hand that has some potential" 8f o$ &an )et a free &ard that ma make the hand for o$- the s$perior strate) often is to take the free &ard" When o$ make a risk bet- o$ ma open it $p for someone to &ome o(er the top of o$ and for&e o$ to fold <hen o$ &o$ld ha(e had a free &ard- possibl ha(e made o$r hand- and then ha(e )otten some a&tion on it"B
ralS

'

93

!he Last !hree

0rom the min$te that 8 sit do<n in a to$rnament- m )oal < make it to the top three pa off spots" 8t is ne(er m )3ah C$st )et m mone ba&k" /&t$all - 8'm onl thinkin) of <i b$t 8 <ill be satisfied to pla&e in the top three be&a$se <here the mone is" 9$t first- 8 ha(e to mo(e $p from 6 third table to the final table" !om talks abo$t strate) at the final three tables" 8 no<- o$ kno< o$r opponents" Mo$r strate) is based othat kno<led)e and o$r &hip &o$nt" !he more &hips o$ ha(e the more options and <eapons o$ ha(e" 8f o$ are one offt shorter sta&ks- o$ kno< that o$ <ill be some<hat onto defensi(eD o$ don't ha(e eno$)h &hips to intimidate o$ opponents" !he bi))er sta&ks are lookin) to b$st o$- an sometimes are <illin) to )amble <ith a sli)htl more mar)k hand in order to beat o$" Mo$ are the b$llse e to them" B8f o$ ha(e an a(era)e sta&k or a bi) sta&k- it's a differ ent ball )ame" /n opponent has to ha(e a hand to &otS a)ainst o$- $nless he is e=tremel short-sta&ked and de&ide to take a stand- or $nless he has a bi) sta&k and is <illin)*mi= it $p <ith an bod be&a$se he has a h$)e lead"B Pla(ing a Big S$ack. When the top pla ers ha(eato of &hips at the last three tables- the are not )oin) to G BWell- 8'm )oin) to take a &han&e to b$st this )$ "B !hetC pla ers are not )oin) to CeopardiHe their &hips on a <eak hand" !he <ant to )et to the top three positions- soS sho$ld the )i(e an bod a &han&e to do$ble $p at tbenR penseJ !op pla ers <ill ha(e a pla ble hand <hen the &P into a pot- or the 're )oin) to be the a))ressor" !he old pro(erb in hold'em is- B/ bettor be or a ' f[if ' beD a &aller ne(er be"B !his is a (er )ood )$ideline fP W sta)e of pla " 8f o$'re bettin) a pot- o$ &o$ld ha(e the W hand or the best hand- b$t o$ al<a s ha(e the &han&e

+6

o$ bet" 8f o$'re &allin)- o$ ha(e onl one option1 Sa(i 8 ha(e this )$ beaten"B !he onl time that o$ sho$ld be a &aller past the flop in 8'mit or no-limit hold'em is <hen o$ are settin) $p an nent <hen o$ are la in) a trap" 0or e=ample- at the PP P- lPtable at the WSOP in *++5- it <as do<n to three-handed A h #ohn 9onetti- #im 9e&htel- and ;lenn CoHen" 9e&htel 9 t<o si=es and 9onetti held an /-@" / lot of pla ers in 9e&htel's spot <o$ld ha(e raised <ith the skes- b$t 9e&htel didn't" He pla ed the hand to either &at&h a si= or to thro< it a<a " He kne< that 9onetti had a bi) hand and that if he &a$)ht a si=- he &o$ld trap 9onetti for a lot of mone " Of &o$rse- he &a$)ht the si= on the flop" 9$t the point is that 9e&htel pla ed the hand &orre&tl - <hereas a lesser pla er <o$ld either ha(e mo(ed in <ith the hand or <o$ld ha(e thro<n it a<a "

!he 0inal !able

No< it's nitt -)ritt time- the time <hen o$ &an <in the to$rnament" !o start <ith- o$'re pla in) in a f$ll rin) of nine pla ers" 8n nine-handed pla - o$ still <ant to tr to pla top hand all of the time" Of &o$rse- top hand doesn't ha(e to be <o a&esD it &o$ld be t<o fi(es in &ertain sit$ations" Mo$ pla lhe best hand- <hate(er that best hand ma be" Mo$ <ill be pla in) basi& strate) - e=&ept that o$ &an WBletimes pi&k $p pots be&a$se the blinds are so bi) at this )e t ' Ho<e(er- o$ ha(e to be (er &aref$l abo$t <hen o$ 1 P do it" 8f o$'re the t pe of pla er <ho raises e(er time Pass d to W o$ on the b$tton- <hether o$ ha(e a hand or o$ n P t- somebod is e(ent$all )oin) to &hop o$ off" al Si$#a$i%ns. 8f o$'re )oin) to tr to steal a poto$ 9 n t al in froP <a s need to be on the b$tton" Mo$ &an steal from e(en " e b$tton or t<o spots a<a from the b$tton" 8'(e e rt from the first seat" 8f o$'re raisin) from the first +>

seat into ei)ht other pla ers- the 're )oin) to )i(e o$ a L &redit- espe&iall if o$ ha(e an ima)e" Mo$r opponents-ha(e to ha(e a prett stron) hand to &all o$- so o$'L them m$&kin) hands s$&h as /-#- /-N- and @-N s$ited8f 8 ha(e been raised b a front position pla er- 8 W not ne&essaril m$&k m handD it depends on <hat 8 W abo$t his pla " !his is <here that si=th sense that <e'(e talit abo$t &omes into pla - o$r feel for <hat's )oin) on in 6 mind of the raiser- <hether he is &apable of makin) a sen bl$ff raise from $p front" %ost pla ers are not &apable of raC in) <ith a hand s$&h as +( 7 (- b$t a fe< of them are" Br aking O$) r Pla( rs. /t the final table- remet ber that o$ don't ha(e to break e(er bod at the table" * and let them break ea&h other" !om admits to )ettin) to 8 last table in )ood &hip position <hen he first started pla ir" to$rnaments and- seein) that e(er bod <as pla in) passi(eJ takin) it $pon himself to b$st people o$t of the to$rnament think that <e'(e probabl all done that earl in o$r &areerD What often happens is that o$ b$st se(eral people o$t- the )et to the final three- and finish in third pla&e" !om e=plains that B8 didn't slo< do<n eno$)h" 8 tot risks a)ainst the short sta&ks- b$t of &o$rse- on&e o$'re t the top three- nobod is short-sta&ked" !hen 8 )ot sa<ed ot 8 ma ha(e been better offb not kno&kin) o$t as man pePP b bein) a tad more sele&ti(e or a tad less a))ressi(eb pW in) fe<er hands" BMo$ see- o$ $s$all )et a lot of respe&t b pla inJ )ressi(el in short-handed pla - b$t be&a$se 8 had beenp in) a ton of hands before the )ame )ot short-handeda)e had &han)ed" % opponents didn't )i(e me as spe&t as the ordinaril <o$ld ha(e )i(en me- espe&ia< "
e

the had seen me pla a <eak hand and b$st o$t a it" No< the <ere more <illin) to mi= it $p <ith mRX after me" So- it sometimes &an <ork a)ainst o$ ima)e has &han)ed d$rin) o$r pla at the final table-

+4

!he 0inal 0i(e

s$ppose it's do<n to fi(e pla ers" /t this point- 8'm )oin) t a little more a))ressi(e" Of &o$rse- ho< a))ressi(e 8 e e depends on ho< man &hips 8 ha(e" 8f o$ ha(e the om - rnrnand position in &hips- people are al<a s <orried abo$t messin) <ith o$ in a pot be&a$se the kno< that o$ &an break them" Mo$ &an look aro$nd the table and see <ho is tr in) to o$tlast the others" 0or e=ample- 8 <as pla in) fo$r-handed in a G>33 to$rnament at the Hi)h Sierra and sa< that t<o of the short sta&ks <ere tr in) to o$tlast ea&h other C$st to s$r(i(e and make it to the bi))er mone " !he <ere pla in) <hat !om &alls Bnot to lose"B 8 took ad(anta)e of them like ;rant )oin) thro$)h Ri&hmond I and o$ &an do the same thin) in a similar sit$ation" Mo$ C$st keep &hippin) a<a at them """ and sin&e the blinds are so hi)h- o$'re really &hippin) a<a be&a$se it's so e=pensi(eto pla at that le(el" Pla in) a S)%r$ S$ack. 8f o$'re one of the short sta&ks <hen it )ets do<n to fi(e-or-so pla ers- o$ ha(e to tmd a hand that o$ like and C$st )o <ith it" !he main thin) that o$ &annot do is to let o$rself )et so short that the ne=t toe o$ ha(e to post a blind- it <ill eat $p all of o$r &hips" hen' e(en if o$ do$ble $p- all o$ <ill ha(e left is <hat o$ before o$ <ere for&ed to post the blinds" Mo$ al<a s #Oe to make o$r mo(e be)ore o$ )et so short sta&ked that O$blin) $p <on't help o$" !his mi)ht mean mo(in) in <ith :lrtWll nothin)"
<

of @' PnCe PWa ed a to$rnament in <hi&h 8 had lost a &o$ple <e :Pts' W e <ere do<n to se(en-handed pla - the antes
and the bLnds <ere G* 33 G2 333 # had G7 333 in &hi ' P- ' ' bi) b'CPs and B <as &ostin) me G>-*33 a ro$nd to pla " 8n the <a md'A held a +'2 offs$it" !he a&tion <as passed all the aro$ nd to the b$tton- <ho held an /-#" He raised and

+,

mo(ed me all-in" % onl hope in pla in) the hand <as th had li(e &ards a)ainst an a&e or a kin) be&a$se <ith fi(e &a to &ome- 8 <as onl a 2-to-l do) <ith an t<o li(e &ard S <on the hand- and prett soon- 8 had G,3-333 in &hips" !he ke idea in this e=ample is that 8 didn't let m self anteed and blinded do<n to the point that do$blin) $p <o$ldn* ha(e helped me" 8'm not s$))estin) that o$ make this t pe of pla - of &o$rse- and if o$ do- o$ ha(e to kno< that the )$( on the b$tton <ill raise <itho$t ha(in) a pair in his hand- if he's the t pe of pla er <ho onl raises <ith paris- o$ &annot make the &all" 8n this sit$ation ( o$ are in the bi) blind)- the onl t<o raisers that o$ &an &all are the b$tton and the little blindD o$ &annot &all from a front position- for e=ample" Mo$ sho$ld al<a s kno< w%at o$ are doin) in a spe&ifi& sit$ation and w%y o$ are doin) it" 8n this &ase- 8 made the &all to tr to a(oid )ettin) so short-&hipped that e(en do$blin) $p &o$ldn't p$ll me o$t of the hole"

+7

Pla in) Head-Lp

time that o$ are head-$p <ith an opponent <ho has a 5* &hip lead o(er o$- remember that o$ still are onl t<o ** in hands a<a from <innin) the to$rnament" Sometimes hen o$'re pla in) head-$p- o$ &an mo(e into a BHone-B omethin) like the )reat marathon r$nners talk abo$t" 0or e=ample- at the .iamond #im 9rad no-limit hold'em to$rnament in *++*- 8 had G*23-333 and !$na L$nd had G543-333" 8 <as &hippin) a<a at him- meanin) that 8 <as <innin) e(er pot from him b bein) s$per-a))ressi(e" 8n fa&t8 <on *6 o$t of *> hands- a little bit here and a little bit there" When it &ame to to the point that he <as onl 2-to-l in &hips a)ainst me- !$na asked if 8 <anted to make a deal" 8 said noand <e &ontin$ed to pla " 8 had been &hippin) a<a at him so badl that 8 kne< he <as )oin) to r$n a bl$ff on me" 8t had )otten to the sta)e <here he had to tr to take the a))ressi(e position a<a from me" !hen a hand &ame $p <hen a #-+-6 &ame on the flop" 8 ha(e been kno<n to pla the #-+- b$t this time 8 onl had a nine" !$na bet the flop and 8 raised him C$st a little bit" !hen off &ame a three" He took the lead <ith a G63-333 bet- and 8 tho$)ht to m self- B8 kno< 8'(e )ot him- e(en tho$)h 8 onl ha(e se&ond pair"B 8 &alled the G63-333- and tho$)ht that if neither a kin) nor an a&e &ame on the ri(er- he <as )oin) to %$ff the pot" !he board paired threes on the end- <hi&h <as perfe&t for m hand" !$na bet G>3-333 and 8 &alled" B9efore o$ t$rn XP$r hand o(er-B 8 told him- Blet me tell o$ <hat o$ ha(e" o$ ha e a N-*3 offs$it"B He t$rned his hand o(er and there it ) as ' W4 N-*3" #$st as 8 tho$)ht- he had pi&ked $p a dra< to ne #-+- and 8 predi&ted that if he didn't hit it- he <o$ld bl$ff at ae on the ri(er" S$ddenl - 8 had the lead in the to$rnament" /

++

fe< hands later- 8 raised <ith t<o tens- he mo(ed all-in <ith t<o ei)hts- and it <as all o(er" !he ear before that at the .iamond #im 9rad to$rnament- %anso$r %atlo$bi and 8 )ot head-$p" 8 had the #( , : in m hand and he had t<o hearts in his hand" !he board &ame <ith t<o hearts and a se(en" 8 led at the pot and he &alled" On fo$rth street a ra) &ame- he &he&ked to me- 8 bet- and he &alled" On the end- there <ere three o(er&ards to the se(en on the board" %anso$r had not r$n a bl$ff for fi(e ho$rs of pla at the final table- and he p$t his last G*23-333 in on the ri(er" 8 beat him into the pot <ith fo$rth-best pair" He said- BMo$'(e )ot me """ 8'm bl$ffin)"B T) :%n . Head-$p is a <hole different ball )ame" Mo$ &an make these t pes of mo(es based on o$r obser(ationo$r feel for the )ame- and o$r opponents" When o$'re in o$r Hone- o$r opponent re&o)niHes that and he has to make a mo(e to )et o$ o$t of o$r & &le" !o this da - %anso$r la$)hs abo$t m &allin) him <ith those t<o se(ens- sa in) that it <as the )reatest pla he's e(er seen in hold'em" Of &o$rse- the &all <o$ldn't ha(e b$sted me- b$t that didn't enter into m de&ision" 8 <as in the Hone- and <hen o$'re thereo$ ha(e Bballs of iron-B o$ know <hen o$ ha(e the best hand" !om obser(ed that BMo$ ha(e to ha(e the &o$ra)e of o$r &on(i&tions in spots like this- <hen o$ ha(e a dead read on o$r opponent" %an times- a pla er <ill ha(e the same read- b$t <on't ha(e the &o$ra)e to a&t on his &on(i&tions" He takes the eas <a o$t and m$&ks his hand"B !he third time that 8 <on the .iamond #im 9rad - 8 <as at the final table <ith 'skimo Clark- Hal @ant- and 9obb Hof0- <ho <as short-sta&ked" 8 bro$)ht it in- @ant folded'skimo raised it- and 9obb mo(ed in his short sta&k" 8 tho$)htBWell- 8 kno< that 'skimo has some kind of a kin)-hand- C$d)in) from the <a he has been raisin) fo$r-handed" 8 ha(e /-# here and 8 ha(e a lot of &hips- so 8'm )oin) to mo(e o(er the top of 9obb and sh$t 'skimo o$t to )et head-$p <ith 9obb "B *33

/nd that's e=a&tl the mo(e that 8 made" 'skimo folded his @-N- and 9obb and 8 ended $p splittin) the pot sin&e <e both had an /-#" 9$t the board &ame @-N and to this da 'skimo still talks abo$t ha(in) had the best hand" 9$t before the flop- he didn't ha(e top hand and 8 sh$t him o$t so that he &o$ldn't <in the pot" !hese are the t pes of pla s that &ome <ith e=perien&e and from the feel that o$ de(elop for &ertain sit$ations" 8n head-$p pla - o$ no lon)er are &on&erned abo$t &hip &o$nt and o$ don't need as stron) a startin) hand to )et in(ol(ed <ith" /n a&e is s$per-po<erf$l" Po&ket pairs- ei)hts and hi)her- also are stron)- b$t small po&ket pairs- the de$&es thro$)h the se(ens- are not nearl as stron) as the are in other head-$p sit$ations be&a$se pla ers <ill &all o$ <ith hands like #-*3 and +-7 be&a$se the are onl **-to-*3 do)s" Mo$ mi)ht pla the lo<er pairs- b$t o$ sho$ldn't &ommit all o$r mone <ith them before the flop" 8f o$r opponent has t<o paints in his hand- he probabl <ill &all a raise" !he allpo<erf$l &ard in head-$p pla is the a&e"

B%o(eB !imes in !o$rnaments

!here are &ertain Bmo(eB periods in to$rnaments" One of them is <hen o$'re one table a<a from the pa table" /t the WSOP- <hi&h pa s the final three tables- the mo(e period is at the fo$rth table" /&t$all - it is t<o pla ers a<a from the third table- <hen e(er bod is tr in) to s$r(i(e to )et into the mone " Mo$ &an pi&k $p a mo$ntain of &hips at this time- and that's <hen top pla ers &an amass so man &hips b &apitaliHin) on the sit$ation" /nother mo(e time is <hen it's do<n to fi(e pla ers at the final table" /ll of the mone is in the last three spots- so e(er bod is tr in) to )et into at least third pla&e" Mo$ ha(e to kno< %ow to mo(e and w%en to e=e&$te a)ainst <hi&h *3*

pla ers" !om talks abo$t this in Tournament #oker, <here he sa s that o$ ha(e to &apitaliHe on o$r opponents' ti)ht pla " 8f o$'re <illin) to take a fe< e=tra risks- kno<in) that o$ mi)ht b$st o$t and miss the bi) mone - o$ ha(e a &han&e at a massi(e re<ard- be&a$se all of the mone is piled on the top three spots" Mo$ ha(e to take sele&ti(e risks in the ri)ht spots"

(Settin) 8nto !he %one

8 <o$ld hate to tell o$ ho< man times 8 ha(e finished one o$t of the mone be&a$se 8 <as tr in) to <in the to$rnament instead of )ettin) into the mone " /t the WSOP in *++4- for e=ample- <e <ere do<n to 2+ pla ers and 8 had abo$t G,3-333 in &hips" B/kron #ohn-B <ho is a (er a))ressi(e pla er- <as at m table" 8 <as on the b$tton- #ohn <as sittin) t<o seats to m ri)ht- and H$&k Seed (<ho <ent on to <in it) <as sittin) bet<een $s" /n time the a&tion )ot aro$nd to the last fi(e pla ers#ohn seemed to raise the pot and $s$all didn't need a hand to do it- either" He bro$)ht it in for somethin) bet<een G4-333 and G7-333"* looked do<n at m hand and fo$nd t<o tens- so 8 raised him G2,-333"* kne< that he <o$ld thro< a<a his hand and 8 <o$ld <in all of those bi) antes and the blinds" 9$t %en N)$ en <as sittin) in the little blind behind me holdin) t<o red a&es and &ame ba&k o(er the top- so both /kron #ohn and 8 thre< a<a o$r hands" / little later- 8 had b$ilt m sta&k ba&k $p to G>3-333 <hen a hand &ame $p in <hi&h #ohn bro$)ht it in for G7-333H$&k Seed &alled- and 8 mo(ed all in <ith / 6 NS" 8 kne< that 8 had both of them beaten and that the <o$ld thro< a<a their hands" Winnin) it ri)ht there <o$ld )et m sta&k $p to aro$nd G73-333" 9$t a)ain- %en <as sittin) behind me <ith t<o a&es in the little blind- and 8 <as kno&ked o$t of the to$rnament" *32

!he point is that there <as no reason <h 8 &o$ldn't ha(e )otten into the mone and been able to &ome ba&k for the third da of pla " 9$t 8 <as tr in) to )et some &hips b sit$ational pla - tr in) to <in the to$rnament" /ltho$)h the didn't <ork o$t- 8 belie(e that both pla s <ere &orre&t" !here <ere onl t<o people behind me and both times- %en held a&es" ('arlier- he had broken /le= 9renes <ith t<o a&es <hen /le= held t<o kin)s") /ll of the )reat pla ers like #ohnn Chan- 'ri& Seideland #im 9e&htel make mo(es at the ri)ht time" .an Harrin)ton is another )reat pla er <ho kno<s ho< to do this" 0or earshe <as &alled B/&tion .anB be&a$se he )a(e no a&tionD he <as the ti)htest pla er in the <orld" 9$t he has de(eloped a to$rnament strate) in <hi&h he pla s some stran)e &ards and pi&ks $p a lot of pots in the ri)ht pla&es" !he point is that there is a basi& to$rnament form$la or strate) - b$t then o$ ha(e to adC$st it for o$r o<n &$bi&lefor the <a that o$ pla o$r &ards" 0or e=ample- 8 ne(er had pla ed in a se(en-&ard st$d to$rnament $ntil one ear <hen Phil Hellm$th (<ho <as ba&kin) me at the time) <anted me to pla a st$d satellite" So- 8 pla ed in the G>-333 satellite<on a seat in the to$rnament- and finished in fo$rth pla&e" 0rom then on- 8 had to pla all of the st$d to$rnaments """ and <ent on to <in a first- t<o se&onds- t<o thirds- and a fo$rth in the first doHen to$rnaments that 8 e(er pla ed b simpl adaptin) the to$rnament st le of pla that 8 had $sed in other e(entsa st le that is &ompletel different from side )ames" Mo$ see- no matter <hat the )ame is- <hen o$ hit the final table- the real )ame is still to$rnament poker" /

*35

Cha%ter 3our

HOW !O W8N NO-L8%8! HOL.S'% !OLRN/%'N!S

rom *+7* $ntil *++2- 8 pla ed no-limit ho 8d'em in .allas from noon $ntil >133 p"m" e(er %onda thro$)h 0rida - and from ,133 p"m" to midni)ht or later fi(e da s a <eek" On S$nda s- 8 dro(e to Shre(eport to pla potlimit ho 8d'em" 8 <as p$ttin) in 43 ho$rs a <eek- and sometimes 73- pla in) no-limit and pot-limit poker d$rin) these ** ears" Pla ers $sed to &ome from all o(er the nation to pla in o$r )ame at a pla&e that <e <ill &all the 9i) !e=an's" His ho$se had the best food and the &leanest en(ironment o$ &o$ld ask for- and it <as a safe )ame- too" /ll the road )amblers &ame to pla in the )ame I Willie Str$thers- 9err #ohnston and Ste(e %el(in dro(e in from Oklahoma Cit - ;arland Walters &ame in from @ent$&k - ;ene 0isher from 'l Paso- 9obb 9ald<in- 9$dd Williams- all the best pla ers" !hat )ame <as a )reat trainin) )ro$nd in nolimit hold'em" !om told me- B8 lost abo$t G*>-333 pla in) nolimit hold'em in that )ame- b$t 8 <on G63-333 at pot-limit Omaha" Lntil then- 8 tho$)ht 8 <as a no-limit hold'em pla er - bo - did 8 learn a fe< lessonsA People that 8'd ne(er heard of before <ere some of the best pla ers that 8 had e(er seen"B !he 9i) !e=an <as a bi) <hale of a man and he ran the best )ame in .allas """ b$t he <as one of the most disliked men there- too" 8'm a (er &alm person- b$t there <ere three

*36

times in those ** ears <hen 8 almost stood $p and let him ha(e it" 8 didn't be&a$se 8 kne< that this <as a )ame in <hi&h 8 &o$ld make a lot of mone and 8 <asn't )oin) to )et sh$t o$t of it" One ni)ht <e <ere pla in) no-limit hold'em and 8 raised the pot G233 <ith /-N s$ited" !he 9i) !e=an &alled it" 8t )ot aro$nd to Walter #ones- and he p$t in his last G633" !his <as a le)al raise be&a$se the raise in no-limit hold'em has to be do$ble the amo$nt of the ori)inal raise" 8 de&ided 8 <as )oin) to sh$t the 9i) !e=an o$t of the pot so 8 &ame ba&k o(er the top <ith G2-333 to )et head-$p <ith #ones" B!hat's not a raise-B the 9i) !e=an said" B!he hell if it's not-B 8 ans<ered" B8t's as le)al as it &an be"B '(er bod at the table <as a)reein) <ith me- <hen the 9i) !e=an C$st rea&hed o(er and slapped me on the hand" Well- 8 rared $p and 8 <as reall )oin) to let him ha(e it be&a$se 8 ne(er &ared for him one iota an <a " 9$t 8 tho$)ht better of it be&a$se 8 needed that )ameD it paid all m e=penses for the ear" Of &o$rse- the raise stood and he thre< his hand a<a " He told me later that if 8 had hit himhe <o$ld'(e )one for his )$n" B9$dd -B 8 said- Bif 8 had hit o$- o$'d ne(er ha(e had a &han&e to )et that )$n o$t"B !he 9i) !e=an <as al<a s afraid that the mone <o$ld lea(e .allas" When 8 <as still C$st datin) m <ife #o - he &alled her and said- BHo< &ome o$ let !" #" )o o$t to those to$rnamentsJ .on't o$ kno< that he &o$ld lose all his mone in those thin)sJB He's the same one that said he <as )oin) to drop the lat&h on me after 8'd <on *2 times in a ro< in his )ame" BMo$'re beatin) these bo s too bad-B he said- Band 8 don't <ant that mone )oin) ba&k to Lo$isiana" 9$t if o$'ll let me ha(e half of o$r pla - o$ &an keep on pla in) here"B So for the ne=t ** )ames- the 9i) !e=an <as in on m a&tion and <e <on all ** times" On the t<elfth ni)ht- he saidB8'm o$t toda "B !hat <as C$st like a bell )oin) off in m headD 8 kne< that somethin) <as )oin) to )o do<n in the )ame that da " !here <ere a fe< stran)ers from Oklahoma in the )ame *3>

that 8'd ne(er seen before" So 8 C$st bo$)ht in for G>33 instead of the $s$al G*-333- pla ed for abo$t an ho$r- and left" /nd the 9i) !e=an ne(er &ame in <ith me a)ain" !here <ere a ton of )ood pla ers in .allas" 8n fa&t- if o$ &o$ld beat the .allas )ame- o$ &o$ld beat an )amein&l$din) the World Series of Poker" Mo$ see- the World Series is a &on)lomeration of lo&al &hampions" !here's #oe 9lo< from 8o<a <ho's the &hampion in his )ame at homeD h$ndreds of lo&al &hampions like him &ome to :e)as to pla the World Series" 9$t it's like the differen&e in )oin) from pla in) hi)h s&hool football to &olle)e football1 8t's a bi) step $p" /nd then )oin) from &olle)e to pro football is the ne=t bi) step" 8t's not a E$estion of <hether these pla ers &an pla poker -!he C$st &an't pla it on the le(el that some of the top pla ers &an" 8t's similar to !i)er Woods1 !here are a lot of )reat )olfers o$t there ri)ht no<- b$t !i)er Woods is t%e )olfer- the one <ith the most talent" !here is a lot of skill differen&e amon) poker pros- too" !he top pros ha(e a hi)her skill le(el that the ha(e de(eloped o(er a lon) period of time" 8 started pla in) the to$rnaments in *+,7" When the World Series <as )oin) on- the poker )ame in .allas <o$ld sh$t do<n" !he same thin) happened d$rin) /marillo Slim's S$per 9o<l of Poker and the Stard$st's Stair<a to the Stars be&a$se a lot of .allas pla ers entered these to$rnaments" /s the res$lt- 8 be&ame <ell (ersed in to$rnament pla and ha(e <on the &hampionship e(ent in all of them e=&ept for the World Series- <here 8 pla&ed se&ond to 9ill Smith in *+7>" Sometimes- o$'ll see a pla er <in one to$rnament hereanother one there" /nd it's tr$e that an bod &an <in a to$rnamentD that's the bea$t of poker" Mo$ &an )o on a r$sh in the ri)ht spot and <in itD ho<e(er- it's less likel to happen in no-limit and pot-limit than it is in other )ames be&a$se the skill le(el is so m$&h hi)her" Sometimes- in a one-da to$rnament- a <eaker pla er <ill slip thro$)h the &ra&ks- b$t in the fo$r-da bi) one at the World Series- it's far less likel to *34

happen" !hat's be&a$se no-limit hold'em is the Cadilla& of poker I there are more mo(es o$ &an make and more traps that o$ ha(e to a(oid than in an other )ame" When o$ )et do<n to the end in most no-limit to$rnaments- e(en the G>33 b$ -in ones- most of the pla ers at the final table are re&o)niHable" !hat is not the &ase in the limit )ames" So- <innin) one to$rnament doesn't make o$ a )ood pla er I it's <innin) a <hole series of to$rnaments that establishes o$ as a top pla er"

No-Limit Hold'em St le
People $sed to ask me- BWh do o$ do <ell in to$rnamentsJB 8 told them that in m broke da s <hen 8 <as tra(elin) 233 miles from Shre(eport to pla in .allas <ith C$st one b$ -in- 8 )ot $sed to pla in) a short sta&kI8 &o$ldn't )o to m po&ket for more" 8n to$rnaments- o$ &an't )o to o$r po&ket- $nless it's a reb$ to$rnament" So- 8 de(eloped a st le of pla in <hi&h 8 learned to prote&t m &hips and- at the same timeb$ild them- not takin) an &han&es" 8n no-limit- the more &han&es o$ take- the more &han&es o$ ha(e of )ettin) b$sted be&a$se all of o$r mone &an )o in one bet" Mo$ learn s$r(i(al """ that's the thin) o$ ha(e to learn to <in to$rnaments" !he thin) that makes it so hard to pla <ith C$st one b$ in or a short sta&k in no-limit hold'em rin) )ames is that nolimit is a )ame desi)ned for people <ho ha(e a lot of mone in front of them" !o pla &orre&tl in a side )ame- o$ al<a s <ant to ha(e eno$)h mone in front of o$- as m$&h or more than an other pla er on the table- be&a$se that one hand mi)ht &ome $p in <hi&h o$ &o$ld b$st them" 8t's a terrible thin) to ha(e G>33 <hile o$r opponent has G>-333- be&a$se if o$ <in a pot from that man- all o$ &an <in is G>33" Chips speak in no-limit" !his's one reason <h 8 maintain that the )ame doesn't reall start in a no-limit to$rnament *3,

$ntil the antes )o into effe&t at the se&ond G*33-G233 le(el" Mo$ ha(e to s$r(i(e $ntil o$ hit that point"

Pla in) Si l_
8n the first fe< ro$nds of a to$rnament- people $s$all tr to pla their best )ames- b$t o(er a lon) period of time- the 're )oin) to pla their re)$lar )ame" Mo$ ha(e to be (er &aref$l and kno< ho< the pla er is pla in) at an parti&$lar time in the )ame" Some pla ers &ome o$t of the shoot firin)- and ne(er &han)e their st le" !he pla the same from start to finish" / pla er like %el Weiner- for e=ample- <ill pla a))ressi(el earl and if he happens to )et some &hips- then he slo<s do<n" Hamid .astmal&hi is a )reat pla er- and earl in his &areer 8 sa< him )o into a shell at the final table in t<o separate to$rnaments" His opponents C$st flat <orked him o(er <hile he <as in his shell and he <o$nd $p losin) both times" He ma ha(e been C$st <aitin) for a bi) hand- or he mi)ht ha(e been o(er prote&tin) his lead" !om sa s that some pla ers in that sit$ation aren't pla in) to win, the 're pla in) not to lose" So- the ear that he <on the World Series- 8 took Hamid o$tside and talked to him d$rin) a break" 8 said- BLook- Hamid8'm o$t of the to$rnament- b$t if o$'re )oin) to <in it- o$ had better pla o$r st le" .on't do <hat o$ did the last time"B !hen a hand &ame $p at the final table bet<een him and #a&k @eller" Hamid raised the pot <ith /-@ and #a&k &ame ba&k o(er the top of him" !hen Hamid mo(ed all in and #a&k &alled him <ith almost all of his &hips" Hamid <on the hand <ith either an a&e or a kin)" /ltho$)h 8 tho$)ht that the both pla ed the hand poorl - at least Hamid <as pla in) more of his a))ressi(e st le"

*37

Obser(ation
Obser(ation is (er important in pot-limit ho 8d'em- b$t it's e(en more &r$&ial in no-limit hold'em" Mo$ see- no-limit hold'em is the onl )ame in <hi&h o$ &an &ontin$all <in pots <itho$t a hand" 8n other )ames- o$ ha(e to sho< do<n a hand to <in- b$t o$ &an <in mone in no-limit C$st b seiHin) sit$ations" No<- o$ &an't think that o$ &an do this all the time or o$'re )oin) to )et &hopped o)). Mo$ ha(e to be smart eno$)h to pi&k o$r sit$ations and the ri)ht time" ,%%king a$ Y%#r Hand. 8 al<a s look at m hand E$i&kl " 8f o$ look at o$r hand before the a&tion &omes to o$- o$ &an see <hether an thin) is )oin) on behind o$" 8f o$ <ait $ntil the a&tion )ets to o$ to look at o$r hand- o$ <ill miss a lot of thin)s" So- look at o$r hand as soon as o$ )et both of o$r &ards- so that o$ &an obser(e the thin)s that other pla ers are doin) <hen the )et their &ards """ little t<it&hes the make <hen the ha(e a hand """ <hether the slip their &ards ba&k $nder their &hips """ <hether the are loadin) $p- )ettin) their &hips read to bet" Mo$ often <ill be able to tell <hether a pla er is )oin) to pla the pot" !his alone <ill sa(e o$ a lot of mone be&a$se if o$ kno< that somebod behind o$ <ill either &all or raise the pot- o$ &an thro< a<a a mar)inal hand that o$ mi)ht ha(e &alled <ith and it <on't &ost o$ an &hips or mone "

!imin) IB '(er thin)

!imin) is e(er thin) in no-limit hold'em" 8t's not the hands that o$ pla - it's w%en o$ pla them- and <ho o$'re pla in) a)ainst" Mo$ mi)ht ha(e ,-2 """ and 8'm not tellin) o$ to pla this hand """ b$t it mi)ht be time to pla ,-2" / hand &ame $p Pn&e in .allas <hen 8 <as pla in) a)ainst all the top pla ers and <as r$nnin) )ood" 8 <as on the b$tton lookin) *3+

do<n at the ,: 2( <ith fi(e limpers in front of me" B8'm )onna' steal this pot-B 8 said to m self- and p$t in a G633 raise" %$&h to m disma - three of them &alled me" 9$t the flop &ame ,-,-2" No<- ho< &o$ld the ha(e p$t me on a hand like thatJA !his isn't somethin) that o$ <ant to do (er often- of &o$rse """ it <as C$st a matter of timin)" /ltho$)h 8 tr to sta a<a from all dra<s in to$rnaments- ba&k in *+7 > a hand &ame $p <hen 8 <as pla in) a)ainst 9ones 9erland" 8t <as the t pe of ear that <hen 8 pla ed a pot- 8 <on it" 8 <as on the b$tton <ith the 4 ( 5 ( <ith t<o or three limpers in front of me <ho <ere some<hat <eak" 8 tho$)ht that 8'd C$st pi&k $p the pot ri)ht then and pi&k $p the antes for a fe< free ro$nds" 8 <as sittin) there <ith abo$t G63-333 in &hips and raised the pot G*-333" 9ones &alled me" !he flop &ame 6->-, <ith t<o hearts" 9ones made a bet at the pot and 8 raised him" He <as holdin) t<o tens and &alled <ith all of his mone " Of &o$rse- 8 b$sted him on the handI8t <as C$st a matter of timin)" When 8 told !om this stor - he mentioned that if 9erland had &ome in <ith a raise- 8 <o$ld ha(e had to m$&k m handb$t he didn't and 8 <as able to pla offof his mistake" Poker is a )ame of mistakes" Mo$ &annot <in in a poker )ame if e(er bod in the )ame pla s perfe&tl " 8f the &ards break e(en in a no-limit poker )ame- !om and 8 fi)$re to <in" /n pla er in an a(era)e )ame fi)$res to <in if his skill le(el is s$perior" !here isn't a pla er ali(e <ho doesn't make mistakes I nobod is )ood eno$)h to be mistake free - - b$t those <ho make fe<er mistakes <ill <in the mone " !his is <h o$ ha(e to &ontin$e to learn all the time o$'re pla in)" 8'(e been pla in) for a lot of ears- and 8 learn somethin) ne< e(er da I mostl - ho< other pla ers pla a hand"

**3

%akin) %istakes
/ )ood pla er doesn't hope to )et a 43-63 break in the &ards" 8f the &ards break e(en- a )ood pla er <ill <in the mone """ at all times """ be&a$se he's )oin) to make fe<er mistakes than a bad pla er <ill make" What does poker break do<n to in the lon) r$nJ %ost of the mone o$ make &omes from somebod 's mistakes" ;ood pla ers also make mistakes- b$t the make fe<er of them" !om told me a stor abo$t a simple mistake that he made in a small to$rnament at Cr stal Park in California" B% mistake <as that 8 didn't &all in the bi) blind <ith the 4 / 5S a)ainst the &hip leader- <ho had been pla in) e(er hand" No<o$ <o$ldn't think that 4 / 5 / <o$ld be a hand that o$ &o$ld make a mistake <ith b foldin)- b$t it <as a mistake" B8 had one-half of m &hips in the pot- and <o$ld ha(e to p$t in t<o of m three remainin) &hips on the (er ne=t hand" !he &ir&$mstan&es made it a mistake to fold the 4-5- not be&a$se it fi)$red to be the best startin) hand- b$t be&a$se 8 alread had half of m mone in the pot and sho$ld ha(e pla ed the t<o s$ited &ards" B8f 8 didn't fi)$re the raiser to be holdin) a pair- the <orst off 8 &o$ld ha(e been <as a 2-to-l $nderdo)" !he &hip leader raised the ne=t hand <hen 8 had the NS 2S in the small blindand 8 p$t in m last &hip" He <as holdin) t<o E$eens- and b$sted me o$t of the to$rnament"B One of the bi))est mistake that people make in no-limit hold'em is raisin) the pot <ith a medi$m pair from earl position- lea(in) themsel(es open to a reraise" 8f a )ood pla er kno<s that Pla er / is the t pe of pla er that raises <ith these t pes of hands- sooner or later he's )oin) to pop him <ith nothin) and make Pla er / la do<n his hand" 8f o$ &all the raise <ith a medi$m pair from $p front- then o$'re &ompo$ndin) o$r mistake" Ninet -nine per&ent of the time- o$ ***

sho$ld C$st thro< that medi$m pair a<a be&a$se it simpl &annot stand a reraise" Mo$ ha(e to be (er sele&ti(e abo$t the hands that o$ raise <ith" 0or e=ample- an /-@ or /-N is a (er sensible hand to raise <ith from aro$nd ba&k- b$t it's a pie&e of &heese to raise <ith from $p front- espe&iall if someone pops o$I !he /-@ is &alled BWalkin) 9a&k to Ho$stonB be&a$se so man of the road )amblers )ot broke <ith the hand- e(en lost their &ars bettin) <ith it- and (fi)$rati(el speakin)) had to B<alkB 233 miles ba&k to Ho$ston from .allas" Ne(er set o$r si)hts on one pla er in the rin)" / lot of people make the mistake of thinkin) that- be&a$se a )$ 's )ettin) <a o$t of line- the 're )oin) to &hop him off" 9$t if o$ think that <a - o$ &an )et &a$)ht in the middle- espe&iall <hen o$'re pla in) in a f$ll )ame" Shoot at one pla er <hen o$'re onl pla in) one pla er" .on't make the mistake of sa in) to o$rself- BWell- 8'm a better pla er than this )$ and he's )oin) to make a mistake- and 8'm C$st )on) to )obble him $p"B 8n(ariabl - o$ <ill be &a$)ht in the middle and somebod behind o$ <ill kno&k o$ off"

9$ildin) and Prote&tin) Mo$r Chips

8n to$rnaments- o$ ha(e to b$ild o$r &hips """ b$t o$ also ha(e to prote&t o$r &hips" !herefore- o$ ha(e to be (er (er &aref$l- espe&iall in the earl ro$nds <hile the tables are still f$ll" S$ppose that o$ ha(e the G*-333 that o$ started <ith and o$ look aro$nd and see one pla er <ith G>-333another one <ith G7-333" !hat sho$ld not affe&t o$r pla one iota" Mo$ &an't &ontrol t%eir sta&ks- o$ &an onl &ontrol your own sta&k" 9e&a$se somebod has &hips earl in the to$rnament doesn't mean a thin)" His r$sh ma be o(er b the time it )Wts do<n to the nitt -)ritt - somethin) that happens most of tne
**2

time" %an times- the earl &hip leaders are not &ood pla ers aaa the 're lucky pla ers <ho ha(e been pla in) a lot of pots" '(en tho$)h the ha(e the &hip lead- the <ill make eno$)h mistakes in the later sta)es that their sta&ks <ill d<indle be&a$se the &ontin$e to pla too man hands" Mo$ ha(e to be sele&ti(e in the hands that o$ pla in nolimit hold'em" 8n to$rnaments- the one o(erridin) fa&tor that o$ al<a s ha(e to &onsider is- B8 m$st s$r(i(e to ha(e a &han&e to <in"B Mo$ ha(e to think abo$t that all of the time" !his is <h 8 pla a &onser(ati(e )ame earl " 8 don't <orr abo$t ho< man &hips 8 ha(e earl in the to$rnamentD 8'm a plodder" 8 kno< that the opport$nities <ill &ome" % $ltimate s&enario is that at the end of e(er break- 8 ha(e more &hips than 8 had at the pre(io$s break" 8n the late ro$nds- prote&tin) o$r &hips is also important" !om told me the stor of a pla er <ho )ot to the final table in se&ond &hip position" She <as holdin) an /-blank in *3-handed pla <hen she de&ided to make a pla at the onl pla er at the table <ho &o$ld ha(e b$sted her- a )$ <ho had been pla in) e(er hand" !he flop &ame <ith t<o fa&e &ards and she bl$ffed oif all of her mone a)ainst the other bi) sta&k<ho &alled her bl$ff <ith se&ond pair" Who made the bi))er mistake - - !he )$ <ho had been pla in) e(er hand- or the one <ho de&ided to take after him *3-handedJ She <as more o$t of line be&a$se she had &hips to prote&t" /lso- she didn't raise him eno$)h to pre(ent him from &allin)" When she raisedshe needed to ha(e sho<ered do<n on him <ith the raise" /nother mistake that <as made in the pla of this hand <as )oin) $p a)ainst another bi) sta&k" When o$'re in this t(pe of sit$ation- o$ <ant to atta&k the small sta&ks and sta &lear of the other bi) sta&ks <hen o$ don't hold the n$tsbe&a$se the are the ones that &an reall h$rt o$" Mo$ <ant to pla a)ainst the bi) sta&ks <hen o$ ha(e a premi$m hand be&a$se o$ <ant to do$ble thro$)h themD b$t <ith less than a Premi$m hand- o$ don't <ant to mess <ith them"
**5

When the a&tion )ets do<n to bet<een fo$r and t<o tables- !om likes to <alk aro$nd and see <here he stands in the to$rnament" B8t's not that 8'm fearf$l of their sta&ks- 8 C$st <ant to make s$re <here 8 stand <hen 8'm =-n$mber of seats o$t of the mone - and <ho looks as tho$)h the 're &lose to )oin) o$t-B he said" B!hen 8 &an determine m best strate) "B 8 don't belie(e that o$ sho$ld pla in a to$rnament <ith an other idea than to <in it" 8f <innin) is o$r )oal at all timeso$'re )oin) to pla better- pla a))ressi(el <hen o$ ha(e to- and e(en pla passi(el in &ertain spots"

!o$rnament Str$&t$re
!he differen&e bet<een pot-limit and no-limit to$rnaments is that in no-limit- an ante )oes in <hen o$ hit the se&ond le(el of the G*336233 blinds" !hat is- d$rin) the first le(el of G*33G233 b$nds- there is no anteD b$t <hen it )oes to the se&ond le(el of G*336233 blinds ($s$all abo$t the fo$rth or fifth ro$nd of pla )- the ante )oes into effe&t- be)innin) at G2>" !his is the <a it's done at the World Series of Poker and at all other maCor to$rnaments" 8n pot-limit- there is ne(er an ante- so it is al<a s &heaper to pla a hand in a pot-limit to$rnament than it is to pla a hand in no-limit" When o$ )et $p into the G*336233 blinds in no-limit- o$'re also antein) G2> a hand- so it's &ostin) o$ G>2> a ro$nd to pla " 9$t 8 al<a s ha(e maintained that the main differen&e bet<een pot-limit and no-limit to$rnament pla is that o$ &an pla <eaker hands in pot-limit than o$ &an in no-limit"

**6

! pes of Hands to Start With 8n 'arl Position

8n the first ro$nd of the World Series- as <ell as in the first ro$nd of the smaller b$ -in e(ents at the WSOP- a pair of kin)s is not a bi) eno$)h hand to )et broke <ith" !he onl hand that is bi) eno$)h to )et broke <ith before the flop is t<o a&es" 8n the earl positions- o$ onl <ant to pla /&e-@in) or better" When 8 sa /-@ or better- 8'm not talkin) abo$t pla in) the small pairs- altho$)h o$ mi)ht limp <ith a pair of ei)hts or better" 8f 8 am holdin) /-N (s$ited or $ns$ited) or worse in the first fo$r or fi(e seats- 8 don't <ant to p$t e(en a dime in the pot d$rin) the first fe< le(els in a f$ll nine or *3handed )ame" /l<a s treat bein) s$ited as a little added l$=$r a fa&tor that sho$ld not &han)e o$r de&ision to pla a hand that o$ ordinaril <o$ld not pla " Mo$r hand is still /-N -bein) s$ited is C$st an added pl$s" !he (al$e of the hand is in its ranks- not in its bein) s$ited" Mo$ &annot stand a )ood raise <ith the /-N from an earl position in the openin) ro$nds" 8f o$ &at&h either the a&e or the E$een- o$ are p$t into a E$andar abo$t <hat to do ne=t if someone bets at o$" .o o$ thro< it a<a - do o$ raise- or do o$ &allJ Wh p$t o$rself in that sit$ationJ !om sa s that he tries to a(oid ha(in) to make an tri&k de&isions" He <o$ld rather &ome in <ith an pair than an /-N in those first fo$r spots be&a$se a small-to-medi$m pair pla s (er easil after the flop I No set- no bet" !he /-N or /-#ho<e(er- reE$ire a lot of finesse and C$d)ment to pla after the flop if o$ )et an a&tion"

**>

Pla in) the Small Pairs

8 do not pla bab pairs- b$t 8 mi)ht C$st flat &all <ith a pair of ei)hts or better from earl position- hopin) that 8 don't )et raised" 8f 8 do )et raised- 8 C$st thro< them a<a - sin&e 8 onl ha(e a minim$m amo$nt in the pot" One bi) to$rnament <inner that 8 kno< likes to &ome in <ith a raise before the flop <ith little pairs- hopin) that he <ill flop a set that nobod <ill p$t him on""" and hopin) that he <on't )et blo<n off the hand b a bi) raise behind him" 8t's a risk that he's <illin) to take" #$st remember that o$ &annot handle an heat <ith the small pairs before the flop" !om doesn't mind limpin) in <ith the small pairs or brin)in) them in for a small raise" He <ill stand a small raise and tr to &at&h a set on the flop" Sa that he brin)s it in for G>3 and someone makes it G*>3 or G233" 8f he has G>-333 or more &hips in front of him- he mi)ht &all the raise- b$t <ill )i(e no f$rther a&tion on the flop $nless he flops the set" 8 (er seldom do that" 8 <ant to take o$t a pla er- C$st like e(er one else doesb$t if 8'm )oin) to pla a small pair- 8 don't <ant to pla it a)ainst onl one opponentD 8 <ant to pla it in a m$lti<a pot" !hen if 8 make a set- 8 mi)ht reall make some mone on the hand" 8 don't $nderstand <h a person <o$ld pla small pairs head-$p- <hen the kno< that the are a do) to start <ith" !he time to pla the small pairs is <hen o$ are in late position or <hen o$ are in a short-handed )ame"

**4

Pla in) the /&e-@in)

to$rnaments are <on or lost <ith /&e-@in) a)ainst a bi) pair than an other hand" Mo$ mi)ht be $p a)ainst t<o E$eens- flop an a&e or a kin)- and <in the pot- altho$)h the E$eens are an **-to-*3 fa(orite if o$ pla *3-333 hands" 9$t if o$ are r$nnin) $nl$&k - it seems like somebod al<a s &at&hes $p on the last t<o &ards" !o <in a no-limit to$rnamento$ ha(e to <in <ith /-@ and o$ ha(e to beat /-@" Mo$ ma not <in or lose <ith them on the final hand- b$t it $s$all <ill be the de&idin) hand- the one that <ins or loses the most &hips for o$" 8t's the bi))est de&ision-hand in a to$rnament" 'arl in the to$rnament- 8 treat /-@ (er softl " 8 mi)ht make a raise <ith it- b$t 8'm not )oin) to lose an mone to it if 8 don't flop prett )ood to it" 8f someone raises from the front <hen 8'm holdin) /-@ in the ba&k- the <a that 8 handle it lar)el depends on the pla er <ho makes the raise" !here are times <hen 8 <ill C$st flat &all the raise" !here are times <hen 8 <ill tr to <in the mone ri)ht then b reraisin)" /nd there are times <hen 8 <ill simpl thro< the hand a<a " 8t all depends on <hat 8 kno< abo$t m opponent- ho< he's pla in) that da " !he se&ond ear that #ohnn Chan <on the World Series- <hen it <as do<n to t<o tables- he pla ed *2 times in **-to-*3 sit$ations- either a bi) pair a)ainst t<o o(er&ards or (i&e-(ersa """ and he <on all *2 times- <hi&h )a(e him &hips for the final table" 8n his last hand a)ainst 0rank Henderson- a similar sit$ation &ame $p" #ohnn made a raise before the flop <ith /-+ and Henderson mo(ed all-in" / nine &ame at the to beat Henderson- <ho held po&ket fo$rs" !he p$rpose of mo(in) all-in is that o$ <ant to see all &ards" 8'm not a mo(e-in pla er- b$t in &ertain sit$ations (espe&iall short-handed and late in the to$rnament) o$ ha(e 3 do it" S$ppose that a pla er raiseso$ &all <ith the /-@**,

and the flop &omes ,-6-2" Mo$r opponent makes a bet I no< o$ ha(e to )i(e $p the hand" 8f o$ make a de&ision to pla /-@ short-handed- o$ mo(e in <ith it be&a$se o$ <ant to see all fi(e &ards" (Of &o$rse- o$ mi)ht be $p a)ainst someone <ho is holdin) a&es- and then o$ kno< that o$'re in bad shape")

!he Raisin) Hands from 'arl Position

0or the per&enta)e of times that o$ raise before the flopthere are (er fe< times that o$ are reraised in no-limit hold'em" 8n the first fo$r positions- the raisin) hands are bi) pairs I E$eens or better- not Ca&ks or better I and /-@- if o$ feel )ood abo$t the hand" Nothin) is <ron) <ith makin) a small raise <ith /-@b$t a lot of pla ers <ho ha(e mo(ed $p from limit hold'em to no-limit to$rnaments <ill mo(e in <ith a bi) n$mber of &hips <hen the hold /-@" Wh p$t all those &hips in Ceopard <hen o$ don't ha(e an thin) etJ #$st make a standard raise" 0or e=ample- if o$'re still in the first ro$nd <ith G2> and G>3 blinds- brin) it in for G233 or G533" 8'(e seen no(i&e pla ers brin) in the /-@ for G6-333 or G>-333 <ith e(er bod on the board sittin) behind them" What if somebod behind them <akes $p <ith a&es or kin)sJ !om notes that- in a &ase <here o$ ha(e o(erbet the pot- o$'re not )oin) to )et a&tion $nless o$'re beaten" Mo$'re either )oin) to <in G,> (the blinds) or lose a ton of &hips"

**7

!he Startin) Hands in %iddle Position

Mo$ &an lo<er o$r standards a little <hen o$ are in middle position I seats fi(e- si=- and se(en in nine-handed pla " Mo$ &an pla a hand s$&h as /-*3 suited or abo(e if all of the pla ers in front of o$ ha(e passed -- !he /-*3 is one hand that 8 re&ommend pla in) s$ited" 8f 8 <ere )oin) to pla a bi) a&e (/-*3 on $p)- the hand <o$ld need to be s$ited be&a$se of that sli)ht ed)e that it )i(es o$ in possibl floppin) a fl$sh" Mo$ still ha(e pla ers behind o$- so o$ ha(e to be able to stand a raise" Mo$ al<a s sho$ld ask o$rself- B8f 8 pla this hand and )et raised- &an 8 pla itJB Ob(io$sl - it is w%o raises o$ that affe&ts o$r de&ision" Mo$ need to be <at&hin) ho< the flo< of the )ame is )oin)- <hat kinds of &ards o$r opponents are pla in)" /re the the t pes <ho <o$ld be likel to raise o$ <ith a @-N or @-#- or ma be a bab a&e (an a&e <ith a small ki&ker)J Mo$ ha(e to be obser(ant eno$)h to kno< those ans<ers" When o$ brin) in a hand like /-*3 or abo(e from a middle position- and o$'re not brin)in) it in for a raise- ob(io$sl o$'re C$st hopin) to &at&h a flop"

!he /mo$nt of the Raise

!here are three reasons to raise in no-limit hold'em1 !o )et more mone in the pot ()et a &all)- to isolate- or to tr to <in the pot ri)ht there" 8f there are fo$r limpers in the pot and o$ ha(e a bi) pair- o$ <ant to red$&e the n$mber of pla ers to one or t<o- so o$ make a bi) eno$)h raise to )$arantee it" Mo$ don't <ant the limpers to flop t<o ra) pairs- for e=ampleand beat o$r bi) pair- so o$ tr to )et them o$t before the `Pp" No-limit is a )ame in <hi&h o$ ne(er a&t$all ha(e to
**+

b$ild a pot" When o$ mo(e in on them- there are a lot of pla ers <ho <ill &all a raise for all of their &hips <ith a hand like /-N" !he 're not )ood pla ers- b$t the are o$t there" !om sa s that if he is the first one in the pot and de&ides to brin) it in for a raise- he makes the raise three to fi(e times the siHe of the bi) blind" 8f someone akead has trailed in- he s&ales the raise $p<ard a not&h or so" H%& 6#c) Will T) ( Call; When o$ <ant a &allanother <a to do it is to make a raise that is the siHe that o$ think o$r opponents <ill &all" Some pla ers <ill stand a bi))er raise than others if the de&ide to pla a hand- so o$ make the raise the siHe that o$ think the <ill pla " Pla er / mi)ht be the t pe <ho <ill &all o$ for G533D Pla er 9 mi)ht &all if o$ raise as m$&h as G433" !hese are the t pes of thin)s that o$ learn from obser(ation" Pla ers <ho are ne< to no-limit pla often ask <hether the sho$ld base the siHe of their raise on the amo$nt of &hips that the ha(e in front of them" No- the onl time that o$ $se a per&enta)e of o$r &hips to determine ho< m$&h o$ raise is <hen o$'re at the final table <ith- sa - fi(e pla ers left" Sa that there are t<o tables left and there are fi(e pla ers at ea&h table" Mo$'re pla in) do<n to the final nine pla ers <ho <ill )o to the last table" Mo$ pi&k $p a hand s$&h as t<o tens- t<o Ca&ks- or t<o E$eens and o$ de&ide to raise the pot" No< o$ ha(e to make a de&ision1 8f o$ raise the potare o$ <illin) to pla for all of o$r &hipsJ 8n this &ase- 8 <o$ld raise <ith at least one-half of m &hips- if 8 didn't p$t them all in to be)in <ith- to tr to sh$t them all o$t" Or- o$ mi)ht <ant somebod to pla <ith a lesser pair" 8f somebod makes a pla ba&k at o$- o$ are pot-&ommitted" Mo$ ha(e made s$re that o$'re mentall &ommitted to this pot" /nd then o$ simpl )o <ith it" 0reE$entl - 8 see pla ers brin) in t<o E$eens or t<o Ca&k7 for G633-or-so- somebod <ill re-pop it- and then the throW a<a their bi) pairs" 8t happens time and time a)ain" /bo$t a *23

E$arter of the time- o$ <ill la do<n the best hand- be&a$se o$'re pla in) smart poker" 9$t <hen o$ are pla in) fi(ehanded or less in a poker to$rnament and o$'re )ettin) short on &hips- o$ <ant to &ommit o$rself to the pot <hen o$ brin) it in for a raise" When o$ raise <ith one-half or more of o$r &hips- o$ kno< that o$'re )oin) to )o for the rest of them if o$ ha(e to" S $$ing $) S$andard. Ho< m$&h o$ raise in nolimit hold'em is fairl standard" One pla er at the table $s$all sets the standard at ea&h parti&$lar le(el" Whoe(er makes the first bi) raise sets the standard" Sa that <e're antein) a E$arter (G2>) and the blinds are G*33 and G233- makin) G>2> in the pot to start <ith" 8f 8 <ere )oin) to raise- 8 <o$ld make it G,33D in other <ords- a little bit more than the total mone in the pot" Ls$all - in &ases like this- for <hate(er the amo$nt of m first raise- the other pla ers <ill follo< that standard" Var(ing $) Si7 %+ Y%#r B $s. Sin&e o$'re pla in) no-limit- o$ &an (ar the siHe of o$r bets a&&ordin) to the pla ers o$'re $p a)ainst- <hereas in pot-limit- o$r raises m$st be a standard siHe" !his is one reason <h no-limit hold'em is a m$&h better )ame for top pla ers" Pot-limit has more skill to it than limit poker- b$t no-limit has far more skill than pot-limit" !he real art in pot-limit is in b$ildin) a pot- b$t in no-limit- o$ don't ha(e to do that I Mo$r )oal is to e=tri&ate as m$&h mone from o$r opponent as o$ &an- and there are a lot of <a s of doin) that" /t an time- all of o$r &hips &an be in Ceopard in no-limit I on the flop- on fo$rth streetWd at fifth street" / lot of times in no-limit hold'em- <hen People flop bi) hands- there is no a&tion $ntil fifth street- b$t then there ma be a lot of it" !here are pla ers <ho <ill mo(e their raises aro$nd- bet G433 one time- G *->33 the ne=t- G *-333 on another hand" !he e )i(in) o$t information b (ar in) the siHe of their raise" P' 8 s$))est that o$ al<a s raise b abo$t the same amo$nt*a is &ommens$rate <ith the le(el that o$ are at"
*2*

8n this <a - people &annot $se the amo$nt of o$r raise to pi)eonhole o$ on a hand" Some people ha(e $sed three-tofo$r times the siHe of the bi) blind to )a$)e the siHe of their raises- b$t 8 don't $se that method be&a$se 8 al<a s kno< the siHe of the pot" Sa that o$'re antein) G*33 and the blinds are G533G433" /t that le(el- it is &ostin) o$ G*-733 in antes and blinds e(er nine hands to pla the ro$nd" /ll of these t pes of thin)s are fa&tored into o$r to$rnament pla be&a$se the be)in to eat into o$r sta&k (er hea(il " Mo$ &an pi&k $p more pots as the limits )et hi)her - - Mo$ ha(e to pi&k them $p C$st to sta ali(e" /nd so- 8 probabl <o$ld brin) it in for G2-333 at this le(el- C$st a little bit more than <hat is in the pot" !hat's eno$)h to make people stop and think- B.o 8 <ant to risk G2-333 to pla this handJ /m 8 <illin) to sa&rifi&e G2-333 to possibl <in G6-333JB One top pla er that 8 kno< <ho does <ell in these sit$ations <ill mo(e in all of his &hips <hen he's sittin) in ba&k" He doesn't do it from the front- C$st from aro$nd the ba&k" He mi)ht ha(e G2>-333 sittin) in front of him- ha(e t<o si=es in his hand- and mo(e all of them in from- sa - si=th or se(enth position be&a$se he is the first to a&t" He <ill e(en do it <ith /-4" He makes a monster openin) raise to pi&k $p the blinds" He thinks that he has the best hand- and he is afraid to )et pla ed <ithIhe C$st <ants to <in the blinds" 9$t to sa&rifi&e G2>-333 to <in G6-333 doesn't make m$&h sense to me" !he tho$)ht that 8 keep in m mind all of the time is that if the first fo$r hands don't ha(e an thin)- there is a &han&e that the last fi(e pla ers do ha(e somethin)" So- if o$'re in middle to late position and the a&tion is passed to o$- <h <o$ld o$ p$t in all of o$r mone J Lnless- of &o$rse- P$ do it as a flat bl$ff"

*22

9l$ffin)
people's per&eption of bl$ffin) in no-limit hold'em is that B!he bl$ff is kin)-B as !e= Sheahan$sed to sa in his poker &ol$mns- )$t let me tell o$ that there is less bl$ffin) bein) done than most people think" 9efore the flop- the bl$ff positions are the b$tton and the little blind" %ore bl$ffin) is done from those positions than from an other spot" /ltho$)h 8 &an't sa that 8 ne(er bl$ff from the b$tton or the small blind- most of the time- 8 tr to $se a re(erse from those positions I 8 <ant to be in a bl$ff position wit% a hand so that m opponents <ill think that 8 am bl$ffin) and someone <ith a <eaker hand <ill &all me" 8 bl$ff as m$&h or more than most people- b$t 8 like to bl$ff from a different position than the so-&alled standard ones" 0or e=ample- o$ &an bl$ff from the first seatD 8'(e done it lots of times" When o$ &ome in for a raise $nder the )$n- that's a stren)th position" Mo$ don't <ant to p$t in all of o$r &hips- C$st a )ood-siHed raise" Lnless o$ &an sho< them a hand- o$ &an't bl$ff from an position" Mo$ ha(e to be able to sho< them a hand <hen o$ are &alled" !om mentions that a front position bl$ff or semi-bl$ff $s$all is tried <hen o$ C$st need to pi&k $p a pot" 8t's a far stron)er bl$ff be&a$se o$r opponents are )oin) to )i(e o$ &redit for a hand be&a$se o$ raised from the front" Pf &o$rse- it's far riskier than bl$ffin) from the ba&k" 8f an $nkno<n pla er- or one that o$ don't &onsider to W a top pla er (and <ho isn't a mania&)- p$ts in a front posiAPn raise- o$ $s$all &an )i(e him more &redit for ha(in) a Wd that o$ &an )i(e to someone like me or !om" 8f a pla er that raises from the front- 8 &an )$arantee o$ that 8 <ill P< m hand a<a $nless 8 ha(e kin)s or a&es" / pla er like bara 'nri)ht- <ho $nderstands position- mi)ht p$t in a W Pr semi-bl$ff raise from the first seat in a shorthanded

*25

)ame- b$t she <ill ne(er do it <itho$t a hand in a f$ll rin)" She &an be an absol$te ma&hine )$nner- b$t she also &an settle do<n <hen she needs to" She &an pla (er solid poker- and she $nderstands the importan&e of position (er <ell" /ll of the bi) pots $s$all are hand a)ainst hand- bi) bl$ff a)ainst bi) bl$ff" !o $se an old So$thern poker e=pression- it's the old Biron ballsB theor " %ost of the top pla ers ha(e )$ts" !he are not afraid to p$t a man on a &ertain hand and then sa&rifi&e all of their &hips on a bl$ff" 8t's reall a )randstand pla and- <ith me- it happens at least on&e in a to$rnament" Sa that o$ ha(e p$t in a raise and o$r opponent &omes o(er the top of o$ for a de&ent reraise" Mo$ kno< that he doesn't ha(e a&es or kin)sD o$ ha(e him on a hand- b$t not a&es or kin)s" So- o$ ha(e the )$ts to &ome ba&k o(er the top of him and make him la do<n his hand" !his t pe of mo(e happens- b$t o$ ha(e to be <illin) to take that kind of a &han&e" When o$'re talkin) abo$t bl$ffin)- that is the $ltimate bl$ff" Mo$'re not likel to take that kind of a &han&e earl in the to$rnament- b$t at some time d$rin) the e(ent- a sit$ation <ill &ome $p <hen o$ &an do it" /nd e(en tho$)h o$ absol$tel kno< o$r man- and o$ absol$tel kno< that the sit$ation is ri)ht- o$'re still takin) a &han&e be&a$se an bod &an pi&k $p t<o a&es or t<o kin)s and b$st o$" /)ain- it all depends on the BfeelB fa&tor- o$r timin)" 8 don't &are if o$ <rote >3 books abo$t poker- o$ still &o$ldn t tea&h a person that little thin) that o$ are born <ith" B0eel )i(es the top pla ers a sli)ht ed)e o(er the ne=t-to-the-top pla ers" 8t separates the men from the bo s- not in the sense ol )ender- b$t in the sense of bein) s$perior (ers$s bein) (er )ood at poker" 8 hate to tell o$ ho< man to$rnaments 8'(e s$r(i(ed $ <itho$t holdin) an &ards- b C$st strate)i&all pi&kin) $pa pot here and there to sta ali(e" Sometimes- o$ &an &ome on *26

of the first seat raisin)" 8t's a bad pla - of &o$rse- b$t <hen o$ raise from the first seat- o$r opponents )i(e o$ &redit for a po<erf$l hand" (Mo$'(e )ot to ha(e iron balls to do it- of &o$rse") 9$t C$st remember one thin)1 8f o$ &annot sho< <innin) hands- o$ &annot bl$ff in poker" 8f pla ers see that o$'re not &at&hin) an thin)- o$ s$re as hell &annot bl$ff them" !he onl <a that o$ &an bl$ff in pot-limit and no-limit poker is if o$'re able to sho< a b$n&h of hands- be&a$se then the other pla ers <ill )i(e o$ &redit for a hand" 9$t if the see that o$ &an't <in a pot- and o$'re s<in)in) at the pot- o$ don't ha(e m$&h of a &han&e"

!he L$&k 0a&tor

@enn 0laton <as the last one <ith a &han&e to <in the &ar at the 9i& &le Cl$b's to$rnament in *++4" 8f he <on the to$rnament- he <o$ld <in the all-aro$nd best pla er a<ard and the &ar- so he <asn't )i(in) one dime a<a " @enn bro$)ht in the pot for a de&ent raise and Pa$l Ladan i reraised him" 0laton <ent o(er the top for all of his &hips" Pa$l had the ,-6 of hearts in his hand" 0laton had the Bt<o e es of !e=as-B C$st <hat he <as s$pposed to ha(e (a&es)" 0or no reason that 8 &o$ld see- Pa$l p$t in all of his &hips- ended $p makin) three se(ens- and b$sted @enn o$t of the to$rnament at a time <hen Pa$l himself &o$ld ha(e been kno&ked o$t <ith the pla " Later in the to$rnament- Pa$l mo(ed all-in o(er a raise b another pla er <ith a N-+" /)ainst the other man's /-@- the N-+ <on the pot" /nother sit$ation &ame $p bet<een Pa$l Wd me <hen 8 had t<o nines" 8 raised $p the pot three-handed WlSh the nines and he mo(ed all in o(er the top of me holdin) *N-*3" 8 &alled him" /t least he had t<o o(er&ards in this b$t there is no <a that he &o$ld ha(e kno<n this" flop &ame @-N-*3- )i(in) him E$eens and tens" 9$t on
*2>

fo$rth street &ame a Ca&k- )i(in) me a strai)ht" !hen on street &ame another *3- )i(in) him a f$ll ho$se" 8 hadn't hesC" tated to &all him be&a$se 8 had obser(ed all of the other hands that he had pla ed" 8 had all of this in the ba&k of m mind d$rin) the first no-limit to$rnament at the Commer&e Cl$b's L" /" Poker Championship in *++," Pa$l raised on the b$tton three or fo$r times- and 8 &ame ba&k o(er the top of him three or fo$r times to take the pot a<a from him" %ost of those times- 8 had a hand b$t on a fe< of them- 8 didn't" 8 said to m self- BNo< 8'm settin) this man $pD he's )oin) to make a pla at me"B 8n no-limit- o$ &an set $p pla s and opponents b o$r pre(io$s pla s" !hat's <h 8'll sho< a hand on&e in a <hile <hen 8 ha(e bl$ffed" 8 <ant someone to see m hand" 8t's like the finel &oiled &obra C$st <aitin) for somebod to open the lid on the basket" !hen- a hand &ame do<n in <hi&h Pa$l bro$)ht it in and 8 made a small raise" He said- B/ll inAB 8 had G62-333 at the time and he had G26-333" /ll 8 had <as /-# offs$it- b$t in m mind- there <as no do$bt that 8 had the best hand- so 8 &alled him" Mo$ ha(e to sho< o$r hand <hen o$'re all-in at the final table in a to$rnament" He t$rned o(er a +-4 offs$it" % pla <as e=a&tl ri)ht" % timin) <as ri)ht" 8 had set him $p" 8 <as a 2-to-l fa(orite """ and that's bi) eno$)h to )et in all of o$r mone before the flop" !he flop &ame +-+-7" Pa$l <o$nd $p <innin) the hand and the to$rnament" !his is C$st another e=ample that sho<s ho< the l$&k fa&tor &omes into pla " Mo$ &an set $p all the pla s in the <orld- o$ &an pla perfe&tl on a hand- and o$ &an still losW /nd there's nothin) that o$ &an do abo$t it"

*24

!he Clo&k
Some pla ers <ear a <at&h <ith a miniat$re alarm f$n&tion that )i(es them a *3-min$te <arnin) to<ard the end of ea&h ro$nd so that the kno< ho< m$&h time is left in the ro$nd" Sometimes at the start of a ne< ro$nd- pla ers <ho ha(e been pla in) in an $ltra-&onser(ati(e fashion- start )oin) to the &enter <ith <hat appears to be re&kless abandon- espe&iall in no-limit to$rnaments" 0or people <ho ha(e been <at&hin) all of the prior &onser(ati(e a&tion from the rail- it seems like a bell has )one off and people are no< ra&in) to the &enter <ith all of their &hips" / )ood e=ample of this o&&$rs on the first le(el of da t<o in the &hampionship e(ent at the WSOP" !he blinds are G*336233 <ith G2> antes at the end of the first da - b$t on the se&ond da - e(er thin) do$bles" When the blinds )o to G2336633 <ith a G>3 ante- pla ers <ho <ere C$st sittin) patientl d$rin) da one realiHe that the &an't sit aro$nd an more be&a$se the 're )ettin) blinded to death" !here are more &as$alties on the first ro$nd of da t<o (the fifth ro$nd of the to$rnament) than there are on an other ro$nd" !he to$rnament is pla ed do<n to 2, people on the se&ond da " !he res$lt of ha(in) the blinds and antes do$ble at the be)innin) of ea&h ro$nd on the se&ond da is that these middle ro$nds in the WSOP to$rnament are speeded $p- not be&a$se the ha(e shorter time limits b$t be&a$se the blinds and antes are in&reasin) at a faster rate" 9e&a$se entries ha(e in&reased dramati&all d$rin) the past fe< ears at the WSOPthese blind and ante in&reases on da t<o ha(e helped it to &on&l$de <ithin its fo$r-da time limit" Conser(ati(e pla $s$all is &orre&t and is the norm for da one be&a$se the blinds are still relati(el small- b$t <ith tais emphasis on faster pla d$rin) da t<o- a similar approa&h WlL not )et the mone " Mo$ &an han) on for a lon) time on
*2,

da one <ith &onser(ati(e pla - b$t the time fa&tor &li&ks in on da t<o" 9 the end of da one- appro=imatel 6> per&ent of the field has been eliminated" /fter the first ro$nd of da t<othe field $s$all )ets pared do<n to fe<er than one-third of the ori)inal entrants" !he &arna)e d$rin) those first t<o ho$rs of da t<o is E$ite e=tensi(e" When the in&reases in blinds and antes are more )rad$althe &lo&k is less of a fa&tor in o$r )ame strate) " 9$t <hen the in&reases be)in to do$ble at the be)innin) of ea&h ne< ro$nd- the &lo&k be&omes far more important and o$ &an't C$st sit there and hope that a &onser(ati(e approa&h <ill &ome thro$)h for o$" !his is tr$e of all the maCor to$rnaments" /n time the to$rnament )ets to abo$t the fo$rth or fifth le(el of pla <hen the blinds and antes do$ble at e(er ro$nd- o$ &an't C$st sit there an lon)er pla in) &onser(ati(el and hope to be s$&&essf$lD o$ ha(e to ree(al$ate o$r strate) " Of &o$rse- the lar)er o$r sta&k- the less &on&ern o$ ha(e for the &lo&k at an le(el" 8 am more &on&erned abo$t the &lo&k <hen 8 ha(e a short sta&k be&a$se the blinds and antes &an eat o$ ali(e""" so o$ ha(e to think abo$t the &lo&k <hen o$'re short-sta&ked" 8f o$'re E$ite a <a into the to$rnament (<hen the blinds and antes are do$blin) $p e(er ro$nd)- o$ kno< that o$'re )oin) to be pla in) shorthanded prett soon be&a$se a lot of pla ers <ill be droppin) o$t" 8 also ha(e <on a lot of the last hands at the end of a le(el" 8 kno< that people are it&hin) to )et $p and take a break- so the last fe< hands in the ro$nd are sometimes )ood pla&es to pi&k $p a pot here and there" 9efore the final add-on <hen o$ &an still reb$ in a reb$ to$rnament- there often is a three-min$te <arnin)- then a t<o-min$te <arnin)- and then a bell rin)s for the final hand to be dealt" %an times- pla W7 <ill make risk pla s at this point- tr in) to either a&&$rm$ate &hips or a(oid a reb$ " So- d$rin) these last fe< hands- P sometimes <ill see some s$rprisin) hands bein) pla ed- W pla ers takin) the risk of )oin) broke" *27

!he 8mportan&e o0 Sla&k SiHe

'(er bod starts off eE$al" !he more &hips o$ ha(e in relation to the siHe of the blinds- the less reason o$ ha(e to pla in bi) pots <itho$t premi$m hands be&a$se there isn't eno$)h mone in the middle to steal or to fi)ht o(er" .ependin) on <hat sta)e of the to$rnament o$ are pla in)- o$r sta&k siHe matters" 8t doesn't affe&t o$r pla in the first fe< le(els be&a$se o$r basi& strate) isn't m$&h different from rin) )ames- e(en in a to$rnament <ith a (er bi) b$ -in s$&h as a WSOP e(ent" 0rom the se&ond le(el on- as &hips be)in to )et redistrib$ted- to$rnament strate) be&omes more important" !hen the st le of pla be)ins &han)in) rapidl from the third or fo$rth le(el on<ard" !he f$rther o$ )othe more that to$rnament &onsiderations and &hip &o$nts &ome into pla " /nd <hen the antes start )oin) into effe&t- the &hips reall be)in to )et redistrib$ted" .$rin) the earl sta)e- 8 don't <orr abo$t kno&kin) an bod o$t" 8n fa&t- 8 don't &are if 8 e(er kno&k an bod o$tC$st as lon) as 8 kno&k o$t the se&ond-to-last pla er" Mo$ sho$ld be more &on&erned <ith addin) to o$r &hip &o$nt in the earl ro$nds than eliminatin) pla ers" .on't <orr abo$t <hat o$ ha(e in &hips- C$st let it happen" .on't for&e the a&tion" .on't be thinkin)- BWell- that one )$ has G7-333 and 8 onl ha(e G*-333 and 8 ha(e to )et $p to his le(el- and so 8'm )oin) to for&e the a&tion"B 8f o$ do that- o$ mi)ht start pla in) hands o$ sho$ldn't pla " !hin)s <ill &ome to o$ sooner or later" Pla(ing a 6 di#" S$ack. !om dis&$sses the importan&e of sta&k siHe in !o$rnament Poker" He states that o$ ha(e the most de&isions to make <hen o$ ha(e a medi$m sta&k" When o$ are short-sta&ked- o$ are limited in o$r Ptions be&a$se o$ kno< that o$'re probabl )oin) to )et 'ta ed <ith" With a bi) sta&k- o$ ha(e a lot more options and e((er &riti&al de&isions to make" Mo$'re not )oin) to pla a *2+

bi) pot a)ainst an other h$)e sta&k $nless o$ ha(e a premi$m hand- b$t o$'re )oin) to take more latit$de a)ainst the shorter sta&ks" 9$t <hen o$ ha(e a medi$m sta&k- o$'re st$&k in bet<een these t<o strate)ies" Mo$r de&isions are of maCor importan&e- C$st as the are <hen o$'re short-sta&ked" Pla in) a medi$m sta&k is somethin) like pla in) mar)inal hands """ it &an make the differen&e in a <in or a loss" What separates the men from the bo s is ho< the pla the medi$m sta&ks to tr to in&h $p to a bi) sta&k stat$s and a(oid be&omin) short-sta&ked" Some of the (er )reat pla ers are terrifi& bi)-sta&k pla ers- b$t the aren't so )ood at pla in) a short sta&k" Pla ers like %en N)$ en- #ohn 9onettiand Phil Hellm$th pla a bi) sta&k de(astatin)l effe&ti(el b$t the are not as effi&ient in short-sta&k pla " !hese are all a))ressi(e pla ers <ho like to bl$d)eon o$ <ith a tall sta&kand <hen the )et short-sta&ked- their <eapons are taken a<a from them" On the other hand- %anso$r %atlo$bi is a )eni$s <ith a short sta&k- b$t is not as stron) <ith a bi) sta&k" S$ack Si7 and T%#rna" n$ S$ag . Ho< o$ pla a sta&k also depends on <hat sta)e of the to$rnament o$ are pla in)" 8 think that o$ o$)ht to set $p &riteria for <hat kinds of hands o$ <ill pla at an time in the to$rnament <ith an siHe of sta&k """ in the earl ro$nds- d$rin) the middle- and at the end" Mo$ need to ha(e &riteria for the hands that o$'re <illin) to pla """ and 8 belie(e that o$r &riteria o(erride the siHe of sta&k that o$ ha(e" 'arl in the to$rnament- m sta&k siHe $s$all doesn't infl$en&e the hands that 8 pla - <hereas late in the to$rnament- it does" 8f o$'re in a short-sta&k sit$ation <here the blinds &an eat o$ ali(e- for instan&e- o$'re )oin) to ha(e to find somethin) that o$'re <illin) to pW before o$ )et so short-sta&ked that if o$ do$ble $p- it doesn help o$" Mo$ <ant to )et o$r mone in before o$'re anteeo do<n to the point <here o$ ha(e eno$)h for the ante b* e(en if o$ do$ble $p- o$ <ill ha(e onl eno$)h left for B ne=t t<o hands" *53

Pla(ing a S)%r$ S$ack. With a short sta&k- the idea is to sta ali(e" So- o$ ha(e to pi&k o$t o$r sit$ations" !here are &ertain pla ers that o$ <ant to pla pots a)ainst """ o$ &an tell <ho's r$nnin) o(er the )ame" !hese are the t pes of pla ers that o$ shoot at be&a$se o$ &an pla a less than premi$m hand a)ainst them" Mo$ also &an easil tell <hi&h pla ers are pla in) premi$m hands" Hopef$ll - o$ still <ill be in a bi) rin) <hen o$'re short-sta&ked be&a$se then o$ <ill ha(e more time to pi&k o$t o$r pla ers" 9$t if o$'re on a shorthanded table- o$ C$st ha(e to find t<o &ards that o$ like and )o <ith them" Of &o$rse- 8'(e been talkin) abo$t pla in) short-sta&ked late in the to$rnament" 'arl in the to$rnament- the blinds aren't )oin) to h$rt o$- so <h sho$ld o$ <orr if o$ ha(e a short sta&kJ S$ppose o$ look o(er the table and o$ see one )$ <ho has G2-333 and another one <ith G5-333""" o$'(e )ot G633" !hat's a short sta&k- b$t so <hatJ Mo$'re onl t<o hands a<a from bein) tied <ith the bi))er sta&ks" No<- s$ppose o$'re at the final table <ith a short sta&k" Mo$ still m$st find a hand and )o <ith it""" b$t 8 $s$all tr to ramrod them" 8'll p$t m )ame in Bstop sa(e"B 8'm not doin) the &allin)- 8'm doin) the bettin)" !om e=plains that this means that o$ tr to be the initiator I o$ don't rea&t to them- o$ make t%em rea&t to o$" Mo$ p$t the press$re on o$r opponents and for&e them to make the de&ision" Pla(ing a Big S$ack. With a bi) sta&k at the last tableo$ pla more &onser(ati(el than o$ do <ith a short sta&k" Mo$ look aro$nd the table and see <ho &an do <hat" !hen o$ sa to o$rself- B!he top three's <here the mone is" 8'll open $p <hen 8 )et to the top three"B With a medi$m sta&k at the final table- o$ still don't e to h$rr " /ll o$ <ant to &at&h is >3 per&ent of the hands- nPt 43 per&ent" 8f o$ break e(en- o$ still &an <in" 8f 8 ha(e a medi$m sta&k a)ainst a &o$ple of lar)e sta&ks- 8'm not <or*5*

"

ried abo$t those bi) sta&ks be&a$se if 8 hold an hands at all 8'm )oin) to ha(e a lar)e sta&k- too" 8 &an do$ble $p thro$)h those bi) sta&ks" Ob(io$sl - <ith a short sta&k at the final table- 8'm not <orried abo$t the pla ers """ 8'm onl <orried abo$t m sta&k siHe- be&a$se the blinds and antes &an eat me li(e" /nd that's <h 8'm rammin) and Cammin)" 6%4ing U* $) ,add r. '(er r$n) that o$ &an mo(e $p the ladder at the final table in the WSOP means a bi) C$mp in mone " !here is a bi) in&rease in mone from ninth to ei)hth to se(enth to si=th- and ri)ht on $p the ladder- be&a$se there is so m$&h mone in the to$rnament" 9$t in an other to$rnament- the bottom si= don't <in diddled -sE$at- so o$'re less &on&erned abo$t mo(in) $p from- sa - se(enth to si=th pla&e" Mo$'re onl &on&erned abo$t mo(in) $p from fo$rth to thirdor third to se&ond- in the smaller to$rnaments" '(en at the WSOP <here there are si)nifi&ant in&reases in mone for ea&h pla&e o$ mo(e $p- these in&reases are nothin) like the massi(e in&rease in mone paid for the last three spots" !his is <h 8'm ne(er &on&erned abo$t ho< man pla ers 8 &an kno&k o$t of a to$rnament I !he onl person that 8 &are abo$t kno&kin) o$t is the one that 8 )et head-$p <ith at the final table" 8f 8 &an kno&k him o$t- 8'll <in it all""" if it happens- it happens" 8n *++2- the ear that !om finished se&ond to %en N)$ en in se(en-&ard st$d at the WSOP- he ne(er eliminated a sin)le pla er from start to finish"

Pla in) a Patient ;ame

People ha(e a tenden& to )et ner(o$s d$rin) a to$rnament" When the do- the start makin) mistakes- and no-limit ho 8d'em is a )ame of mistakes" 8f other pla ers aren't makin) mistakes- o$ aren't )oin) to <in" 8f you aren't makin) mistakes- t%ey aren't )oin) to <in"
*52

/ll top pla ers not onl make fe<er mistakes- the also &apitaliHe on other people's mistakes" 8f o$ don't pla perfe&t poker (or don't )et e=tremel l$&k ) a)ainst top pla ersthe <ill beat o$" None of the top pla ers think of themsel(es as bein) l$&k I if an thin)- the think of themsel(es as bein) $nl$&k " !om has said that no-limit hold'em probabl is the most patient of all the poker )ames" 9ein) patient is )ood- $p to a point" Pla ers like .a(id Sklansk are (er patient pla ers(er )ood pla ers- b$t the aren't )oin) to )et there (er often be&a$se the pla the same all the <a thro$)h the to$rnament" Mo$ ha(e to be (er &han)eable as sit$ations arise <hile o$ are )oin) thro$)h the sta)es of a to$rnament" !his is <h some of the theoreti&ians like Sklansk and %alm$th do not do e=&eptionall <ell in to$rnaments1 !he don't adapt to the ebb and flo< of to$rnament &ompetition" !om thinks that this ma be be&a$se their pla is too math-oriented- too me&hani&al""" the la&k flair"

%afh and Poker

!he math of poker sho$ld be <ith o$ all the time" 8f o$ <at&h some pla ers- o$'ll see them )et into sit$ations <here a &ertain hand is on the board- and o$ &an tell that the are fi)$rin) o$t thin)s in their minds1 B8s the pot la in) me eno$)h odds for thisJ What are m &han&esJ What's the math behind m handJB Mo$ &an pra&ti&all see the n$mbers &li&kin) in their e es" No<- that is a bi) tell on somebod - a h$)e tellbe&a$se o$ kno< that the ha(e some kind of a hand that the 're tr in) to &omp$te- to fi)$re o$t <hether to pla it" !he hand isn't stron) eno$)h for them to kno< immediatel <hether to pla itD it's a hand that the ha(e to make a de&ision Pn abo$t pot odds and other thin)s"
*55

8n to$rnament poker- all of that side-a&tion st$ff abo$t odds and the pot )oes o$t the <indo< most of the time- be&a$se o$ &an't )o ba&k to o$r po&ket for more &hips I and that's the thin) that o$ think abo$t" !he math part sho$ld be a$tomati& for o$" 8f o$'re thinkin)- BWell- 8 kno< that this hand is a 5-to-l do) in this sit$ation- b$t the pot's la in) me eno$)h odds to pla itB """ that's b$ll""" be&a$se if o$ don't <in the pot- o$ <ill either be o$t of the to$rnament or o$ <ill take a bi) dent in o$r sta&k" Mo$r thinkin) in these sit$ations has to be &ompletel different from ho< o$ think in a side )ame" Mo$ sho$ld kno< <hat o$'re )oin) to do <ith <hate(er &ard &omes o$t before that &ard &omes o$t so that- most of the time- o$ <ill be able to a&t fast on o$r hand and not )i(e a<a an thin)" :er fe< times do 8 take an time at all on a hand- be&a$se 8'm a<are of <hat &ards <ill help me and <hi&h ones <on't help me" /nd 8 kno< <hat 8'm doin) to do if these &ards &ome $p" 8n other <ords- <hen 8 )o into a hand8 ha(e alread planned <hat m pla is )oin) to be after the flop- dependin) on the n$mber of pla ers in the hand"

the Nat$re of No-lWimit Pots

%ost of the pots that o$ <ill pla in no-limit hold'em to$rnaments are )oin) to be t<o-<a hands- e=&ept in the earl sta)es <hen there mi)ht be some fo$r and fi(e-<a hands" / lot of pla ers limp earl in the to$rnament" /ltho$)h some of them are limpin) in <ith dra<in) hands- m <hole idea is to let t%em pla the dra<in) hands- not me" 8'm tr in) not to pla them" 8 )ot kno&ked o$t of the WSOP one time on a dra<in) hand" 8 <as in the bi) blind <ith /S > /" ;abe @aplan had bro$)ht it in from the first seat for G233 d$rin) the se&ond le(el of pla " !here <ere fi(e &allers <hen it )ot aro$nd to me
*56

and so 8 thre< in G *>3 to make the &all" !he flop &ame /-5-6<ith the 5 / 6 /" 8 had top pair- a strai)ht dra<- and a strai)ht fl$sh dra<" 8 &he&ked from the blind- ;abe made a bi) bet at the pot- and 8 mo(ed all in on him <ith a &he&k raise" He had the other t<o a&es in the hole- and 8 missed all m dra<s" 8n this sit$ation- if 8 hadn't p$t in the G *>3 to start <ith I )et me ri)ht- <hen 8 knew I didn't ha(e the best hand I-* <o$ld ha(e still been in the to$rnament instead of )ettin) broke on the hand" 8n that instan&e- 8 <as thinkin)- BWell- 8'(e )ot pot odds-B and that's <hat made me pla it" !om obser(ed that man times in this sit$ation- 8 <o$ld ha(e <on that pot <ith the &he&k raise """ that <hen 8 )ot &alled- 8 kne< that 8 had the <orst hand at the moment- b$t <ith so man o$ts- 8 still had a &han&e of <innin) it" 8 pla ed m hand on the flop the <a that it sho$ld ha(e been pla edb$t the bi) E$estion &ame $p be)ore the flop" When o$ ha(e a E$estionable &allin) hand- o$ ha(e to ask o$rself- BWhat am 8 hopin) to flopJB !here ha(e been man times in rin) )ames <hen 8 ha(e &alled <ith a hand like the 4(>( in a raised pot from aro$nd ba&k <ith fo$r or fi(e pla ers alread in the pot" 8'd hate to tell o$ ho< man times 8'(e flopped a strai)ht and a fl$sh dra< <ith a hand like that """ and ne(er made a dime <ith it" When o$ )et the bi) flop- <hat are o$ tr in) to makeJ Sa the flop &omes 5-6-7 <ith t<o hearts <hen o$'re holdin) the 4( > (" No< o$'re )oin) to pla the hand- and probabl pla it stron)l " 9$t if o$ hadn't pla ed the 4-> to be)in <ith- o$ <o$ldn't ha(e been in an tro$ble" What o$ reall ha(e is C$st a si=-hi)h hand"

*5>

Pla in) the /&e-@in) /fter the 0lop

!he /&e-@in) is the most mispla ed hand in no-limit poker" Sa that o$ ha(e raised <ith /&e-@in) from a front spot and one or t<o people ha(e &alled" !he board &omes <ith +-,-5- three s$its" What do o$ do <ith o$r /-@J 8 don't &are <hether or not 8'(e raised before the flop- 8 ne(er bet /-@ <hen the flop &omes three ra)s" 8f o$'(e raised the pot )oin) in- o$r opponent(s) has some kind of hand or he <o$ldn't ha(e &alled o$" He didn't ha(e a raisin) hand or he <o$ld ha(e reraised before the flopso o$ &an p$t him on an thin) from E$eens on do<n in the pairs (or ma be an /-N or /-#)- b$t it is more likel that he holds a pair" No<- if o$ fire at this hand- he's liable to raise o$ or &all o$ """ and o$ don't ha(e an thin)" 9 bettin)- o$ ha(e sh$t off o$r opport$nit to )et a free t$rn &ard and possibl make o$r hand" 8f o$ &he&k&he&k- o$ ha(e fo$nd o$t information <itho$t it &ostin) o$ an thin)" /n a))ressi(e pla er like Phil Hellm$th ma ha(e a tenden& to fire on the flop head-$pD that's his st le of pla " 9$t o$ &an b$rn $p a lot of &hips that <a " 8 don't &ontin$e <ith /-@ $nless 8 flop a hand that relates to it in some <a - a hand <ith some stren)th to it" Agains$ an Ac !rag!rag Fl%*. No< s$ppose that the flop &omes /-4-5" Perfe&tA !he onl hands that o$ are afraid of on this flop are t<o a&es in the hole- or t<o tre s or t<o si=es in the hole- so o$ are definitel )oin) to bet the hand" 8t is more likel that o$'ll r$n into e=a&tl the t pe of hand that o$ <ant to )o $p a)ainst- an /-N or /-#" Mo$ are not tr in) to sh$t o$r opponents o$t of the pot" Mo$ don't mind a &all - Mo$ want a &all" So- o$ <ant to bet eno$)h so that o$ &an either <in the pot or )et &alled be&a$se- ob(io$sl - P$ *54

are tr in) to ma=imiHe the amo$nt that o$ &an <in on the hand" 8f the board pairs the tre s on the t$rn- that <o$ld be perfe&t" 8f o$r opponent has a tre or a set- o$'re alread beaten an <a - and there's nothin) that o$ &an do abo$t that" 9$t if he has /-N or /-#- he probabl <ill sa to himself- B8 ha(e a bi) ki&ker- so 8'll &all"B /nd that's e=a&tl <hat o$ <ant to happen" W) n a Pain$ C%" s %n $) T#rn. /s lon) as a pi&t$re &ard doesn't &ome on the board- o$'re in )ood shape" 9$t if a pi&t$re &ard does &ome o$t after o$r opponent has &alled o$ on the flop (a Ca&k or a E$een- for e=ample)- o$ had better sh$t do<n- be&a$se then o$ ha(e a de&ision to make abo$t the other pla er" 8f he bets- the best hand that o$ $s$all &an ha(e is a tie<ith both of o$ holdin) an /-@" 9$t there are a lot of other hands that he &an ha(e" Mo$ mi)ht be s$rprised at ho< man pla ers <ill &all o$ and not )i(e o$ the a&e <hen it flops" !he ma think that o$'re bettin) an $nderpair and the ha(e t<o E$eens or Ca&ks in the hole" !hen a E$een &omes off on the t$rn and- bo o' bo - o$'re in tro$ble" So- o$ m$st be (er &aref$l if a paint &omes on fo$rth street" When a paint doesn't &ome off- o$ <ant to make a fo$rth-street bet that is bi) eno$)h to lose o$r opponent be&a$se o$ don't mind losin) him at this point" Mo$'(e alread made mone on the hand- and o$ don't <ant to )i(e him a shot at makin) a do$ble pair" So- o$ make a prett )oodsiHed bet on fo$rth street I 8f he &alls- make him pa to do it" / maCor a=iom in no-limit hold'em is B/l<a s make them Pa to &hase o$"B 9obb Hoff on&e said abo$t me- B!" #" will )t)tke them look at their hole &ards"B 8 s$))est that o$ do the same thin)"

*5,

Agains$ a Dra&ing Hand. '(en if an opponent has a dra<in) hand- o$ ha(e distorted the pot so m$&h that no dra<in) hand &o$ld be profitable" /bo$t the onl t pe of dra<in) hand that &o$ld be o$t there on this flop e=ample (/-4-5) is a 6->" 8t is (er $nlikel that someone <o$ld be pla in) in a raised pot <ith a 6->- b$t it does happen" Mo$ also &ome a&ross &ertain pla ers <ho <ill pla B/n /&eB - /-4- /-6- /-7and so on" 9$t o$ know that abo$t them- and take it into &onsideration" 8n this e=ample- if the ri(er &ard is an thin) belo< a *3 <itho$t pairin) the board a)ain- o$ &ome at it <ith another bet" 9$t on&e a)ain- o$ sho$ld be (er fearf$l if it &omes <ith a E$een or Ca&k- or e(en a *3 in some sit$ations" Of &o$rseo$ sho$ld kno< <hi&h pla ers <ill pla tens or /-*3" W) n $) Fl%* C%" s &i$) Rags. No<- let's &han)e the s&enario1 !he a&tion is t<o-handed- b$t o$'re sittin) be$ %ind the other pla er" Remember that in no-limit hold'emposition is al<a s po<er" !he flop &omes three ra)s and o$r opponent &he&ks to o$" Mo$ don't bet1 Mo$ &he&k ri)ht ba&k at him" !hat <a - o$'re not sh$ttin) o$rself o$t" 0or e=ample- <hat <ill o$ do if he &he&ks- o$ bet- and then he raises o$J What are o$ )oin) to do <ith o$r hand t%enl So- o$ ma as <ell take the opport$nit that his &he&k has )i(en o$ and )et a free &ard b &he&kin) alon)" On fo$rth street- o$ mi)ht hit an a&e or kin)" 8f he &he&ks a)ain- o$ &an fire at him" 9$t on&e o$ don't hit o$r handall of a s$dden the brakes )o on and o$'re tr in) to pla a small pot" Hopef$ll - the other )$ has an a&e and o$ &an pla a sho<do<n" 8f he bets- all that o$ &an lose is oW ori)inal raise" Or <hen he bets- o$ mi)ht de&ide that o$ ha(e the best hand and &all him" 8t all depends on the &ir&$mstan&es" 9$t at least o$ ha(e left all of o$r options open b) &he&kin) alon) on the flop" Someone s$))ested that this is an e=ample of p)oy'= the <aitin) )ame """ b$t that's not it" !his is an e=ample o *57

pla in) the hand the <a that it sho$ld be pla ed" Wh take a &han&e and p$t all of o$r &hips in Ceopard - espe&iall in a to$rnament- <hen o$ don't ha(e an thin)J / lot of pla ers <ill fire at the pot one time in these t pes of sit$ations" When the see a bab flop- here the &omeA 9$t 8 think the 're makin) a mistake <hen the do that1 Mo$ ha(e to )i(e an opponent &redit for ha(in) somethin) to ha(e been able to &all o$r raise to start <ith" 8f the board &omes ninehi)h- he mi)ht ha(e that board beatenD he mi)ht be in there <ith tens or Ca&ks or E$eens- <hi&h aren't reraisin) hands an <a " Mo$ &o$ld be settin) o$rself $p to lose a lot of mone on the hand" 8f a )$ bets in front of me a)ainst that nine-hi)h flop <hen 8'm holdin) the /-@- he <ins the pot""" it's that simple" 8 don't care <hat he has- he <ins it ri)ht there" /s far as 8'm &on&erned- /-@ is /-@""" t<o de$&es beat /-@" 8t's a po<erfill hand if o$ &an flop to it- b$t it isn't m$&h of a hand <hen o$ don't"

9i) Pairs /fter the 0lop

/&es- kin)s- and E$eens are bi& pairs" 8f o$ ha(e raised before the flop <ith t<o a&es- kin)s- or E$eens- and no o(er&ards &ome on the flop- it is &orre&t to make a bet in no-limit hold'em" 9$t o$ ha(e to keep in mind that all o$ ha(e is an o(erpair" Mo$ ha(e to kno< the pla ers that o$ are pla in) <ith- so ftat if somebod &omes ba&k o(er the top of o$- o$ &an de&ide <hat to do <ith o$r hand" /re o$ )oin) to &all or thro< it a<a J 8f o$ lead bet and )et raised on the flop- o$ m$st dee <hether o$'re )oin) to )o thro$)h <ith o$r pair or too< it a<a " /ss$min) that there are no dra<s on the boardiere is a prett )ood &han&e that o$r opponent has either a Or t<o pair- or he ma ha(e &alled o$r raise <ith some *5+

&raH hand" S$ppose o$ ha(e po&ket kin)s and the flop &omes N-#-4" Mo$r first <orr is that o$r opponent has flopped a set- altho$)h he also &o$ld ha(e t<o pair- E$eens and Ca&ks Or if he's a <eak pla er- he &o$ld ha(e an t<o pair" Remember that some <eak pla ers &all raises <ith an t<o &onne&tors or s$ited &ards" 8f someone has raised in front of o$ before the flop and that pla er leads at the pot on the flop- o$ definitel don't tr to sh$t him o$t then" Mo$ smooth &all him" 8f o$ are the one <ho leads on the flop and an opponent <ho is aplayer smooth &alls o$r bet- an alarm sho$ld )o off in o$r head I B9o - 8'd better sh$t do<n no<"B Mo$ ha(e to ask o$rself <h he has &alled o$" %ore mistakes are made in these t pes of sit$ations than almost an <here else" / pla er <ill )o thro$)h <ith the hand and then a de$&e &omes on fo$rth street- for e=ample" !hinkin) that his opponent mi)ht ha(e a dra<in) hand s$&h as a @*3- the lead bettor makes a bi) bet at the pot to tr to sh$t him o$t" 8f o$ make that kind of bet and o$r opponent &omes o(er the top of o$- o$'re a )one )oose" /l<a s remember that all of o$r &hips are in Ceopard on an one hand- so pla smart" @no< <hen to )i(e &redit<hen to sh$t do<n" !hese C$d)ments all &ome from kno<in) o$r opponents" 'e(er thin) in this book e(ol(es from the first &hapter on kno<in) ho< o$r opponents pla in different sit$ations" 8f o$'(e been in a to$rnament for three or fo$r ho$rs- o$'(e alread seen a lot of sit$ations &ome $p that )i(e o$ information abo$t ho< o$r opponents pla "

*63

When Mo$ 0lop / Set

cX6o< s$ppose that o$ flop o$r set" Whether it is top set or middle set makes a bi) differen&e" Sa that o$ &alled a preflop raise <ith t<o Ca&ks from a ba&k position- and the flop &omes /-#-4" Mo$r opponent leads at the pot" Mo$'re prett s$re that he has a bi) a&e or an o(erpair to o$r Ca&ks s$&h as kin)s or E$eens- so o$ don't tr to sh$t him o$t" 8n this &ase- 8 <o$ld flat &all his betD 8'm not )oin) to mo(e in on him at this point" Col$mb$s took a &han&e- so 8'm )oin) to take one- too" 8f o$'re the first to a&t- o$ &he&k to him" Mo$ see- in no-limit o$'re not tr in) to b$ild a pot like o$ do in pot-limit- be&a$se the pot <ill take &are of itself in no-limit" Sa that the board pairs on fo$rth street- <hi&h stren)thens o$r opponent's hand if it pairs one of the bottom &ards on the board" 8f one of the top &ards pairs- he's )oin) to sh$t do<n an <a " 8f o$ had tried to sh$t him do<n on the flopo$ <o$ld onl ha(e <on <hat <as alread in the pot" 9$t if an normal &ard &omes off on the t$rn- he ma bet a)ain be&a$se o$ onl flat &alled the flop" !hen there are some &hips in the pot and o$ ha(e a &han&e of <innin) some real mone so o$ &an raise him to ma=imiHe <hat o$ &an <in on the hand" !he onl thin) that's )oin) to beat o$ on this flop is a et of a&es" 8f o$r opponent has flopped the a&es- o$'re dPne- of &o$rse """ b$t o$'re )oin) to pla the hand an <a " n no-limit hold'em- it's (er hard to )et a<a from a set" 9$t Ppose that o$r opponent bets- o$ raise- and he reraises K Mo$ ha(e to make a de&ision ri)ht there as to <hether $ ha(e the best hand or onl se&ond-best set" 8n a side )ameWd to la do<n o$r set- b$t in a to$rnament- it's easier - P-* ha(e laid do<n sets- and 8'm s$re that other pla ers eX too" *6*

T) C) ck Call and $) Fla$ Call. !here is E$ite a differen&e bet<een the &he&k &all from a front position- and the flat &all from a late position" When o$'re in a ba&k position and C$st flat &all a bet <ith a stron) hand- it makes o$r hand look <eaker than <hen o$ &he&k &all" / lot of times- a &he&k &all <ill rin) a bell in o$r opponent's head and lead him to belie(e that o$'re slo< pla in)- <hereas a flat &all from a late position is C$st e(er da a&tion and sho$ldn't rin) an alarms in his head" !he &he&k &all is a little stron)er than a flat &all" So- in the sit$ation dis&$ssed abo(e- <hen o$ flop the set of Ca&ks and are sittin) in ba&k of o$r opponent- o$ C$st flat &all and hope that he bets a)ain" 8f he doesn't &ome a)ain- o$ ha(e t<o options1 Mo$ &an bet on fo$rth street- hopin) that he <ill &allD or o$ &an <ait $ntil fifth street- <hi&h mi)ht <eaken o$r hand in his e esand hope that o$r dela ed bet <ill ind$&e him to &all" 8f he does lead on fo$rth street- o$ mi)ht C$st &all him a)ain- $nless he bets bi)- in <hi&h &ase o$ mi)ht sh$t him o$t ri)ht there" 8f he bets first on the ri(er- then o$ &ome o(er the top of him" !he <hole idea is to e=tri&ate the most mone o$t of his sta&k"

!he Raisin) Hands and !he Reraisin) Hands

Referrin) ba&k to Chapter One a)ain- o$ kno< b no< <hi&h pla ers <ill brin) it in for raises <ith smaller pairs" Lnless o$ ha(e an opponent pi)eonholed as a pla er <ho often raise <ith small pairs- the onl t<o hands that o$ &an reraise tl pot <ith are kin)s and a&es" N$eens definitel are o$t oft E$estion- $nless o$'re a)ainst the small-pair raiser- or $i$e o$'re sittin) in a fa(orable position" S$ppose the pla er in the n$mber-one seat brin)s * for a raise and o$'re sittin) in third position <ith t<o E$e( *62

8f o$ reraise from this spot- o$ still ha(e si= pla ers sittin) behind o$ <ho &o$ld ha(e a&es or kin)s and mi)ht repop o$- in <hi&h &ase o$ &o$ld reall )et in a lot of tro$ble <ith o$r E$eens" !here is nothin) <ron) <ith flat &allin) <ith t<o E$eens or t<o Ca&ks" Mo$ sa(e o$r reraises for <hen the table is do<n to three or fo$r-handed" With the medi$m-lar)e pairs I tens- Ca&ks- or E$eens I o$ mi)ht <ant to reraise <ith these hands shorthanded- somethin) that o$ ne(er <o$ld do in a f$ll rin)" /ltho$)h a&es and kin)s are the onl t<o hands that o$ &an reraise <ith- there are t<o <a s of pla in) them" 8 often pla Bse&ond-hand lo<B <ith a&es and kin)s- and take a &han&e on them" 8n se&ond-hand lo<- somebod brin)s it in for a raise <hen o$ ha(e kin)s or a&es in a position that is (er &lose to the ori)inal bettor- <ho is sittin) $p front" Mo$ flat &all and hope that somebod behind o$ <ill raise the pot and dri(e him ba&k in to o$ so that o$ &an reall p$t it to him before the flop" Or 8 mi)ht make a minimal raise that 8 kno< <on't h$rt m sta&k" !hen- if 8 don't flop to them- 8 &an )et rid of them an <a " Pla(ing P%ck $ Ac s. Cardinal r$le n$mber one in no-limit hold'em is1 I) you limp wit% aces, you will ne(er &et broke wit% aces. !he onl reason that o$ limp <ith a&es before the flop is so that someone behind o$ <ill raise and )i(e o$ the opport$nit to reraise" 8f o$ flat &all <ith them before the flop and nobod raises- fo$r or fi(e pla ers ma limp %o the pot behind o$ <ith all sorts of random hands" !he more people in the pot- the more &han&e that o$'re )oin) to Set beaten" So- if one of them &omes o$t s<in)in) on the flopo$ &an simpl thro< o$r a&es a<a and o$ ha(en't lost W thin) e=&ept o$r ori)inal bet" Nobod has seen o$r handD T Pbod kno<s that o$ ha(e limped in <ith a&es- so C$st thro< ttle_i a<a "

*65

8f o$'re in the sta)e of a to$rnament <hen o$ ha(e a shorter sta&k than o$r opponents- o$ <o$ld be a fool to limp <ith a&es" 8n this s&enario- o$ ha(e to raise <ith them be&a$se o$ don't ha(e a lot of &hips- and it means somethin) to o$ <hen o$ pla a pot" 9$t if o$ ha(e a lot of &hips and de&ide to limp <ith a&es- o$ ha(en't reall lost an thin) e=&ept o$r ori)inal bet if o$ lose <ith them" Mo$ <ant to protect o$r bi) sta&k- and tr to build your short sta&k" With a bi) sta&k- o$ also &o$ld raise a prett bi) amo$nt to start <ith if o$ <anted to )amble <ith o$r a&es" #$st remember the r$le1 8f o$ limp <ith a&es- o$ ne(er )et broke <ith a&es- b$t 8 see it happen time and time a)ain" !<o a&es are the best startin) hand o$ &an )et- b$t <hen t<o small pair are o$t there- all o$ ha(e is one pair of a&es'ke and 8ke- /meri&an /irlines"

Reraisin) <ith /&e-@in)

On the b$tton- o$ sometimes &an reraise <ith /-@ s$ited or e(en offs$it- b$t this t pe of raise is C$st a po<er pla " 8n a po<er pla - o$ raise eno$)h mone so that- hopef$ll - o$ &an <in the pot be)ore the flop" Mo$ don't <ant to see the flop- b$t if o$ ha(e- o$ ha(e to" /nd if o$ are for&ed to see it- &han&es are that o$ <ill ha(e at least one (or ma be t<o) o(er&ards on o$r opponents- so o$'re not dead" /n time that o$ make this pla - o$'re onl hopin) to <in <hat is alread in the pot" !ime and time a)ain- 8 see pla ers raise the pot <ith /-@in a f$ll rin)" !hen somebod mo(es in on them and beats them for the pot" 8 sometimes see the /-@ &all a reraise and )et a<a <ith it- b$t 8 think that this is a horrible pla - be&a$se most of the time- the /-@ is takin) m$&h the <orst of it- ` a de&ent amo$nt of &hips- this is an espe&iall bad mo(e
*66

&a$se <hen someone mo(es in on o$ after o$ ha(e raised ((ith /-@- then o$ are callin& all of o$r mone <ith /-@" !here is E$ite a differen&e in raisin) and &allin) <ith this hand" !he sit$ation is different <hen o$'re pla in) short-handed1 !hen- /-@ be&omes a (er po<erf$l handD /-N be&omes a po<erf$l hand" !he fe<er the pla ers- the less stren)th o$ $s$all <ill need to pla " Mo$ also ha(e other thin)s <orkin) for o$ in shorthanded pla 1 Mo$r &hip position (ers$s their &hip position- and <hat mone position both o$r opponents and o$ are in"

Pla in) fhe Small Pairs

8n .allas- <hen a pla er $sed to sho< do<n his hand and sa - B8'(e )ot one small pair-B it $s$all <as t<o E$eensA !om and 8 ha(e different opinions on ho< to pla the small pairs" We're )oin) to dis&$ss both of o$r points of (ie< in this se&tion" !om likes to limp in <ith the small pairs- tens on do<n to de$&es- e(en from a front position" He sees them as stri&tl limpin) hands- $nless he de&ides to take a shot at the blinds <ith them from a middle position on ba&k- in <hi&h &ase he mi)ht brin) them in for a small raise" He likes to mi= $p his pla <ith them like this in a f$ll rin)" O&&asionall - he also <ill brin) in the pot for a small raise <ith a pair s$&h as si=es from a front position if he is the first one in the pot" 8f someone pops him <ith a modest raise and it looks like he'll be pla in) head-$phe m$&ks them" 9$t it the reraiser makes a small raise <ith a lot of &hips in front of feC !om <ill &all <ith a small pair in hope of floppin) a set- kno<in) that most of the time- he <ill ha(e to )i(e them $p" 8f one or t<o pla ers in the rin) ha(e been doin) a lot of e-flop raisin)- !om <ill C$st pass <ith the small pairs" Ls$# - & t is in the earl sta)es of the to$rnament <hen there still a lPt of limpin) )oin) on that he <ill slip in <ith them be*6>

&a$se he thinks that small pairs pla the easiest of an other startin) hand" 8f he doesn't flop a set- he &an easil )et a<a from them- altho$)h he ma )i(e some a&tion if he flops an open-ended strai)ht dra<" 8n no-limit- there are h$)e implied odds- espe&iall in the earl ro$nds <hen e(er bod has a lot of &hips in relation to the siHe of the blinds" !om isn't lookin) for a bi) pot in the first ro$nd of the to$rnament $nless he has the n$ts or &lose to it""" he is lookin) to trap somebod <ho is holdin) a bi) hand s$&h as a&es or another bi) pair or a set" 8n &ontrast- 8 am not )oin) to pla little pairs- ei)hts and belo<- in the first three or fo$r seats in a f$ll rin)" 8f 8 pla them at all- 8 <ill onl pla them from the ne=t fi(e seats- and 8 am not )oin) to raise <ith them in a f$ll rin)" 0irst of all- 8 don't <ant to )i(e a<a an information abo$t m hand" When o$'re pla in) a small pair and there are t<o &allers behind o$- there is the &han&e that the mi)ht ea&h ha(e a pair or t<o bi) &onne&tors- normal pla in) hands" !he reason for not raisin) <ith o$r small pair is that o$ hope to flop a set" Mo$'re not riskin) m$&h mone b C$st &allin)D and if o$ )et raised- o$ &an )et rid of o$r hand" !he perfe&t s&enario <o$ld o&&$r <hen o$ hold a pair of ei)hts and the flop &omes @-7-2" 8f o$r opponents are pla in) their hands stron)- o$ &an set them $p prett <ell a)ainst this t pe of flop" 8 don't pla small pairs in earl position be&a$se 8 think that 8 <ill C$st be )i(in) a<a m mone " / lot of pots are raised in no-limit hold'emD (er fe< are limp-limp-limp" Mo$ &annot stand a raise <ith the small pairs- espe&iall earl tf the to$rnament" 8n the first part of the to$rnament- o$ ha(e =-amo$nt of dollars- and e(er dollar that o$ lose in a pot*S a drain on &hips that o$ &o$ld ha(e $sed later to do$ble o triple $p <hen o$ ha(e a bi) hand" 8 think alon) these li all of the time" 8f an thin)- 8 mi)ht pla the small pairs later flX the to$rnament rather than earl " *64

S$ppose the blinds are G>3 and 8 brin) it in for G>3" !hen somebod raises me G*>3 and 8 de&ide to take a shot at it" On the flop- 8 don't like m hand and ha(e to )i(e it $p" No< 8'(e <asted G233" Later on <hen 8 ha(e a bi) hand <ith- ma bet<o-<a a&tion- 8 &o$ld ha(e t$rned that G233 into G433" !hat's ho< o$ a&&$m$late &hips in a to$rnament" !here is nothin) <ron) <ith pla in) the small pairs the <a that !om pla s them- 8 <ant to emphasiHe that" 8t's C$st that 8 am thinkin) alon) different lines <hen 8 am pla in) them" /s he has said- he is <illin) to take a risk <ith small pairs and e(en &all a small raise <ith them" 8n sit$ations <here 8 am lookin) to sa(e some bets- !om is more <illin) to )amble a little bit" !here &ertainl are more than t<o <a s to pla in almost e(er sit$ation" S"all Pairs A+$ r $) Fl%*. Ho< o$ pla small pairs after the flop depends $pon the te=t$re of the flop" !om )i(es this e=ample1 BSa that o$ took the flop <ith a pair of po&ket fo$rsD o$ &alled a small raise or ma be t<o or three pla ers limped in- probabl <ith fa&e &ards" !he flop &omes +-,-6" !his is not a pot that 8 <ant to lead at be&a$se 8 <ant m opponents to &at&h somethin)" 8f the all &he&k- that's fine" 8'm hopin) that a fa&e &ard <ill hit on the t$rn so that 8 &an )et some a&tion" 8f the flop &omes @-N-6- it fi)$res to hit somebod " 8n this s&enario- 8 sometimes <ill lead at the pot in the hope that somebod <ill &ome after me" 8t all depends on <hat 8 think m opponents <ill do"B !he @-N-6 is a dan)ero$s flop for o$ if o$ ha(e flopped a set of fo$rs" 8f somebod <ith po&ket kin)s or E$eens has raised the pot before the flop- o$ ha(e to be so &aref$l <ith the hand- it's pitif$l" Mo$ think that o$ ha(e the best hando$t that isn't ne&essaril tr$e" 8n this &ase- o$ ha(e to pla &ompletel differentl " Mo$ ha(e to let their bettin) patterns ho< the pla the hand di&tate the <a that o$ pla the " 8n an $nraised pot- o$ &an be less fearf$l that someone limped in <ith po&ket kin)s or E$eens- b$t in a raised pot
*6,

there al<a s is the dan)er that o$r opponent has raised <ith the bi) po&ket pairs" 8n an $nraised pot- o$ &an be ++ per&ent s$re that o$ ha(e the best hand- altho$)h someone o&&asionall <ill limp <ith kin)s or E$eens in the hole" !his t pe of trap flop is C$st one more reason <h 8 don't like to pla bab pairs in earl position" 8 realiHe that set o(er set doesn't &ome $p (er often- b$t it does happen""" and <hen it happens- it <ill destro o$ if o$ hold the lo< set" 8 remember a hand that 8 pla ed three-handed in a side )ame in .allas a)ainst 9obb Hoffand Hers&hel from Ho$ston" Hers&hel had raised ten pots in a ro< <ith an thin) from po&ket de$&es on $p- b$t he limped into this pot" 9obb <as on the b$tton and he made a little raise (an time he's on the b$tton- he makes a little &o$rtes raise)" 8 <as in the blind <ith t<o fo$rs in the hole and de&ided to &all" Hers&hel also &alled" !he flop &ame *3-4-6"* &he&ked- Hers&hel &he&kedand 9obb bet on the b$tton" 8 kne< that he had an o(erpairbe&a$se he <o$ld ha(e &he&ked if he hadn't hit it" !hen 8 raised """ and Hers&hel reraised" When Hers&hel reraised- he &o$ld ha(e had an thin)- an o(erpair or somethin) like that" 9obb st$died for a lon) timeand then he folded his t<o E$eens" 8 <as &ompletel pot &ommitted -- O$t of G>-333-* had G*-333 left in front of me" 8 &alled Hers&hel's reraise" He had limped in <ith t<o tens" !his is the perfe&t e=ample of a sit$ation in <hi&h o$ &an )et trapped" % pla <as fine- b$t 8 <as a )one )oose" < %*ard(. Mo$ al<a s are takin) a &han&e of )ettin) in Ceopard <ith the small pairs" Sa that o$ are in the pot <ith po&ket fo$rs" !he flop &omes 2-5->" !hen ho< are o$ )oin) to pla the handJ Mo$ ha(e se&ond pair and an open-ended strai)ht dra<" Someone mi)ht pla this hand- and sometim47 pla it (er stron)l - and ne(er )et there" !om sa s that in this s&enario- he <ill &he&k so that &an't )et raised off the hand" !hen if somebod bets at it-n] *67

mi)ht &ome ba&k <ith a raise" 9$t sa that o$ lead <ith a pot-siHed bet and somebod mo(es in on o$" 8n a to$rnament- o$ &annot &all- <hereas in a side )ame- o$ mi)ht make the &all or e(en lead at the pot" !hat's the differen&e bet<een the t<o" 8n m opinion- there are so man traps that o$ &an fall into <ith small pairs that 8 pla them (er &aref$ll " !om thinks that there are more traps <ith the s$ited &onne&tors than there are <ith small pairs- b$t of &o$rse- there are a lot of &onne&tors that o$ ne(er pla "

S$ited Conne&tors
S$ited &ards are <hat 8 refer to as B/ 9roke's Lament"B /s he lea(es the table- a )$ tells his b$dd - B8 )ot b$sted in this potb$t 8 <as s$ited"B Pla ers like that p$t tremendo$s (al$e in holdin) t<o s$ited &ards- the @S >S or the /( 4 :" 9elie(e me- the (al$e in these hands is (er slim $nless o$ flop a fl$sh to them- b$t some pla ers <ill e(en &all raises <ith themA With these t pes of hands- <hat do o$ <ant to hit e=&ept for a fl$shJ /s far as 8'm &on&erned- the onl (al$e in s$ited &ards o&&$rs <hen o$ are holdin) /-@- /-N- or /-#" 9ein) s$ited )i(es them a little e=tra added (al$e" !heir real (al$e is in the ranks """ 8 am C$st as happ <ith $ns$ited /-@ or /-N or /-# as 8 am <hen the are s$ited" 8f o$ <o$ld not pla an t<o &ards $ns$ited- o$ ha(e no reason to pla them s$ited" S$ppose o$'re holdin) the @-N s$ited and make a fl$sh Pn the flop" Sin&e o$r opponents probabl ha(e no redra<s Pn an $npaired board- o$ <in onl <hat is in the pot if o$ tet it from $p front" 8n a&t$al pla - the hand is o(er ri)ht thentherefore- o$ ha(e to &he&k o$r fl$sh from a front spot to lP< do<n the a&tion a little bit" Certainl - if o$r opponent a bet- o$ mi)ht raise him- altho$)h 8 ma be more *6+

in&lined to C$st flat &all him- be&a$se 8 don't <ant to ha(e to de&ide <hether or not to pla the hand for all m mone " /lsoo$ mi)ht be $p a)ainst a bi))er fl$sh if o$r opponent has the a&e-s$ited in his hand" So- o$ al<a s <ant to tr to pla these t pes of hands from a ba&k position so that o$ <ill ha(e more bettin) options" Personall - the bi) s$ited &ards- /-@ thro$)h /-#- are the onl t pes of s$ited hands that 8 <ant to pla " With the lo<er s$ited &ards- o$ mi)ht make a fl$sh- b$t o$r opponent ma make a bi))er fl$sh" Certainl - o$ <o$ldn't pla /-little s$itedD 8 don't e(en pla it in limit ho 8d'em" A R#l +%r S#i$ d Cards. !he )eneral r$le is1 I) you wouldn +t play any two cards unsuited, you s%ould not play t%em suited. Of &o$rse- there are a fe< e=&eptions" 0or e=ample- if se(eral pla ers ha(e trailed into an $nraised pot and o$ are on the b$tton <ith @in)-small s$ited- o$ mi)ht &all the pot in the hope of floppin) the bi) fl$sh" Mo$ ne(er <o$ld &all a raise- ho<e(er" !he dan)er <ith pla in) this t pe of hand is that o$ mi)ht flop top pair- ha(e the a&tion )et &he&ked to o$- and then o$ mi)ht be for&ed to make a little bet at the pot" !hen o$ are lea(in) o$rself <ide open to a &he&k raise and ma <ind $p losin) mone <ith a hand that o$ sho$ldn't ha(e pla ed in the first pla&e" 9e&a$se of the likelihood of ha(in) this happen- 8 don't <ant to pla hands like thatD 8 don't <ant to p$t m self in that spot"

*>3

Pla in) fee Small Conne&tors

When is it &orre&t to &all a raise <ith small &onne&torsJ When o$ are on the b$tton or in the spot ri)ht in front of the b$tton<ith a lot of &hips a)ainst a lot of &hips- there is nothin) <ron) <ith &allin) a small raise <ith 6-> s$ited- 4-, s$ited- or ,-7 s$ited" Mo$r opponents <ill ne(er p$t o$ on this hand to start <ith- and if o$ don't flop to it- o$ &an )et rid of it ri)ht a<a " Mo$'re simpl takin) a shot at b$stin) somebod <ith o$r small s$ited &onne&tors" Mo$ not onl &an do this in m$lti<a pots- o$ sometimes &an do it head-$p in a bi) sta&ka)ainst-bi) sta&k sit$ation" 9$t this is the onl time that 8 am )oin) to pla small &onne&torsD 8 am ne(er )oin) to open a pot <ith them" What if o$ flop a dra< to this t pe of handJ /s 8'(e said before- 8 tr to sta a<a from as man dra<s in no-limit hold'em as 8 possibl &an""" espe&iall in to$rnaments" 8n to$rnaments- draws are deat%. Mo$'re al<a s takin) the <orst of it <hen o$'re takin) a dra<D o$ kno< that o$'re al<a s the $nderdo) <hen o$ &all a bet to dra< to o$r hand" 0or e=ample- sa that the board &omes 2-5-*3 and o$ ha(e stood a little raise before the flop <ith 6-> in a ba&k position" Somebod makes a bet at o$" 8 <o$ld ne(er flat &all <ith this dra<in) hand a)ainst a bet" 8 <o$ld either raise him ri)ht on the flop to tr to blo< him o$t of the pot- or thro< a<a the hand" Wh J 9e&a$se if o$ don't make the dra< on the first &ard off- he's )oin) to &ome after o$ a)ain Wd then o$ <ill ha(e to d$mp o$r hand" With these t pes Pf &onne&tors- o$r de&ision al<a s &omes on t%e )lop. No< s$ppose that o$ hold this same 6-> and there are Se(eral people in the pot" !he ori)inal bettor bets at the potsomeone &alls- and then it's $p to o$ I What do o$ doJ Wothin) has &han)ed" 8f o$ make a pla at the pot (raise) and P< both of them off- o$ <ill C$st <in do$ble mone " 9$t
*>*

o$'re takin) the &han&e of )ettin) &alled- and then o$ <ill ha(e nothin)" !hat is <h 8 either thro< a<a the hand- or make the raise" 8f Pla er / bets and Pla er 9 &alls- <hat do 8 ha(e <ith the 6-> on the 2-5-*3 flopJ 8 ha(e ei)ht o$ts t<i&e if m &ards are still in the de&kIif neither of them is holdin) t<o a&es or t<o si=es" 9$t 8 am not lookin) to )et pot odds in a no-limit to$rnament" /n time o$ make a pla in a to$rnament and )et beaten for all of o$r &hips- o$'re o$t of the to$rnament" /ltho$)h this tho$)ht al<a s has to be in the ba&k of o$r mind- it sho$ldn't be a fear fa&tor" 8f o$ ha(e fear in no-limit hold'em- o$'d better not pla the )ame" No< s$ppose that o$ ha(e #-*3 in o$r hand and the flop &omes 7-+-2" !here is some stren)th in this hand1 Mo$ ha(e t<o o(er&ards and the top strai)ht dra<" !his is the t pe of o(erla sit$ation that o$ are lookin) for on o$r dra<in) hands" 9$t the other E$estion to &onsider if the board &omes nine-hi)h is- B.o 8 ha(e t<o o(ers and a strai)ht dra<JB 8n an $nraised pot- o$r opponent mi)ht ha(e a #-+ or a *3-+ and then o$ both ha(e onl one o(er&ard" !om )i(es this e=ample of another s$ited &onne&tin) hand <hen the blinds are G2>-G>3 in the earl sta)es of a to$rnament1 BMo$ are in si=th position <ith the 7S +S- and t<o limpers are in the pot" 8f o$ don't think that o$ <ill be raisedo$ &an &all <ith this hand" !his e=ample ill$strates m t<olimper r$le in limit hold'em- <hi&h also applies some<hat in no-limit pla " 8f o$ limp <ith this hand in limit hold'em- and the pot is raised onl one $nit- o$ &an &all the raiseD b$t in no-limitJ tf someone p$ts in a pot-siHed raise before the flop- o$ d$ffl the hand <hen o$ are o$t of position" 8f o$ are onl sli)hW o$t of position in no-limit- sa the si=th spot- and no one rais the pot- o$ &an limp <ith the hand"B !his is a sit$ation BfeelB &omes into the )ame"
*>2

.an)er Hands
8f there is any raisin) before the pot- hands s$&h as @-#- N-*3and @-N &an be dan)ero$s to pla " Mo$ <ill )et in far less tro$ble pla in) a +-7 than o$ <ill a N-#- be&a$se it is easier to )et a<a from the dra<in) hand" /-*3 and /-# also &an be dan)ero$s- be&a$se pla ers often <ill slip into an $nraised pot <ith /-@ or /-N" !he E$estion is- BWhat do o$ ha(e if o$ flop somethin) to one of these handsJB Of &o$rse- it is far better to flop o$r se&ond pair than o$r top pair- if o$r se&ond-rank &ard is the hi)hest &ard on the flopD b$t e(en then o$ &o$ld be in tro$ble" 0or e=ample- if o$ pla the N-# and flop Ca&ks- o$ are in ki&ker tro$ble" !hese t pes of hands reE$ire the most &aref$l de&isions and the most skill" 8 mi)ht pla these kinds of hands if 8 &an open the pot <ith themIif 8'm on the b$tton in an $nopened pot- for e=ample I b$t 8 don't pla them if 8 &an onl &all <ith them- e(en from a late position" Sa that o$ ha(e @-# and it is passed to o$ on the b$tton""" then o$ mi)ht pla this hand" 8t depends on <ho is left in the pot1 !he more timid the pla ers- the more likel 8 <ill be to raise- b$t the more a))ressi(e the pla ers- the more likel 8 <ill be to C$st flat &all" Some a))ressi(e pla ers don't respe&t an t pe of raise- and altho$)h the ma fi)$re that o$ ha(e a better hand than the ha(e- the 're not )oin) to )i(e it $p- and the ma be able to o$tflop o$" 8n a no-limit to$rnament- 8 <on't e(en (ent$re into the Pot from the first fi(e positions <ith /-N if it's earl in the to$rnament" 8t's different <hen o$'re pla in) shorthanded" 9$t earl in the to$rnament <ith a f$ll table- 8 <on't pla an WBN- 8f somebod raises- <hat do o$ do <ith this handJ

*>5

Pla in) the 9linds

!om often <ill prote&t his blind" He tells a stor abo$t a time <hen he )ot broke in the bi) blind makin) a C$d)ment &all" B8 <as in the bi) blind in a no-limit to$rnament at the N$eens Classi& <ith /-+ offs$it and !homas Ch$n) <as in the small blind" !he a&tion <as passed to 9rent Carter- <ho raised on the b$tton" Carter didn't ha(e to ha(e a hand to raiseD he had been pla in) a lot of pots and had a bi) pile of &hips in front of him" With onl a fra&tion of the bet in front of him- Ch$n) &alled all-in from the small blind" 8 kne< that Ch$n) <as read to make a stand <ith an thin) and so- 8 tho$)ht that 8 had a reasonable &han&e of ha(in) the best hand in this sit$ation" 8 o(er&alled for all of m &hips- makin) the side pot far lar)er than the main pot" Carter <as holdin) #-+ offs$it and spiked a Ca&k on fo$rth street to beat me" Ch$n) took the main pot <ith po&ket a&es"B .ana Smith- <ho <as s<eatin) !om d$rin) the to$rnament- remarked that sin&e !om <as lo< on &hips and had eno$)h to meet the small blind <ith some &hips left o(er- he &o$ld ha(e m$&ked the hand and then <aited for the b$tton" 9$t his de&ision in this &ase <as &orre&t" He <as pla in) the pla ers and kne< that Carter- <ith a ton of &hips in front of him- didn't ne&essaril ha(e to be holdin) a hand to make the raise" /lso- if Ch$n) had had eno$)h &hips to &all the f$ll raise- !om <o$ld ha(e thro<n the hand a<a - be&a$se he <o$ld ha(e been more afraid of Ch$n)'s &all than of Carter s raise" !he onl <a that o$ &an a(oid these t pes of sit$ations is b ne(er makin) those kinds of &alls- b$t it is e=a&tl) this kind of &all that separates the men from the bo s in nP' limit hold'em" Here is another e=ample from to$rnament pla " / 3 raised in the small blind and 8 <as in the bi) blind <ith /He made a de&ent raise- b$t 8 mo(ed in on him" He did t
*>6

hesitate to &all me" He <ent into the pot <ith a 4-5 offs$it and <on the pot <ith a pair of si=es" When the hand <as all o(erhe said- B8 kne< o$ didn't ha(e an thin)"B !hat <as the most ridi&$lo$s statement 8 ha(e e(er heard in m life I he kne< that [ didn't ha(e an thin)- b$t %e had a si=-hi)hA 8 didn't mind losin) the pot as m$&h as 8 did hearin) that statement" Picking U* $) Blinds. /ltho$)h the blinds are (er ($lnerable positions- o$ &an pi&k $p a lot of blinds late in a to$rnament- espe&iall from the b$tton" 8f o$ don't ha(e at least a semi-)ood hand in the blind- o$ ha(e no b$siness &allin) bets <ith it" Sa that someone raises the blind- and o$ ha(e a #-7 or somethin) like that" Mo$ mi)ht think to o$rself- BWell- he's C$st tr in) to pi&k $p m blind- so ma be 8'll &all him and hit the flop and pi&k him off"B Ninet per&ent of the time- o$'ll be takin) the <orst of it" 8t's to$)h not to defend the blindsespe&iall if a (er a))ressi(e pla er is on the b$tton- b$t o$ ha(e to )i(e $p those t pes of hands" 8n a different s&enario- s$ppose that o$ ha(e a @-N in the bi) blind in a shorthanded )ame- an a))ressi(e pla er raises from the b$tton- and the little blind doesn't &all" No<- o$ mi)ht ha(e a shot" 8n this &ase- 8 mi)ht e(en reraise" /t other times- the b$tton mi)ht be raisin) <ith /-ra) and ha(e me beaten" Mo$ ha(e to make a de&ision in these sit$ations" D + nding $) Blind. !here is nothin) <ron) <ith defendin) o$r blind <ith @-# or @-N a)ainst a )$ <ho al<a s raises on the b$tton in a shorthanded )ame" 9$t a lot of Pla ers <ill al<a s defend their blinds a)ainst a small raise if Pe alread ha(e a de&ent blind in the pot" 8f an a))ressi(e ) la er like Phil Hellm$th thinks that nobod <ill pla ba&k at a from the blinds- he <ill atta&k e(er time" 9$t 8 <ill pla l&k at these t pes of pla ers- sometimes <itho$t a hand- and r&e them to be more &aref$l abo$t raisin) m blind" !he *** kno< <hen 8'm )oin) to do it be&a$se [ don't kno< leS 8'm )oin) to do it"
*>>

8 mi)ht let them take m blind t<o or three times and then &ome ba&k o(er the top of them" !his pla does t((o thin)s1 8t s&ares the pants off of them- and be&a$se the pot has been raised- o$ ha(e all the mone ba&k that the ha(e stolen from o$ in the other pots" Mo$ &an lose three steals in a ro< and then )et all of o$r mone ba&k- pl$s a little- on their fo$rth steal attempt" When o$ tr this steal-ba&k- o$ <ant to make a bi) eno$)h raise so that o$ &an <in the pot <itho$t seein) a flop" !he messa)e that o$ are sendin) them isB% blind is not o$rs all of the time"B !here also are pla ers <ho <ill defend their blinds a)ainst a))ressi(e b$tton pla ers be&a$se the )et si&k and tired of bein) r$n o(er- or their pride )ets ins$lted- b$t o$ don't <ant to let o$r e)o pla o$r hand" 8f o$'re in the blind <ith an a))ressi(e pla er <ho often raises on the b$tton- o$ need to be (er &aref$l abo$t <hat o$ &all the raise <ith" Set o$r standards prett hi)h- espe&iall in a f$ll rin)"

;ettin) to the 0inal !able

!he final table is &omposed of nine pla ers- si= of <hom pla on the final da for tele(ision" Ls$all - all nine are )ood pla ersand sometimes- there <ill be a pla er <ho has been (er l$&k o(er a period of time" %ost often- the all <ill be <orld-&lass pla ers" /t the final table in the WSOP- the antes are $s$all G*-333 and the blinds are G*3-333 and G23-333" (!he blinds ha(e )otten $p to as hi)h as G2>-333-G>3-333") '(er time o$ pla a pot- o$r <hole idea in pla in) ^ is to )et to the final table" '(er time that o$ ha(e to make a de&ision (for e=ample- abo$t &allin) a bet)- o$ sho$ld be thinkin) to o$rself- B8f 8 &all this bet and 8'm <ron)- 8 <on't & )ettin) to the final table"B With this thinkin) al<a s in o$r mind- all of the mar)inal hands that o$ are dealt sho$ld (er eas to thro< a<a " 8t's different <hen o$ kno< tl
*>4

1t's not a mar)inal de&ision I 8t's a pot that o$ ha(e to &all- )$t like 8 said earlier- in no-limit hold'em- bein) a &aller means that o$ are settin) $p somebod to &all" Mo$ al<a s <ant to be the bettorD o$ don't <ant to be the &aller $nless o$ are settin) a man $p" S$ppose that there are three tables left" /t this point- it's ho< o$ pla o$r sta&k that &o$nts" Let e(er bod else kno&k people o$t" .on't be too a))ressi(e" Mo$ don't ha(e to kno&k e(er pla er o$t o$rselfD let them do that to themsel(es" 8n&rease o$r &hips as o$ )o alon) if o$ &an- b$t C$st be satisfied to )et there" Mo$ kno< that if o$ )et to the last table- o$ ha(e a &han&e to <in """ b$t o$ ha(e no &han&e of <innin) $nless o$ )et to the final table" !his sho$ld be the thin) that o$ are thinkin) abo$t all the time- not BCan 8 )et to the mone J Can 8 )et to 2,th pla&eJB /l<a s keep the bi) pi&t$re in mind """ <innin) the to$rnament""" not in&hin) $p the ladder" !his is <h 8 ne(er ha(e been happ <ith third or se&ond- altho$)h 8'(e <on se&ond and third mone lots of times" % pi&t$re is always )irst place, and it al<a s <ill be" When 8 )et to the final table- m )oal is to <in itnot to C$st mo(e $p thro$)h the ranks" / (er eas s&enario at the final table is to let e(er bod kno&k e(er bod else o$t- and then o$ kno&k o$t the final pla er" !hat's the best strate) - $nless some hands &ome alon)" So- o$ C$st pla premi$m hands" 8f o$ ha(e a short sta&k- o$ ha(e to make a stand some<here alon) the line- so o$ pi&k the best hand that o$ think o$'re )oin) to )et and o$ pla it" !he optimal sit$ation- of &o$rse- is that o$ kno&k e(er Sln)le pla er o$t at the final table- b$t remember that an time P$ are all-in- o$ ha(e to <in that pot or o$'re )one" !his seems like the simplest &on&ept in the <orld- b$t o$ ha(e to keeP it in the ba&k of o$r mind all the time1 B/n time that 8 3 aL-in- 8 ha(e to <in the pot"B !his is tr$e of the first da P$)h the fo$rth da " 8'(e pla ed in a lot of to$rnaments at Yt of limits <here 8 <as ne(er all-in at an time d$rin) the
*>,

to$rnament" /nd that's ni&e- reall ni&e" !here ha(e been other to$rnaments in <hi&h 8 ha(e been all-in n$mero$s times- $s$all b &hoi&e """ b mo(in) all-in- not &allin) all-in" Si7ing U* $) O**%si$i%n. /t the final table- o$ &an siHe $p <ho is tr in) to <in the to$rnament and <ho is tr in) to C$st finish hi)h" Mo$ $s$all &an tell b the <a the 're pla in)" 8f a pla er is C$st tr in) to last- o$ &an atta&k himtake his bi) blinds a<a from him" !his t pe of pla er is <aitin) for others to )et kno&ked o$t so he &an slip into a hi)her position" Mo$'ll find these t pes in e(er to$rnament- espe&iall the WSOP" / lot of them are C$st tr in) to make an kind of mone finish and )et their names in the bro&h$re" !he ha(e )i(en $p the bi) pi&t$re- and an &han&e of <innin)" So- 8 <ant to take ad(anta)e of these t pes of pla ers- <ait for some pla ers to )et kno&ked o$t- and onl pla top hands" * <ant to )et into the top three m self- b$t 8'm not )oin) to )et there b be&omin) passi(e" :er fe< flops are seen at the final tableD there are more non-flops than an thin) else" !here are (irt$all no m$lti<a pots- no limpers- no three-<a pots" !he most $n$s$al pot &ame $p in *+7+- the ear that Phil Heiim$th <on it- <hen it <as fo$r-handed at the final table" /t this ke time in the to$rnament- t<o pla ers <ere eliminated in a three-<a pot- <hi&h is almost $nheard of in World Series final a&tion" When the p=ot is &ontested- +> per&ent of the time it's head-$p a&tion" W) n Y%# G $ in$% $) 6%n (. On&e o$ )et into the mone - the final 2, pla ers- thin)s &han)e and the a&ti& mo(es m$&h faster """ ri)ht a<a " Pla ers start pla in) fflPrR hands- hands that the <o$ldn't ha(e pla ed before the )P into the mone " People are takin) more &han&es and a lot & )amblin) is )oin) on" Wh do the do thisJ 9e&a$se t ha(e at least )otten their mone ba&k- and a lot of them short-sta&ked and be)in takin) &han&es that the <o$ldn t earlier in the to$rnament" !his is <hen o$ &an sit ba&k *>7

" le s$bseE$ent seats that he <ns" *4* is to pla )ood poker" Where the other )$ s are all firin)o$'re pla in) solid" !he a&tion slo<s do<n a)ain <hen it )ets do<n to ** or *2 pla ers" !his is <hen 8 don+t slo< do<n """ !his is <hen 8 open $p- )oin) a)ainst the stream" 8 <ant to )ather &hips in this sit$ation- C$st like 8 do <hen it )ets do<n to fi(e pla ersand so 8 open $p be&a$se other pla ers are slo<in) do<n" !here are pla&es <here o$ &an reall add to o$r &hip &o$nt)oin) a)ainst the ebb and flo<" So- <hen the other )$ s are pla in) loose-a))ressi(e at the third table- o$'re pla in) solid" /nd <hen the 're pla in) solid in the t<elfth thro$)h ninth spots- o$'re pla in) more a))ressi(el " When 8 talk abo$t bein) a))ressi(e- 8'm not talkin) abo$t bein) a fool- either" !here's a bi) differen&e bet<een the t<o" 8n this (er late sta)e- o$ (irt$all ne(er limp in" On&e o$'re headed for the final table- from abo$t the third table on- it is rare that an one limps" 8 am more afraid of somebod limpin) at the final table than 8 am if he had raised" / ton of bells start )oin) off in m head- sa in) BWat&h o$tA Wat&h o$tAB Someone (er easil &o$ld be settin) a trap" Of &o$rsehe &o$ld C$st be limpin) in be&a$se he thinks that's the best thin) to do- b$t o$ don't <ant to take a shot from one of these )$ s" /)ain- o$ ha(e to kno< o$r pla ers and a(oid makin) an bonehead pla s" 8f o$ ha(en't been obser(in) o$r opponents so that o$ kno< ho< the pla - o$ don't deser(e to be at the final table"

*>+

Ho< to Pra&ti&e 0or Winnin) the World Series Of PoW

!here are t<o maCor <a s to pra&ti&e for the bi) no-limit to$rnaments1 Pla in the small to$rnaments- the G233 and G533 b$ -in e(ents- and pla the one-table satellites for the bi) to$rnaments" /ltho$)h o$ don't )et as man &hips to start <ith as o$ do in the WSOP e(ents- pla in) in these smaller to$rnaments is a )ood <a to learn ho< to pla to$rnament poker" !he e=perien&e that o$ <ill )et is hands abo(e pla in) in satellites" #$st remember that o$ $s$all are pla in) a)ainst people <ho are on o$r same skill le(el- or possibl C$st a bit abo(e o$D b$t o$ seldom are pla in) the top pla ers" 9e&a$se o$ &an beat someone at o$r le(el of skill doesn't mean that o$ are a <orld beater - - Mo$ ha(e to be able to beat the people on the top le(el" S"all T%#rna" n$s. / lot of &ardrooms sponsor smaller b$ -in no-limit to$rnaments in <hi&h o$ &an <in a seat for the WSOP G*3-333 main e(ent" 8 s$))est that o$ pla in these to$rnaments to )et e=perien&e in pla in) the WSOP str$&t$re- in <hi&h o$ ha(e a lot of &hips to start <ith" 8 $se e=a&tl the same method of pla in G>33 to$rnaments that 8 do in G>-333 or G*3-333 to$rnaments" !he element that makes the WSOP's final e(ent so different from the lesser b$ -in to$rnaments is that o$ start <ith G*3-333 in &hips" Ob(io$sl - more pla is possible <hen o$ be)in <ith G*3-333 in &hips than <hen o$ start <ith onl G>33 in &hips" On !Ta'l Sa$ lli$ s. !o )et e=perien&e pla in) a)ainst top pla ers- tr the one-table satellites- be&a$se a <C of the best pla ers $se the one-tables to make e=tra mone " 8 the one-table satellites for a bi) to$rnament- o$ &an learn a lot abo$t ho< pla ers pla - ho< the treat sit$ations- and P$ ha(e eno$)h &hips to mane$(er aro$nd and pla the )ame-

*43

!he entr fee for the G>-333 one-table satellites is G>33D for the G*3-333 bi) one- it is G*-333" /ltho$)h that's a lot of mone to pa for a satellite- o$ mi)ht learn a lot and end $p makin) a lot of mone in the lon) r$n" One thin) that 8 like abo$t the one-table satellites for the bi) one is that o$ are )i(en G2-333 in &hips- <hi&h )i(es o$ some mane$(erabilit " 8n the one-table satellites for the G>-333 and G*3-333 -to$rnaments- o$ ha(e more &hips to start <ithand the blinds start o$t smaller in relation to the siHe of the &hips in pla " /lso- the ro$nds are 23 min$tes (rather than * > min$tes)- )i(in) more ad(anta)e to the better pla ers" When 8 sit do<n at a one-table satellite for one of the bi) to$rnaments- 8 $s$all look aro$nd the table to see <ho is pla in)" 8n(ariabl - 8 &an predi&t t<o o$t of the final three pla ers """ the pla ers that 8 think ha(e a &han&e of )ettin) there and the ones that 8 belie(e <ill make too man mistakes to <in $nless the &ards r$n o(er them" Of &o$rse- some $psets happen in satellites1 8 ha(e seen a table f$ll of e=perts <ith onl t<o no(i&es in the )ame- and the no(i&es )ot head $p at the end" 9$t in that &ase- the dre< o$t a fe< times" So- o$r best bet for )ettin) pra&ti&e is pla in) the smaller no-limit hold'em to$rnaments- and the one- table satellites for the lar)er to$rnaments" S#* rsa$ lli$ s. !he s$persatellites- in <hi&h o$ )et G233 in &hips- are m$&h to$)her to <in be&a$se the be&ome mo(e-in )ames" !his is <h 8 don't think that s$persatellites are as )ood a learnin) e=perien&e as the one-tables or the smaller to$rnaments" 9$t don't )et me <ron)1 8'm all for s$Persatellites" Winnin) one of them ma be the onl <a that Some people ha(e of )ettin) into the bi) to$rnaments" 8n fa&tmore than *33 pla ers <in their entries into the WSOP in the sPersatellites" One )ood r$le that the WSOP has p$t in is the <inner m$st pla in the to$rnament for <hi&h he <ins s$persatellite" 8f he <ins more than one- he &an sell

Remember- too- that o$ don't ha(e to win a s$persatellite to )et a seat in the bi) to$rnament" 0o$r seats for the WSOP $s$all are )i(en o$t at ea&h of the bi) satellites at 9inion's Horseshoe- so o$ onl need to pla&e in the top fo$r" /s soon as the satellite is pla ed do<n to fo$r people- the seats are a<arded and the )ame is o(er" Mo$ don't need to pro(e o$r abilit to <in- o$ C$st need to pro(e that o$ &an )et to the final fo$r" (8n a one-table satellite- o$ pla do<n to the final <inner- $nless o$ make a deal on the end") !he p$rpose of pla in) satellites is to )et into a to$rnament &heapl - not to learn poker- altho$)h a lot of people like to pla the s$persatellites so that the &an )et e=perien&e pla in) a)ainst top pla ers" Satellites for bi) to$rnaments also &an be a (er )ood <a of makin) po&ket &ash" One ear at the Hall of 0ame to$rnament- 8 pla ed in si= s$persatellites and <on a seat in fo$r of them" !hen 8 pla ed in si= one-table satellites and <on a seat in fo$r of those- too- so the satellites t$rned o$t to be profitable (ent$res for me" Y%#r B s$ Val# . %ore mone is )i(en a<a in to$rnaments than an bod e(er tho$)ht of )i(in) a<a in side )ames" !his is the main reason <h o$r best (al$e in a to$rnament is the to$rnament itself- not the side )ames- espe&iall at World Series time" / lot of <eak pla ers enter the WSOP e(ents- either b <innin) a satellite or b pon in) $p G2-333 and more" !here is so m$&h dead mone in to$rnaments that )ood pla ers ha(e a h$)e o(erla - espe&iall in pot-limit and no-limit )ames- be&a$se the skill fa&tor is so m$&h hi)her in these )ames than it is in limit hold'em" 0or e=ample- <hen *6> people si)ned $p for the fi e(ent in *+7>- <e looked o(er the list of pla ers and sa<BWell- there are ,> <ho ha(e no &han&e at allD there rni)W*S 5> pla ers <ho &an )o all the <a to the third da D there a abo$t 2> <ho &an make the final tableD and ma be *3 of thP 2> a&t$all &o$ld <in it"B !his is <hat 8 mean b Bdead ;;;
%

*42

One of the &han)es that has in&reased attendan&e at the WSOP- espe&iall in the &hampionship e(ent- is makin) pla ers pla the to$rnament for <hi&h the <in their first s$persatellite" !his reE$irement has s<elled attendan&e more than an other sin)le fa&tor" /ll of the top pla ers lo(e ha(in) lar)er fields- be&a$se a lot of people <ho are &apable of <innin) a satellite seldom <in a maCor to$rnament- be&a$se the are not able to p$t to)ether a )ame for t<o to fo$r da s" !he ma pla (er <ell d$rin) the first da - b$t the &annot do it o(er the lon) ha$l be&a$se their skill le(el C$st isn't hi)h eno$)h" /ltho$)h the fields are e(en lar)er in limit hold'em- a lot more pla ers kno< ho< to pla the )ame <ell- so there are far fe<er Bsa&rifi&ial lambsB than there are in no-limit" Of &o$rse- !om and 8 both hope that o$ ha(e in&reased o$r skill le(el thro$)h st$d in) this book to the point that <e <ill all meet in the <inners &ir&le one da soon"

Satellite Strate)
8 ha(e heard a lot of people s$))est that pla in) satellites is a )ood <a for limit hold'em pla ers to learn ho< to pla no-limit" 8 think that is a falla& " 8n a satellite- o$ be)in <ith (er fe< &hips" 8f o$'re pla in) in a G*3-333 or G>-333 satellite- o$ start <ith onl G233-to-G>33 in &hips" With so fe< &hips- it is basi&all a mo(e-in )ame <ith all the pla taken P$t of it" 9e&a$se the antes )o $p e(er *> min$tes or so- o$ $s$all mo(e o$r &hips all in <hen o$ )et a hand that o$ We- <hereas in a rin) )ame- o$ tr to $se o$r abilities and Pla o$t a pot" /t the ;olden N$))et- 8 on&e pla ed in a G*3-333 satellite in <hi&h fi(e people mo(ed in their entire sta&ks (G2-333) Pn the first hand" So after the (er first hand- one pla er had G*3-333 and nobod else had more than G2-333" He didn't m itD in fa&t- he didn't e(en &ome in se&ondA *45

!he <a to pla satellites is to sit ba&k and let the other pla ers kno&k ea&h other o$t" Wait for a bi) hand" Mo$ )et G533 in &hips in a no-limit G>33 satellite" !he be)innin) blinds are G>-G *> <ith no ante" 8n a *3-handed )ame- it &osts o$ G23 e(er ro$nd (e(er *3 hands) for the first *> min$tes" !hen the blinds rise to G*3-G2>- so e(er ro$nd &osts o$ G63 d$rin) the ne=t *> min$tes" .$rin) the first half-ho$r- o$ sho$ld be able to pi&k $p at least one hand" 9$t a lot of pla ers are pla in) 7-4- /-, (an a&e)- @-N- or an t<o s$ited &ards- and the 're )ettin) b$sted <ith those t pes of hands" 9 <aitin) patientl for a hand- o$ ma s$ddenl find o$rself do<n to fo$r-handed pla - and o$ don't ha(e man &hips" / lot of pla ers pani& at this point be&a$se the are shortsta&ked and the other pla ers ha(e a lot of &hips" 9$t the blind str$&t$re remains the same- and o$ &an pi&k $p a &o$ple of hands and )et ba&k in the ball )ame if o$ pla &orre&tl " Sothe <a to pla satellites is to let pla ers kno&k o$t ea&h other and then o$ take on the s$r(i(ors" When it )ets do<n to the pla in) part- o$ take them off at the end" Mo$ )et one hand)et ba&k in the ball )ame- and then o$ simpl o$tpla them" Mo$ start atta&kin) them <hen it )ets do<n to three or fo$r pla ers" 8 ha(e <on a lot of satellites $sin) this strate) " Sin&e there is ne(er an ante in satellites- the onl differen&e in pla in) no-limit and pot-limit satellites is that in potlimit- o$ &an onl bet the siHe of the pot" Mo$ pla the same strate) in ea&h t pe of )ame" 8f o$ pla this strate) - b the time o$ do o$r real pla in) in the later sta)es of a pot-limit satellite- the b$nds are so hi)h- and there are so man &hips at stake- that it is almost like pla in) no-limit" #$nior PreCean $sed to bet on me in satellites" 8f the <ere la in) 5-to-l on me <innin) a no-limit satellite- he <o$W bet on me" (!he real odds a&t$all <ere +-to-l") One time- <e <ere in a G*3-333 satellite and ;ar Slade- <ho's a bi) )aSB bier and has been aro$nd for a fe< ears- said that he <o$ la ,-to-l that 8 &o$ldn't <in the satellite" Herb 9ronstem *46

&ame o(er from one )ame- and #ohn 9onetti &ame o(er from another )ame- and 8 bet on m self" /t ,-to-l- 8 <o$ld take those odds an da " !he side bets )ot $p to at least G*3-333" 8t onl &ost G *-333 to pla the satellite- b$t Slade had G *3-333 bet on it at ,-to-l" /t that rate- he stood to lose some real mone " 8t )ot do<n to Slade and me- 8 had the lead- and he settled o$t for 5">-to-l" 8 <on the satellite- and he lost abo$t G*3->33 on the deal""" and didn't e(en <in the satellite" / lot of deals )o on in the satellites- b$t 8 am not a deal maker in either the satellites or the to$rnaments- altho$)h 8 &an see <h a lot of people make deals" 8n 65 to$rnament (i&tories- 8 ha(e made fi(e deals" / lot of times <hen o$ make deals- it takes the ed)e off o$r pla " Mo$ don't pla the same <a that o$ <o$ld <itho$t a deal" /&t$all - 8 don't belie(e that deal makin) sho$ld be allo<ed in to$rnaments" %ost pla ers kno< that 8 $s$all <on't make a deal and soe(en <hen it &omes do<n to three-handed- the don't offer to make a deal" 8 al<a s belie(e that i) I ha(e eno$)h skill to )et that far- 8 ha(e eno$)h skill to )o the rest of the distan&e" !om likes to make deals""" and that is another <a to look at thin)s" 9efore 8 had ba&kers- 8 <o$ld s<ap pie&es of m self <ith other people" % <ife and 8 fi)$red o$t that 8 had s<apped o$t G55,-333 and had &olle&ted ba&k G24-333" We de&ided that 8 sho$ld stop doin) that" !he ear that 9err #ohnston <on the WSOP- 8 <as )o-m) to s<ap fi(e per&ent of m self <ith fi(e or si= pla ers" So 8 <ent to 9err and %ike Hart and the said that the tho$)ht the <o$ld like to s<ap- b$t the &o$ldn't make a &ommittment $ntil the da of the to$rnament" 8n the meantime- 8 <ent to #ohnn Chan and Chip Reese and a fe< of the other top pla Ss and s<apped 2> per&ent of m self" !he mornin) of the ai7 One- both 9err and %ike &ame to me and said es- let's >WaP- 9$t b then 8 had alread s<apped o$t 2> per&ent of self and 8 t$rned them do<n" !he ran one-t<o in the to$r#WentA 8 <o$ld ha(e )otten ba&k o(er G>3-333 on the deal" L estla(ie"
165

Reb$ !o$rnaments
Mo$ &an reb$ d$rin) the first three ho$rs in most reb$ to$rnaments at the lo<er le(els" !he blinds in&rease d$rin) these three ho$rs" 8f o$'re pla in) in a G>33 to$rnament- and all that o$ &an reb$ is G>33- on&e the antes )et $p to G2>G>3- then it reall isn't feasible to reb$ for G>33 <hen the antes &an eat o$ ali(e" 8 think that the reb$ set$p that /marillo Slim on&e $sed is better" 8n his reb$ to$rnament- the first reb$ <as for G233D the se&ond reb$ <as G>33D and all of the s$bseE$ent reb$ s <ere G*-333" !his <as a )ood str$&t$re be&a$se the reb$ al<a s )a(e o$ eno$)h mone to pla at the hi)her limits" #a&k %&Clelland has had E$ite an infl$en&e on reb$ to$rnaments at the WSOP and the other to$rnaments that he &oordinates" 8t <as his brain&hild to allo< reb$ s to &ontin$e for three ho$rsD in other to$rnaments- that $s$all is not the &ase" 8 like ha(in) reb$ s for three ho$rs be&a$se it )ets more mone into the to$rnament" 8n %&Clelland's to$rnaments- o$ &an reb$ an n$mber of times d$rin) the first three ho$rs- and the onl reE$irement is that o$ ha(e less than the amo$nt of &hips that o$ started <ith (less than G *-333 in a G *-333 to$rnament- for e=ample)" !hen- o$ &an take a do$ble add-on at the end of the reb$ period if o$ ha(e less than <hat o$ bo$)ht in for" 0or pla ers <ho <ant to &ontin$e pla in)- the do$ble add-on is a )ood idea" Mo$ ha(e to de&ide <hat the to$rnament is <orth to o$- ho< m$&h o$ &an <in for the amo$nt of mone that it's &ostin) o$" Mo$ sho$ld )et a prett bi) per&enta)e of ret$rn on o$r in(estment in a to$rnament""" that's <hat to$rnaments are a abo$t" Mo$ <ant to )et a )ood o(erla on o$r mone " 8iT <in end of the to$rnament isn't at least >3 times the arno$n of mone that o$ ha(e p$t in- it reall isn't a )ood to$rn ment for o$" So- if o$ pa G*-333 to enter a to$rnamen *44

o$ <ant to be able to <in G>3-333" /&t$all - 8 think that o$ sho$ld be able to <in more than >3 times o$r in(estmentb$t the onl to$rnament that is str$&t$red so that o$ do that is the WSOP" 8 espe&iall like the reb$ and add-on options for nolimit to$rnaments be&a$se no-limit is the onl t pe of )ame that o$ &an )et broke on in one hand" 8t &an happen in potlimit- b$t it $s$all doesn't happen at the lo<er le(els- <hereas in no-limit o$ &an be )one at an time"

Post-!o$rnament Stress
!he <orst feelin) that o$ &an e(er ha(e in to$rnament poker is <hen o$ ha(e made the ri)ht mo(e or the ri)ht &allo$ )et all of o$r mone in there- and then somebod dra<s o$t on o$" Mo$'(e made the ri)ht de&ision b$t o$ )ot the <ron) res$lt" Mo$ al<a s feel lo$s <hen o$ )et kno&ked o$t late in a to$rnament" !om sa s that he s$ffers b$rno$t se(eral times a earespe&iall ri)ht after the WSOP" B8'm C$st <orthless for se(eral da s after the Series-B he said- Band so 8 make a &omplete &han)e of pa&e and do somethin) other than pla poker"B %e8 )o pla )olf for fi(e or si= da s in a ro<" 8'(e e(en pla ed in 54-de)ree <eather at home in !e=asA !here definitel is a to$rnament stress fa&tor <hile o$'re pla in) a to$rnament- and it takes a <hile to &ome do<n from that after<ard" 8f o$'re not drained at the end of ea&h da at the to$rnament- o$'re not )i(in) o$r best effort" 8f o$'re n ot &omin) home mentall and ph si&all <orn o$t- o$ ha(en't pla ed o$r best )ame" 8n football- o$ &an )i(e >3 per&ent and be <ha&ked o$t- b$t $nless o$'(e )i(in) *33 Per&ent in poker- o$ ha(en't done o$r best" People ha(e told me that the &an't sleep after <innin) a to$rnament I 8 sleep so <ell- it's $nbelie(able" 8 )o ri)ht to sleep- be&a$se *4,

8'm <ha&ked o$t" 8f o$ &an't sleep- 8 think it's be&a$se ha(en't )i(en o$r all" Pla in) a to$rnament for three <eeks is like <orkin) hard at a Cob for three months" !om sa s that it's like bein) on an adrenaline r$shD that's <hat keeps him )oin)" 8t is tho$)h his imm$ne s stem &an resist an thin) d$rin) the &ompetition b$t <hen the to$rnament is o(er- his s tem lets do<n and he )ets si&k" 8 s$))est a total &han)e of pa&e ri)ht after a bi) to$rnament" Mo$ need some time to re&har)e o$r batteries and )et o$r mind in shape for the ne=t bi) e(ent"

World ;lass No-Limit Hold'em Pla ers

8 think that one of the best no-limit pla ers- da to da - is 9obb Hoff" He is the best head-$p pla er <ho's ali(e toda " #a&k Stra$s and a lot of the pla ers <ho <ere in 9obb 's &ate)or are )one no<" He kno<s <here he's at better than most pla ers do- and he's an a))ressi(e pla er <ho ne(er slo<s do<n" 8f 8 had to pi&k one man to p$t m mone on in a head$p mat&h- it <o$ld be 9obb HoffCarl %&@el(e from !e=as is a (er )ood rin) pla er" /ltho$)h he is not a to$rnament spe&ialist- he has both <on and finished hi)h in no-limit to$rnaments" He is an e=&ellent no-limit ho 8d'em pla er <ho has )ood C$d)ment- is solid- &an loosen $p- and has more than one speed" 9i) 9ill O'Connor also is an e=&ellent pla er and 9ill .$arte- the one <e &all B9oston 9ill -B has t$rned into a (er )ood pla er" Ob(io$sl - Phil Hellm$th is a (er )ood pla er /nd in his o<n st le- #ohn 9onetti is an e=&ellent pla er b &a$se he )ets there" When St$e <as St$e - St$ Ln)ar <as on the top of m list"

*47

9$t the smartest &ard pla er 8'(e e(er pla ed &ards a)ainst- and the smartest man that 8'(e e(er met- is L le Herman" He pla s a)ainst .o le and Chip and the other le)ends in side )ames- and he )ets the &ash more times than he doesn't" 8f o$'(e e(er talked poker <ith him- o$'(e fo$nd o$t that he's an en& &lopedia of pokerD he kno<s all the different an)les and he has e(er thin) in his head" Here's a man <ho is r$nnin) a bi) &orporation <ho sho$ldn't be able to do all these thin)s on the side" He doesn't pla that often- b$t <hen he pla s- and the 're pla in) hi)h- there is no one better than him in an )ame that he pla s- not onl no-limit hold'em" Chip Reese is the best all-aro$nd pla er ali(e - - he's pro(en that o(er the ears and e(er bod a)rees that he's the best" When he sets his mind to it- .o le &an pla hold'em and most of the other )ames <ith an bod ali(e" /nd nobod &o$ld to$&h #ohnn Chan in the to$rnaments for E$ite a fe< ears" He set $p his hands and pla ed the pla ers perfe&tl " !hese are all top pla ers" / man from .allas named 9ill 9onds- <ho doesn't pla (er often in to$rnaments- pla ed in the to$)hest )ames in the nation and <as the most &onsistent <inner in the )ame ear after ear after ear" / lot of people ha(e ne(er heard of 9illb$t he's a top hold'em pla er" /nd 8 al<a s )i(e &redit to #im /shee- the man <e &alled BLittle Red"B He <as a )reat pla er" Ste(e Lott also is an e=&ellent pla er" !here also are pro(en to$rnament pla ers" !om is a Pro(en pla er himself- and 8 rate him better at limit hold'em than no-limit" #a&k @eller is a )reat pla er" 9err #ohnston is :erM )ood in an thin) that he pla s" He had to mo(e to :e)as W&a$se he broke Oklahoma Cit 1 Of all the )amblers theree had all the mone " 8 kid him abo$t it- tellin) him that no< e s <orkin) on Las :e)as" .an Harrin)ton- and R$ss are (er )ood pla ers1 'a&h of them has <on the Series"
*4+

HD
/mon) the o$n) &re< that 8 rate hi)h are Phil Hellm$th- H$&k Seed- 'ri& Seidel- and Ho<ard Lederer" Phil is a <onderf$l to$rnament pla er- espe&iall <hen he )ets some &hips in a to$rnament and <hen he )i(es other pla ers a little bit of &redit" 8n a different <a - Ho<ard is e(er bit as )ood a pla er as Phil" !he pla ers like 9obb Hoff- Carl %&@el(e and 9ill O'Connor ha(e a lot more e=perien&e at no-limit hold'em than the o$n) pla ers" 8f all of these pla ers pla ed in a rin) )ame to)ether- 8 belie(e that Hoff- %&@el(e - and O'Connor <o$ld )et the mone more times than the other pla ers on m list""" altho$)h Ho<ard pla s solid eno$)h and has eno$)h )ears that he <o$ld be more likel to )et the mone o(er the other o$n) pla ers" !om p$ts me on his list of top no-limit pla ers- and 8 appre&iate his &omments" BWhat sets !" #" apart is his memor of ho< people pla in different sit$ations- his kno<led)e of their tells-B he said" B/nd !" #" is <illin) to )i(e his opponents some respe&t for their pla in) abilit " He doesn't $nderrate his opponents as often as other top pla ers do"B !om des&ribes m st le as pla in) a (er patient- &ontrolled )ame- lookin) for spots- pla in) the pla ers- C$st <aitin) for an openin)" BMo$'re like a snake hidin) $nder a ro&k- read to strike <hen o$r opponents make mistakes-B .ana told me" 9$t a&t$all - 8'm more like a <ell-&oiled &obra" Of &o$rse- 8 remember <a ba&k <hen !err Ro)ers <as bookin) the World Series Of Poker and sendin) his odds o(er to 'n)land" 0or some reason- he made me the bi) fa(orite one ear" He started me off at 5>-to-l and <hen it )ot do<n to *>-to-l- he took me off the board" !he Bbi) fa(oriteB <ent o$t on the first da that earA

*,3

!he !o$)hest !able in !o$rnament Pofeer

8n the G>-333 to$rnament at the last Stair<a to the Stars to$rnament that <as held- the a&tion )ot do<n to t<o tables- *7 people" % startin) table <as perhaps the to$)hest table in the histor of poker" !here <ere .o le 9r$nson- Chip Reese- St$ Ln)ar- #a&k @eller- 9err #ohnston- .e<e !omko.a(id 9a=ter- Hamid .astmal&hi- and me" /mon) the nine of $s- there <ere more than *>3 to$rnament (i&tories" !he &aliber of pla ers <as s$&h that- if an one of $s had made C$st the sli)htest error- he <o$ld ha(e been )one" !he other table <as f$ll of $nkno<ns- nobodies on the to$rnament &ir&$it" When it )ot do<n to the final three- Hamid had the lead <ith G>3-333 and 9err and 8 had abo$t G2>-333 ea&h" L$&kil - 8 <on it" 8 seem to do better at to$)h tables be&a$se the tend to keep me in line" /nother to$)h to$rnament line-$p happened at the N$eens Classi& G>-333 b$ -in final e(ent in *++4" !he final fo$r <ere .o le 9r$nson- Chip Reese- 'ri& Seidel- and me" !his time- .o le <on it and 8 &ame in se&ond" 8n the final hand- 8 held the /S 2S and he had a #-+ offs$it" !he flop &ame /-#-+ <ith t<o spades- and <e )ot it all in" .o le's #-+ held $p" /s far as skill )oes- this <as the to$)hest final fo$r 8'(e e(er &ome a&ross" /

*,*

Cha%ter 3ive

NO! ,I6IT PRACTICE HANDS

Bere are some pra&ti&e hands" /fter lookin) at ea&h "hand- think abo$t ho< o$ <o$ld pla it" !hen read the anal sis that !" #" )i(es for the pla of the hand and &ompare it <ith o$r ideas" 8n ea&h e=ample- Pla er / is the first to a&tD Pla er 9 is the ne=t to a&tD and Pla er C is last to a&t"

Pra&ti&e Hand One

/t a no-limit to$rnament table- Pla er / raised G*233 before the flop" Pla er 9 reraised G*233" Pla er C &old &alled the reraise- and Pla er / &alled" /ss$me that o$ are Pla er 9" Mo$r hand is1

A
4 * *

!he flop &omes1

*,2

Scenario $ne Pla er / bets G7-333 on the flop" What is o$r best mo(eJ 8 <o$ld ha(e folded this hand before the flop if 8 had been Pla er 9" 9$t if o$ de&ide to pla the hand- o$ sho$ld either flat &all the G*233 to see <hat &omes on the flop- or raise abo$t fo$r times that amo$nt (if o$ ha(e eno$)h &hips)" Mo$ <o$ld p$t in a bi) eno$)h raise to sh$t o$t the rest of the field so that o$ &an pla head $p a)ainst one opponent" 8f o$ make a lar)e raise- the ori)inal raiser ma thro< his hand a<a and o$ <ill <in the pot ri)ht there- or he ma &all" 9$t in either &ase- o$r raise probabl <ill freeHe o$t the rest of the field" 9$t Pla er 9 didn't do that" He let Pla er C into the pot (<ho e(en &old &alled 9's raise)- so Pla er 9 has to )i(e both Pla er C and Pla er / &redit for ha(in) )ood hands" When Pla er / bets G7-333 on the flop- 8 <o$ld thro< the hand a<a " 0irst of all- Pla er / has either /-/- /-@- NN- /-N or if he's a loose pla er- he &o$ld ha(e t<o se(ens in his hand" Sin&e 8 ha(e the @ / in m hand- 8 don't p$t him on a spade dra<" Se&ondl - sin&e Pla er C &old &alled behind mehe also &o$ld ha(e flopped a set" !herefore- 8 <o$ld fold the /-@"
Scenario Two Pla er / &he&ks on the flop" What do o$ doJ (Mo$ also &he&k")

Sce !ri" Three Pla er / mo(es all-in on the flop" What is o$r best mo(eJ #$!%%.&

A !'(%i%
of the ke elements for anal sis that are missin) from &enario are ho< man pla ers are at the tableD <hether ton W &ornes $p in the earl - middle- or late sta)e of the sh " aentD and <hat o$ kno< abo$t o$r opponents" Mo$ kno< <hi&h pla ers <ill raise or reraise <ith /-# or /le

*,5

N- and <hi&h pla ers <ill not raise $nless the ha(e a&es or kin)s """ be&a$se o$ ha(e been st$d in) the )ame <hile o$ <ere pla in)" 8f o$r opponent is the t pe of pla er <ho <on't raise <ith a <eak hand- o$ don't ha(e an thin) <ith the /@- so <h not )et rid of itJ No<- s$ppose that o$ ha(e G2->33 in front of o$- and o$ brin) it in for G*->33" !hen somebod reraises behind o$" Mo$ are pot-&ommitted and o$ )o on <ith the pla be&a$se o$ ha(e more than one-half of o$r &hips alread in the pot" /n e=perien&ed pla er often <ill pot-&ommit himself b p$ttin) in most of his &hips <hen he raises be&a$se he kno<s that if he )ets reraised- he <ill a$tomati&all )o for the rest of it" / less e=perien&ed pla er mi)ht think that he &an blo< the raiser off the hand b reraisin) I that the raiser <ill sa(e that e=tra G>33 or G*-333 that he has left" What the ine=perien&ed reraiser doesn't realiHe is that the onl reason that the raiser has pot-&ommitted himself is so that he &annot )et a<a from the hand" S

*,6

Pra&ti&e Hand !<o

!his time- let's fill in the missin) elements" Mo$ are pla in) in a G*-333 b$ -in to$rnament" 8t is in the middle sta)e of the to$rnament and o$ are pla in) at a f$ll table" Pla er / raises G *-233 before the flop" Mo$ are Pla er 9 sittin) in fifth position <ith fo$r pla ers behind o$" Mo$ reraise G6-733" Pla er C &old &alls the reraise for G4-333- and Pla er / &alls" Mo$ hold the same hand that o$ had in Pra&ti&e Hand One1
A *

!he flop &omes1

Scenario $ne Pla er / &he&ks on the flop" What is o$r best mo(eJ Mo$ are *** a E$andar " Mo$ ha(e top pair and the n$t fl$sh dra<- and there is G*7-333 in the pot" !his &o$ld be the perfe&t trap hand- b$t o$ ha(e to pla it- so o$ mo(e in <ith all of o$r &hips" 8f o$'re $p a)ainst a set- of &o$rse- o$ &an't beat it*,>

b$t still- o$'re dra<in) to the n$t fl$sh" 8t doesn't matter <hat Pla er C doesD o$'re pla in) the hand" Sc nari% T&% Pla er / bets" What do o$ doJ /)ain- o$ mo(e all-in" Mo$ &an't hope for a better flop- $nless it had &ome /-/-@" !his is a flop that o$ ha(e to pla " /

Pra&ti&e Hand !hree

On&e a)ain- o$ ha(e been dealt 9i) Sli&k" !he to$rnament &onditions and pre-flop a&tion are the same as in Pra&ti&e Hand !<o" Mo$r hand is1

!his time- the flop &omes1

Scenario $ne Pla er / bets" Mo$r obser(ation has told o$ that Pla er / a prett )ood pla er" What do o$ do <ith o$r /-@J
*,4

Mo$ pass" / lot of times- )ood pla ers <ill mo(e <ith a bi) hand in the hope that o$ <ill pla ba&k at them" Sin&e 8 kno< that Pla er / is a stron) pla er- 8 <o$ld thro< the hand a<a "
Scenario Two pla er / &he&ks" 8f Pla er / &he&ks- o$ &he&k" !hen- if Pla er C bets- o$ thro< the hand a<a " Ana,ysis !ossin) o$r hand is to$)h to do be&a$se o$ ha(e a lot of mone in the pot" 9$t <h )i(e $p the to$rnament for this one handJ !he /-@ is a perfe&t trap hand- $nless o$'re pla in) at a shorthanded table and then it be&omes a po<erf$l hand" 8f o$'re pla in) a)ainst fi(e or fe<er pla ers- /-@ is a stron) hand- b$t if o$'re in a f$ll rin)- there are a lot of s&enarios <hen 9i) Sli&k amo$nts to nothin)" Mo$ <ant to a(oid an traps that o$ &an )et into <ith it" !<o E$eens is a de&ent raisin) hand- one that a lot of pla ers <ill stand a reraise <ith" (8 <on't stand a reraise <ith the hand- b$t man pla ers <ill") !herefore- )i(en this flopthere is a )ood &han&e that either Pla er / or Pla er C has flopped E$ad E$eens- or a f$ll ho$se if either one is holdin) /-N" People think that 9i) Sli&k is s$&h a bi)-bi) hand- b$t it isn't" !<o de$&es is a better hand than /-@1 8n a &omp$ter r$n of *33-333 hands- t<o de$&es <ill <in more often than /-@ in head-$p sit$ations pla ed to a sho<do<n" /

177

Pra&ti&e Hand 0o$r

Mo$ ha(e 9i) Sli&k- the same hand that o$ held in the last three Pra&ti&e Hands1

!he flop &omes <ith three bab &ards1

Scenario $ne Pla er / bets" What do o$ doJ Mo$ thro< o$r hand a<a " Wh J 9e&a$se o$ ha(e nothin)" 8n no-limit hold'em- o$ ne(er &hase" Scenario Two Pla er / &he&ks" Mo$ also &he&k" Scenario Three Pla er / &he&ks" Mo$ &he&k" Pla er C bets" Mo$ fold- no matte' <hat Pla er / does after Pla er C bets" /)ain- o$ ne(er &hase <ith /-@ in no-limit hold'em"
*,7

Anal(sis. Remember that Pla er C has &old &alled a reraise before the flop and is et to a&t after o$" 8t's fairl &ertain that he &an beat a pair of de$&es- fo$rs- or se(ens -and o$r /-@ &an't beat an of those pairs" So- that is another reason <h o$ d$mp o$r /-@ if he bets" /

SK J$ Cloutier wit% 9marillo 4lim #reston at t%e 4uper Bowl o) #oker. *,+

Pra&ti&e Hand 0i(e

Mo$ are pla in) in the same G*-333 no-limit hold'em to$rnament in the middle sta)e" !his time- o$ are Pla er /the first to a&t" Mo$ ha(e been dealt1

Ho< <o$ld o$ pla the hand before the flopJ Scenario $ne Mo$ mi)ht limp <ith the t<o kin)s from front position- hopin) that someone <ill raise" 8f somebod behind o$ has po&ket a&es- the more po<er to the him1 8f o$ r$n into a&es- there's nothin) o$ &an do abo$t it" !he strate) behind limpin) <ith the kin)s is to let somebod raise o$ so that o$ &an reraise and <in the pot ri)ht there" 8f a pla er C$st &alls- o$ still ha(e the se&ond-best hand that o$ &an start <ith- and o$'re C$st hopin) that no a&e &omes on the board" (!he reason <h t<o kin)s is so hard to pla is be&a$se it seems that an a&e so often &omes on the flop <hen o$ ha(e the kin)s")

Sc nari% T&%
Sa that o$ limp <ith the kin)s- Pla er 9 raises- and Pla er C &alls the raise" !hen o$ reraise" %ore than likel - o$ <ill <in the pot ri)ht there- $nless either Pla er 9 or C has a&es or E$eens" 8f either one of them reraises o$- o$'re probabl a )one )oose" 8f Pla er 9 has a&es- for e=ample- he <ill nio( o$ all-in- b$t if he doesn't do that- there's a prett )ood &han34 *73

that o$ ha(e the best hand" 8f Pla er C reraises- he <o$ld ha(e to be a (er )ood pla er to be pla in) Bse&ond hand lo<"B Se&ond hand lo< is <hen somebod else brin)s it inand o$ C$st &all <ith the a&es in the hope that somebod behind o$ <ill raise and dri(e the first bettor ba&k into o$ so that o$ &an )et all of the mone in before the flop" 8t takes a (er )ood pla er to p$ll off this pla - and o$ don't see it (er often in to$rnaments" !herefore- it is $nlikel that Pla er C is $sin) this strate) "
Ana,ysis !<o kin)s is the se&ond-best pair o$ &an be dealt- b$t it also is the most dan)ero$s" Wh J 9e&a$se it is a (er hard hand to )et a<a from before the flop" Ls$all - if there is one raiseo$'re )oin) to reraise <ith t<o kin)s" Of &o$rse- there is the &han&e that o$ <ill r$n into t<o a&es- or a bi) a&e- or e(en Ban a&e"B 8f somebod <ith an a&e in his hand &alls o$- o$'re a )oner if an a&e &omes on the flop" /n time that the flop is raised and reraised before it )ets to o$ in a to$rnament- 8 s$))est that o$ d$mp o$r t<o kin)s" '(en if o$ are <ron) on&e in a <hile- o$ <ill sa(e a lot of mone in the lon) r$n" /

*7*

Pra&ti&e Hand Si=

No<- let's take a look at a hand that &ame $p d$rin) the first le(el of pla at the G*3-333 World Series of Poker to$rnament" 8 pi&ked $p t<o kin)s and made it G533 to )o" #a Heimo<itH- <ho is an B/B pla er- &alled" !he flop &ame1

8 bet G633 at the pot and #a made a bi) raise of aro$nd G5-333" 8 didn't hesitate in thro<in) a<a the kin)s be&a$se 8 kne< that he <o$ldn't be raisin) me <ith an thin) less than t<o a&es or a set" S$re eno$)h- he sho<ed me po&ket nines" 8 kne< that be&a$se of the &aliber of pla er #a is- he <o$ld not ha(e stood a raise <ith a hand s$&h as /-#D he m$st ha(e had a po&ket pair" !he onl pairs that 8 &o$ld ha(e beaten on the flop <ere tens- Ca&ks- or E$eens" When o$'re pla in) a)ainst a top pla er like #a - he isn't mo(in) in <ith t<o Ca&kst<o E$eens- or e(en t<o kin)s" So- 8 fi)$red that he either had t<o a&es or a set I he <o$ldn't ha(e *3-7 or 7-4 for a strai)ht dra<" 8 lost G,33 on the hand- b$t at least 8 <asn't kno&ked o$t of the to$rnament" /&t$all - this <as the se&ond time in a ro< that #a haB flopped top set a)ainst an o(erpair" On the hand C$st before this one &ame $p- !omm ;rimes had t<o a&es and bro$)ht it in for abo$t G633" #a &alled the bet" !he flop &ame *3-,-2 !omm bet G2-333 at the pot and #a mo(ed in" !omm the mistake of &allin) him" #a had flopped top set- trip and kno&ked !omm o$t of the to$rnament"
*72

Ho< o$ pla po&ket kin)s a)ainst a ra) flop dependson&e a)ain- on <hat o$ kno< abo$t o$r opponents" 8f 8 <ere pla in) #oe 9lo< from 8daho- 8 mi)ht )i(e him a little a&tion on this hand- espe&iall if 8 kne< that he <as a limit hold'em pla er" Limit pla ers seem to think that <hen the ha(e top pair <ith top ki&ker or an o(erpair in no-limitthe ha(e the Hol Cit " / pla er s$&h as #a Heimo<itH kno<s that 8 either ha(e an o(erpair or am takin) a shot <ith /-@ or /-N (sin&e it <as a small flop)- and that 8 am p$ttin) him on either the /-@ or /-N- too" 9$t on&e 8 bet the flop and he raised it- 8 kne< <here he <as <ith the hand" Wh did he make s$&h a h$)e raiseJ 8f he p$t me on a bi) o(erpair- he ma ha(e fi)$red that 8 <o$ld pla it- b$t 8 didn't" He also kne< that if he flat &alled- 8 <o$ld sh$t do<n if 8 didn't hit an thin)- so he ma as <ell tr to )et me to pla the hand on the flop" /lso- o$ ne(er <ant to )i(e a free &ard in a to$rnament" #a kne< that he had the pot <on on the flop- so <h not take it ri)ht thenJ Wh )i(e me a &han&e to b$st him if one of m &ards &ame off on the t$rnJ S

*75

Pra&ti&e Hand
Mo$ ho 8d t<o kin)s in the middle sta)e of a G* -333 to$rnament" Mo$ raised before the flop"

!he flop &omes1

Scenario $ne Pla er / &he&ks" What do o$ doJ / lot of pla ers <ill &he&k the a&e on the flop" Mo$ also &he&k" Scenario Two Mo$ are in first position <ith the kin)s" What do o$ doJ Mo$ &he&k- be&a$se the a&e is on the board" Pla er 9 probabl also &he&ksD a )ood pla er <ill &he&k his a&e on the flop if the raiser has &he&ked in front of him" S$ppose the t$rn &omes <ith the 2S" 8n a to$rnament- o$ &he&k a)ain" Pla er i probabl <ill bet it- altho$)h he ma not bet $ntil fifth stree He kno<s that o$ don't ha(e an a&e and he ma tr to traf o$ on the end" 9$t on&e the a&e &omes on the flop- o$ W thro$)h <ith the hand- and <ill onl pla it for a sho<do<n*76

Pra&ti&e Hand
8n the middle sta)e of a no-limit to$rnament- o$ are dealt t<o kin)s for the third time" Mo$ raised before the flop" !his time- o$ are determined to <in <ith them" Mo$r hand1

!he flop &omes1

Scenario $ne !his time- o$ lead <ith the kin)s in the hope that an opponent holds a hand s$&h as /SNS or @( N(- hands that a pla er fli)ht &all a raise <ith" 8f one of those hands is o$t- then o$ <i)ht )et a pla <hen o$ bet" S$ppose that the 4 : &omes on the t$rn" No<- o$ <ant to make a )ood-siHed bet be&a$se Mo$ don't <ant to )i(e an bod a &han&e to make t<o pair" Scenario Two Oppose o$'re $p a)ainst a pla er <ho stood o$r pre-flop raise <ith po&ket E$eens I Some to$rnament pla ers think

*7>

that E$eens are the hol n$ts and <ill e(en reraise <ith them" 9$t sin&e nobod reraised before the flop- o$ )o <ith the kin)s and then tr to sh$t them o$t on fo$rth street <ith a bi) bet" !here also is the &han&e that someone holds a @-# s$ited and <ill &all o$r openin) bet on a strai)ht dra<" /ltho$)h he probabl <ill &all o$ on the flop- if o$ p$t in a bi) bet at fo$rth street- he <ill thro< a<a the hand ($nless he is a horrible pla er)" 8n no-limit or pot-limit hold'em- o$ &an freeHe o$t the dra<s on the t$rn- <hereas in limit hold' em o$ &annot do that" /

Pra&ti&e Hand Nine

!his hand &ame $p at the World Series <hen Hans B!$naB L$nd and 8 <ere in(ol(ed in a hand" !$na raised the pot from earl position and it <as passed all the <a to me on the b$tton" 8 flat &alled him <ith1

!he flop &ame1

*74

The Scenario !$na held /-N and led at the pot" What <o$ld o$ doJ 8 flat &alled the bet" On the t$rn- he led at the pot a)ain" !his time8 mo(ed o(er the top of him and he thre< a<a the hand" Ana,ysis 8t isn't <ron) to take a &han&e on&e in a <hile" Mo$ hear so man people sa - B'(er time 8 ha(e kin)s- an a&e &omes on the flop"B 8f an a&e &omes- so <hatJ #$st thro< a<a the hand" 8n this e=ample- 8 pla ed to <in a bi) pot- and <as able to e=tri&ate G2-,33 from m opponent" 8 kne< that !$na <as likel to be holdin) /-N or /-@ before the flop- b$t there <as a prett )ood &han&e that 8 held the best hand- e(en tho$)h kin)s is the se&ond-best pair o$ &an be dealt" 8n limit- pot-limit- and no-limit hold'em to$rnamentsit is not $n$s$al for pla ers to raise from earl position <ith an /-N" 8 don't s$))est raisin) <ith it in a f$ll rin)- b$t fi(ehanded or less- 8 <ill raise <ith the hand" /t a f$ll table- 8 think that hands s$&h as /-N- /-#- or /-*3 (s$ited or $ns$ited) in the first fo$r seats are like 2-5" Wh J 9e&a$se if o$ stand a raise <ith them- <here are o$J 8t seems that <hen o$ start <ith the <orst hand- o$ in(ariabl flop a pair to it and then o$'re st$&k in the pot" Mo$ tr to a(oid that sit$ation b not pla in) these t pes of hands in earl position """ espe&iall in a no-limit hold'em to$rnament" /

*7,

Pra&ti&e Hand !en

Mo$ are sittin) in earl position- the first three or fo$r seats- in the earl sta)e of a no-limit to$rnament" Ho< do o$ pro&eed <ith this hand1

.o o$ brin) it in <ith a raise- or do o$ C$st limp inJ

Sc nari% On
% s$))estion is that o$ limp <ith a pair of Ca&ks (or tens) in this sit$ation" 8f o$ raise and )et reraised- <hat are o$ )oin) to do <ith the handJ 8f o$ don't )et raised- o$ &o$ld flop a Ca&k and <in a bi) pot- be&a$se nobod <ill p$t o$ on that bi) a hand to start <ith" Mo$ take the &han&e- of &o$rseof ha(in) a pla er &omin) in <ith somethin) like a little a&e or @-N and beatin) o$" 8f someone o$tflops o$ and beats o$o$ <o$ld ha(e been beaten an <a """ b$t b not raisin) before the flop- o$ <ill lose less mone if o$ are o$tflopped" Of &o$rse- if o$ had raised before the flop- the ma not ha(e pla ed those little-a&e or @-N hands- b$t o$r bi))er <orr is )ettin) reraised and bein) for&ed to thro< a<a the hand <hen o$ ha(e mone in(ested in the pot" Scenario Two No<- s$ppose that o$ are sittin) in fifth position and it * been passed to o$" 8n that &ase- 8 <o$ld raise <ith the <hether or not it is earl in the to$rnament" !here is *77

differen&e bet<een these t<o sit$ations1 8n this s&enario- o$ alread ha(e fo$r people o$t of the pot and there are onl fo$r pla ers sittin) behind o$" 'arl in the to$rnament <hen the antes are G2>-G>3- o$ mi)ht raise G*>3-to-G233 <ith the Ca&ks" Mo$ ha(e G*3-333 in front of o$- so that amo$nt <o$ld be a reasonable raise" Mo$ don't make h$)e raises of G6-333- for e=ample- earl in a to$rnament" Mo$ make the small raise be&a$se o$ think that o$ ha(e the best hand before the flop" Mo$ are tr in) to do one of t<o thin)s1 either <in the pot ri)ht thereD or )et &alled and <in the pot as it de(elops" /fter all- the Ca&ks aren't the best hand that o$ &an ha(e- and o$ &o$ldn't e(en &all <ith them on a lot of flops" Scenario Three Mo$ are in the late sta)es of a to$rnament <ith the t<o Ca&ks in o$r hand" Ho< do o$ pla themJ Later in the to$rnamento$ definitel <ant to raise <ith the t<o Ca&ks" Sa that o$ are pla in) at a shorthanded table <ith si= or fe<er pla ers" 0o$r tables are left in the to$rnament and ea&h one of them is shorthanded" 8n this &ase- o$ ha(e to pla the Ca&ks m$&h stron)er than o$ <o$ld ha(e pla ed them earlier- altho$)h o$ don't ne&essaril <ant to &ommit o$r <hole sta&k <ith the Ca&ks" /

*7+

Pra&ti&e Hand
/t last- o$ ha(e made it to the final table in a no-limit ho 8d'em to$rnament" !he table is si=-handed- and o$ look do<n at this hand on the b$tton1

!he a&tion is passed to o$" What do o$ doJ Anal(sis= / (er famo$s to$rnament pla er that 8 kno< has a fa(orite mo(e at the final table of a to$rnament""" and there are a lot of pla ers <ho $se this same mo(e" When the are aro$nd ba&k and ha(e a pair of fi(es or si=es- for e=amplethe in(ariabl mo(e in their <hole sta&ks <hen it is passed to them" 8 think that this is the most horrible pla that 8 ha(e e(er seen in hold'em" When o$ ha(e <orked that hard to )et to the final table<h take the &han&e of losin) o$r <hole sta&k <ith a small pairJ 8f the first fo$r of fi(e pla ers in front of o$ don't ha(e an thin)- there's a de&ent &han&e that one of the pla ers behind o$ will ha(e somethin)" 8 ha(e seen it happen time and time a)ain1 / pla er loses his entire sta&k be&a$se he mo(es in <ith all of his &hips" 8n this sit$ation- it mi)ht be O@ to make a bab raise- or e(en a de&ent-siHed raise" 0or e=ample- sa that the antes are G233 and the blinds are G633-G733 at a si=-handed table" !here is G2-633 in the pot" Mo$ ha(e G*>-333 in front of o$" 8f P$ <ant to raise- <h not brin) it in for G5-333J !hat's plent

*+3

Li
8f o$ )et reraised- o$ &an )et a<a from the handD if o$ )et o$tflopped- o$ &an )et a<a from it" 9$t <hat are o$ )oin) to do if o$ mo(e in o$r <hole sta&k and )et &alledJ People are al<a s talkin) abo$t the fa&t that /-@ is onl an **-to-*3 $nderdo) to a pair" 9$t <hat the don't realiHe is that if o$ ha(e t<o si=es- for e=ample- and o$r opponent has a ,-7- the ,-7 also is onl an **-to-*3 do) to o$r pair of si=es" 8t isn't C$st the /-@ that is the $nderdo)1 9ny t<o o(er&ards are onl an **-to-*3 $nderdo) to a pair" /nd if the o(er&ards are s$ited- the are a sli)htl smaller do) to the pair" !hese n$mbers are <hat make mo(in) in o$r <hole sta&k <ith a pair s$&h as si=es s$&h a horrible pla "
An E;am%,e 4rom the 0or,d Series /t the final table of the *++5 World Series of Poker- #ohn 9onetti- #im 9e&htel- and ;lenn CoHen <ere pla in) threehanded at the final table" 9onetti raised before the flop <ith /-@ and CoHen folded" Pla in) three-handed- 9e&htel did <hat he <as s$pposed to do1 He &alled <ith po&ket si=es" !he flop &ame <ith a si= and a kin) in it" 9onetti bet and 9e&htel flat &alled him" 8f o$ kno< o$r pla ers- the flat-&all in this sit$ation is the sin)le bi))est si)nal in the <orld" #im 9e&htel is a )reat pla er- and 8 kno< that he pla s all of his bi) hands from behind """ he lets o$ )et o$rself in(ol(ed before he does an thin)" His hands are <eaker <hen he is leadin) than <hen he is &he&k-&allin)" !he <orst hand that he &o$ld ha(e had in this sit$ation <as a tie-hand- an /-@" Phil Hellm$th and 8 <ere <at&hin) the a&tion on the !: monitor <hen this hand &ame $p- and <hen 9onetti bet and 9e&htel C$st &alled- 8 said to Phil- B9onetti had better sh$t do<n ri)ht no<"B 9$t he didn't" He mo(ed in his <hole sta&k Pn the t$rn" 9e&htel <on the hand- of &o$rse- and 9onetti &ame in third to CoHen" /
*+*

Pra&ti&e Hand !<el(e

Mo$ are pla in) in a G2-333 to$rnament and are dealt1

Scenario $ne !he a&tion is passed to o$ on the b$tton" What do o$ doJ 8 treat @-N like 2-5- like it's the pla)$e in no-limit hold'em""" $nless it is passed to me on the b$tton" !hen- 8 mi)ht raise the t<o blinds <ith the hand- b$t that is the onl pla&e that 8 <o$ld raise <ith it" /ltho$)h @-N s$ited is better than @-N offs$itbein) s$ited still doesn't &han)e the t pe of hand that it is" Scenario Two Mo$ are on the b$tton <ith @-N" / pla er raises in front of o$" What do o$ doJ 8 s$rel <o$ld not either stand a raise <ith this hand- or raise <ith it m self" Here is the trap that o$ )et into - - S$ppose o$ raise <ith the hand and someone &alls o$" !he flop &omes1

No<- <hat are o$ )oin) to doJ Mo$ ha(e top pair <ith se&on *+2

T;
ki&ker" Mo$ don't ha(e an thin)A !here is a )ood &han&e thatsin&e o$ <ere &alled before the flop- o$ are beaten alread b someone <ho has the /-N" 8n no-limit hold'em- the @-N is a trap hand" Lnless o$ flop #-*3-+- /-#-*3- t<o kin)s and a E$een- or e(en t<o pairo$'re in dire need <ith this hand" !he @-N is a hand that o$ ne(er <ant to pla in a f$ll rin) )ame- in parti&$lar" !he N-# is the same t pe of hand" 8n fa&t- 8 )i(e a little more (al$e to the #-*3 be&a$se o$ &an make more strai)hts <ith the hand than o$ &an make <ith the @-N or N-#" 8 <o$ldn't stand a raise <ith #-*3- b$t 8 mi)ht pla it in late position" Scenario Three Mo$ are in the little blind <ith the @-N" '(er bod else has passed" What do o$ doJ 8n this &ase- o$ &an raise the bi) blind- e(en tho$)h o$ are o$t of position and <ill ha(e to a&t first after the flop" Some pla ers <ill &all a small raise from the bi) blind <ith hands that aren't (er )ood be&a$se the alread ha(e mone in the pot- b$t the &han&es are )ood that o$'ll <in the pot ri)ht there <ith o$r pre-flop raise" /

*+5

C)a*$ r Si>

TA,ES FRO6 T. <.

hen o$'(e been on the road for as man ears as !" #" Clo$tier- o$'re bo$nd to pi&k $p a lot of stories alon) the <a """ tales abo$t the road )amblers- the to$rnament pla ers- the bi) )$ s and the little )$ s """ their bad beats and their bi) <ins """ dramas <ith a &ast of &hara&ters &omposed of (illains and heroes pla in) o$t their hands a)ainst the &olorf$l ba&kdrops of smok ba&krooms and ele)ant &asinos" Some of them faded the <hite line from .allas to Ho$ston- <hile others made their marks on the bi)-time to$rnament &ir&$it- ea&h takin) his &$es from Lad L$&k in the tops -t$r( <orld of poker" On the ne=t fe< pa)es- o$'ll read some of the )ood ol' bo stories that !" #" is famo$s for """ the tales that he tells his man friends a&ross the tables of poker rooms aro$nd the <orld"

#a&k B!ree !opB Stra$s and His Prin&iple

[ittle Red and 8 <ere sta in) at the /nthon %otel in Hot Sprin)s- /rkansas- <hile <e <ere )oin) to the horse ra&es" BLet's )o ne=t door-B sa s Little Red" B#a&k Stra$s is there"B So <e <ent to the room ne=t to $s and had started talkin) <ith #a&k <hen <e heard a po$ndin) on the door" #a&k opened the door and let a )$ in" Mo$ had to kno< #a&k to $nderstand this stor " He borro<ed and loaned a lot of mone in his time- and it <as al<a s on <hat <e &alled Bprin&iple"B Prin&iple meant that #a&k *+6

8
set $p a &ertain da to pa ba&k his loan- and he onl paid it on that e=a&t da " Seems that #a&k had borro<ed G>-333 from this fello< and the )$ had &ome o(er to d$n him for the mone " BWell8'(e still )ot 53 da s to pa that off-B #a&k said- Bso E$it d$nnin) me"B /nd the )$ left" /s the first man <as )oin) do<n the stairs- a se&ond man <as &omin) $p them" !he door <as still open so #a&k let him in" B8'm do<n on m l$&k-B the man tells #a&k" BCo$ld o$ loan me G*3-333JB /nd #a&k peeled the G*3-333 ri)ht o$t of his po&ket and )a(e it to himA 8 &o$ldn't e=plain #a&k Stra$s an better than tellin) this stor 1 !his is the <a that he tho$)ht" One time <hen <e <ere on the )o 8f &o$rse- he told me that he liked me be&a$se 8 <as like him" B8'm broke one da and ha(e a fort$ne the ne=t da -B he said- Band 8 don't )i(e a damn"B /

;eor)e %&CSann- Robber-Pla er

eor)e lo(ed to pla poker- b$t he <as a stone killer" He stood abo$t fi(e foot ei)ht or nine and <ei)hed abo$t *6> po$nds- and he al<a s <ore a s$it and tie" /nd he al<a s &arried t<o )$ns <ith him" One da - ;eor)e <as pla in) $p at the /m :ets in .allas and he )ot broke" So he p$lled o$t his )$n and robbed e(er bod at the )ame- took e(er dime the had" B9o s- 8'm short-B he sa s as he took all of their mone " 9$t the ki&ker to this stor is that the (er ne=t da - he &ame ba&k into the )ame- sat do<n and pla ed <ith these same )$ s """ and nobod said a <ordA Some ears later <hen ;eor)e <as in his forties- he and his <ife <ere m$rdered at the same time" !he r$mor <as that he had been &olle&tin) mone for somebod and someho< the had set him $p" /ro$nd !e=as- the said that ;eor)e had been a&&$sed of killin) abo$t 53 or 63 people- b$t he <as ne(er a&t$all &on(i&ted of m$rder" / *+>

!ro 8nman- the BProte&torB

first time that 8 <ent to .allas to pla poker- 8 pla ed at the /m :ets" / (er notorio$s )$ named !ro 8nman <as r$nnin) the )ame" 8 <as pla in) <ith the )reat pla ers in those da s """ )$ s like 9ob Hooks- @enn Smith- .i&k Carson- 9ill 9onds- and 9ill Smith """ it <as a hell$(a )ame" 8 happened to <in G7-333 the first time 8 pla ed in that nolimit hold'em )ame" 9$t <hen it &ame time for me to lea(e- 8 had to <alk do<n three fli)hts of stairs to )et o$t of the pla&e" /nd it <as in a prett bad area do<n in the lo<er ;reen(ille se&tion of .allas near Hi)h<a 53" /s 8 <as lea(in)- 8 )ot to <onderin) if 8 <as )onna' )et o$t of the pla&e <ith all that mone - be&a$se !ro <as prett notorio$s for hidin) aro$nd &orners and shootin) people and st$ff like that" !hen !ro sa s- BWait a min$te- !" #" With o$ pa&kin) that m$&h &ash on o$- ma be 8'd better <alk do<n <ith o$ and be s$re o$ )et in o$r &ar"B So- he p$lls o$t his pistol in &ase somebod &ame after $s" /s <e <ere <alkin) do<n the stairs- 8 <as more afraid of the )$ prote&tin) me than 8 <as of ha(in) somebod from the o$tside rob meA 9$t8 )ot a<a <ith the mone O@" 8'll tell o$ another stor abo$t !ro 8nman" He <as in and o$t of mone " He left .allas one time )oin) to Shre(eport and stopped off in ! ler- !e=as- <here he sa< Henr 9o<en- <ho had bo$)ht a ho$se there" /fter he left 9o<en's ho$se- !ro <ent to a pla&e do<n on the ri(er in Shre(eport <here the had all the )irls doin) the dan&in)- b$t the <eren't n$deD the <ore tops" /n <a - he tipped off G*-333 in one ni)ht to these )irls!he <o$ld &ome and sit <ith him at his table- and he'd )i(e them G23 here- G23 there- and he'd )i(e the head )irl G63" 9$t the ki&ker to the stor is that he <as broke at the time" He had stopped off in ! ler to borro< the G*-333 from 9o<enA S

*+4

/ :er Lnl$&k .a in Odessa

/ lot of people in .allas <ere afraid of !ro " He had =bMa sneak rep$tationD o$ ne(er kne< <hat to e=pe&t from him" So- there <as this &ard )ame one time in either %idland or Odessa- !e=as I the site doesn't reall matter" Nobod &o$ld pla in this )ame e=&ept these rather notorio$s men from the area- the dr$) dealers and the bookmakers" /nd the <ere all <hat <e &alled Bpa&kin)B in !e=as """ the <ere all armed" Seems that one )$ a&&$sed another one of &heatin) """ <hi&h the <ere all doin) """ and the )$ns started blaHin)" !<o )$ s <ere killed ri)ht there in the )ame- and another )$ <as shot )oin) o$t the front door" /ll the ho$ses <ere ri)ht ne=t to ea&h other- and the people ne=t door heard all the )$n shots and &alled for the &ops" So the man that <as shot )oin) o$t of the pla&e started po$ndin) on their door to ask for help- standin) there C$st bleedin) to death" !he )$ opened $p the door and killed him <ith a shot)$n- thinkin) that he <as tr in) to break in" !hat's one )ambler <ho had a (er $nl$&k da " Ne=t time o$ think o$'re ha(in) a bad da in poker- C$st think abo$t this )$ A S

197

$D
Cra<fish and Poker in 9aton Ro$)e
<as pla in) do<n in Lo$isianna one time- and in 9a-n Ro$)ee(er thin) &loses at 2133 am" Mo$ )o a&ross the brid)e and there's an all-ni)ht dan&e hall and a resta$rant that ser(es )reat boiled &ra<fish on bi) tin platters" Ri)ht ne=t to the dan&e hall- there <as a door <ith a peep hole in it" 8 looked thro$)h it and sa< that there <as a poker )ame )oin) on- so 8 kno&ked on the door" BLooks like a hell$(a )ame o$'re pla in' in there-B 8 said to the bo$n&er" B8'(e C$st )ot one E$estion to ask o$ I 8f 8 happen to )et l$&k and <in the mone - &an 8 )et o$t of here <ith itJB B8n the fi(e ears 8'(e been doin) this Cob-B he saidB o$'re the first one <ho's e(er asked me that E$estion """ 8 <o$ld s$))est that o$ don't pla "B So 8 left" 9$t most of the )ames that <e pla ed in aro$nd !e=as <ere prett se&$re and <e ne(er had an problems" We pla ed at Charlie 9issel!s for ** ears and the poli&e onl raided $s one time" 8t <as a &lean en(ironment I He p$t on a &leanne< table top e(er t<o <eeks- and he had the best food o$'(e e(er eaten in a poker )ame" 9issell ran a G>-G*3-G2>-blind poker )ame and at least on&e a <eek- <e had G*33-333 on the table" He <o$ld start o$t <ith a G>-333 b$ -in- and if he lost one E$arter in the )ame- he <o$ld add another G>-333 to his sta&k """ so there <as al<a s plent of mone to shoot at" 0or G>- o$ &o$ld &$t the &ards" !he <a it <orked <as that if o$ p$t G> in the pot- o$ had the ri)ht to &$t the de&k before the ne=t &ard <as dealt" Mo$ &o$ld do this at an poW in the )ame" '(er time that Charlie <as on the dra<- he al<a s &$t the &ards- so o$ al<a s kne< <here o$ stood <ith him" / *+7

T!
!he #alter Pla er <ith a Sense of H$mor
(erett ;oolsb <as a famo$s man in !e=as- and the [<a he a&ted in a poker )ame made him the f$nniest man 8'(e e(er seen in a )ame" He lo(ed to bra) so m$&h that <hene(er he <on a hand- he'd tell e(er bod aro$nd the table abo$t it" We <ere pla in) do<n in ! ler one time and all the top pla ers <ere there""" Little Red /shee- 9ob Hooks- Co<bo Wolford#ohnn Wheeler""" all the <ell-kno<n pla ers in !e=as <ere pla in)" /nd '(erett <as <innin) pots" ;eor)e Lambert <as r$nnin) the )ame and he had a bi) )allon C$) of booHe sittin) on the side of the table and he <o$ld take a sip or t<o before ea&h hand" ;eor)e <as sittin) on '(erett's left and #ohnn Wheeler sat to his ri)ht" '(er time '(erett <on a pot- he <o$ld t$rn to #ohnn and bra) to him abo$t ho< he had <on that hand" /nd then ;eor)e <o$ld rea&h o(er and take a G*33 &hip off of '(erett's sta&k and p$t it in <ith his o<n" !his happened e(er sin)le time '(erett <on a hand" 9$t the f$nniest part of the stor is that e(er bod in the )ame e=&ept '(erett sa< it happen""" and nobod e(er told himA '(erett <as a bea$t" He made s$re that he made an appearan&e e(er time <e pla ed pokerD he'd <ait to sho< $p $ntil abo$t 53 min$tes after the )ame started" He mi)ht ha(e pla ed <ith e(er bod in the )ame the da before- b$t he'd <alk aro$nd the table and pat e(er bod on the ba&k and sa hello" 9$t as soon as o$ beat him one time- he <o$ld sa BWell- o$ dirt so-and-so- o$'ll be broke and sleepin) in the street and 8'll still ha(e mone "B '(erett <as one of the best head-$p pla ers that e(er pla ed poker" !he last time 8 sa< him <as C$st after he )ot o$t Pf Cail from the 22 months that he did for bookmakin)- and he
*

*++

said to me- B8'm C$st an old man no<D 8 don't do an thin) an more"B Part of his probation <as that he &o$ldn't )o to .allas Co$nt " !he last that an of $s heard abo$t him- he had left the &o$ntr be&a$se the &ops <ere after him on other &har)es" /

Head-Lp /)ainst the 9est

hen o$ talk abo$t the old timers <ho <ere )reat head-$p pla ers- the names '(erett ;oolsb and #a&k Stra$s al<a s &ome $p" We $sed to sa - B8f '(erett's lips are mo(in)- he's l in)"B 8 <ent to him one time and askedBHo< man times ha(e o$ pla ed Stra$s head-$pJB B8'(e pla ed him three times" 8'(e beat him all three times-B he said" /bo$t a month later- 8 asked #a&k the same E$estion" B8 broke '(erett all three times-B he ans<ered" So then- 8 had to fi)$re o$t <hi&h one <as tellin) the tr$th" Personall - 8 belie(ed Stra$s" Speakin) of head-$p pla - 8 <as at the World Series one ear <hen 9obb Hoff <as pla in) 9ett Care in a head-$p mat&h" !his happened ba&k <hen .orfman- the m$ltimillionaire from Ne< Mork- <as ba&kin) 9ett " !he <ere pla in) in the Sombrero Room at 9inion's Horseshoe and the had at least G>3-333 ea&h on the table" On the first da the pla ed- 8 sa< 9ett make a &o$ple of dra<s on 9obb and (i&e (ersa" So- 9obb tho$)ht that he <as )oin) to )et to pla her a)ain the ne=t da " 9$t /marillo S$m &$t in on him and pla ed 9ett the ne=t da and sh$t 9obb o$t of the )ame" 8 think that 9obb Hoff is one of the )reatest head-$p pla ers in the <orld" !he last time 8 sa< him pla real bi)before he started pla in) in Las :e)as- <as at the Commer&e Cl$b in So$thern California" He pla ed <ith all the best" S

233

9D
Little Red and 0i(e-Card St$d
ntil C$st a fe< ears a)o- 8 tho$)ht that Little Red ' /shee <as the best &ard pla er 8'd e(er seen pla """ period- bar none """ be&a$se of his C$d)ment" He <as abo$t 4'>B tall and <ei)hed almost 533 po$nds- had a deep (oi&e and flamin) red hair" One da - he <ent to ! ler to pla in Lambert's )ame and 8 took a pie&e of him" 9efore the )ame started- he told me- B!" #"- 8'm )onna' sho< o$ ho< to pla ti)ht toda "B 8f he had /-@ in the first fi(e seats- he <o$ldn't p$t the first E$arter in" Met- he <on G5-733 in the )ame" /t one timeLittle Red <as rated as the best st$d pla er in the Lnited States" 0i(e-&ard st$d """ not se(en-&ard st$d """ <as the )ame the pla ed ba&k then" / lot of people talk abo$t Sar)e 0erris as bein) a )reat st$d pla er I <ell- he and Little Red $sed to pla in the same )ame <ith all the old timers in Shre(eport""" <ith )$ s like Red W nn- %&CorE$odale- Slim 'thrid)eHomer %ar&otte- all the top fi(e-&ard st$d pla ers that <ere aro$nd in those da s" /nd Little Red <as beatin) them" !hen <hen he started &omin) to :e)as to pla - Sar)e <o$ld p$t $p a bankroll for him" B8f an bod <ants to pla fi(e-&ard st$d-B Sar)e told him- BMo$ )o and pla them" !here's al<a s mone in the &a)e for o$"B 9$t the onl )ot it on a &o$ple of times" ;eor)e H$ber tried it one time- and he didn't like it""" he <as s$pposed to be a )ood st$d pla er- b$t he &o$ldn't pla Little Red" /shee also pla ed hold'em as <ell as an man 8'(e seen pla the )ame" He had that rare C$d)ment""" he &o$ld la do<n three of a kind one time- and then &all o$ <ith a pair of fo$rs the ne=t time- and be ri)ht on both sides of the iss$e" Little Red's still aro$nd- b$t he doesn't pla &ards (er m$&h an more" /
r

23*

Oi
Where a Lot of Stories 9e)in and 'nd
'he $sed to sa in .allas that a lot of stories be)in and end <ith '(erett ;oolsb " '(erett had <hat <e &all a real BsiHB fa&tor" 8f he )ot st$&k in a )ame- he <as liable to pla e(er hand for the ne=t three ho$rs" ;eor)e H$ber <as sta in) <ith '(erett at his ho$se one time- and he dro(e ;eor)e o(er to pla in the )ame" '(erett didn't <ant to pla himself- b$t he took one-half of ;eor)e's pla " Well- ;eor)e )ot in the )ame for G2-333 and lost it" '(erett <as sittin) in the front room in his slippers and he sa s- B;eor)e- 8'll sho< o$ ho< to pla this )ame"B ;eor)e told '(erett O@- b$t that he <anted 2> per&ent of him" So- '(erett )ets in the )ame and before lon)- he's in G24-333 and he's )ot abo$t G7-333 left" 8'm sittin) in the )ame and <e're do<n to fi(e-handed <ith '(erett sittin) on m left" 8 had abo$t G7-333 left- too" 8t <as passed to me on the b$tton and 8 look do<n at #-+ of &l$bs" So 8 made it G,33 to )o" '(erett's pla in) e(er hand and he C$st saddled ri)ht in for the G,33" !he flop &ame ,-7-*3 of &l$bs" '(erett mo(ed in and 8 ne(er had to make a bet" He had &alled <ith *3-, offs$it and made t<o pair and 8 made a strai)ht fl$sh" /nd that <as the end of '(erett ;oolsb for that da " !hen C$st before the <ere lea(in) to )o home- '(erett )oes o(er to ;eor)e H$ber and sa s- BO@- ;eor)e- o$ o<e me 2> per&ent of G24-333"B B8'm onl in for the first G*-333-B ;eor)e sa s" B/nd 2> per&ent of G*-333 is G2>3"B So '(erett <ent home- thre< ;eor)e's s$it&ase o$t on the la<n- and that <as the end of their relationship" /fter 8 finished se&ond in the bi) one at the World Series in *+7>- ;eor)e &alled me in .allas """ <anted to kno< if 8'd O@ G2-333 for him to pla the )ame in Ho$ston" So 8 )ot the )$ s on the phone <ho <ere r$nnin) the )ame and told them
232

MD
to )i(e him the G2-333 """ that 8'd be do<n there in a fe< da s to brin) them the mone " Later- 8 heard that ;eor)e pla ed t<o hands- &ashed o$t his &hips- and left <ith m mone " /nd 8 ha(en't heard from him sin&e" /

@enn BWhattapla erB Smith

enn <as a bi) &hess pla er in !e=as and he C$st lo(ed to pla poker """ pla ed poker for ears" He al<a s <ore a silk top hat that <as s$pposed to ha(e been from the theater <here /braham Lin&oln <as assassinatedD he had &ertifi&ation on it- too" @enn <o$ld <ear that hat in all the bi) to$rnaments- and e(er time he <on a pot he <o$ld stand $p on the table and ell- BWhat a pla erAB /nd that's ho< he )ot his ni&kname" We <ere pla in) in a hand at the /m :et one time <hen 9ob Hooks limped in and @en Smith raised the pot $p a prett )ood amo$nt of mone " 8t &ame ba&k to Hooks and he mo(ed in his <hole sta&k <ith t<o kin)s" @en p$t the stall on Hooks for abo$t three min$tes """ he didn't look like he <as e(er )oin) to a&t on his hand" So Hooks looks o(er and )rabs @en's &ards o$t of his hand and sees t<o a&es in his hand """ and he mo(ed @en's &hips into the pot himselfA So @en ne(er had to p$t his o<n mone in I Hooks p$t it in for him" 8'll bet that <as the onl time that Hooks e(er lost a hand <hen he p$t the mone in for both pla ers" S

235

!he % ster Hand Pla

8ob Hooks is a )reat pla er and he &ame in se&ond one ear at the World Series" We <ere pla in) in Shre(eport one time<hen a pla that 8 &all m B% ster HandB &ame $p" Wa ne 'dm$nds <as in the )ame and <e <ere pla in) pot-limit hold'em" We'd been pla in) for E$ite a fe< ho$rs and there <as a lot of mone on the table" / hand &ame $p in <hi&h 8 had the stone n$ts on fo$rth street" 8 had G>-333 in front of me and 8 made a G2-333 bet" Wa ne had a habit of p$ttin) his head do<n after he &alled a bet- so he ne(er sa< <hat <as )oin) on an <here else" /s 8 <as makin) m bet- the dealer )rabbed m &ards and thre< them in the m$&k" Of &o$rse- Wa ne didn't see it happen" BWhat do 8 do no<JAB 8 <as <onderin)" !he dealer b$rned and then t$rned the ne=t &ard" 8 ha(e bi) hands and 8 C$st kept them o$t in front of me like 8 <as prote&tin) m &ards" 8 bet m last G5-333 and Wa ne thre< his hand a<a " 8 <on the pot <itho$t an &ardsA '(er bod at the table e=&ept Wa ne had seen <hat happened- b$t nobod said a thin)" So- this is the stor of <hat 8 &all m Bm ster handB pla " S

236

!<

-Lm e

!he Worst 9ad 9eat of /ll !ime

me ear at the 9i& &le Cl$b- 8 <as pla in) in a no-limit hold'em side )ame <ith /l @r$=- a (er fine pla er <ho has made se(eral appearan&es at the final table at the World Series" 9$t /l <asn't doin) (er <ell in this )ame- and he <as losin) most of his mone " He bro$)ht in the hand for his final mone - G65>" !<o seats a<a there <as a pla er <ho <as holdin) his hand $p in the air so that he &o$ld see it <hile a masse$se <as )i(in) him a r$b do<n""" and his opponent to his left &o$ld see it- too" !his pla er de&ided not to &all and he thre< his hand a<a " 8t )ot aro$nd to me sittin) C$st to the left of the dealer on the b$tton- and 8 &alled the G65> <ith t<o tens" B!his mi)ht be the best hand here- sin&e /l's all-in and 8 &an't lose an more than G65>-B 8 tho$)ht" 9$t the dealer didn't see that 8 had &alled and so she dropped the de&k on the m$&k" She &alled for a r$lin) and the flooman said that she had to resh$ffle all of the &ards e=&ept for the t<o hands that /l and 8 <ere holdin)" !he flop &ame @-*3-6" /l had po&ket kin)s and 8 had po&ket tens" On fo$rth street &ame another ten- )i(in) me fo$r tens and <innin) the mone " 9$t the ki&ker to this stor is that the )$ <ho had held his hand $p before the flop had been dealt the t<o tens that &ame o$t on the flop after the resh$ffle" !he onl <a that 8 &o$ld possibl ha(e a <in a)ainst /l's hand <as for the dealer to make a mistake- resh$ffle those t<o tens ba&k into the de&k- and brin) them ba&k a)ain on the flop and fo$rth street" !hat ended /l's da - and 8 ne(er <on another pot that session" 8f o$ &an think of a <orse bad beat stor than this one- 8'd like to hear itA S

23>

Speakin) of 9ad 9eats """

ia&k in !e=as there <as a (er famo$s poker pla er named .o& Ramse - <ho &o$ldn't stand to take a bad beat" He <as the t pe of )$ <ho <o$ld r$n aro$nd the room tellin) e(er bod <hat a bad beat he had taken and ho< he took it" 8f he had C$st taken a bad beat and sa< o$ a&ross the street <alkin) the other <a from him- he <o$ld &ross the street C$st to tell o$ his bad-beat stor " One ni)ht- he took a prett bad beat and tried to tell e(er bod in the room abo$t it- b$t nobod <o$ld listen to him" B.o&-B <e said- BWe'(e heard it a million times and <e don't <ant to hear it a)ain"B So he )ot $p from the table- <ent into the kit&hen- and &ornered the Chinese &hef" We all follo<ed him and )ot a bi) ki&k o$t of <at&hin) him moanin) to the &hef- <ho didn't speak a <ord of 'n)lish and kept shakin) his head as .o& rattled on" /

%r" 9rooks and the !<o #a&ks

rears a)o in .allas- Charlie Hendri&ks- <ho <as a kno<n )ambler aro$nd !e=as at the time- &ame to pla <ith $s in o$r no-limit )ame" 8n the old da s- %r" 9rooks ran all of the )amin) in /n&hora)e- /laska- b$t he had been pla in) in o$r .allas )ame for se(eral ears and <e kne< all of his mo(es" He and Hendri&ks <ere pla in) in a fi(e-<a potand %r" 9rooks C$st flat &alled from the little blind" No< it <as time for Charlie to a&t" He looked do<n and fo$nd t<o Ca&ks in the hole" BWell- 8 &an <in this pot ri)ht no<-B he said to himself-B!he '(e all limped in- so 8'll C$st p$t in a raise be&a$se 8'(e )ot the best hand"B So he raised abo$t G633" '(er bod passed- and then it )ot aro$nd to %r" 9rooks in the little blind" He mo(ed all-in"
234

No<- Charlie thinks to himself- B8'(e )otta ha(e the best hand" %r" 9rooks <o$ld ne(er ha(e passed a bi) hand here in the little blind"B 9$t <e all kne< %r" 9rooks" He <as sittin) there <ith po&ket a&es" He had been pla in) a trap the <hole time and didn't &are abo$t C$st <innin) G2> from ea&h person" He broke Charlie on this pot" We all <ere la$)hin) at the table- be&a$se it <as the first time that Charlie had &ome to .allas to pla <ith $s- and he didn't kno< ho< %r" 9rooks pla ed" Nobod else on that table <o$ld ha(e &alled <ith t<o Ca&ks- b$t Charlie p$t in his mone real E$i&k and )ot broke to %r" 9rooks" 8 on&e pla ed a hand <ith %r" 9rooks- <ho <as (er hard to )et an mone o$t of" We <ere pla in) in a side )ame and 8 had t<o ei)hts" 8 made a little token raise <ith them and %r" 9rooks and another pla er both &alled the raise" !he flop &ame 7-7-6" When o$ flop E$ads- it is &$stomar to &he&k&he&k-&he&k in the hope that somebod <ill &at&h $p <ith o$ so that o$ &an <in a little somethin) <ith the hand" 9$t 8 de&ided to lead <ith the hand and bet G233 on the flop" %r" 9rooks &alled" On fo$rth street &ame a de$&e" No< 8 bet G*-333 and he &alled that too" On the end &ame a *3"* bet G2->33 and %r" 9rooks mo(ed in on me" He had po&ket tens and filled on the ri(er" 9e&a$se 8 had led at the pot <ith a h$)e hand- 8 made abo$t G*3-333 on the hand" 8f 8 had &he&ked it all the <a to the ri(er- %r" 9rooks <o$ld ha(e made a little bet on the end and 8 <o$ld ha(e raised himD he <o$ld either ha(e &alled me or made a small raise be&a$se there <o$ldn't ha(e been eno$)h mone in the pot for him to p$t an real mone in on the end" !he <a the hand <orked o$t <as C$st perfe&t for me" /

23,

!he Worst .e&ision in the Histor of Poker

was in the to$rnament stress mode at a bi) to$rna-aent one ear <hen somethin) happened to me that sho$ldn't happen to a do)" 8 had ne(er pla ed the to$rnament before- b$t #ohn 9onetti asked me to &ome o$t for it- and so 8 <as there for the last three da s" %ore than 633 pla ers <ere in a limit-hold'em e(entand <e <ere do<n to si=-handed pla at the G2-333-G6-333 limits" 8 raised it $p to G6-333 before the flop and it )ot aro$nd to the b$tton" !he )$ on the b$tton didn't see the raise and p$t in G2-333" !he dealer reminded him that it <as G6-333 to )o sin&e 8 had raised" !he b$tton said- BWell- m hand isn't )ood eno$)h for that-B and )rabbed ba&k his G2-333" !hen he thre< his &ards fa&e do<n and the <ent into the m$&k- so that all o$ &o$ld see <as the ends of his &ards" !he floorman <as standin) there and said to the dealerB.on't kill that hand"B So the dealer p$lled the &ards o$t of the m$&k and the floorman instr$&ted the b$tton to either lea(e the G2-333 in the pot and m$&k his hand- or p$t in the rest of the G6-333 and pla o$t the hand" !he b$tton de&ided that rather than losin) the G2-333- he <o$ld &all <ith his @-#" !he flop &ame /-N-*3" He flopped the strai)ht- b$t 8 had /-@ so- of &o$rse- 8 <o$ld ha(e pla ed the hand an <a si=-handed in the middle of the to$rnament" When the hand started- 8 had aro$nd G*2-333- and <hen it <as o(er 8 had G2-333" 'ssentiall - it had &ost me an &han&e of <innin) the to$rnament" 8 didn't p$t $p a f$ss at the time- be&a$se 8 $s$all don't do that kind of thin)" 9$t <hen it <as all o(er and 8 had been kno&ked o$t- 8 asked the floorman ho< he &o$ld ha(e made a de&ision that allo<ed a pla er to p$ll &ards o$t of the m$&k that <ere fa&e do<n" !he to$rnament dire&tor e=&$sed the 237

de&ision <ith- BWell- this is not the Horseshoe" We do thin)s differentl here"B !hen 8 reall )ot hot" B.o o$ kno< ho< man times this has happened in a to$rnament <ith o(er 633 pla ers- <hen people ha(e p$t mone in the pot and then p$lled it ba&kJ /re o$ )oin) to tell me that o$ <ent aro$nd and made that de&ision e(er timeJB No- he &o$ldn't see them e(er time" B!hen ho< &o$ld o$ ha(e made that de&ision at a time <hen the bi) mone is at stakeJB 8 asked" !he onl de&ision that &o$ld ha(e been made <as that the hand <as dead <hen it to$&hed the m$&k" Lettin) that hand li(e <as the <orst de&ision 8'(e e(er seen in a to$rnament" /

Joy and T. J. Cloutier at !!< /4O# w%en %e won two bracelets, one )or #ot$5imit >old+em and one )or Oma%a %i&%$low. 23+

#/R.S%!!H PL9L8SH8N;
$ther 8oo5s by T.J. C,outier and Tom McEvoy
#oker+s 5eadin& Team o) /innin& 9ut%ors Cham%ionshi% +o,d-em Tom McEvoy < T.J. C,outier
!om and !" #" )i(e o$ their best ad(i&e on ho< to adC$st to the ne< brand of hold'em <ith the latest strate)ies for <innin) in limit hold'em &ash )ames and to$rnaments" Mo$ <ill learn important adC$stments in strate) to help o$ <in more mone in rammin'-Cammin' )ames- kill-pot- Ca&kpot- shorthanded and other t pes of &ash )ames" Pl$s o$'ll )et the inside s&oop on limit hold'em to$rnament strate)ies that ha(e led the a$thors to the <inner's &ir&le h$ndreds of time" 'ndorsed b WSOP limit hold'em &hampion 'rik Seidel" 8n&l$des 23 ill$strated sample hands <ith ad(i&e and anal sis on ho< to pla them in &ash )ames and to$rnaments" !"#" also tells a fe< of his famo$s road stories" 5*7 p)s- ill$strated- photos" G5+"+>

Cham%ionshi% $maha T.J. C,outier < Tom McEvoy

Championship Omaha &o(ers all three t pes of Omaha )ames1 Omaha Hi)h- Pot-Limit Omaha- and Omaha Hi)h-Lo< Split" !he a$thors o$tline strate)ies for <innin) at &ash )ames and to$rnamentsand $se ill$strated sample hands to )$ide o$ thro$)h the maHe of the (olatile fo$r-&ard hold'em )ames" /ns<ers s$&h E$estions as1 K Wh are all Omaha )ames hand-(al$e dri(enJ Can o$ pla a se&ond-n$t hand profitabl J K What are dan)lers and <h don't <inners pla themJ K What are the best startin) hands for Omaha hi)h-lo< and hi)h Omaha- and <hen is slo<-pla in) a bi) hand dan)ero$sJ K Wh is Omaha hi)h-lo< so pop$lar these da s and ho< &an o$ <in a lot of mone at itJ 253 p)s- hand pi&torials <ith anal sis and ad(i&e- maCor to$rnament strate)ies- pl$s a fe< more road stories from !"#" G5+"+>

Tournament (o5er Tom McEvoy

'ndorsed b World Series of Poker &hampions- this book o$tlines strate)ies for <innin) all ** )ames in the WSOP- <ith e=tensi(e dis&$ssion of ,-&ard st$d- limit hold'em- no-limit and pot-limit hold'em- Omaha- Omaha hi)h-lo< and ,-&ard st$d split" !he *+75 World Champion- %&'(o also details te&hniE$es for <innin) reb$ to$rnaments- satellites- m$lti-)ame e(ents s$&h as the !o$rnament of Champions- in&remental reb$ and !'/RS-str$&t$red to$rnaments" 8n&l$des insi)hts into the ins and o$ts of bi)-lea)$e to$rnament pla - ne)otiatin) deals at the final table- and ans<ers to the most &ommon E$estions that to$rnament pla ers ask the &hamp" 0ore<ord b Phil Hellm$th" Re(ised 233*" 566 p)s- photos" G5+"+>

(o5er Tournament Ti%s 3rom The (ros Shane Smith

/s the pop$larit of poker to$rnaments es&alates- this timel book )i(es o$ the <innin) ad(i&e of poker theorists- a$thors and to$rnament <inners on the best strate)ies for <innin) lo<-limit poker to$rne s" Smith o$tlines !op 2* !ips for <innin) to$rnaments and lists pla in) strate)ies for ea&h of the 0o$r Sta)es of !o$rnaments" /lso in&l$des 24 !o$rnament !raps- a Poker Potpo$rri of <innin) strate)ies- ho< to ne)otiate deals- and the <isdom of poker l$minaries !om %&'(o - .o le 9r$nson- %ike Caro- !" #" Clo$tier9ob Ciaffone and others" *23 p)s- re(ised- e=panded in 233*" G*+"+>

2/2 Tournament +ands =*imit < 1o)*imit +o,d-em> D. ?. Sherer

!he a$thor takes o$ *3* steps &loser to the <inner's &ir&le b dealin) o$ pra&ti&e hands in (ario$s s&enarios &aref$ll desi)ned to help impro(e o$r to$rnament skills" Sherer anal Hes the pla of a hand fa&torin) in the sta)e of the to$rnament- sta&k siHe- table position and opponents- )$idin) o$ thro$)h the thinkin) pro&ess to the re&ommended pla " Mo$ &an $se this pra&ti&e man$al <ith !o$rnament Poker- Championship Hold'em or Poker !o$rnament !ips[Pros" No matter ho< o$ $se it- o$'ll find its e=pert anal sis of to$rnament sit$ations a (al$able learnin) tool" +7 p)s spiralbo$ndill$s" 6+ limit hold'em hands and >2 no-limit hold'em hands" G*6"+>"

$maha +i)*o (o5er Shane Smith

;eared to no(i&e Omaha hi)h-lo< pla ers <ho ha(e some e=perien&e- this book is an eas -to-read )$ide to BHo< !o Win /t !he Lo<er Limits-B its s$btitle" Smith e=plores the pl$ses and min$ses of pla in) Omaha hi)h-lo< and the t pes of pla ers it attra&ts before o$tlinin) <innin) strate)ies in &hapters on startin) hands- pla in) the flop- t$rn and ri(er- )eneral poker strate) and Omaha hi)h-lo< to$rnament tips" 8ll$strated <ith pi&torials of sample hands- a startin) hands &hart and an odds &hart" !he standard in its field sin&e *++3" 76 lar)e 7=* 8p)s spiralbo$nd" G *,"+>

The Pro Poker Playbook John Vorhaus

Poker strate)ist and &ol$mnist #ohn :orha$s )i(es o$ o(er B225 Wa s to Win %ore %one Pla in) Poker-B the s$btitle of his *++6 book" 'ndorsed b %ike Caro as Bfilled <ith )reat insi)ht and solid insider tips-B !he Pro Poker Pla book be)ins <ith B!he 4> Commandments of Poker-B an in-depth e=pansion of the <innin) prin&iples espo$sed b Caro" :orha$s then details *24 tools o$ &an $se to in&rease o$r profits at poker- 55 <a s to sta o$t of Bpoker Cail-B and 62 po<erf$l pla s and plo s- follo<ed b a &hapter on Omaha hi)h-lo< and a &olle&tion of the a$thor's $niE$e insi)hts into )amblers titled B!ales 0rom Cimarron"B *,4 p)s" G*+"+>

Cham%ionshi% Stud =7)card stud, Stud@', ?aAA> Ma; Stern, *inda Johnson < Tom McEvoy
!his <innin) team of a$thors present ad(an&ed strate)ies in eas to-read lan)$a)e" !he &on(ersational st le of these WSOP &hampions )i(es o$ more than one point of (ie< on ho< to pla se(en-&ard poker" Mo$ <ill learn <innin) strate)ies for medi$mlimit &ash )ames- pl$s se(en-&ard st$d- st$d hi)h-lo< split and raHH poker to$rnament ta&ti&s- in&l$din) the best startin) hands- readin) the board and o$r opponents- and <hen and ho< to bl$ff and semibl$ff" 8n&l$des a maCor &hapter on )eneral to$rnament strate) that <ill help o$ <in an t pe of poker to$rnament o$ enter" 233 p)s- ill$strated <ith sample hands and photos" G2+"+>