I have had the time recently to play a number of live, poker tournaments. While I’ve had one nice cash of $1,000, there have been three times where I ended up just out of the money finishing 21st and 24th.
I have been so intent on playing ABC poker with a few moves thrown in, I have forgotten the need to play against myself as well.
What does it mean to “Play against the player and not your cards?”
As you know, I believe one of the most important keys in winning poker is to play against the player rather than just playing your cards.
One way to simply define “playing against the player” is to evaluate what range of hands you think your opponent holds and playing in a way to beat him by using his bets, his table image and the board against him–that is, representing a hand that can get your opponent to fold.
A simple example: A player who raises pre-flop way too often and always follows with a c-bet when his hand does not improve. You call this player in position, take the flop heads-up, and when he bets the flop, you raise.
It’s easier said then done. And I think it’s easier when you are playing live and the stacks are deep.
What does it mean to “Play against yourself?”
I think all poker players get in a habit of how to play good hands. I would say that players will almost always call a bet from a player way more experienced than them, yet will not call a bet from a more beginner.
It’s easier said then done. And I think it’s easier when you are playing live and the stacks are deep.
If you are a deep stack player, you can look for certain players and get a feel for how they play. If you are a short stack, you are likely to either be playing inexperienced players or bluffing at a lot of pots.
How to identify these players when you are playing live?
Get in position with a player and one or two open limpers. Wait for a call and don’t raise, until you are in the blinds with a player who raises very rarely.
Play solid hands against these players and, as the above example shows, even raise with junk hands from time to time.
This approach, while perfectly safe, will create an image of being a “jungle raiser.” The flop, turns and river will reveal the strategy. Be sure to mix it up and not let them see your cards for cheap!
What to do when you are card dead?
Let your cards hang for a steal.219
Having a big stack. You are playing tight. You want to steal the blinds. But, when you get your big hand, come out firing. Bet aggressively.
Don’t be afraid to put some money in the pot when you’re at the button. If you think you are beat, fold.
Bluffing
For Examples:You are in the big blind with 77. The blinds are $50-$100. You two tight players before you. You raise $150, and the small blind calls. There is a $300 pot before you. Should you call? I’ll give you a hint: it’s a trick question. You should call because you would probably lose. The small blind has made a $50 bet. You need to call in this situation. It is NOT a slow play. Although slow playing probably would have worked. The slow play would have allowed him to get a free card and still lost the hand. It is also possible that he will re-raise now with any 2 cards and you will have no idea what to do. In this situation, you can take a free card and try to get lucky.
You are card dead because you have nothing coming in. It doesn’t matter what the flop is. Give it up. Stop trying to find a free card.
Flop
If you have nothing, check only if you hit an Ace or a King. If you have nothing, check behind and let the pre-flop raiser have the heads up.
Turn
If you have A or K, put them both in. If you have A and a King, put in a raise of 3-4x the big blind. If you have A and a 2, call a raise of 3-4x the big blind. Same for a 2 and a Jack. If you have A and a 2, call a raise of 3-4x the big blind.
River
If you have A or K, put them both in. If not, call a raise of 3-4x the big blind. If you have A and a 2, call a raise of 3-4x the big blind.