It doesn’t matter what motivated you to play poker in the first place – but nearly everyone who learns to play poker and reads books about this game; is taught to play in a tight way. Motivated players are often new players who have watched the WPT or WSOP on TV. A tight game is an arrow-straight game, initially using basic strategy. However, when you play online, you play against scads of loose players who have obviously not read the same books as you have, or perhaps just don’t take the game quite as seriously. Joining the ranks of the fish playing for real money online, may mean joining the ranks of a school of wannabe sharks.

Running into situations where you want to play online poker, but can’t help coming heads-up against loose players means dealing with disrespectful raises, players who suck on you and often facing half the table post-flop. It doesn’t matter how many hand charts you use to help make your decisions, the opponents at your table will still play just about any two cards! Many of you, more than likely run into the same situations all of the time.

This is what makes it necessary to at least have some basic tips on hand – on how to deal with the crazy table, and still remain sane. Albert Einstein said “everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler” he also said a man should look for what is and not “what should be”, so playing good poker is not about re-inventing the wheel, its, just about getting back to basics and sticking to basic strategy. The reason why basic strategy works in both poker and blackjack is because it is a time proven strategy; it is what it is, and simple. Always simplify the game for yourself when things get to start looking hectic, and what ever you do, don’t panic.

It can be horribly disconcerting when you are playing tight and your opponents are at your throat every raise pre-flop. Don’t panic, this will mess it up, simply stick to the programme and don’t join the crowd. Count to ten, sit out a hand, take a deep breath – just re-evaluate the table, the point is to relax and not freak out. We know that situations like these can be frustrating, but taking the time to think straight will be of the best benefit in the long-term.

Understand that it is always good practice to play against bad poker players; if they continue to call your good hands with inferior cards – your skill will come up against luck every time. Adjust and weed-out enough players to find a sweet spot – there are various tactics to use to get to this point; but perhaps this is subject matter for another time, after all, if you really have problems against a table of crazy players there is nothing to say you can’t leave. Just remember to practice at keeping your cool, and sticking to basic strategy is actually incredibly good practice for your poker psychology.

In February 2010 Jared Huggins – poker player and member of 2+2 forum, lost his $100 bankroll and was really down on his luck. He was in trouble for a Driving Under the Influence charge, suffering from psoriasis and had lost his three jobs. Evicted from his apartment, he found himself out on the streets – homeless. He had no family or friend in LA and made the decision to live on Venice Beach; basically out on the street. His fellow poker fans on 2+2 suggested he make amusing videos of life on the streets and this is what Jared did. These cynical comments saw him rapping about alcohol, dancing for money and giving away free hugs.

It didn’t take his ‘RelaxedPrecision’ post long to find favour with fans on the forum and he soon started receiving support in the form of advice, well wishes and even money to help him over the hard times. His videos were posted to You Tube too and despite his awful financial position – he soon found himself financially able to rent a room. His indomitable high spirits had caught the attention of the poker world. He posted a video on You Tube and publicly thanked all the people who showed him support through this – the most difficult situation he had ever had to face.

John ‘JimmyLegs’ Wray, a Cardrunners instructor decided to start a petition to get Jared playing in the PokerStars Big Game. This really caught the attention of big poker pros and despite the fact that Daniel Negranu bankrolled him for this game, PokerStarts turned down the petition. However it appears that a massive outcry from the poker community has got PokerStars to change their mind and the latest update is that Jared Huggins might just appear. Negreanu is a regular player in the Big Game and Justin ‘BoostedJ’ Smith has also shown his support to feature Jared as one of the Loose Cannons. Last we saw Huggin’s name was on the Loose Cannons list! Filming begins in Las Vegas in a few short weeks, for this $100 000 cash game.

So far The videos posted on You Tube have received 50 000 hits and although they were in fact made for himself, as well as for other people in the same position to relate to. They really caught the attention of the poker community as well as the public. Jared wanted to record and make public this time of his life so he would never forget how hard it was to be homeless.

What strikes us as so poignant about this story, is not only that the online poker community got active. But that the internet is such a powerful and accessible tool that even the homeless have access and can use it to help themselves. Jared has also appeared in a JZ music video and his goal at this point in time is to help other people in the same way in which he was helped by paying it forward. He is also keen to get a part in the new Rounders 2 movie which is scheduled for release in 2012. Who says homeless people don’t have ambition?