B
bellicoso
Visionary
Silver Level
While there's a fine line between reasonable aggression and playing like a maniac, I have found that, when I assert myself with bets at the table, I often take down pots easily.
With any good connectors (nothing too low), if I have the opportunity to open the betting, I usually start with a pot-bet. This immediately scares off weak handed players and draws in those who think they have a shot. Then the flop... If I make a pair, I follow up with another quarter to half-pot bet depending on the strength of my pair. This works to either cause the other player(s) to fold or as an information bet, especially if they raise (in which case I will probably fold). If they just call, it's time for the turn... my pair might still be good. I make sure I'm not in danger of getting caught by any draws and make another half-pot bet. This provides another fold/information opportunity, and a spot where a lot of players make the mistake of continuing when I have them beaten already (e.g. a set or have hit a draw). Finally, the river... I take a quick look at the board and see what I've got. If I think I'm still winning, I make another half-pot bet. Believe it or not, this is usually where the other player folds. If not, I win the pot with essentially a series of value-bets.
This is just an example of how many hands tend to go for me. I only screw up when I get bored and start to play too loose. Also, I never shove pre-flop. I do, however, sometimes call a shover if I've got them stacked.
Also, it's important to note that I don't necessarily start out playing this way. I prefer to build at least 40 BB before I move to this style of play. But it has carried me to a few final tables the last few weeks.
Anyway, I'd like to hear some thoughts from other aggressive players and see if they have similar experiences. Alternatively, do you think this approach is bad? If so, I'd love to hear ways to improve it.
With any good connectors (nothing too low), if I have the opportunity to open the betting, I usually start with a pot-bet. This immediately scares off weak handed players and draws in those who think they have a shot. Then the flop... If I make a pair, I follow up with another quarter to half-pot bet depending on the strength of my pair. This works to either cause the other player(s) to fold or as an information bet, especially if they raise (in which case I will probably fold). If they just call, it's time for the turn... my pair might still be good. I make sure I'm not in danger of getting caught by any draws and make another half-pot bet. This provides another fold/information opportunity, and a spot where a lot of players make the mistake of continuing when I have them beaten already (e.g. a set or have hit a draw). Finally, the river... I take a quick look at the board and see what I've got. If I think I'm still winning, I make another half-pot bet. Believe it or not, this is usually where the other player folds. If not, I win the pot with essentially a series of value-bets.
This is just an example of how many hands tend to go for me. I only screw up when I get bored and start to play too loose. Also, I never shove pre-flop. I do, however, sometimes call a shover if I've got them stacked.
Also, it's important to note that I don't necessarily start out playing this way. I prefer to build at least 40 BB before I move to this style of play. But it has carried me to a few final tables the last few weeks.
Anyway, I'd like to hear some thoughts from other aggressive players and see if they have similar experiences. Alternatively, do you think this approach is bad? If so, I'd love to hear ways to improve it.