Doyle Brunson's Super System

1. Poker is a People Game: Read Your Opponents

Poker is a game of people. That's the most important lesson you should learn from my book.

Understand your opponents. Becoming a great poker player requires deeply understanding your opponents – their moods, tendencies, and psychological state in the moment. This allows you to estimate their hand with high certainty and select the optimal strategy against them. It's about getting inside their head.

Look for tells. Opponents constantly give off "tells" – giveaway moves or behaviors that reveal information about their hand or intentions. Being observant and disciplined, watching and listening even when not in a pot, helps you spot these tells. While difficult to conceal character entirely, players try to hide their tells, so constant observation is key.

Psychological complexities. Unlike games like Blackjack, poker involves immense psychological complexity. Identical situations against the same opponent might require different strategies based on their current state. A computer can handle the math, but the human element of perception, judgment, and reading people is what makes a world-class player.

2. Play Aggressively: It's the Winning Way

PLAY AGGRESSIVELY, it's the winning way

Aggression wins pots. Timid players don't win in high-stakes poker. Aggression is the winning style, especially in No Limit. A "solid" player is tight entering a pot but aggressive once involved. This contrasts with a "tight" player who is conservative throughout.

Muscle the game. Aggressive play allows you to "muscle" the game, picking up numerous small pots uncontested. This accumulation of small wins pays for the times you gamble in big pots, even when you're an underdog. Your reputation for aggression makes opponents hesitant to play back without a strong hand.

Change gears. Don't be predictable. Vary your playing speed, shifting suddenly between loose and tight play. In a loose game, play mostly tight; in a tight game, play mostly loose. Adjust based on whether you're winning or losing, playing looser when winning to capitalize on momentum and intimidation.

3. Manage Your Money and Select Your Games Wisely

Money Management

Bankroll is crucial, but flexible. While conservative money management is wise, don't let bankroll be the only factor. If a game is exceptionally good, you feel good, and aren't tired, consider playing even if it's higher than usual. However, avoid playing with "desperation money" where losing would be truly distressing.

Suggested bankroll minimums:

• $10 Limit: $1,000
• $5/$10 No Limit (2 Blinds): $2,500
• $5/$10/$25/$50 No Limit (4 Blinds): $10,000
  Aim to buy in for at least twice the minimum, ideally having as many chips as the biggest stack.

Game selection factors. Consider the ante size relative to the limit – a high ante forces faster play. Evaluate opponents' skill levels and stack sizes. Don't risk a large portion of your bankroll to win a relatively small amount compared to the money on the table. Sometimes, a smaller No Limit game offers better gamble for your money than a high Limit game.

4. Courage, Discipline, and Emotional Control are Paramount

Courage: The Heart of the Matter

Courage is essential. Courage is a defining trait of top players. It allows you to play hard even when losing and to make necessary large bets or bluffs. True courage involves recognizing that money already bet belongs to the pot, and decisions must be based on the current situation, not past investment.

Discipline is key. Maintain discipline by avoiding alcohol while playing, not letting personal problems interfere, and constantly identifying and eliminating leaks in your game. Play all games profitably, even those you dislike, to stay sharp and versatile. Discipline helps maintain confidence during losing streaks.

Control emotions. Never play when upset. Emotional trauma significantly impairs judgment and concentration. Taking a break when emotionally unbalanced is a logical extension of quitting when losing enough money to bother you. Protect your mental state; it directly impacts your play and earnings.

5. Be Versatile and Maintain a Reputation for Action

BE VERSATILE

Don't be predictable. To get action, you must be willing to play games where you aren't a huge favorite. Players who only play when everything is perfect and they have the nuts get very little action. Playing different games, even those you're not best at, stimulates the poker economy and keeps you from being shut out.

Cultivate an action image. Playing a variety of games, including those where you might not have a significant advantage, builds a reputation as a player who gives action. This reputation is crucial for attracting opponents. Ideally, you want a reputation that makes players respect you, but not so afraid they won't play at all.

Reputation is a two-edged sword. While an action image is good, a reputation for being a "sucker" would be ideal (though hard to achieve if you're winning). Conversely, being known as a top player can make it hard to get action in your best games. Always be competitive, but do so with class, respecting opponents and avoiding cruel behavior that drives away players.

6. Tournament Strategy Differs: Adjustment is Key

This brings up one of the most significant points about tournaments -- the strategy of tournament play differs from the strategy of ordinary play.

Tournaments build reputation and contacts. Winning or performing well in tournaments quickly establishes a player's reputation. Beyond the prize money, tournaments generate rich side games and provide valuable contacts with players from across the country, offering games elsewhere.

Adjust your play. Tournament strategy is distinct from cash games. Early on, focus on survival and accumulating chips without taking excessive risks, avoiding marginal spots. As the field narrows and antes increase, shift to a more aggressive style, pressuring opponents and trying to get their chips.

Die with courage. If elimination seems likely, play aggressively rather than meekly. Playing tight on a low stack will lead to being blinded out by increasing antes. Going out with a "bang" gives you a slim chance to survive and potentially get into profitable side games if eliminated early.

7. Hold'em is Unique: Position and Psychology Dominate No Limit

Actually the differences between play at No Limit and Limit Hold 'em are far greater than the similarities. They're really worlds apart.

Hold'em's complexity. Hold'em is the most fascinating and complex poker game, combining mathematics and psychology. It offers more variety and multi-way action than other games. While similar to Seven Card Stud, community cards and betting structures create unique strategic differences.

Limit vs. No Limit. Limit Hold'em is more mechanical; you must play solid hands as it's hard to bluff opponents out. No Limit is far more complex, allowing you to use position and stack size to force opponents to fold. You need "Heart" and "Muscle" to play No Limit effectively, being willing to risk your entire stack.

Position is everything. In No Limit Hold'em, position is paramount. Having position allows you to control the betting, gather information from opponents' actions before acting, and make plays you couldn't otherwise. You could theoretically win without looking at your cards if you had position all night against certain players.

8. Master Bluffing and Deception in No Limit

Good No Limit players bluff four or five times as often as good players in Limit games.

Bluffing is key in No Limit. No Limit Hold'em involves significantly more bluffing than Limit games. Bluffing requires real strategy and the ability to size up opponents. You must pick your spots and players carefully; you can hardly bluff a "Calling Station" (a player who rarely bets but calls frequently).

Betting with an Out. A core strategy is "Betting with an Out" – making a substantial bet or raise even when you likely have the worst hand, but having a draw or possibility to improve. This makes you appear "lucky" when you hit, but the primary goal is often to win the pot immediately through aggression.

Deceive your opponents. Use deception to keep opponents guessing. This includes varying your play, making plays that represent hands you don't have, and using acting or timing tells. Getting opponents into confused situations where they don't know if you're bluffing or have the nuts gives you a significant advantage.

9. Play Big Pairs (AA/KK) Cautiously, But Bet for Value

I play a Pair of Aces or Kings very cautiously from an early position when there's three cards that'll make a Straight or a Flush on the Flop.

Avoid losing big pots. With AA or KK, you often win small pots or lose big ones. Play them cautiously, especially from early position or when the flop presents straight or flush draws. Don't be eager to get all your money in unless you have a near-cinch or are making opponents pay dearly to draw.

Adjust to the flop. If the flop is dangerous (e.g., three to a straight or flush), slow down, especially with multiple opponents. If the flop is "ragged" (low, unconnected cards), bet aggressively from any position. If you flop a set (three of a kind), bet big immediately to protect against draws and get value, unless against a weak player you want to catch up.

Bet for value. When you have a strong hand, bet to extract maximum value. Don't slow play too often, as it gives opponents free cards and reduces the potential pot size. If you think you have the best hand on the river, bet it, even if it's not the absolute nuts, to get paid off by weaker hands.

10. AK and Small Connectors Offer Deception and Big Pot Potential

I've already mentioned that I'd rather have Ace King than either a Pair of Aces or a Pair of Kings.

AK's flexibility. AK is preferred over AA or KK because it wins more when it hits and loses less when it misses. It's a drawing hand that's easy to get away from if you miss the flop. Play AK aggressively before the flop, raising or even moving all-in in certain spots, but be willing to fold if you miss and face aggression.

Small connectors' potential. Suited small connecting cards (like 76s) are favorite hands because they have the potential to make concealed straights or flushes that can break opponents with big pairs. Play them cheaply before the flop, aiming to see the flop and hoping to hit a disguised strong hand.

Play based on the flop. If you miss the flop with small connectors, fold unless you were the pre-flop raiser and are bluffing with position. If you hit a small piece (like bottom pair), gamble cautiously against deep-stacked opponents. If you hit a strong draw (open-end straight or flush) or a made hand (two pair, trips, straight, flush), play it aggressively, betting or raising big to build a large pot.

Last updated: May 10, 2025