Having a lot of trouble playing OOP, esp from the blinds

So the biggest leak in my game by far, and I don't even have to check my stats to know it, is blind play. I can work out what range to play easily enough. Simply look at what type of player is raising and what position he is raising from. Vs steals I'm generally going to play 77+ and suited broadways although that range changes on whether the steal is from the CO or BTN and whether I'm in the SB or BB. Now this is quite a tight range, tight enough to be ahead of the ranges I'm playing against, and yet I'm constantly getting hammered on by regs. Usually I flop a semi-strong hand and just get barreled by regs, I've contemplated X/R'ing but from the advice I get on here suggests that isn't the best idea.

I really dunno what to do, just X/F my equity every time unless I hit 2P+? It sounds ridiculous but I'd be losing less money that way . . .

i don't quite know what range you are "working out" that you should play, but by far the easiest way to lose less money is.... to fold more. no, really. any time you are not comfortable playing a hand oop, just do not play the hand.

as an alternative, try to 3bet more preflop, that should also work out better, unless you spew mindlessly post

Doesn't folding just make me super exploitable? I already am with a F2Steal of 85. I suppose I could default to 3-bet restealing, I don't play too bad postflop if I have the betting lead.

It's just that flatting OOP leaves me in such a weird spot where I get barreled off of my equity or where I can never extract because lets face it, trying to get value when OOP sucks balls. I'm kind of worried that if I don't learn to flat from the blinds now, then when I finally move up to 25NL/50NL where people start paying attention I'll get torn to pieces.

You're out-leveling yourself. If you're worried about fixing that sole leak in your game because you're playing high stakes and you've fixed most other issues, then yeah a lot of pros will say that amateurs don't play out of the blinds enough. Consider 3 betting wider and check/raising flops if he's barreling your checks. But, if it's one of your many potential leaks at a low limit game, just...fold more. Consider the blinds a fee to play. And sometimes you get lucky and hit, or you get cards and 3 bet. And trust me, people aren't going to say "oh his first 3 bet in forever, FOLD." They will have 99+ or AJs+ and be like "well he's finally playing back at me, I bet he has 87s, shove!" and then you stack 'em with your JJ/AQs+

benevg said:

i don't quite know what range you are "working out" that you should play, but by far the easiest way to lose less money is.... to fold more. no, really. any time you are not comfortable playing a hand oop, just do not play the hand.

as an alternative, try to 3bet more preflop, that should also work out better, unless you spew mindlessly post

Click to expand...

This.

Nit it up oop

You are supposed to lose money in the blinds. You need to lose the least as possible, which is by playing super tight. It's not worth trying to be crazy and outplay for 1 BB or 1/2 BB. When you get that premium hand you will make up a little for lost blinds, but need to realize that losing blinds is a part of poker.

Is the raiser from EP or MP or LP? What ranges could he have. What do I have?
If the flop hits good for me will it be good for my opponent? Perhaps these situations where you can pin point your opponent down to a handful of hands.

Maybe a lot of times you can donk bet the flop and steal it. Depending on the tightness of your opponent and flop texture.




My favourite is when SB tries to steal the pot, remember your in position BB vs SB so take advantage.

I dont think you are exploitable. As benevg said, if you have a hand you dont feel comfortable with OOP, just fold. Playing OOP suks, and you should always try to find a reason to fold. If you have a reason not to fold, cool. Like flatting a BTN who has a high PFR from BTN and always folds to donks OTF unless he has it, you can call and donk many flops. If you have a late raiser who folds to 3b a lot, 3bet, stuff like that, which I guess you know already anyway.

So it just comes down to... is this a good table to play a hand OOP? If not, just fold. When you have a reg (or more) who you know will make your life miserable, fold, and maybe change tables.

If you are having trouble playing OOP then avoid it as much as possible.

Every situation is different. Gauge the players in the hand and make your decision, but I always side with playing it safe and fold.

They always say it's cheaper to make a bad fold than a good call? ... But then again really is it? what does it mean on your opponents when they see you doing bad folds... hah this is why I love poker

"Tight in the front, loose in the back" was the best advice I've gotten
for poker. Just think of the blinds as a tax everyone at the table is paying
and try not to stress out about it. Everyone else is also losing money from the blinds!