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sabby29

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I regularly play at certain home games where the minimum buy-in is 5k INR and the blinds are 100/100. The tables are full ring and the action is very loose. There is no logic within the pre flop raises which are anywhere between 700 to 1700 - usually on each hand. So basically you have to pay 1/5 to 2/5 of your buy-in only to see the flop. If you see 2-3 flops on marginal hands, you would have already lost almost all your buy-in. Most players on the table play loose, that is you can expect a raise of 1500 with someone holding a marginal hand such as K8 or small pockets or any suited connector. While all of them start with the minimum buy-in of 5k, they end up reloading 4-8 times during a minimum 3 hours session (most play longer). Since the session is so loose, the day you are running hot you can expect 5k to multiply to upwards of 30k and the day you are running cold you can end up losing between 20k-40k.

I hope I was able to give you a good description of the action on these tables.

I understand that there are two things I could do here: (a) play super tight and shove on premium hands to combat the loose players (b) sit with a bigger stack ex. 25k instead of 5k.

Problem with (a) is that if I play super tight then the table starts disliking you as a player who does not give much action and will avoid inviting you to their games. Problem with (b) is that it might not be a good idea to sit with 25k if everyone else is sitting with 5k - though over the course of the session they end up playing more than 25k due to their multiple reloads.

I am looking for any suggestions as to how to play at such tables? Absolutely any thoughts one can share. Specifically suggestions relating to size of bankroll and efficient management.

Thank you.
 
Jillychemung

Jillychemung

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Problem with (a) is that if I play super tight then the table starts disliking you as a player who does not give much action and will avoid inviting you to their games.

This definitely adds a wrinkle to your preflop hand selection. If you are serious about the game owner not inviting you back if you play TAG then you will have to look for 'selected' opportunities to widen your range and come to grips with the increase in variance by increasing your BRM levels for this game.

Some suggestions on widening your range.
1) Open in EP hands suited connectors JTs-65s, especially if the table is likely to be passive and not 3-bet you.
2) Limp in CO, HJ suited connectors QJs-65s plus suited one gappers QTs-75s
3) From the BTN start 3-betting suited connectors JTs-65s plus your usual range

I think that if you slowly add some of this into your range and you hit a few showdowns you should have enough hand history to convince the game organizers that you are not as TAG as you would appear.

As for BRM, always play with a stack that can cover or the highest stack allowed. With the increased variance you will need to add more buy-ins to your roll and increase your stop-loss level.
 
4soul

4soul

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You must become "liked" at the table with your attitude, if you're so tight....most important thing in here is to have interesting discusses about what you may think they are interested...if there aren't just HIT AND RUN! :D But to that one time and never comeback there... i'm not agree with this variant, but sometimes you need do something do not "dropping into tilt".

In other vision, if you don't have enought bankroll , dont go in this kind of home games, because it's risky. Anyway, it's risky. But loose small amount if then...

Play like them and feel them game. Being prepaired to observe that they could play "on hand" :( ...and bad things could continue.

Take a tablet with you and play some online if you don't like them and want to be tight...they will avoid you or will call so loose to bust you :)

But, my advice is to find big places with a lot of amount of players...even you must travel. Travelling is good! See new things!

And about the game, it's important how full is the table (6-handed - loose passive game, 7-8-handed loose agg game, 9-10-handed tight-agg game) and use your feelings...
 
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chuckdiesel1

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your not going to this table expecting to win. These are games that are just insane. If people don't want you to play tight then leave them alone. I would tighten up a bit and see how it works. If your friendly they won't say much im sure.
 
RoyalFluch

RoyalFluch

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Game Selection

Game selection is one of the most important aspects of playing profitable poker. IF you don't feel comfortable in this game (I certainly wouldn't) then I'd quit playing in it. There are at least two games in the last year in which I found my self in similar circumstances and chose to stop playing in them. While it was a fun atmosphere and I liked my opponents, I'm not playing just for the recreational advantages.

In my area there are just too many options to settle for what you've described. Your mileage may vary.
 
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Blazed101

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make all your rich friends broke:)
 
Aces2w1n

Aces2w1n

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Usually when you invest money in a high risk environment... You want the rewards to be worth it... If you think winning in this type of game can change you as a poker player longterm then maybe its worth a try?..

If winning these games changes nothing, then why play it at all seriously.

1. Have a solid plan before entering these games especially a high risk *don't recommend playing this game if your risking too much though*... Hit and run

2. Be friendly with these guys because in the future you might want to get re-invited and have a decent bankroll to keep up with these guys.

3. Loose playing usually means High VARIENCE!



ALSO NO FRIENDS IN POKER!!!! these guys if they know your low bankrolled for the game and want you to play loose? ... They want you to go bust. Don't be foolish and protect your money better sir.
 
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sabby29

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Thank you everyone for taking the time out to review and reply to my post. I very much appreciate your help.

While I do realise that playing super tight is a profitable play here, it requires a lot of discipline as I end up playing marginal hands out of frustration (while waiting hours for premium hands). Any idea how to improve the discipline aspect here?

Another concern I face with the super tight / shove approach is that it ruins my post flop play and hence my poker game (since i dont get involved in too many pots and game is more shove and run).

Also I usually like to play loose with very deep stacks. I like to play many hands. This suits my personality in general as it keeps my involved. Playing super tight requires a lot of discipline - which is opposite of my personality! With that said, I wanted to know your views on: Since everyone starts initially with 5k but ends up bringing 25k-50k over the course of the session (post 3 hours), is it a good idea for me to sit deep stacked (I'm thinking 30k) right from the very beginning, although everyone is just sitting with 5k?

Simply put, in a full ring (9 players table), everyone starts with 5k and start topping up once they start losing. Should I sit with 30k right from the start when everyone is just sitting with 5k? I believe it will allow me to play my game more freely but I am not sure whether it is a good idea.

Thank you.
 
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