"Hold'em - like life itself - has its defining moment. It's the flop. When you see the flop, you're looking at 71 percent of your hand, and the cost is only a single round of betting." More Pearls Of Wisdom >
PokerJolt RSSPokerJolt on Twitter
JP Kelly Column

I used to bluff too much. The trick is to keep people guessing

In his first Pokerjolt column, JP Kelly explains why being unpredictable is the key to being a successful poker pro

by JP Kelly PokerJolt July, 9th 2010
Overall: 5
Bookmark and Share
JP Kelly has learned to bluff less and focus more

Above: JP Kelly has learned to bluff less and focus more

In cash games I play lots of hands and pressure people. I am not afraid to gamble or bet big to put people in difficult situations

I don't know what attracted you to poker, but for me it was because the game involved both money and skill.

I've always been interested in games and my favourite subjects at school were maths, business and economics. Poker was a game of good decision-making which really intrigued me and I also loved the idea of making lots of money from a game I both liked and was good at.

That's not to say I always got it right, especially in the early days. I used to bluff way too much and over-stretch myself financially, especially before I became a pro.

Thankfully, we all grow up and now my style of play and my bankroll management has matured.

Thesedays I'm methodical and calculated in my tournament play. In cash games I play lots of hands and pressure people. I am not afraid to gamble or bet big to put people in difficult situations.

If you want to become a pro you need to learn to manage your finances, like I had to, but you also need to want to keep learning. You must also be prepared to change-up, to keep people guessing and deviate from the norm.

I really admire Praz Bansi for exactly those reasons. He's a really great player with an amazingly strong desire to succeed who also takes time to offer advice and keep me motivated when things are not going according to plan.

It can be hard being away all the time and this summer was especially tough. When the World Cup was on I knew that all my family and friends would be having barbecues back home and watching the games. A summer at home would be cool.

But my dream is to win a big $10k buy in like a WPT, EPT - or the ultimate dream, the WSOP main event.

That means I have to keep working on my game. I'm at the WSOP in Las Vegas right now, so playing a lot, but I usually play 80 per cent online at PokerStars and just 20 per cent live.

I keep myself open to new ideas and different ways to throw opponents off like taking different betting lines and changing body language in live situations.

So whether it's live tournament play or online, I learn all the time and try to soak up as much info as I can from those around me.

I think this is key for any poker player, so if you’re an aspiring pro, this would be my first piece of advice.

JP Kelly plays at PokerStars.com

 

SHARE: Bookmark and Share

Leave a comment

Note: Comments usually appear quickly, but are moderated.

JP Kelly

JP Kelly Jean Paul Kelly writes exclusively for Pokerjolt about live on the professional poker circuit. JP is a double World Series of Poker bracelet winner and boasts more than a million dollars in live tournament winnings. The Aylesbury Ace is a maths, business and economics obsessive but loves sport, especially golf and tennis. He plays online at Pokerstars.com.

Recent Articles

Recent Articles Take a look at the most recent articles by JP Kelly and catch up with what he's been saying

I could and should have won big at the WSOP
She's Ace

Poker Girls

Click to see gallery
Click to see gallery

Melanie Iglesias

Age: 29

Born: Brooklyn, New York

Lives: Manhattan, New York

Nickname: Goofball

See All Girls
6.81 Overall

Place your bets!

Exclusive Offers

888.com

888.com

Special sign-up bonus for new online poker players

Take Me There
StanJames.com

StanJames.com

Special sign-up bonus for new online poker players

Take Me There
MansionPoker.com

MansionPoker.com

Special sign-up bonus for new online poker players

Take Me There
BetFair.com

BetFair.com

Special sign-up bonus for new online poker players

Take Me There
WilliamHill.com

WilliamHill.com

Special sign-up bonus for new online poker players

Take Me There
PokerStars.com

PokerStars.com

Special sign-up bonus for new online poker players

Take Me There
EverestPoker.com

EverestPoker.com

Special sign-up bonus for new online poker players

Take Me There
BlueSq.com

BlueSq.com

Special sign-up bonus for new online poker players

Take Me There
PKR.com

PKR.com

Special sign-up bonus for new online poker players

Take Me There

SEE ALL OFFERS