THE WORLD'S #1 POKER MANUAL - Card Games

Poker Book, Increasing the Edge Odds
Good play Never explain the true strategy behind a play. Instead, give erroneous
reasoning for strategy. Never brag . . . downgrade own performance.
Control over
game
Assume a humble but assertive attitude.
To turn attention away from his poker success, the good player praises and exaggerates the poker ability
of other winners. In a verbal smoke screen, he discusses and magnifies everyone's winnings except his
own. When losing, the good player complains about the tough game and exaggerates his losses. But he
never mentions the losses of other players.
c. Lying (46)
Lying is a key tool of strategy. For example, when asked about his folded cards, the good player lies
about them to create the impression that he plays loosely or poorly. To lie effectively, he must always lie
within believable boundaries to keep others from automatically doubting him.
With careful lying and calculated deceit, John Finn builds his image as a kind-hearted, loose
player who is an asset to the game. Here is an example of how he builds this advantageous image:
The game is highball draw with a twist. John begins with a pair of aces, draws three cards, and
ends up with two pair. During the betting, he notices Ted Fehr putting $25 too much into the pot.
John says nothing and plays his two pair pat on the twist. Sid Bennett misses his flush and folds
out of turn . . . that out-of-turn fold is very helpful to John.
Now with only two remaining in the hand, Ted bets $25. John reads him for trips and reasons
Ted's bet like this: Ted thinks his three of a kind are beat by John's pat hand. So if he checks,
John will bet the $50 maximum, and he will have to call. By making a smaller bet, he hopes that
John will only call, thus saving him $25. Ted's strategy backfires . . . John raises to $75.
"How many cards did you draw in the first round?" Ted asks.
"One," John quickly lies.
"A one-card draw, then pat on the twist ... I can't call that," Ted sighs while folding his cards.
John places his cards face-down next to Sid's dead hand.
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