John Wenzel - The Only Poker Book Youll Ever Need: Bet, Play, and Bluff Like a Pro—From Five-Card Draw to Texas Hold Em

The Only

POKER BOOK

Youll Ever Need

Bet, Play, and
Bluff Like a Pro

John Johnny Quads Wenzel

Adams Media
Avon, Massachusetts

Copyright 2006 F+W Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

Published by Adams Media, an F+W Publications Company
57 Littlefield Street
Avon, MA 02322
www.adamsmedia.com

ISBN: 1-59337-595-6

Printed in Canada.

J I H G F E D C B A

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Wenzel, John.
The only poker book youll ever need / John Johnny Quads Wenzel.
p. cm.
ISBN 1-59337-595-6
1. Poker. I. Title.
GV1251.W463 2006
795.412dc22
2006005008

Contains portions of material adapted and abridged from The Everything Poker Strategy Book by John Wenzel, 2004, F+W Publications, Inc.

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their product are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Adams Media was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.

This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases.
For information, please call 1-800-872-5627.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

W elcome to poker! This game is filled with twists and turns, strategies and surprises. If youre new to the world of poker, get ready to be thrilled, challenged, and absorbed by this great game. If youve already experienced a few home games or have tried your hand at casino poker, this book will help you hone your skills and develop your strategies.

Poker players come in various shapes and sizes, but they all have a thing or two in common. From the days of the first poker mania when fancy gamblers preyed on river-boat rubes to todays high-tech hysteria fueled by television and the Internet, players have sought one thing: the secret to winning. Winning means money. Winning means fun. But winning consistently takes more than just buying some chips and getting a hand; otherwise, anyone with a buy-in and a pair of sunglasses would be rich. There is no magic formula, no recipe to follow.

Instead, you must watch and play and watch and play until your skills develop, putting big money at risk doesnt faze you, and your tablemates fear your unpredictable, unreadable style.

After reading the first few chapters of this book youll probably be wondering, Am I really ready to play? This is a question too many players fail to ask. If youve had a few practice runs youll probably know your skill level. But what players (even some very good ones) usually misjudge is their emotional readiness. You cannot play an intense game like poker, which requires focus and retention, if you are distracted. If youre worried about your girlfriend, boyfriend, spouse, job, the big loss you suffered yesterday, an argument, money problems, or anything that has you depressed or concerned, you will be off your game. When you sit down to a table you must be ready to focus, or youll unintentionally offer your opponents countless chances to get the better of you.

Let this book be your personal guide as you navigate the stormy sea of pokerboth in home games and at the casino. Not only will it teach you the essence and tactics of different variations, but it will also train you to read your opponents, perfect your table image, place bets with confidence, and rake in the pot. Everything you need to begin your poker adventure is right in front of you. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your cards and chips and turn the page!

CHAPTER 1
POKER 101

T he well-worn clich about poker says that It is simple to learn, but it takes a lifetime to master. How true this is! Any intelligent person can learn the rules and the different hands in a few minutes, but the nuances and subtleties only become apparent over time. Your skills and strategies will keep evolving for as long as you play.

Your Poker Perspective

Each poker hand is its own battle, a skirmish in a larger game. Not just the game youre playing on a particular nightI mean the ongoing poker game you are playing throughout your entire life. You must think long-term. There will be games when no matter how well you play, you wont come out ahead. But if you play correctly, over time you will be a winner.

Dont let a few losing sessions or crazy hands tempt you to change your style. And dont be seduced by the I wouldve won if I hadnt folded refrain. Every good player has folded winning hands. It happens. You toss a trash Holdem hand like 7-4 offsuit and get some crazy flop (like 7-7-4) that would have given you a full house. Your brain screams that you made a mistake, but you have to let it go. A miracle flop doesnt mean you shouldve called that bet. In fact, quite the opposite is true.

POKER POINTER

Many say that poker is a people game played with cards, not a card game played by people. How you play a hand varies depending on who youre facing, the history of the game youre in, whether it is loose or tight, the stakes, and a host of other factors. Even Holdem, which has only 169 possible starting hands, has infinite variations.

All poker discussions must by necessity be laden with it depends. Thats just the way it is. Relatives will try to pin you down on strategy. Theyll ask stuff like, What percentage of starting hands do you play? and Do you raise with small pairs? Youll wrack your brain for a clever answer, but in the end youll have to tell them, It depends. Reading this book will help make the infinite more manageable for youand the learning less expensivebut there is no magic potion that will turn you into a winner and no secret formula for playing hands. There is no substitute for experience.

Watch, Play, and Learn

Play, play, and play some more! Pay attention to every hand, even the ones youre not in. Watch the playerstheir mannerisms, their moves. Learn from the good players. Do you understand what a good hand is in the game youre playing? Do you know what a good hand is in particular situations in the game?

POKER POINTER

Play that is too conservative and cautious is called tight in poker circles, and tight players are derisively known as rocks. Tight is a good way to start. You dont want to lose all your money playing questionable cards before you have learned the game. But good players dont always play tight. Tight is predictable, and being predictable is the surest way to lose a lot of money.

Rethink a hand after youve played it. When the games over and youre back home, lying in bed, replay the game in your mind, every hand. And hang in there during your learning curveeveryone has some early losses. Here are some things to analyze later:

How did you lose the most money?

Who bluffed a lot, and who never did?

How did that player who bluffed you out look and act during the hand?

Were you too aggressive, or too timid?

What type of hand made you the most money?

Again, youre going to have some losses, some bitter nights, especially early on. Even the very best, like Doyle Brunson and Daniel Negreanu, have gone broke at one time or another. But they learned. Today they are millionaires.