There is an important concept about advanced thinking that I think deserves repeating, time and time again: rules are something you must understand thoroughly so that you eventually know when it's correct to stray from them.
I believe this to be true for the implementation of any complicated strategy, not just those reserved for poker.
However, the part that most people miss when thinking about this concept is the most important part: rules ARE something you must thoroughly understand.
To put it simply, if you jump into the deep end because you know you're a strong swimmer, than you'll probably come out just fine.
However, if you jump in the deep end because you just don't know any better - well, you're likely to drown.
Another important extension of this concept is that by understanding the basics, you understand more about where the typical or novice player is coming from.
To continue with the swimming metaphor, waves or tough currents come from one player confusing another.
The more one can confuse an opponent, the more difficult it will be for that opponent to stay afloat; just when he thinks he's swimming for shore, he emerges from the fog to find he's miles away - and in lots of trouble! Even against a better player, you must understand the fundamentals to better spot his jumping off points.
In fact, playing a hand correctly against a good opponent often requires realizing that he's a good opponent.
You can only do this by understanding where his decisions are coming from.
Can he swim like a shark, or did he fall in the deep end by accident? Until you can figure this out, you're betting off staying on the beach when he's in the water - otherwise you'll be the one in the fog, and that's never the way you want to play poker.
If you're new to the game, I recommend reading any poker book that doesn't say "advanced" on the cover.
Having any system at all is better than having none, and most of them are correct enough for a starting point.
David Sklansky has an excellent book called simply "Hold 'Em Poker".
(Every title by Sklansky is top-notch and well explained.
) If you've been playing for a while and truly feel you are ready to step it up, you should read Dan Harrington's no-limit series and anything by Daniel Negreanu.
(Actually, the best advice for you is to read anything you can get your hands on - other players are getting better everyday, and if you stop learning you'll get left behind).
Often you'll see better players do things that you think are reserved only for idiots.
More often than not, these better players will have a good reason for doing what they do.
Before trying to emulate them, make sure you know how to swim like a shark - lest you find out too late that you're actually the bait!
I believe this to be true for the implementation of any complicated strategy, not just those reserved for poker.
However, the part that most people miss when thinking about this concept is the most important part: rules ARE something you must thoroughly understand.
To put it simply, if you jump into the deep end because you know you're a strong swimmer, than you'll probably come out just fine.
However, if you jump in the deep end because you just don't know any better - well, you're likely to drown.
Another important extension of this concept is that by understanding the basics, you understand more about where the typical or novice player is coming from.
To continue with the swimming metaphor, waves or tough currents come from one player confusing another.
The more one can confuse an opponent, the more difficult it will be for that opponent to stay afloat; just when he thinks he's swimming for shore, he emerges from the fog to find he's miles away - and in lots of trouble! Even against a better player, you must understand the fundamentals to better spot his jumping off points.
In fact, playing a hand correctly against a good opponent often requires realizing that he's a good opponent.
You can only do this by understanding where his decisions are coming from.
Can he swim like a shark, or did he fall in the deep end by accident? Until you can figure this out, you're betting off staying on the beach when he's in the water - otherwise you'll be the one in the fog, and that's never the way you want to play poker.
If you're new to the game, I recommend reading any poker book that doesn't say "advanced" on the cover.
Having any system at all is better than having none, and most of them are correct enough for a starting point.
David Sklansky has an excellent book called simply "Hold 'Em Poker".
(Every title by Sklansky is top-notch and well explained.
) If you've been playing for a while and truly feel you are ready to step it up, you should read Dan Harrington's no-limit series and anything by Daniel Negreanu.
(Actually, the best advice for you is to read anything you can get your hands on - other players are getting better everyday, and if you stop learning you'll get left behind).
Often you'll see better players do things that you think are reserved only for idiots.
More often than not, these better players will have a good reason for doing what they do.
Before trying to emulate them, make sure you know how to swim like a shark - lest you find out too late that you're actually the bait!