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The Poker Professionals Association
Research Chapter
14
CONTROL
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Control is an interesting topic, as control involves more than trying to control your opponents; it also means having control over yourself, in particular your emotions while playing.
Most professional players will, at times, take extremely bad beats and, at other times, inflict bad beats on their opponents. How do you, as a PRO react when either of these events occur? It is of course natural to be happier when you win a big pot by drawing out on your opponent and hitting that miracle card on the river; than to have your opponent draw out on you and win that big pot. But does it really make any difference? Or rather, should it really make any difference to you?
At the time it happens, it will of course make a significant difference to your mental well being; but in the long run, will this one win or loss make any real difference in your earnings. (we are assuming here that this is not the winning hand you need to win the World Series of Poker) With that exception, chances are one big loss or win will make no real difference to you, in the long run. Keeping this in mind, wouldn't it be better to take this stoic view when these things do happen to you? Let us suggest a scenario for you in which you might strive for such a neutral outward appearance that a spectator would be unable to tell by your face, speech or posture whether you just won or lost that big pot.
Do all pros do this? Absolutely not. Do most pros strive to accomplish this. We would say yes, even many of the ones who fall far short a times profess their goal is to improve their temperament.
Although we have no doubt that for a very few successful players, their volative nature may be considered (by them) a unique personality trait that may actually slightly improve their playing. We suspect, however, that this slight improvement is more likely to be a result of irritating other players at the table enough to affect their playing.
One downside we have observed in players who exhibit their emotions, is the negative effect it has on their confidence and playing when they hit a losing streak. One player we have observed experiencing this downward spiral at times is Phil Hellmouth, a many times world champion and great player, but more easily manipulated when on a losing streak. On the other hand, a player like Gus Hansen seems unaffected whether losing or winning and thus is virtually impossible to manipulate. Naturally, we are speaking only about outside appearances; as we are certain that all players have significant internal emotions upon winning or losing big.
Control?.... When you look for control, try first to control the one thing you already have exclusive control over.... Yourself.
Something to think about, isn't it?
For your convenience in relationship to the current topic, and as a continous reference, the poker point system is attached below.
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POKER PRO POINT SYSTEM
With the point system we assign each card a specific relative value or points. As expected, the Ace receives the highest value; however, you will note that cards rankings from 8 down receive no value, unless paired, connected or suited.
For learning purposes, we are using Texas Hold'em Poker game primarily because it is currently the leading money game both for tournaments and live play and it the easiest to use to demonstrate the point system, as only two cards are dealt each player initially. Naturally we will cover the use of the Point System in other primary poker games in later research chapters.
Individual Card Point Values:
- A= 6 points
- K= 5 points
- Q= 4 points
- J = 3 points
- 10=2 points
- 9 = 1 points
- 8 = 0 points
- 7 = 0 points
- 6 = 0 points
- 5 = 0 points
- 4 = 0 points
- 3 = 0 points
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2 = 0 points
Pairs receive an extra value of 8 points.
Suited cards receive an extra value of 3 points.
Connected cards receive an extra value of 2 points.
Suited cards are written with a small "s" as: KJ's
Connected cards refers to directly adjacent cards such as: KQ or AK or KQ or QJ, not KJ or AQ.
Examples of values of first two cards dealt in Texas Hold'em:
- AA=20 points (6 points for each ace plus 8 points for a pair)
- KK=18 points (5 points for each king plus 8 points for a pair)
- QQ=16 points (4 points for each queen plus 8 points for a pair)
- AK's=16 points (6 points for the ace, 5 points for the king plus 3 points for being suited and 2 points for being connected)
- JJ=14 points (3 points for each jack plus 8 points for a pair)
- KQ's=14 points (5 points for the king, 4 points for the queen plus 3 points for being suited and 2 points for being connected)
- AK=13 points (6 points for the ace, 5 points for the king plus 2 points for being connected)
- AQ's=13 points (6 points for the ace, 4 points for the queen plus 3 points for being suited)
- T,T=12 points (2 points for each ten plus 8 points for a pair)
- AJ's=12 points (6 points for the ace, 3 points for the jack plus 3 points for being suited)
- AT's=11 points (6 points for the ace, 2 points for the ten plus 3 points for being suited)
- KJ's=11 points (5 points for the king, 3 points for the jack plus 3 points for being suited)
- KQ=11 points (5 points for the king, 4 points for the queen plus 2 points for being connected)
- 9,9=10 points (1 point for each 9 plus 8 points for a pair)
- AQ=10 points (6 points for the ace, 4 points for the queen)
It is interesting to note the value difference of 3 points between AQ's and AQ. This demonstrates the importance of suiting and is helpful in evaluating the correct value of a AQ starting hand. Suited it is definitely playable while unsuited it can be a marginal hand often played for more than it's worth.