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Pro's Corner with the Unabomber

Let's ask Phil Laak some poker questions at the table:

Question: What is the difference between pot odds and pot committed?

Answer: "Pot odds" is the price the pot is laying you to call. "Pot committed" is when the pot is laying you a price where the math supports a call.

Question: How hard should you play mid pocket pairs?

Answer: Short-handed more so than a full ring game.

Question: I always smile when I make my hand. How can you control your physical tells?

Answer: When you are not in a hand, pretend that you have the nuts with every flop. Eventually you will trick yourself into thinking that you are always holding a monster. You will get used to the feeling (if you can actually convince yourself), and eventually the smile will fade.

Question: How can an amateur gain respect at a table?

Answer: Don't worry about gaining respect. That is weak. Anytime you seek the respect of others, you are not moving toward being self-actualized; you are moving away from it. Focus on playing well. That is better.

Question: Is it important to have an aggressive table image so people are scared?

Answer: No, it is important to adjust to what is appropriate. It is important to have an image of playing well. This is accomplished by playing well. It just so happens that good poker is aggressive poker, but calculated aggression.

Question: What do you think is better, talking at the table or keeping it to yourself?

Answer: Enjoying yourself is the best. If you are in the mood to chill and observe, then take it easy. If you are in the mood to chat, then chat.

Question: Who is your favorite player to play against?

Answer: I don't remember their names. They played so poorly that they ran out of money. Luckily, the popularity of poker keeps bringing them in.

Question: What is your favorite hand and why?

Answer: J-8 of hearts, because one time I didn't play it when I was supposed to. The math supported the pre-flop call. I would have made a fortune, but didn't because I folded. It is my constant reminder to always examine the price, the cards, the players, the position, etc. For every hand, in every situation.

Question: What is the best poker tip you can give?

Answer: To read about win rate, standard deviation, and bankroll. How they act in concert, and about Kelly's criterion. Make sure to honor these math-driven concepts in all your gambling exploits.

Question: Is it important to read poker strategy books?

Answer: It is important to absorb as much as you can from any and all sources that are available. There are a ton of great books, and they can really cut down on the learning curve. Only problem is that if you depend solely on books to your learning, you will never really attain the highest win rate that is possible for you. Eventually you must take over the learning process. Come up with questions of your own that are not in the books, and then find the answers to these questions on your own.

Question: When should you throw away A-K pre-flop?

Answer: When the other guy has aces.

Question: Who is a tougher competitor, an aggressive player or a conservative player?

Answer: The SWM is the most dangerous. That is an acronym for "squeezer with moves." A squeezer is a guy who is conservative with what he plays but then plays aggressively. When a guy like this is armed with the occasional move, you will find him to be very dangerous.