Like most casual online poker players, I like to read some strategy whenever I get the chance. Whether it’s reading about how to pick a good table or what I can do to avoid mental lapses at the table, I always try to be up on it. However, I don’t have as much time as I would like to read about poker strategy, and sometimes this kicks me in the ass later on.
The problem comes in when I try to apply the new skill I’ve learned from a book or article to the table when I don’t have the necessary experience. For instance, I have learned that it’s a good idea to fold when you’re beat no matter what. If this means folding on the river when you’ve contributed $100 to the pot, then so be it. But I’m finally starting to find out that this line of thinking has actually been costing me chips.
I have been given the false impression that this supposed “skill” of knowing when to fold will help me, when I should really be looking at how few times I have to be right to win money in this situation. For instance, if there was $400 in the pot and I was facing a $20 call to see a showdown, it would be foolish of me not to call every time in this situation. After all, I only have to be right one out of twenty times for this to be a break-even decision.
Another time when I thought I was being skilled (when in actuality, I was just being stupid) is when I used to c-bet all of the time in an effort to make opponents fold. In reality though, I’ve learned that continuation bets are only good moves if you’re fairly sure that the opponent will fold. So I’ve tried to stick to only using continuation bets when I’m isolated with a player after the flop.
