Finish this sentence

[ellipse_87]

[ QUOTE ]
The single most important factor to consider in poker is:
The size of the pot.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've heard that the cards you hold are also important.

Seriously though, I would disagree with you and propose that the single most important factor in successful poker is insight into the psychology of selected opponents. If I have sufficient insight to predict my opponents' actions, then I have infinite odds on certain bets, better than any pot can offer me.

[Chaos_ult]

The primary objective in poker is to win money.

The bigger the size of the pot, the easier it is to complete your objective.


Anyone want to disagree?

[Chaos_ult]

All of what you said matters, of course. But it is all used to drive toward your goal of winning the pot.

[mtdoak]

Your opponents, as they make the game unprofitable or very profitable.

[MyTurn2Raise]

game selection...opponents, rake, bonuses, comfortableness
the 10th best player in the world gets killed playing the top 9. It's relatively easy to learn some of the ABC basics for low-limits. Optimizing this requires finding the fish/maniacs/mice and adjusting your play for it. I think it was Lou Krieger who pointed out in one of his holdem excellence books that just 2 fish at a table can make it very profitable for everyone else playing ABC. Imagine what 3 fish, 1 maniac, and 2 mice mean.


rake can make a .3BB/100 difference. Rakeback can mean .5BB/100 hands. Bonuses can be even more.

[Chaos_ult]

[ QUOTE ]
rake can make a .3BB/100 difference. Rakeback can mean .5BB/100 hands. Bonuses can be even more.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is important. NOT as important as winning large pots.

I think the standard answer to most poker questions should be "How big was the pot," and not "It depends."

How can the size of the pot not be the most important factor if you understand the primary goal of poker is to win money?

The size of the pot determines when we are in a profitable situation.

Ed Miller mentions that you should somtimes continue in a hand, even if you think you are drawing dead, as long as the pot is large.

The latter statement seems to suggest that your hand, or opponent's hand are NOT the most important factors.

Please someone convince me I am wrong.

Maybe i've just been awake too late, but I really think i'm on to somthing here..

[Alex/Mugaaz]

[ QUOTE ]
what your opponent might have.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree that this is true in the mid+ games, but lower games it's how to pump big draws and get extra bets.

[plj8624]

Game selection. If you are in a game you can't beat, you are "drawing dead" in the long run.

Position and hand selection. I think that playing hands that are too weak out of position is the reason why many people are losing players

[ QUOTE ]
that there isn't a single most important factor to consider.

[/ QUOTE ]

Would have to aggree with this to be honest. You could say your own state of mind, but that could be spot on and your sat at a poor table, or your sat at a beatable table and your severely pissed about something which affects your play etc etc etc