One of the best tips I could give anyone is to always follow your instincts. If you don’t listen to yourself, who will? Whether it’s a hunch, intuitive senses, or just a strong feeling, follow it! Too often you will hear people say, “I knew it!” Of course it is usually coming from the person who folded, just to be safe. Then they spend the next two or three rounds talking about that massive pot they would have won. I know, because sometimes I’m guilty. I’ve learned to call when my gut feeling is telling me to. No, it isn’t right all the time. But it’s right often enough to make it worthwhile. Besides, I don’t really have a choice, do I?

Why would you not follow your gut or intuition? As much as we like to think science has done for us, it still can’t explain many things, intuition being one of them. When you do have that feeling, it’s imperative you listen. It might not be right every time. If it’s only right 50% of the time, then it’s worth listening to. There is only one way to find out.

So next time someone raises you heavily, and just looking at your cards you know you should fold due to the odds, yet your gut is telling you to call for some inexplicable reason, listen to yourself. It may cost you, but you might learn something even more valuable about yourself. But only bet what you can afford to lose!

Poker is a great game, but sticking too strictly to the odds will make you a rigid player who is unable to adapt to all circumstances. Remember, everyone at the table has the same odds of winning when they first sit down. Yet there are consistently the same people making money. That suggests to me that the game isn’t JUST about odds.