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| Play in the Dark |
Try playing poker in the dark a few times. It is guaranteed to teach you a few things that you may not be emphasizing enough currently. I don't mean turn off all the lights, either. If you're playing on an online casino, you will at least need to see the screen.
Playing in the dark means playing poker without knowing your hole cards. Some are nodding in agreement, but most are stunned. “How can I play without knowing what I have?” Yes, it's true that knowing how your cards relate to the board is important, but there are many other aspects to poker other than your relative hand strength. Playing in the dark is one way to develop those skills.
Skills Developed
The skills required of poker players, that are so often overlooked, include:
Positional awareness. So many times we give up opportunities to make positional plays that are advantageous because our cards are weak. There are times, especially in tournaments, where aggressive plays can and should be made with any two cards, but they're hard to do when you have 42 offsuit staring you in the face. Playing in the dark forces you to be aware of your position at the table.
Understanding flop textures. Stop asking yourself “what do I have?” Start asking Is the board suited? Is a straight possible? Is there a straight and/or flush draw? Is there a pair on the flop? How can I take advantage of the fact that one of those things is present? Can I represent the flush/straight if the scare card comes?
Reading opponents. How has my opponent reacted? Is he betting and raising confidently (quickly)? What are his reaction time tells? Does he check-raise with monster hands? Do I think he's on a draw? Does he have position on me?
Bet sizing. How do I bet in certain situations? Am I making standard-sized bets? Are my bet sizes giving away too much information?
Multiple street bets and reraises. Too many players don't pull the trigger on multiple bets or bluffing reraises and check-raises enough when they can see their own cards. Having that primary knowledge taken away can force you into making those moves. Seeing how your opponents react based on their bet sizes is instructive.
The Setup
If you are going to play in the dark as a learning tool, you need to make some preparations. First, close all of your other games, browsers, and chat windows. You will need your full focus on this game, and this game only. Second, cover the spot where your hole cards will appear with a piece of paper. Sticky notes work best and won't damage your monitor. Third, pick a game that is extremely low stakes in relation to your bankroll. You are probably going to lose, but understand that the small time and money investment will probably pay off in the long run. Fourth, review the questions above and consider them while you're playing. Don't be overly aggressive. Try to play only slightly more aggressively than your normal style, primarily when you have position and/or your opponent shows weakness.
Once you have played a whole poker tournament or cash game session in this manner, review your hand histories, and study the results of each hand. Try to recall your mindset as you made each call, raise, or fold. Certainly you will find times where the cards you hold become so important that all other considerations are thrown out the window. Perhaps you will find yourself pushing a three-high hand versus top set. It doesn't matter, now. The investment will pay off in the long run.
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Disclaimer:
People from thousands of jurisdictions access the internet. It is impossible for us to stay current with the laws of every jurisdiction. Please make sure that any activities you engage in online are legal where you live.
We have reason to believe that it may be illegal to gamble online in: Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Michigan, New York, New Jersey and Wisconsin. If you live in one of these states, we advise you NOT to gamble online. |
Poker News Today.com © 2007 - 2010 Play in the Dark
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