A good tip for beginners (In my opinion, at least)

[Numbr2intheWorld]

If you are starting out, i'm guessing that you are trying to get to the point where you make profit. I'm sure you are familiar with EV, the expected value of the bet or call in the long run. There are some very clear +EV plays and some very clear - EV plays. For example:

You are dealt AA on the button. Preflop, the UTG player goes All in (obviously an idiotic move), everyone folds to you. This is an easy decision, you call, it has a huge +EV.

You are dealt 23o on the button. Preflop, the same thing happens as the previous hand. This is also an easy decision, fold, calling is very - EV.

I wish all decisions were as clear cut like those, but they are obviously not. Sometimes there are some very boderline decisions you need to make, and you won't know if you should bet, call, or fold.

Here's the tip, if you ever have a decision to make, and it is borderline EV, just fold. First of all, most of the plays that you think are borderline EV are most likely actually -EV. Secondly, these borderline plays really have small value in the long run, that's why it is borderline. If you take away all the money you have made by making barely +EV plays, you'll still have about the same profit.

So here you go, fold when it's a borderline call.

If anyone disagrees or has any comments, please reply.

[aokrongly]

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[2_Thumbs_Up]

I agree. I think most people are way too optimistic when they start out with poker. I know I was. This is especially true in preflop calls were beginners see "value" in all kinds of hands.

[KingLizard]

I agree. I think most people are way too optimistic when they start out with poker. I know I was. This is especially true in preflop calls were beginners see "value" in all kinds of hands.

For me in the beginning, it was calling PFRs with any A. Figured ... hell I got an A and when it pairs I will have the leading hand. PT showed me that mistake in no time.

[Numbr2intheWorld]

I agree. I think most people are way too optimistic when they start out with poker. I know I was. This is especially true in preflop calls were beginners see "value" in all kinds of hands.

For me in the beginning, it was calling PFRs with any A. Figured ... hell I got an A and when it pairs I will have the leading hand. PT showed me that mistake in no time.

I didn't need PT to figure that one out. When you keep getting beat by Aces with better kickers it gets pretty obvious, doesn't it .

[KingLizard]

I agree. I think most people are way too optimistic when they start out with poker. I know I was. This is especially true in preflop calls were beginners see "value" in all kinds of hands.

For me in the beginning, it was calling PFRs with any A. Figured ... hell I got an A and when it pairs I will have the leading hand. PT showed me that mistake in no time.

I didn't need PT to figure that one out. When you keep getting beat by Aces with better kickers it gets pretty obvious, doesn't it .

I guess I was slower than most.

[TerryToma]

i tend to agree.. a while ago i used to push when i thought i was ~51% to win... turns out i was more often than not dominated at that point.

[WhooFleuryScores]

The other thing I would emphasize with beginners early on is reads-I used to play strictly by my cards and monsters under the bed syndrome. While I've improved on that area; I still think my lack of playing the player early on def hurt me in several situations.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Good post.... another way of saying it is... when in doubt, fold!

[Pants_101]

My tip is don't get all excited and tell yourself you have the nuts when actually you only have say the third nuts, this can be expensive