M
Marc Padula
Rising Star
Bronze Level
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:
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: