poker variance definition

Free Poker Guide to How to Manipulate Luck

One of the most persistent discussions in poker is about the role of luck in success, there are those who believe poker is mostly luck and those who think skill is the main factor, today lets lay this one to rest! I have personally been a money and free poker player for some 7 years, I have made some nice cash at times but I have also busted several bankrolls.As such think I can say I've got a pretty good understanding of the situation!

First off, lets consider what skill in poker is. In my opinion a skilled player is one who can recognize betting patterns, understand flop odds, and percentages, and have a solid concept of strategy and theory. I have noticed however, not matter how well skilled one may be, you must account for variance, and sometimes aggressive, even poor play from others.

I believe in conclusion it is best to assume that poker is a combination of both skill and luck where the skill level of the player involved has a definite effect on the "luck" component of the equation in the medium and long term.

The assumption would be based on this conclusion that you have to be both pre flop aggressive, as well as post flop smart. Many times a player might find themselves in a position where they made the proper call, yet they find themselves behind due in part to an opponents luck hitting a one or two outer.

It is very difficult to try and overcome such a situation. This can, in part, be blamed on the speed of online poker hand as opposed to the live game. In the online poker game it is a lot faster and you have a lot less time to make decisions.

A lot of people find they get more bad beats in online poker than in live games. Mathematically this can be attributed to the number of hands both seen, and played. In addition there is a fatigue factor involved where players feel they are being pushed too hard, or perhaps have suffered a bad beat.

Due to this fact decision making can become irrational, and typical hands that could be thrown away are now played, and even pushed pre flop out of anger in looking to win back lost funds.

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Others, who are skilled can pick up on such trends and play them to their advantage, which often triggers greater loss, and in the eyes of the losing player, more bad beats which he feels was based on luck.

The successful (skilful) poker player knows how to manage both aspects of the game. In effect you become able to manage probability (luck) by using skill and so apply the old phrase beloved of annoying sales managers/gurus everywhere, "make your own luck". Basically meaning that your skill flattens out the "bad luck" to the extent that you are up consistently in the medium and long run.

And how to do this? Learn your skill on free online texas holdem poker sites, get skill, get confident, build a bankroll and then you can move up into micro and low stakes money games and beyond.

About the Author

Nick is Marketing Manager for fun play free online poker site NoPayPOKER, a 100% no deposit site which means there is literally no way to lose money. As a result it is USA player legal and not even defined as a gambling site. But, and this is the twist, it is 100% funded by advertisers whose money is shared out as cash prizes to all the fun poker game winners!

NoPayPOKER is a perfect online poker site for beginners to learn how to play poker without risking money. For experienced poker players the attraction is practice, the ability to fine tune their game and test out new techniques in a totally no risk zone while grinding away to accumulate free poker cash.

To learn more see the NoPaPOKER free poker online blog at http://www.nopaypoker.com/articles for tons of free online poker lessons, tips and strategy articles from NoPayPOKER staff, players and pro poker player writers.