Tip #27 - Don't play scared money

"Scared money" refers to playing with funds that you can't afford to lose or are emotionally attached to. This mindset leads to overly cautious play and missed opportunities. When you're playing scared, you're not playing your best poker, and your opponents will notice and exploit this weakness.

Signs you're playing scared money:

• Folding in spots where you'd normally call or raise
• Avoiding necessary bluffs because of the risk
• Making minimum bets when you should bet larger
• Checking strong hands that should be betting for value
• Feeling relief when folding instead of calling

Problems caused by playing scared:

• Missing value with strong hands
• Becoming predictable and exploitable
• Losing through overly tight play
• Unable to make optimal decisions
• Increased stress and decreased enjoyment

How to avoid playing scared money:

• Only play with money you can afford to lose
• Maintain proper bankroll management
• Move down in stakes if feeling uncomfortable
• Separate poker money from life money
• Focus on making the best decision, not the money

Remember that poker is a game of aggression and calculated risks. If you're too worried about losing money, you'll miss opportunities to win it. As the saying goes, "He who fears losing will never win." Make sure you're playing at stakes where you can make the right decisions without emotional attachment to the money involved.