Ten Ways To Build Your Bankroll

There are at least two things a gambler needs to take care of in order to stay in business.

He needs to maintain his car and make sure the gasoline tank never falls below the one-quarter level.

He needs to protect his bankroll.

Once a healthy bankroll is shattered -- and that can easily happen after a night of poor decision-making or drinking or playing when you are not feeling well physically -- it's very hard to build it back to its previous level. That is why I am offering our members some rules on what to do to protect and build your bankroll.

Before you follow these rules, make sure you are in a good frame of mind to win. If you feel like a loser on your way to the casino, stop. Make a u-turn if it is legal and head back home muy pronto. In case you fail to understand Spanish, that translates to very fast.

(1) BE CERTAIN you feel good physically. Go through your daily dozen exercises at home or at the guy to get your blood pumping and your brain oxygenated. It will do wonders for your game.

(2) BE AGGRESSIVE. A passive player never won the World Series of Poker or any other major tournament that I can think of.

(3) IF YOUR HAND isn't strong enough to raise, fold. It's that simple.

(4) IF YOU ARE FIRST to act after a scary flop, bet. You don't even have to look at your hand. If someone raises, that is the time to check what you are betting.

(5) WATCH FOR A RAISER who raises the pot more often than he should and set a trap for him. Tell yourself, 'The next time that so-and-so pops it, I am going to play my hand like I have pocket aces and play the hand to the river. Don't weaken on the betting. You should win the pot 80 percent of the time.'

(6) IF A PAIR appears on the board after extensive betting, don't play a flush or straight draw. You might win if you hit, but you'll probably lose and you'll pay a big price to indulge your winning fantasies.

(7) IF YOU ARE in early or late position and face a raise, call with a reasonable hand. If the raiser fails to bet after the flop, check. If the raiser then comes out betting, try a raise. You should make the raiser fold between 70 and 80 percent of the time.

(8) PLAY THE BUTTON with any two cards. You can also play the position to the right of the button. When the players check, bet. If you are check-raised and have no hand, get rid of the cards. But if you have a pair or drawing hand, call. On fourth street whether you are helped or not, come out betting 25 percent of the time. You may be amazed at the results.

(9) DON'T SYMPATHIZE with any of the players. When you get too close to a player, you will play that person 'soft' and it could cost you a big pot.

(10) IF A PASSIVE PLAYER raises, unless you have a premium hand, get rid of your cards.

(11) READ ALL THESE RULES over again 10 times and practice them.

The really good players who make a living at this game know the secret to success is not only to know what to do, but to do it over and over again until it becomes automatic. Know your players. Try to put them on a hand and see if you are correct.

Good luck. Let me know how you do. Let the games begin.

Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.

(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).