Poker News

John Carlisle

Imagine the following scenario. You’ve flopped the top two pair. Your mind is racing as you size-up your opponents’ chip stacks and position, trying to calculate the precise amount you will bet. With two hearts on the board, you are afraid that a flush may take “your” pot away if you allow the turn to be seen for a cheap price.When you get a caller to your sizable bet, you begin to assume that you do have a foolish fish on the line that is chasing the heart draw. As the dealer peels off the burn card before the turn is shown, your mind is repeating an internal chant of “No hearts, no heart, please no heart…” The scare cards in the deck (the hearts in this example, except the one that completes your full house) are monopolizing your focus and thought processing.

Most of the psychological damage of the scare card is done in the anticipation. Your focus on the hope that a scare card will not materialize will inevitably lead you to miss valuable information. In other words, allowing a scare card to affect your thinking and emotions is sure to be a deterrent to your game. If the card that you worried about does appear, you are sure to be easily moved off of the hand (even though you may still be in the lead). Being fearful of a card is one of the easiest reads for your opponents, and they are sure to use this against you. Preparing for, and playing through them, is a psychological exercise more than a strategic exercise.

The most successful poker veterans have seen it all and have weathered each storm. With that, they are seemingly mentally prepared to handle the appearance of a card that may improve their opponent’s hand. Infact, most savvy poker players already know what action they will take IF that scare card is indeed dealt on the turn or river. When the scare card appears, poker vets will often bet out in order to “see where they stand” while keeping the lead in the hand. Other players slow down their betting action and may check, allowing the opposition to take the initiative. Either action can be effective, as long as you know to keenly watch and inspect the reaction of the opponent that remains in the hand. Remember, the key is to play the opponent, not necessarily the cards. If you are playing in a frightened fashion after three suited cards have hit the board or a straight draw appears, you have begun to neglect information that you could be gathering from your opposition.

Playing through the scare card accurately is a major key to making a good player great. Never focus on the cards themselves, as they will come and go. If you find your mind racing with thoughts that are trying to will the scare cards away, you are offtrack and probably oozing tells through your emotions.

Check yourself and harness your thoughts and emotions. Be mentally strong, and stay ready to play through a possible scare card. A more focused poker mind will save you a few bets (and win you a few pots) as you play smarter poker. Now go make it happen.

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