Big stacks keep buying the hand

J

JKHG63

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Oct 20, 2012
Total posts
5
Chips
0
I am playing Holdem a fair bit on the practice tables at 888 and it appears to be a common tactic for players with big stacks to go all-in before the flop and just 'buy' the hand, particularly where the other players have smaller stacks and would be wiped out (whereas the big stacks would survive a relatively smaller loss OK).

What is a good strategy in these cases if you have a small stack? Should you risk the blinds wearing you away and hold out to only play very strong hole cards? Or some other approach?

Also is that how people play in the 'real world'?

Thanks in advance.
 
9

98Ls1

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Jun 4, 2012
Total posts
10
Chips
0
You have to play back and not just fold everytime. Their range of hands is probably a lot wider than what you are playing. If you are in position open your range up to either get the blinds or double up.
 
dj11

dj11

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Oct 9, 2006
Total posts
23,189
Awards
9
Chips
0
It does happen in real money, but not as often, seldom actually.

Do not take these situations personally and decide you have to do something. I can still remember a play money situation from many years ago where I was sitting direct to the left of such a player, who was shoving EVERY hand and played no hands until it was HU, Of course by that time he had the massive stack, and I had little chance of winning it. Odd that I remember a play money SnG..... well maybe not so odd.

Under normal circumstances you want to wait for great cards. It might help if you get it all in before he does.

If it is a variety of players at the table who seem to be taking turns at buying the pot, it is different than the single bully. In such a case, it is how these pots are won at that particular table.

I suspect these are the min size buy-in games. As you increase the buy-ins, even at play money tables, the aggressiveness tends to get toned down... a lot.

Referring to them as practice games is nice. So practice things at these tables. You practice being that bully over many tables to get a decent feel at how successful these 'tactics' are. While practicing different styles, remember that at the low stakes play money tables the results mean little. At the highest buy in play money tables you should expect play to be near what a low buy-in cash table provides.

I am a tourney guy, and I am less sure of how play money stakes relate to real money ring games.
 
Last edited:
GOIVIT

GOIVIT

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Jun 4, 2005
Total posts
392
Chips
0
You are playing "practice" (play money) tables. They are for fish and donks as they have nothing invested. When you move up to real money games you will see a lot less of this kind of play.
 
J

JKHG63

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Oct 20, 2012
Total posts
5
Chips
0
Thanks guys. I'm new to holdem so think I need to spend more time understanding the importance of position.

What would you say are the most important aspects of the game for a beginner to concentrate on?
 
micalupagoo

micalupagoo

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Mar 16, 2008
Total posts
7,476
Awards
2
Chips
141
position, bankroll management, opening hands, table dynamics

grab a poker book or spend more time reading here too
gl
 
C

Caesura

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Aug 17, 2012
Total posts
221
Chips
0
Hand selection. Learn to fold K8 suited as quickly as possible

Get into real money games as soon as you can. It is a different game.
 
P

poker d player

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Jun 15, 2008
Total posts
533
Chips
0
Play money ... no cost to reload ... he just wants to double up quickly or will loose all chips and reload for free. Not good "practice" for real money games where this type of foolish play would actually cost something.
 
trucker103

trucker103

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Feb 1, 2009
Total posts
1,029
Chips
0
get away from the free tables people just playin any 2 cards
 
C

credsfan03

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Dec 10, 2011
Total posts
649
Chips
0
Wait for a good hand and shove. The play money tables are really easy if you are patient.
 
Arjonius

Arjonius

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Jun 8, 2005
Total posts
3,167
Chips
0
Forget about trying to figure out how to beat people who shove every hand or play any other ridiculous style. What's the point? Even for someone like me who plays as a hobby, winning money is an inseparable part of my enjoyment. How much money are you ever going to win from people who play this way? None? So what solid reason is there to care about learning how to beat them?
 
joker131

joker131

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Sep 6, 2006
Total posts
706
Chips
0
suggest getting into money freerolls, get your post count up plenty nice real money freerolls to play on cardschat with some realistic holdem play.
 
Starting Hands - Poker Hand Nicknames Rankings - Poker Hands
Top