Have you started noticing a trend?

I have brought this question up because of a couple things I have noticed this weekend while playing poker, tourneys and SnGs (micros).

1. Min-raising from UTG/EP with premium hands(AA/KK), which seem to have become the norm in the micro tourneys lately.

2. The new steal position has become the CO.

Are there things you have noticed alot lately that is changing the way poker is being played?

Even the micro donks know about stealing from the button, so it can be very difficult. But, I've had some great payoffs raising on the button, and connecting with the flop. People just assume you're stealing, so I get a lot of min-raising of my c-bet, which can really bloat the pot.

Cutoff is good. But, 3xBB+ UTG is about the only raise that gets respect in the low-mid blind levels. As long as it's not done too often, that might be the best place to try and steal a blind.

One of the great things about poker, is that it's always changing. Today's poker game is a lot different than it was just 5 years ago; and probably miles away from what it was in the 70s. That's why adapting your style to your current table is almost always going to net better results than going in with a set gameplan.

Yeah I have noticed alot of that myself latley as well.
Especially in micro sngs.
Wonder if a new book came out or something,lol.

Yes, just in the last weak I notice alot of it. Someone must have wrote a piece about min-raising and everyone is following like a herd.Just today I busted a guy who min-raised AA from utg+1 with K4s from the button(5 players ended up in the hand) . I don't think he knows if he would've put a real raise in he most likely would have won the hand. Oh well.

History repeats itself

In the 80s and 90s it was extremely common for a min raise from UTG or EP with AA KK AK in Tournys

I haven't played at all this semester until the last few days, now that I know I'm fine in all my classes. And yes, I have noticed since returning that premium hands are played very (I would say stupidly) stealthily, with minraises and limps seemingly more often than 3x or 4x or more.

players are getting more trappy from UTG. but with big hands like that is going to bite them in the ass sooner or later.

its a good play but only works once. they good players will take a note on you, and know what your doing the next time.

this play is good to do when you are short stacked in a tournament, and you need the action. otherwise i would not do it, and give players odds to call.

sometimes if i have a big hand utg i limp ...and hope to repop a raiser...but ya folks are doing that alot in the 100 guarantee at ft and daily dollar..and if i have aces on the button i raise big to make people think im stelaing

I've notice the CO is getting more popular in micros. Also the SB is getting popular as well (even if it's not been raised). Pretty soon it'll be the BB and MP that will be popular.

I agree ....
Seems like a trend lately.

These players often have a very simple betting pattern.
Take Note.
Take Advantage ..........


Good Luck

Phil Gordon's Little Green Book, page 44:
"I like to steal from the cutoff seat...
...everyone steals from the button.
The cutoff is kinda money."


("Money" here is used in reference to the movie Swingers).

Yes I have noticed this trend. Today I busted 2 different people in satellites for 2x bb utg with AA and another one in a satellite for doing it with KK. If they had raised a decent amount preflop I wouldn't have been in any of those hands to bust them.

I have just started this year stealing from the co, works great.

I certainly don't see anything strange about stealing from someplace other than the button. If a table is tight enough, it can be a good play from earlier position than the cutoff even. I think varying your stealing position makes it harder for someone to feel confident they can get away with repopping.

I have noticed more overall agressive play in the micro sng's. From all positions
duanek