1. Learn to step away: One HUGE mistake that gets made all the time, and one of my poker vices, is taking anger, frustration, butthurts, and loot to a table after something goes wrong. Often times, I might catch a bad beat at a final table to finish 7th or 8th, when I could have had a chance to win, and for some odd reason this prompts me to head to the cash table to make up the difference. This is an ENORMOUS mistake. You are going there WANTING to get into big hands, WANTING to win large pots, angry from the bad beat you just took, and probably a bit burnt out from legging out a tourney to get KOd at end. It's best to step away and do something to clear your head. Drink a beer, watch weird porn, donk off some playchips, just DO NOT take your money where it shouldn't be.

2. Play LESS small blinds: This is one I watch people, IM LOOKIN AT YOU HUSTLERS, make very often. People seem to think that because it's only costing half of the BB you should basically play any 2 cards. Think about it this way, if you could wait for a candy bar at full price, would you buy a turd in a wrapper for half? I personally wouldn't. Where you run into trouble is that you automatically have the WORST position post flop. For example: You're small blind with K4 suited hearts, you make the call cause its half priced. The flop falls 4sQhAh. Jackpot! Right?! I don't think so! It looks nice, but if you lead out and are reraised you are basically forced to call knowing you probably have the worst. If you check and are bet into, you have to make the decision to waste the half blind and fold or chase a big hand. As odds are against you in this situation, most often you will lose a big hand here. Occassionally you will suck out the heart on your opponent, but not enough to make plays like this profitable. Bottom line here, play BIG hands in the small blind only. Wait until you have better position to make your bigger plays, it will pay off in the end.

3. Learn to lay down big pockets: Swayze Jr.: Dude, just got donked A2 vs. KK, WTF!!!! Swayze: ALLIN Preflop??? Jr: Nah, he called my raise preflop, and flopped a dart. Swayze: So...... you let yourself get donked?!

Yes.... I have access, knowing tha Beast is awesome too. Swayze is right here and I see this happen a ton. You're holding QQ/KK/JJ and get someone in preflop. Flops turns a dart and your opponent busts his chips in or reraises you. For some strange reason, even tho you almost KNOW he's got that dart, you won't waste the big hand. You call. They show a hand they had no business playing and you are PISSED. The reality: After that flop fell, and that bet was made you are the one who had no business playing. Be patient, let those go, shake it off, big hands will come.

4. Ditch the "suited" cards: Start folding any/all/every suited hand that is not connected PERIOD. Fold connected ones in early position. Fold slightly connected ones(97, 108, K10) in middle position. DO NOT get in situations where you are forced or encouraged to chase cards. Once again, works occassionally, very unprofitable over time.

5. TAKE NOTES!!!: A MASSIVELY under used tool on all poker sites. Keeping notes can land you major returns. I make notes at almost every table I play, especially if I'm planning to be in a long ring game session. Making a color chart is a good start. On FTP you can "flag" other players with numerous colors. I mark beginner's red, tight players blue, hyper aggressives Orange, and so on. It's also extremely helpful to make a text note on someone if you see a pattern in their play. It is amazing that players will make the same play or same mistake OVER AND OVER AND OVER. I also frequently go back and use my notes to remind someone of a bad play they made to get them tilted.

Well, thats my first entry, hope everyone enjoys. Please leave me some feedback if ya can!!!!!
Mavs_Dad