Most of these are personal rules I created to keep my own play and actions in line. Some are rules I follow, and others are rules I wish my opponents would take to heart.

I can only wish I had known all of these, and followed them from day one. Had I have done just that, I would have a significantly larger roll right now.

In no particular order:

• Always play within your roll
• When you make a free card play, take the free card
• Only play poker with a positive and clear frame of mind
• It's better to get bluffed than make a bad call and lose your stack
• There is no room for ego in poker
• Above all else, we play poker to make money
• Every action you make should be made for a reason
• Never educate another player at the table
• No one wants to hear your bad beat story
• Being 99% to win a pot is not 100% to win
• If you think someone has you beat, they probably do
• Roll with the punches, accept your losses and don't let them run your life
• Control your temper
• If you set a limit, goal or rule, stick to it no matter what
• If you feel like you're in over your head, stand up and leave
• There's more to life than poker
• Never correct someone who mentions a piece of incorrect poker logic
• Remember to shower - biological warfare is not acceptable
• Play on reads and odds; ignore all hopes and prayers
• Respect the integrity of the game
• This is a gentleman's game - act like one
• Your goal is to get to the point of consistently playing mistake-free poker
• Don't tap the glass

These simple rules are more valuable than any other poker resource I have ever come across. Take these rules to heart now, or spend the time and money to learn them yourself the hard way.

Trust me when I say that to learn these rules, I've lost more than enough money for both of us.

More strategy articles from Sean Lind:

• The Short Buy Part 1
• Blocking Continuation and Floater Bets
• Your First Live Tournament
• How to Survive as the Underdog