Andrew Seidman “Easy Game” – Introduction

Introduction

These days, there are numerous books about poker, especially about the type of game that has become a modern phenomenon: No-Limit Texas Hold’em. Legend Doyle Brunson describes this type of game as the “Cadillac of poker” because the nature of the game is immensely open to creativity. The ability to bet any amount at any time makes the game attractive and at the same time dangerous. Unlike Limit games, where the allowed amounts are fixed and only a few bets are allowed in each round, in No Limit games, just one big mistake can wipe out your stack.

The main word for focus is “mistake.” David Sklansky’s “The theory of poker” lays out the fundamental theorem of poker. The theorem states: essentially, those who make big mistakes often lose, while those who make small mistakes rarely win.

It's incredible how many poker players, even good players and some great players, ignore this concept and constantly make suboptimal moves. But we will talk about this in more detail later.

This book about shorthanded No-Limit Hold'em will explain it to you in two steps. First, the basic knowledge – you will need to be a competent poker player and thinker. Mastery of this knowledge should be enough to earn $100+ per hour in online or live games. In the second step, we will delve into advanced concepts that are the cornerstone of success in higher stakes games. Do not skip directly to the next step, bypassing the first one.

In this modern age of instructional videos and poker websites, most low-stakes players watch their idols play in high-stakes games, making complex moves and using unconventional styles. The worst part is that low-stakes players try to replicate the moves they see without understanding the crucial knowledge that makes those moves profitable. Simply put, if you skip directly to the second step, you will most likely just lose your money.

Now that we are ready to dive deeper, just remember: becoming a good poker player means learning, not winning. Many players focus only on wanting to win, and as a result, their game does not progress. Such players are quickly surpassed by opponents who focus on learning and see winnings as a bonus. And indeed, that is how it is. We will learn step by step. Each chapter will highlight the most important poker concepts – try to understand what is presented to you before moving on. They will build your foundation. Dedicate your time and focus – this is how you will become better players.

The series of articles is based on Andrew Seidman's poker book: “Easy game”. Those who want to purchase the original, which is in English, can do so at balugawhale.com.

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