Ace on the River Question

MrWizard · #1 11-12-2005, 08:28 PM

At the top of page 60...

Number 8.

What does he mean?

Is he saying that if I am conservative with my spending that I will not be good at poker? I'm not quite sure I get it.

What does he mean by "Do you know the value of a dollar?" And how does that relate to ones poker playing ability?

SNOWBALL138 · #2 11-12-2005, 08:34 PM

If you care too much about money you'll be afraid to lose, which can cause you to make incorrect decisions.

MrWizard · #3 11-12-2005, 08:45 PM

Okay that makes sense. My thing is this, I have budgets... One of them is a poker budget and it is pretty deep... not from winning, but from saved money for learning the game. I use that budget to play poker, buy books, and am planning on getting lessons. I really don't put a value on those dollars. However my grocery budget I tend to really pay attention to how much I spend. I don't feel like knowing the value of a dollar affects my poker game because I don't even consider using the poker budget for anything but poker right now.
Can you see any way that my system of money managment may be hurting my game and I just don't see it?

I was worried that because I tend to be careful about how much I spend on things like groceries that my "knowing the value of a dollar" was hurting my poker game.

#4 11-13-2005, 03:36 AM

If you have a grocery budget and are planning to get poker lessons, he probably did not write the book for you. This is mostly for high stakes players who regularly have stacks of chips in front of them that they could buy a new home with. You might have to carry some of the lessons with you for some time until you are ready to apply them.

#5 11-13-2005, 11:05 AM

I didn't agree with that statement either, as far as it applies to me anyway. I'm very conservative dollar wise outside of the casino but I switch gears totally when i'm playing and am not afraid to lose.

#6 11-13-2005, 02:06 PM

So your question was because you budget money for bills and pay your rent or whatever, does it mean you suck at poker...no. Ace on the River was intended as an advanced book for poker professionals. The book is primarily targeted toward high-limit professional poker players, which is a very limited audience. Lower and middle limit players will find a lot of the material useful and interesting, but significant portions won't apply to them. Casual home game and beginning players will find a fascinating look into the mind and world of high-stakes poker players, but should definitely look elsewhere for instruction and strategy tips. This might be part of your problem relating what you have read with your own life.

MrWizard · #7 11-13-2005, 09:09 PM

I think that the information in this book has helped me in ways that other books never have... and I'm not a pro. One of the most helpful things is how he puts everything into prespective. Finding out what things you need to improve beyond strategy was very helpful. Finding out that what poker professionals have been through helps keep me in check.