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"Many people believe that to excel at poker, you need to master bluffing and reading your opponents, treating the game like a scene from ""Infernal Affairs."" However, in reality, you can beat most players by avoiding four common human weaknesses and using statistical data. Start by learning statistics, even if you want to become a bluffing expert.
Human Weaknesses:
1. Fun Factor - No one likes to sit out, but if you have a bad hand, you should fold immediately (unless there's no cost involved).
2. Wishful Thinking - People often think, ""If I get XX cards, I'll play."" But what are the actual odds of that happening?
3. Can't Let Go - Players might think, ""I've already put in N amount; if I fold, I'll lose. I'll see one more round."" However, the money already in the pot is irrelevant. You should calculate if the money you're about to put in compared to what you can win exceeds your odds of winning.
4. Hero Mentality - The right play is the one with the highest probability, but it doesn't guarantee a win. Don't let the outcome of each hand affect your strategy. Everything relies on statistics.
It's a game of statistics:
1. You can roughly calculate the probability of different outcomes (like a full house) through statistics, allowing you to estimate your chances of winning.
2. You can accurately calculate the ratio of the money you're about to put in through statistics.
These two concepts are straightforward. If the ratio in the second point is better than the first, you continue; otherwise, you fold. This way, you can beat the average player without needing to bluff or guess your opponents' bluffs. All your decisions are guided by probabilities, based on your visible cards and your hand. Once you've mastered these, you can move on to learning betting techniques—when to make big bets, small bets, when to trap, check-raise, and more. After mastering these, you can delve into bluffing and reading your opponents." |
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