Hello,
I want to know if do you play AA and KK differently in cash games, as opposed in tourneys. I know in cash games, particularly low limit, you can normally play aggressively without going very crazy and then bust several players out with a raise. Typically you win however you also lose sometimes but only a few bucks. In tourneys, things are very different particularly the blind structure that increase from time to time. Not to mention that winning a small hand later can be more profitable than winning a big hand early.
Now, say each player starts with $2000 in chips and blinds at 25-50. To make players fold when betting from early position it would take you at least $200 but it would take you more if you bet in early position with callers. You’re then up against a loose player and you’re not going to fold a re-raise with AA. Before the flop, you can easily be in for $800-$1000 chips. In case you lose, you’re out. And if you steal the blinds, $75, or even win $1000, then great! Later blinds will be that big.
Folding such hand sounds silly but have you ever think of folding such without even betting it early in a tournament to later (when the blinds are bigger and the advantage of stealing is higher) have a hand with a better risk reward ratio?
Hope to hear from you soon.
Many thanks,
Jullian
Jullian,
Regardless of whether it’s a cash game or tournament, you are going to play A-A and K-K very strong. Folding either hand preflop in a tournament is silly. If you are unfortunate to lose, it doesn’t matter if it is early in the tournament or later in the tournament, you are out. You don’t get either hand that often, so take advantage with them when you get them.
Hi,
I love watching the pros on TV but I don’t know if the games they play are in such a different stratosphere than the average play who are into small-stakes all-in games and tourneys by which imitating some decisions and strategies would be counter-productive nonetheless. Any thoughts?
By the way, about one of the basic strategies you’ve mentioned before, I believe it mirrors what most players of any type do with starting hands, fold most likely. I was able to watch Gus Hansen play one time and he typically throws convention to the wind. With just about anything, he will play. I can’t believe he can act out with negligence and yet can still play so great. Maybe I can learn something from him.
Hope to hear from you in no time.
Truly,
John
John,
What you must remember is that Poker on TV is heavily edited. They only show hands that have high entertainment value or are relevant to the outcome. What you don’t see is that Hansen uses this unconventional style depending on his table and his position etc.
Most of what you see on TV is at another level, especially games such as High Stakes Poker. Most of the strategies you see on TV will not work at low limits. They usually just lead to long term losses.
Besides, when was the last time you saw Gus Hansen win a bracelet?
Hello,
For about a month now, I’ve been playing Holdem at Empire Poker. Usually I play for about 3 hours a day. As of the moment I’m curious about $0.5-$1.0 Limit. I believe the level itself is very tight with usually only 2 or 3 players seeing the flop, often with very little preflop raises.
Oftentimes, level transforms into something potentially unprofitable game of luck. I also notice that having just the second best hand doesn’t work at all at such level. And when I have the winning hand, my losses end up exceeding my wins as I can’t have sufficient action. On the better side, I do well with slow playing hands as JT with flop of 7TT. Same thing with pocket pairs. On the flip side with hands as T4o and A6o I just normally end up having small win that doesn’t cover my blinds.
Generally speaking, I can actually mix up my play and have the potential of remembering the cards I have folded to check if what could have had happened. However, with 52o, I usually fold which isn’t supposed to be. I never realized that I could have won a decent size pot with a full house or if not maybe two pair.
As of now, I believe tight and aggressive game is my aim. I typically win 2 or 3 pots early to be $15- $20 up however later on will just end up losing when the above mentioned factors kick in. Once to change things up, I tried playing two tables at the same time and I could say it was a successful attempt. Also, I tried my hand and luck at the small No Limit game, $25.00 buy-in, blinds $0.5/$0.25 and for some reasons I lost my shirt in the end. Not yet tired of trying so I gave sit and go tournaments, $5+1 NL a shot. I first tried to allow first 3 or 4 wild gamblers weed themselves out as I wait for some strong hands. Well, such approach worked and so I went home with more money though I was just second.
Now, I have two questions:
- Do you think it’s really possible for internet poker games to go this far and this tight even at the smallest pot levels?
- Based on what I’ve shared to you, do you have any piece of advice for me? Should I just stick at tourneys? Do you think it would be best if I try higher limit NL games as players there might act more predictably? And is it wise to just ignore the “life is one big session” motto and just quit while I’m leading?
Thanks in advance!
Regards,
Mark
Mark,
- It is possible for games to be this tight. It all depends on the players. If a game is bad, you can always find a better game. You usually can check the stats on most rooms to determine which games are the most profitable.
- Your approach seems to be decent, but it sounds like you have been in a couple of bad games in the limit side of things. Limit and No-Limit are two totally different games and as a result, I would stick with one or the other as my main game and then slowly work my way into the other. As far as tournaments, one tournament is not enough for me to determine whether you should play tournaments or not. Try a few more and if you do well, you may want to look into that possibility.
