Hi everyone, my 1st post on here and a complete beginner so take it easy on me :icon_thum
Ive been playing online poker for a few weeks and am slowly getting better, and i have just found out of a tournament my work are throwing in 3 weeks. This will be my 1st time playing 'live' so does anyone have any tips? Money wise is nothing major and if you place you win some prizes (i tunes vouchers etc) so i thought it will be a good one to start on.
A bit nervous as expected, only for the reason i am not sure what to expect in the whole process really.....
Hi
Firstly welcome to the forum, Secondly I'm from Cardiff and also a Cardiff fan (quite mad) considering most here are from over sea's
If its a work thing Im guessing the amount of players wont be more than 3 to 4 tables am I right?
Firstly and formost learn position, Play solid ranges in solid positions 80% of the time, the odd hand out of position is ok but avoid multiway pots with marginal hands or anything raggy.
By position I mean your on the button or closer to the right side of the button than the opponent there for your second to act so you have the advantage of taking advantage of weakness such as checking, and also being bet into when you have a made hand. you can dictate the outcome of the next street and choose whether to hide the strength or re-raise at any time
Cards you will need
Suited Connectors and one Gappers
Q10+ Good opening hands
K10+ Good opening hands, also ok to call in position and out for cheap
J9s+ Good hand for a cheap flop
A10+ Good hand to 3-bet with pre flop, and out of position for cheap
A2s+ K7s+ Strong draw potential with the flushes, and ofcourse top pairs - Be wary of pre flop action when assessing board
dont over commit top pair if the price is alot and board is wet
Small pairs - Folded in multiway pots that are to pricey, good hand early on while the blinds are cheap
Medium pairs, Good hand to play aggressively pre flop as the blinds get bigger, your looking to steal but you always have the potential to do some serious damage aswell.
Premium Pairs - Play smartly whichever way will get you the most value either trapping players, disguising strength or sucking value from loose bad players.
Cards you wont need,
Rags Q7 or like J6 for example anything donkish you dont need to get involved with.
Later on when the blinds are Higher you can start raising to steal blinds if people are playing tight open up your range...
My prediction is especially as its a work thing for prizes people are going to show off and try be bluff crazy with little experience,
so just stick to position solid, calm and collective early on, your looking to get in for cheap and stack your opponents,
you dont want to invest chips in multiway pots with 1 in 4 chances of winning the pot.
Keep it isolate 1 to 2 opponents post flop and control the action, know when to fold and know when to steal,
if the pot is expensive and multiwayed and your not strong get out of there!
I can almost gaurantee at this level without a major cooler or loss of control, your going to rack up chips by just playing in position playing this range and selectively picking players off when the time is right.
Print this off and have it with you on the day - come back and let us know how you got on
Lol!