Play Poker Like the Pros
Based on The Cover
Play Poker Like the Pros is a comprehensive guide on how to play and win at modern poker games such as Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, and Razz. Even if you’re a novice who has never handled a deck of cards, Hellmuth’s book will guide you through the rules and setup of each game, followed by basic and advanced strategies. He instructs on when to play certain hands, bluff, raise, or fold, and offers techniques for reading opponents and maintaining composure under stress. The book also includes special sections on conquering online poker games and a behind-the-scenes look at tournament play. Hellmuth’s strategies are designed to help you triumph over any type of player, from the unpredictable Jackal and the overzealous Elephant, to the conservative Mouse and the skilled Lion.
TL;DR - Important Takeaways
1. For beginners, play only premium starting hands – the top 15 hands including pairs and AK/AQ. With the top hands like AA, KK, QQ, AK, bet aggressively pre-flop. With small pairs and suited connectors, you can see a cheap flop hoping to hit a set or big draw. Be cautious not to overplay these hands though.
2. Position is very important – acting last after the flop is a big advantage. Use position to control the size of the pot.
3. Reading opponents and using judgment is critical. Look for betting patterns and physical tells to determine the strength of their hand.
4. Be capable of making big laydowns with good but second best hands. Folding the best hand sometimes is the hallmark of a top player.
5. Develop your own style incorporating the tactics of the pros slowly.
6. Bankroll management is key – use “cash down” rules to keep the stakes from getting out of hand in home games. Don’t risk too much with speculative hands.
7. When playing online, you need to quickly determine player types based on their actions, since you can’t physically see your opponents. Show down strong and weak hands selectively to manipulate your table image.
8. For 10-handed online limit Hold’em games, stick to playing only premium “top ten” hands to keep things simple while learning. This patient, fundamentally sound strategy should be profitable in the long run against typical small stakes players online.
9. In 5-handed games online, expand your starting hand range to include all pairs, any Ace-X hands, and two face cards. Be more aggressive in these shorthanded games.
10. Heads-up limit Hold’em requires a very aggressive style compared to full ring games. Constantly put pressure on your opponent, especially on the button. Expect bigger swings.
11. Always check your local laws regarding online gambling for real money before participating.
The overarching advice is to play a solid, tight aggressive strategy while developing the judgment and skills to mix in well-timed plays as conditions warrant. Mastering fundamentals, managing your bankroll, and continuously learning from experience and reliable resources are keys to success in both online and live poker.
What We Learned From Reading the Book
1. The detailed hand examples from Hellmuth’s own experience in World Series of Poker tournaments helped illustrate certain strategies like trapping with premium hands and making well-timed bluffs and folds.
2. The breakdowns of different pros’ playing styles, like Huck Seed’s suited connector theory and Dave “Devilfish” Ulliott’s ultra-aggressive approach, provided interesting insights into high-level no-limit hold’em tactics.
3. Hellmuth’s emphasis on reading opponents, trusting your judgment, and not being afraid to fold good hands when beaten was a valuable reinforcement of the importance of these skills.
4. The warning that merely copying the styles of top pros is often a mistake for developing players was a wise piece of advice.
5. The importance of quickly identifying player types in online games based on betting patterns and showdown hands, since physical tells are unavailable. Selectively showing strong and weak hands to manipulate table image was a clever tactic I hadn’t considered before.
6. The expanded starting hand ranges suggested for short-handed online games (all pairs, any Ace-X, two face cards) compared to full ring games was new information to me. The need to adjust to a more aggressive style short-handed makes logical sense.
7. The extremely aggressive strategies outlined for heads-up play, especially the idea of raising every button, provided fresh perspective on this unique format. The emphasis on putting constant pressure on your single opponent was enlightening.
Overall, the book filled in some important strategic and tactical gaps in our poker knowledge, particularly related to high-level live tournament play and short-handed online games. The first-hand accounts and specific insights from Phil Hellmuth and other top pros added credibility and nuance to the advice.
