Is poker changing? Has it already changed?

Beanfacekilla

Beanfacekilla

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I am thinking that poker is becoming more of a gamble these days than it was 5 years ago. Here is an example.

$1/$2 live poker

Details are sketchy, but here it is.

Limpers, then a small raise. UTG+5 3-bets to $80

I fold. Button folds. SB calls. All others fold.

Flop 9-4-x rainbow unpaired.

SB checks. UTG+5 bets $150

SB calls.

Turn 4

SB checks. BB bets around $150 and is all in.

SB snap calls.

UTG+5 rolls over K-K. SB rolls over 10-4 offsuit.

The river does not bring a king.

SB collects the pot.


I played yesterday at a local charity cardroom. These kinds of things were happening the whole time. People are raising OOP like 10x+ with garbage like 3-6 off, A-rag, etc.

It just seemed all day it was rags to riches. People were calling OOP for $50 with ATC, and just flopping the world on people.

I did win 1 BI for the day, but I still find myself wondering how people can play so badly, and win. People are chasing gut shots, flushes that are 5 high, one guy called a huge pot-size bet with 3-3 and no set, hoping to catch a 2-outer (he did hit a 3 on the turn).

When you play live, "in the long run" is like a year of poker. I see this stuff all the time. It seems people will just call with the worst underdog hands, and keep hitting the lotto.

Which brings me to the point of this stupid thread, poker is changing.

These people I sit with are so stupid. They are oblivious to position, table images, starting hand requirements, etc. Yet I see these fools winning monster pots, against all odds.

Is it even possible to make a profit at $1/$2 live anymore? I have been running bad intermittently for about 3 months now. I wouldn't mind if I were outplayed, or they had better cards. But these people just suck out all the time. It is frustrating.

I just made this thread to vent a little. I am starting to think poker is just a crapshoot now.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the issue? Just a bad run for me?

I did win yesterday, but I am a losing player over the last 3 months. I have profited regularly for years. Now I just get outdrawn more and more.

It feels like the game just keeps getting worse. Rags to riches every hand.

I would play online, but it just isn't the same for me. I don't enjoy online poker very much at all.
 
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JUDGE1018

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Ive noticed the same thing at my casino boat i play at,play tight and u will b fine.
 
Beanfacekilla

Beanfacekilla

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Thanks. I do play tight, but it seems I am on a neverending cooler.

They will call with middle and bottom pair and spike 2 pair on the turn or river. It is difficult to spot this, because it is very difficult to range a calling station. I value bet top/top only to get sucked out by WAY worse hands. I know they are calling with worse, but they seem to get lucky alot lately...
 
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credsfan03

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You want people to play hands like 10 4 when you have a big hand. The majority of the time your hand will prevail but there will still be some occasions where a bad beat like this will happen. I don't really think complaining about bad players is reasonable because these are the players that you can make a lot of money off of assuming you are a winning player.
 
WVHillbilly

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No change based on that hand. People have been playing bad since the game was invented. When they stop the game will have changed (and likely be dead).
 
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The only change i have seen is the donks out number the average player by at least 8-1. The more donks at one table the more suck outs, bad beats etc...
 
OzExorcist

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Yeah, sounds like a completely standard $1-$2 game to me and that's WHY these games are profitable.

Also keep in mind that three months is pretty much no time at all in live poker so you're talking about a very small sample of hands.
 
Beanfacekilla

Beanfacekilla

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You want people to play hands like 10 4 when you have a big hand. The majority of the time your hand will prevail but there will still be some occasions where a bad beat like this will happen. I don't really think complaining about bad players is reasonable because these are the players that you can make a lot of money off of assuming you are a winning player.

I wasn't even in the hand when villain had 10-4. I just was stunned at what he called with- and how lucky he got.

I do like to have bad players at my table. They feed the game. They pump chips onto the table. I have just been running so bad lately, I am really frustrated. I am playing solid poker, and getting my money in good, but I have been extremely unlucky.

No change based on that hand. People have been playing bad since the game was invented. When they stop the game will have changed (and likely be dead).

Yes I know you are right. Very well said.

I just really hope for some run-good soon.
 
Beanfacekilla

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Yeah, sounds like a completely standard $1-$2 game to me and that's WHY these games are profitable.

Also keep in mind that three months is pretty much no time at all in live poker so you're talking about a very small sample of hands.


I know you are right. It is small sample I suppose.

However, it is still frustrating getting outdrawn frequently with hands I want to call me.

Thanks to all for the responses. My mindset is already improving as a result.
 
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forsakenone

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I've played live. All this seems standard. However it is not a gable unless you can play solid tight poker.
 
Poker Orifice

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It's cuz live is 'rigged'. Try breakin' up your play but hitting the online tables imo.
 
frozensprx

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It is just variance bro. I have flopped trip queens with an ace kicker and some donk ships the flop with a flush draw and makes his flush, this sometimes happens several times in a long session, but you will get the money back eventually so don't worry.
 
Beanfacekilla

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It's cuz live is 'rigged'. Try breakin' up your play but hitting the online tables imo.

Live is rigged.... lol.

I never really liked online poker. I don't want to deposit alot, and I just can't take micros seriously. Plus there is no reads like there are live. I do play some MTTs online occasionally. I haven't in a while though.

It is just variance bro. I have flopped trip queens with an ace kicker and some donk ships the flop with a flush draw and makes his flush, this sometimes happens several times in a long session, but you will get the money back eventually so don't worry.

I hear you.

Hopefully my luck changes for the better soon.
 
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offrdmom

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IMO no poker is not changing per say,it is the players that change and try to manipulate the game just to copy cat what they see on TV.
I started in a live setting and after relocating to a state were that was impossible for me to continue live. Switched to online AP/FT/Stars. It took 6 mos to get it together.
The biggest setback was how fast the game moves.I was just about blinding out waiting for good starting hands. Not to mention the tells not being visible.
The it was the Moneymaker era, then came the Any2 card will do player. So it really been an adjustment and one I don't see ending anywhere soon.Just the other day someone in the game said in chat "how do you play that garbage" the response they got was " don't you know 49os is a bomb" :\
So just hang on there and remember there is no set time limit on how long a down swing can last but it does end..keep the faith :)
 
Beanfacekilla

Beanfacekilla

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IMO no poker is not changing per say,it is the players that change and try to manipulate the game just to copy cat what they see on TV.
I started in a live setting and after relocating to a state were that was impossible for me to continue live. Switched to online AP/FT/Stars. It took 6 mos to get it together.
The biggest setback was how fast the game moves.I was just about blinding out waiting for good starting hands. Not to mention the tells not being visible.
The it was the Moneymaker era, then came the Any2 card will do player. So it really been an adjustment and one I don't see ending anywhere soon.Just the other day someone in the game said in chat "how do you play that garbage" the response they got was " don't you know 49os is a bomb" :\
So just hang on there and remember there is no set time limit on how long a down swing can last but it does end..keep the faith :)

Yes I think most players play ATC nowadays. It is usually profitable (for me). But lately, they just keep getting lucky. Oh well.

Thanks for the encouraging reply.
 
imboosted

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just play tight and you will profit in these games. i personally wish i knew of a game full of people like that. i would play everyday....

tight is right!!
 
Aces2w1n

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Longterm play tight is right... but you need to mix it up or you'll just get picked off by the good players.
 
Beanfacekilla

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Longterm play tight is right... but you need to mix it up or you'll just get picked off by the good players.

I do mix it up. As for good players-maybe 1 in 10 I encounter at $1/$2 actually pay attention to something other than their own cards.
 
Beanfacekilla

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I have an update for this thread now. Here it is...

I went last night and played at a charity gig. I bought in with $200, and left with $736. I played $1/$2. Boy oh boy the cards were coming, and the donks were doing what they do best- calling when they are waaaaaaaay behind. No suck outs there.

Then when the charity gig closed, I went to motor city casino. I bought in with $200, and left with $1,320. I was running so good it was unreal. And once again, they are calling with way worse. Small stacks are jamming on me with OESDs and FDs, when I had better draws (and made hands already anyways).

I think the poker gods were trying to make up for some of my run bad. I played the best poker of my life I think. I was sniffing out bluffs, bluffing a little myself, and felting people left and right.

Please understand I am just excited to finally have a good session for a change... I am not trying to boast or anything. Thank you poker gods.

Yaay! Hopefully, the run bad is over!
 
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O

offrdmom

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I have an update for this thread now. Here it is...

I went last night and played at a charity gig. I bought in with $200, and left with $736. I played $1/$2. Boy oh boy the cards were coming, and the donks were doing what they do best- calling when they are waaaaaaaay behind. No suck outs there.

Then when the charity gig closed, I went to motor city casino. I bought in with $200, and left with $1,320. I was running so good it was unreal. And once again, they are calling with way worse. Small stacks are jamming on me with OESDs and FDs, when I had better draws (and made hands already anyways).

I think the poker gods were trying to make up for some of my run bad. I played the best poker of my life I think. I was sniffing out bluffs, bluffing a little myself, and felting people left and right.

Please understand I am just excited to finally have a good session for a change... I am not trying to boast or anything. Thank you poker gods.

Yaay hopefully, the run bad is over!

Congrats!!
Wow! sweet run! enjoy it and thanks for the update =)
 
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