Watching The Pro

WSOP by Dan on August 12, 2011

You’d be a poor poker fan if you’d failed to notice the WSOP 11 going over a storm in the City of Sin Las Vegas. While it’s not an easy job to get a seat at the tables with the big boys; thanks to those nice television people we’ve all been able to watch them work. The World Series of Poker is the biggest poker tournaments in the world, and it’s now broadcast on (almost) live television with glass tables and under-the-table video cameras, which allow viewers a look at the hole cards that the pros are playing with. This (obvious once you think about it) device allows a fascinating insight into the betting behaviour of the professional poker stars. These televised images are backed up with expert commentary (from people who really know what they’re talking about) and provide a fantastic way to learn more about the game from the pros (without re-mortgaging your house to “hire” the company of players like Tom “durrrr” Dwan, John Juanda, Viacheslav Zhukovor, Clonie Gowen or Jeffrey LaPointe for a personal tutorial ).

The most obvious thing to learn is simply, how the game is played. You can pick up the rules (and customs) of the game just by watching. We all have to start somewhere and where better than the Formula One of Cards. Look a bit deeper and you’ll see how players maximize the potential of their (good) hole cards. Check out the early raises, reflecting the higher percentage of winning the pot. It may be Poker Rules Page One to you, but the WSOP shows you how you really make your money work for you. Sometimes the TV producers give you a heads up display on the screen as to what percentage each player has of winning the pot. Take a god hard look at these, and if you find yourself thinking, I’d have stayed in on that hand (when it shows a 12%) chance think again. ESPECIALLY if staying in would have rivered you a straight (respect the odds). Similarly Take note of rounds expert players folding (seemingly) strong hands listen to the to the commentators as they explain the psychology and reasoning, they know what they’re talking about. If you don’t have your own table character watch the pros at The World Series of Poker, as they are some of the finest tight and loose players in the game. Watch the way players play and work out what would work for you.

The next one is a great free tip for playing poker. This is something that is a lot easier to do when you’re off the table. Sit and quietly watch how those pros act when they’re playing. Because of the glass topped tables you’ll be able to know when they’re bluffing. Is there a twitch, a tell, do they look scared do they look overly confident. You may never have the chance to sit opposite them and bankrupt a pro working on his tell till the sun comes up, but in more general terms they will show you how to be “the Grey man” that’s an unreadable slate who could be holding the nuts of garbage. Look at their body language and the way they carry themselves, particularly when they are bluffing.

Once you’ve done your learning and feel that you’ve had enough schooling for one day, crack open a cold one, watch and enjoy some of the best games players on the planet ply their trade at the highest of high tables.