Capitalizing on the Little Edges in Poker: Choices

It always amazes me the lengths people will go to save money in various areas of their life, but when it comes to poker these same people leave so much money on the table, simply because of the slightest lack of effort or patience. For instance, when it comes to buying a car, or groceries, or refinancing a house people will shop around, and actively seek the best bargain. Yet when presented with similar choices in poker they simply choose the most expedient one, regardless of how much money it will cost them in the long-run.

Here are a few examples where 99% of poker players simply overlook the choices that are available to them:

Example #1: Game Selection, Stakes

Game selection is an area where virtually every poker player can improve. The idea of choosing the best game goes way beyond finding a table with weak players, or that falls within your bankroll. Proper game selection involves finding the most profitable game available -so long as it fits within your bankroll.

In my years as player at Foxwoods it always amazed me the number of players that would completely ignore the ultra-juicy $4/$8 and $5/$10 games once they started playing $10/$20and $20/$40 -bear in mind this was before the No Limit boom, when Limit Holdem ruled the card-room. It was as if their ego wouldn’t allow them to partake in these games any longer. Personally, I always found the $10/$20 and $20/$40 games throughout the week -especially mid-day– were basically tight, bordering on the label of a ‘Rock Garden’ or ‘Locksmith Convention’. On the flip-side, the $4/$8 and $5/$10 (which had a Kill at $100) games were much looser, and much more profitable.

So, my typical MO was to play $5/$10, and yes, even the ‘Yellow-Chip’ $4/$8 games during the week, and look for juicy games at higher limits during the evening and on weekends.

This phenomenon holds true online as well. It’s not uncommon to search through the lobby and see a $2/$4 No Limit game that has pots double the size of the $5/$10 games running! But so many players simply refuse to believe that a lower stakes game can provide a higher win-rate.

Don’t limit your choices by disregarding games a level or two below the current stakes you typically play.

Example #2: Game Selection, Table

Of course, the most obvious aspect of game selection is choosing a juicy table. A quick stroll around the card-room, or perusal of the lobby of an online poker site, should be all you need to spot a few weak players, or an especially juicy game. However, the vast majority of poker players simply jump into the first seat that is available to them, regardless of the lineup!

I know, you don’t want to wait 20minutes only to have the fish leave before you even get a seat, but the beauty of poker is that no matter how long it takes for you to be seated, the game will always be there! Or, another game will take its place. This is why you’re always better off waiting for a good game, than jumping into a lousy one.

Example #3: Game Selection, Site/Card-room

The last aspect of game selection I will discuss is WHERE you play. Sometimes you don’t have many options, but when you do you should definitely shop around for the best ‘deal’. This is especially true online: I have a hard time figuring out why some players stick with a single site. There has been numerous times where I’ve searched three or more online poker sites’ lobbies before finding the best game. Had I only had money on one of the sites I would have been forced to play in a far less profitable game.

This is also true for live poker; if you happen to live in area with multiple card-rooms nearby. And don’t forget to compare the rake collection of each room; the bonuses and rakeback deals offered; in addition to the quality of the players in the games.

By doing all of these things, which take very little time and effort, you can be certain that you are setting yourself up for success by making the right decisions given your choices.