Strategy for the first few orbits?

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Beasty2k

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I play the average TAG style, opening up more and more throughout the session (if I play long enough I will shift back and forth). I do think people at the table see me as a good player in general, and the tight aggressive approach gives me the respect I need to pull off a few bluffs further down the session.

However, I find myself losing confidence if I lose a few pots right away, and I think that has to do with my overall strategy early on in the session. What is the best suggestion here? I try and jump in with my normal game, firing c-bets when appropriate and double (maybe even triple) barrelling when there is an opportunity. Some light 3-betting when appropriate and so on.

My new idea is that I should try and play a very nitty game early on, only jumping in with premiums, perhaps even playing them passively fit/fold. This to not lose too much early on (which I lose confidence from), and secondly to establish the image of a weak/tight player. And further along the road when I do get some reads on my opponents, I will open up and play much more aggressively. Does that sound like a good idea?

If so, where do I draw the line? I am talking about say the first 5-10 orbits. Do I keep doing my standard c-bets when appropriate? But not the double barrels? Check-raising, bluffing? I guess the question goes for both live and online. Any further details on where to draw the line in regards to "observing" the first few orbits. Thanks!
 
micromachine

micromachine

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I like to play more conservatively at first until I have an idea of the players I'm up against. It sucks to lose a few buy-ins right at the start of a session!

Don't know what level you are playing but if it's 5nl or lower then don't worry about 'trying to create an image', most likely no-one is paying much attention.
 
D

DunningKruger

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Against unknowns I find they tend to give me the benefit of the doubt at first as long as my bet sizings are pretty standard and I'm playing several tables. I can thus 3bet and even 4bet a little more liberally preflop and barrel off in certain borderline post flop spots. If and when they adjust then you readjust by getting dealt AA a lot. ez game
 
icemonkey9

icemonkey9

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Just play your game and don't throw away good spots to play optimal situations just because it's early. You're passing up profitable situations. Disregard "just sitting down" as a period in time and think of yourself as resuming one big giant session.

Is there some meta-game potentially in a live game? Sure. But I've seen the opposite work better where you start spewing chips early and then tighten up...but that's kinda dumb too. Just play your game and be consistent in your methodology.
 
RodneyC86

RodneyC86

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Only thing I do different when I just sat down at 2nl is open shove AA wiThout giving a thought to extract value.

Some will label you fish and call ou down with quite liberally with medium aces medium pps....

Don't try this if you are at anything higher than 2nl or you have a memorable avatar...like mine lol...
 
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