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your budget can afford. For most of us, that is not often a Mercedes-Benz. With a brand name in mind, and after a lengthy conversation with the sales representative, we generally have restricted our choice to a specific model or two, or various features. All of this is contingent upon the numbers from the budget. Can I afford the extras, or the upgrade? What about my insurance costs?

In poker, knowing when to bluff and when not to often involves mathematics. You want to pay attention to every card you can see, although this is not always possible in some games. Count them if you can. If you're bluffing, and the only card you need to fulfill your bluff is already on the table, you can expect to lose a lot of money. Also pay attention to someone making a call - matching your bet - or a raise. It is possible they are holding the card you need to carry your bluff.

Ahhh, The Preacher Man

The preacher spends years honing his craft, working on the inflection of his voice, the raising of his hands, the welcoming spreading of his arms. That little quiver of excitement you hear every time he says "Come to Jesus" is practiced and tested, and practiced again. The stage show is rehearsed until it appears to have all the gaiety and spontaneity of a carnival.

You, as a poker player must do the same to win consistently. You have to sell your hand, every hand, so that your opponents buy into it. Here's a practice tip: fold on a good hand. Sell it to those at the table as a bad hand. Be careful not to over do it. You want them to believe it was a bad hand, so strive to be as natural about it as you are when it really is a bad hand.

I'm In

There are several things to keep in mind the next time you sit down for a game of cards.

Scrutinize every opponent. Look for indications of what they might have in their hands. Pay attention to as many cards in play as you can. Don't be afraid of losing a few hands, especially in friendly games where the stakes are not usually as high as they might be in a more formalized game. Watch how others win.

Remember, you want to avoid falling into habits or routines of any kind at the poker table. Don't consistently bet too fast when you have good cards, don't habitually lean forward waiting for your turn to throw your chips at the pile. Don't throw your cards away in disgust every time you have a bad hand. Don't ask for the same number of cards in the same situations every time. Don't always just call. If you are going to be a regular in an ongoing game, the last thing you want to do is fall into a pattern of repetition from how you bet to what you say, to what your fingers do on the table.

Remember, the more difficult it is for your opponent to guess what you have in your hand, the more likely it is that he or she will be cautious.

It's your turn. How many cards would you like?

Learn more about this author, Michael Raymond.
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