Page 13 - October 2008 • Southern California Gaming Guide

Jim Mercurio: Poker
NIo Compensation Without Taxation
f there is a way to make more money tomorrow—no, scratch that, today—playing poker would you do it? Well, I have given you a redundantly large amount of redundant tips on... say it with me... “position” that could save you money the next time you play. But I know if
you are hanging out with friends and a few beers or take a Saturday night trip to the casino, you are not that excited about exploiting your awesome folding skills. So here is an active way to make money the next time you play.
To maximize this skill, you have to do two things. One of them is more di cult and may take years to master. And that is determining how much a player wants to pay for a hand. is skill requires a blend of information: the range of a player’s possible hands, understanding of their thinking process, and how the hand played out. A really simple example would be if you had AK or QQ on a board of AKAQQ. If you suspected that the other player had a single ace, you should go all in—even if it’s an overbet of 4 to 5 times the pot. Or if you wake up with A♥9♥ on a runner-runner ush board of T♥Q♠4♦K♥J♥ in a multi-way eld, I would try to get paid o huge by the single-card straight—anyone with an ace.
Or let’s say you make a huge bet with AQ on 9Q2 and get insta-called and then the other player checks twice to you when the board comes 3T. If you have the read that they didn’t catch up with QT, 9T or JK, then they probably have TJ and now might pay o a small bet, about .20–.33 of the pot. If the player has a second pair, do they want to give up on a $40 pot for $12? Probably not. ese are simple examples, but
with experience, your ability to pick the number that maximizes your pro t will improve.
Now, the second part of the skill is the easy part. Once you determine how much a player wants to pay for a hand, charge them a little bit extra. Basically, tax them. If you think that they will de nitely call
35, then they are de nitely going to call 36, right? 37? Sure. 38? Probably. 40? In fact, if I thought a person was going to pay 35, I would bet 42. ey aren’t going to change their mind for one $5 chip and two $1 chips. So basically, I put a 20% tax on my value bet.
Let’s say you try for a 20% tax and lose the player (because of the extra few dollars) less than 20% of the time. You would still be making more money than if you got every call at the lower rate. Start with a10%taxandmoveupto20%andseehowfaryou can take it. Getting a few folds at this point in your poker career to nd out how much you can push people past their comfort zone and still get a call is more than worth it. You will make a lot more money in the long run.
In fact, there is an easy test to know how good you are at getting maximum value. After you bet, watch how much the other player squirms. If he hems and haws, talks to himself, rolls his eyes and then sighs as he throws in his call, then, damn, you are getting good. If you get an insta-call, you know you need to raise taxes. And, yes, my friend, you can take that to the bank.
You can buy Jim’s lm Hard Scrambled at www.hardscrambled.com or if you like his column, contact him at jim@jamespmercurio.com.
Mira Mesa, and Rancho Peñasquitos? Plus, 24th St. Trolley Station, Kimball Park, and Palomar Street Trolley Station in the South Bay. For the latest schedule and transit times,
see page 24 or go to Viejas.com.
Why drive if you don’t have to? Valley View
Casino will pick you up with Valley View Casino’s Luxury Line Transportation. Just visit www.ValleyViewCasino.com, click on the Luxury Line page and enter your zip code to nd the location nearest you. Complimentary
luxury bus transportation is available in San Diego, Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles counties.
NJew Total Promo Electronic Drawings at Soboba Casino
Gaming News (Continued)
LDet the Casino Do the Driving
on’t let the high cost of gas limit your casino play. Take the bus and let the casino do the driving. Many Southern California casinos have bus routes to make it convenient for players
going to the casino. Check out the Bus Schedules on pages 24–26 in this issue and every issue of the Southern California Gaming Guide for a route close to you. And watch for casino bus specials on these pages. Here are a few.
Save gas, get cash at Viejas Casino! Viejas will give you $5 Free Play Cash just for riding the “ We Love Winners” bus to
Viejas. en get an additional $5 Free Play Cash by earning
15 or more base V Points during your visit. See a Hospitality Representative for more details. Why pay at the pump when you
can enjoy free bus service with daily pick-ups at El Cajon, Kearny Mesa,
oin Soboba Casino in October as the casino introduces its new Total Promo kiosks or Club Soboba to nd out how many entries state-of-the-art electronic drawing system, Total Promo. e you have earned. And on promotion drawing days, swipe your card or Total Promo system is designed with you, the player, in mind. play with your Club Soboba card to let Soboba know you are at the
Club Soboba players will no longer have to wait to pick up drawing casino and ready to win! tickets, or wait at the drawing barrel to submit them. As you play with
your Club Soboba card you are automatically entered into Soboba
Casino’s promotions. en, at any time, you can stop by one of the
...Gaming News Continues on page 16
October 2008 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
Page 13
Poker: Wired Aces and River Rats Gaming News (Continued)