3 tips from a 20 year Veteran (NL Hold'em)

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Marc Padula

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Hello, I am an avid and long-time poker player. I've had a lot of success over the years, and I've consistently been able to beat various 2$/5$ No-limit Texas hold'em cash games.

I'm also an avid writer, and I enjoy helping people, so I'm going to take this time and leave a few tips for anyone & everyone. (If anyone enjoys my tips and observations, please let me know, and I'll write some more!)

First, I want to talk about something which is understated in poker. PLAYER SIZE/NUMBER OF PLAYERS AT TABLE.... People should DRASTICALLY adjust their approach depending on amount of players at the table.
If there is only 1-2 other players at the table with you, you need to FIRMLY understand how that affects the strength of your hands, particularly your starting hands (pre-flop.) Because of this, I would recommend to ALL NEW players (even semi-new players) DO NOT PLAY SHORT-HANDED. Short-handed poker requires the most imagination, experience, and skill. If you're new, or fairly new at poker, start with 9-man games. Then, once you feel comfortable there, go to 6-man games. Afterwards, you can start joining games which have 3-4 players, and so-on. Remember, the MORE STARTING HANDS that are dealt-out, the MORE often it will be the CARDS that win the pot, and NOT the skill of the player holding them. Hence, the more players that are at the table, the less advantage a higher-skilled player will have.

Second, don't bluff in an absent-minded approach. You should, usually, have a plan or a "read" which will "hatch" your bluff.

For example, your opponent made a fairly big raise pre-flop, and he's a very tight player. Immediately you put him on KK-AA-QQ-JJ, some big pair. He also has a LOT of money at the table, and so do you, so you're going to call with your 5-6 of hearts in an attempt to bust him.
Now, the board comes 6 - 9 - 10 (with two spades) Then, he bet's again, and now you are SURE he doesn't have AK, which means he has an OVER-PAIR. Now, at THIS point you WOULDN'T want to bluff, because he might not be able to convince himself you actually have him beat. But, you could just call his bet, and if the next card is a spade, or a 7/8/9/10, THEN you could bluff!

Third, randomize! (This sort of ties in with bluffing as well.) Don't just always do the "right" thing. If the table appears weak go ahead and re-raise with a 9-10 suited, ONCE IN AWHILE. Because, if you always do the "right" thing, you'll become SO easy to read. And worse, you'll get NO ACTION when you DO GET big hands. (Remember though, you're primary goal in doing this is to disguise your big hands when you get them, not lose a lot of money with your randomized ones.)
Another thing, on your "randomized" hands, make sure you do with with hands that are easy to play. Something that if it misses, it misses big. (Like small suited connectors.) And, something you can throw away if you face a 3 bet. It may seem dumb to re-raise with 5-6 suited, and in a way, it IS dumb. Yet, if you ONLY 3-bet with premium hands, you become SO easy to predict.

Anyways, that's enough for me today. If anyone enjoys this, or has any questions, I'd be willing to help so just let me know! :smile:
 
warface

warface

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Everything is clear, the more table max 9 the better-longer possible to wait for a good entry card for a beginner, I advise you to choose the tournaments as usual, and no turbo with pancakes on the course of 10-15 minutes.
 
Diegol

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Very good advices especially the third advice, almost no one tell people to randomize and that makes the players very predictable
 
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Marc Padula

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Before I begin on my next topic, I'd like to thank those of you who appreciated my original post, and subsequently took the time to leave a comment. So...Thank you :)

Aggression: First, you'll want to adjust your aggression depending on how many people are at the table. As a general rule, the LESS people at the table, the MORE aggressive you'll want to be.

Example, If you were the pre-flop raiser in a short-handed game, and you totally MISSED the flop, you'll most often STILL want to bet and try to capitalize on your image of strength (which you obtained by raising/betting pre-flop.)

However, in a larger game, you might not always want to continue with these "see" bets when you miss the flop. As a general rule, if more than 2 people called your bet pre-flop, and you MISS the flop, it's "okay" to forego your aggressive "see" bet. Now, obviously this isn't always going to be the right decision, but I think it holds merit as a "general" rule.

Next, aggression & your draws: This is slightly more complex, as there is technically a few different variables to the equation - i.e. fold equity, pot odds, etc etc. So, TYPICALLY, what I'll do is fairly simple, I'll play my draws aggressively when I'm late in position, and the table appears weak to moderately weak. Or, I'll play them aggressive EARLY in position if I'm SURE the equity is going to be there. (Ex: I have the Nut flush draw and an over card or two, into a multi-way pot.)

Another thing, I ALMOST never play my draws aggressively, in 9 man games, if they don't draw to the NUTS. It's pretty much necessary to play those suited connectors in 9-man games, but I don't play them overly aggressive post-flop. (If I had 10% of the money, that I lost with King high flushes, I'd have 15,000 dollars in my pocket probably. So, just be wary of draws that don't draw to the nuts in large games. :p)

Last thing for today, in order to play an aggressive style correctly, you need a few things:
1.) THE bankroll -- Aggressive players win large pots, but they lose large pots as well sometimes. Also, those "see" bets and "intuitive" bets add-up when things aren't going your way.
2.) "Heart" -- sometimes you need to fire those second and third bets with NOTHING, and that isn't easy for everyone.
3.) EMOTIONAL STRENGTH -- when you play aggressively, your swings (wins and loses) might be rather polarized, and you NEED to be able to keep a cool head. Because let me tell you, aggressive players who go on tilt, it is NOT a pretty sight guys.

In close, it's been my experience that skilled-aggressive players DEFINITELY have a succinct and clear advantage over skilled-tight players. (Primarily because of fold equity, but other reasons as well.) However, despite 23 YEARS of avid poker playing, I can shamelessly admit that an aggressive style is STILL difficult for me at times, as I lack the brazen "disrespect" for money that is needed at times to play aggressively correct.
Anyways, hope someone enjoys this, and I'll be back soon!:angel:
 
quick

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Very solid advice. As someone with a lot of online and home game experience, and over the past year some live casino 1/2 experience, I could visualize each of your tips and examples as if I was sitting at a 9 man table thinking through as the hands progress.

Definitely solid advice. I especially like the randomize part. It's a nuanced and subtle change and while many 1/2 live players won't notice if you never change it up, some will, so you need to be mindful of it.

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that struggles at times with the very aggressive approach. The very aggressive players I tend to encounter seem to always be swinging up and down wildly, losing their temper, and leaving down a few buy ins. Not saying it's not a valid strategy, but you definitely need a deep roll, a super cool head, and a complete disregard for money and short term bigger swings.

If you care to share some insight on how to play back at "maniac" aggressive style players (LAGS) I'm sure many will be curious. I tend to ID them quickly and let them bet into me when I have a confident holding that likely is trapping them. But always into hearing other strategies.
 
marieemce

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Very nice tips, I am playing poker since October and I already win a great money studying and practicing. I believe the best way to win is knowing your villains, if you know witch kind of player you are against the chance to loose chips and win is very high!

Thank you for the tips, I'll put on the felts ! :D
 
Pbland

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Marc, write a book. Or at least an article. Your info will help a lot of people.
 
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Marc Padula

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Marc, write a book. Or at least an article. Your info will help a lot of people.

Hah! Thanks! I'd REALLY love to, but sadly I don't have the connections/network to get published.
 
GODZZ

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Great advice.And a very good read , you should start a Bog if you enjoy the writing.Nice post.

G/L:)
 
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HeikoHeiko

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Very good advice. Please going on.

and of course the publishing connection will come soon....
 
akmost

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Well said , you gonna make alot of people take a glance in a deeper approach of the game inluding me. I play online mtts but you can use this piece of information everywhere. And I couldn't aggree more that for a begginer a full ring table maybe has more plain dynamics compared to a 6max table. You can't be that that when you are 6, 5,4 or 3 handed in a poker game.Help you sir! :)
 
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peterpam

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Good advice. I think people read me very easily. Your tip about random playing is good. I have got to learn to do that. I tend to play only when I have good hands.
 
PLAYINBIG

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Good advice and makes very good sense.I will be watching this thread.
 
Sevendeuceoff72

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Hello, I am an avid and long-time poker player. I've had a lot of success over the years, and I've consistently been able to beat various 2$/5$ No-limit Texas hold'em cash games.

I'm also an avid writer, and I enjoy helping people, so I'm going to take this time and leave a few tips for anyone & everyone. (If anyone enjoys my tips and observations, please let me know, and I'll write some more!)

First, I want to talk about something which is understated in poker. PLAYER SIZE/NUMBER OF PLAYERS AT TABLE.... People should DRASTICALLY adjust their approach depending on amount of players at the table.
If there is only 1-2 other players at the table with you, you need to FIRMLY understand how that affects the strength of your hands, particularly your starting hands (pre-flop.) Because of this, I would recommend to ALL NEW players (even semi-new players) DO NOT PLAY SHORT-HANDED. Short-handed poker requires the most imagination, experience, and skill. If you're new, or fairly new at poker, start with 9-man games. Then, once you feel comfortable there, go to 6-man games. Afterwards, you can start joining games which have 3-4 players, and so-on. Remember, the MORE STARTING HANDS that are dealt-out, the MORE often it will be the CARDS that win the pot, and NOT the skill of the player holding them. Hence, the more players that are at the table, the less advantage a higher-skilled player will have.

Second, don't bluff in an absent-minded approach. You should, usually, have a plan or a "read" which will "hatch" your bluff.

For example, your opponent made a fairly big raise pre-flop, and he's a very tight player. Immediately you put him on KK-AA-QQ-JJ, some big pair. He also has a LOT of money at the table, and so do you, so you're going to call with your 5-6 of hearts in an attempt to bust him.
Now, the board comes 6 - 9 - 10 (with two spades) Then, he bet's again, and now you are SURE he doesn't have AK, which means he has an OVER-PAIR. Now, at THIS point you WOULDN'T want to bluff, because he might not be able to convince himself you actually have him beat. But, you could just call his bet, and if the next card is a spade, or a 7/8/9/10, THEN you could bluff!

Third, randomize! (This sort of ties in with bluffing as well.) Don't just always do the "right" thing. If the table appears weak go ahead and re-raise with a 9-10 suited, ONCE IN AWHILE. Because, if you always do the "right" thing, you'll become SO easy to read. And worse, you'll get NO ACTION when you DO GET big hands. (Remember though, you're primary goal in doing this is to disguise your big hands when you get them, not lose a lot of money with your randomized ones.)
Another thing, on your "randomized" hands, make sure you do with with hands that are easy to play. Something that if it misses, it misses big. (Like small suited connectors.) And, something you can throw away if you face a 3 bet. It may seem dumb to re-raise with 5-6 suited, and in a way, it IS dumb. Yet, if you ONLY 3-bet with premium hands, you become SO easy to predict.

Anyways, that's enough for me today. If anyone enjoys this, or has any questions, I'd be willing to help so just let me know! [emoji2]
Do you play mostly live? Or online as well?
 
pescaofish

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Nice Marc, I will comment on your third concept

"Third, randomize! (This sort of ties in with bluffing as well.) Don't just always do the "right" thing.............you become SO easy to predict.

Agree, but for my style of playing poker, tight aggressive, is hard to "randomize", I rather tell them I did Bluff a hand that I won, If the players fold; when In fact I had the nuts. :deal::deal:
 
BlackJesus

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Very good tips and you described them easy to understand.

For the 1st one, however, I would add that not only shorthanded formats require skill, but also a bankroll management. For playing those, you need larger amount of buyins in your client because the variance is that much more important and could swing downwards.
 
steve101651

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I agree with you! Keep up the great work!
 
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JamaicanKid

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Solid advice....it makes great sense..
 
terryk

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Well said,,,very helpful tips:)
 
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