It's Okay to Be Average

It's Okay to Be Average
By Rich Wilens

Today I find myself in awe of all my idols: Caro, Sklansky, Malmuth, Cappelletti, Krieger, Brunson, McEvoy, Chan, my mother, etc, etc. These players/experts/teachers are the best ever. Way up high. Students of their game. Math wizards, calculating the odds, probabilities. I have read and re-read all the materials I can find. My hat is off to these men who write for the top players in the world. They are my soul and inspiration. I want to know the entire math, calculations, and pot odds, how many outs are left. But the truth is that I am not that smart.

I try to be smart. I want to be smart. I want to be like Mike. Alas, I have resigned myself to the fact that I am average. I am just like millions of us out there. Average. There is no shame in being average. But it's no great honor either. Oy, did I say that?

We, as the average players, playing average players, should not settle for average.

I use all the information I can get to have an advantage. I have a tough time remembering starting cards to play than outs, pot odds, probabilities of the next card. I don't have the memory to retain and recall fast enough. I want to play and have fun.

Here is a nifty little thing to remember.

Good card players, who read these books but have more knowledge, play low limit to kill time, warm up, and practice. They use the odds, pot odds, and probabilities to make their moves.

Sometimes they win. Most of the time they get frustrated because they have too much information. They go on tilt when they lose. Ever hear a player remark, "You stayed to the river with 6-9 unsuited and raised me?" I always smile when someone goes on tilt because the book said to do something else.

In fact, I set a player off on purpose. I find the guy who is always talking about odds, and what the book says. Then I do the opposite of what this player is expecting, and WHOPPO! Pencil-whipped in front of his peers.

He goes sideways and leaves the table. I just eliminated my competition. One good habit is to know your players if you can. Eliminate your competition. If ya can't beat 'em, send 'em sideways.

Poker is fun. Don't take it personally.

I am a player who doesn't know all the odds, tricks when to play. I know how to play good average Hold 'em. I have picked up very good habits from all the teachers I have mentioned above.

I watch the low limit players. I don't fool myself. Low-limit is like playing no fold 'em hold 'em. Some will go to the river with you. You must play smart.

Let the other guy make mistakes.

A thing that good card players do is what makes them a winner. Knowledge of basics is a must. Knowledge of what to play is a must. Knowledge of what wins most of the time is a must. It seems Knowledge is power. Not true.

The use of knowledge is power.

Sometimes a little knowledge is dangerous. Ever pop into a high limit game for the first time, then 10 minutes later you're done? See, a little knowledge can hurt you unless you know your limitations.

I write for the average guy. You and me. 1-3, 3-6,4-8,5-10 Limit players. I will do the research, I will report back to you the habits of the best card players in the world. We can use this information to make us better low-limit players. Just remember we are the majority. We are not average. We are LOW-LIMIT PLAYERS.