Esfandiari offers seminar on ESPN’s poker telecast

You can learn a lot from the pros who serve as guest commentators for the World Series of Poker’s final table. One of the best is Antonio Esfandiari, who makes it fascinating to watch long telecasts of the virtually live broadcast.

Here’s what I gleaned from Esfandiari’s analysis: The power of aces: “If you have an ace in your hand, it significantly takes down the chances of your opponent having a really good hand with an ace,” Esfandiari said. But beware of playing weak aces (for example A-7) out of position. If you get three-bet (a raise on your raise), “it’s like trying to climb a wall without a rope.” Take your time: Spend a few seconds contemplating before folding, “just to make people think you’re thinking of playing,” he advises. “But don’t overdo it. I think a lot of the younger players are destroying poker by taking 40 seconds every time it’s their turn to make a decision.” Calling is often better than reraising: If you have a pretty good hand like king-jack suited and your opponent raises, you could raise back — but that puts you at risk of getting reraised. Better to call and see the flop. “If somebody raises you, you’re not going to get a chance to see the flop, and that’s a very good hand to take to the flop.” The power of aggression: With a low pocket pair, like 4s, lead with a raise. After the flop, even if you don’t make three of a kind, another bet looks strong and will likely induce others to fold if they’ve missed.

Think ahead: Don’t just consider what it takes to call a bet after the flop. Think about how much you may have to call on the turn and river before committing more chips to a pot. Don’t show your hand: “Keep your opponents guessing,” Esfandiari said after one player revealed pocket aces after a hand. “The trick to no-limit Hold’em is to always spread maximum disinformation.” Talk to your opponents: During big hands, chat with a player who has just raised you to try to get tells. Did his voice waver? Does he seem nervous? These can be revealing tells and can unmask a bluff. Run well: This year’s main event champion, Joe McKeehen, had a lucky run at the final table, scoring lots of premium hands. “When the poker gods are on your side,” Esfandiari said, “there’s just nothing your opponents can do.”