Overly Cautious?

Lotok

Lotok

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My ability to work out odds and % quicky is next to nil. I can look at a flop and consider what other possible hands are available, but the % stuff baffles me. I have no idea how people can do that in their head so quickly.

When I am playing with friends or online, I am overly cautious. My chips often fritter away on blinds and pre-flop calls. The reason is I consider what people could have, so even if I am sitting with AA after the flop and someone was to bet, I would probably fold because a simple 2 pair would beat me.

It may just be bad luck, but I think everyone is probably the same, where in a game for a couple of hours, only a few really good hands come out for them. So during this time, how do you avoid losing too much to pre-flop calls and blinds?

The question comes from an online game today, there was an opponent constantly raising pre-flop and always raising after the flop too. I doubt he had great cards every hand, but I always consider what I am holding. If it's easily beat I want to give over as little chips as possible. So if it was a pair, I would probably fold.

Am I overly cautious? Is there ever a good time for playing a pair against someone betting?

Cheers for the info
 
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fletchdad

fletchdad

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Hi Lotok,

I dont know if you mean exclusively online or both that and live. I assume you dont use a HUD.

There are so many articles on odds and such, google, look here in the strategy articles, and it really isnt that hard to do basic odds and outs. It takes a little time, and practice. But that is only the beginning.

You mentioned a player raising pre and post a lot. Of course, your relative position to him is important, but this kind of players could be decent and aggressive, or could just be a manic. Your best strategy vs. him is to also be aggressive, but with a plan. Like if you are in position (IP) 3 bet him with a wide range, like Axs, Any BW, AT+, SC - maybe 56s+, any pair. If he folds, you can start playing back more often till he starts 4 betting. If he calls, see how he plays post. If he always leads, reraise relentlessly. But if he is a manic, you will be flipping a lot, and IMO you should be willing to GII with any PP 88+, and post with any decent draw, big pairs, and maybe even one pair with BD draws.

What I just wrote is very overly simple and in no means a strategy in and of itself, but, to answer your question, yes, you are being over cautious. Folding AA to a bet post is very bad, unless you are folding for a reason. Cause he could have 2P is no reason. If he only bets with 2P+, a good reason.

Your reasoning that "he cant have good cards all the time" is spot on. Abuse him, and he will adjust vs you if he is good, and he will give you money if he is a maniac. You stayed out of his way. He was aggressive. It seems everyone else stayed out of his way. Imagine YOU play aggressive....... You get me???
 
tazer

tazer

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fletchdad said:
Hi Lotok,

I dont know if you mean exclusively online or both that and live. I assume you dont use a HUD.

There are so many articles on odds and such, google, look here in the strategy articles, and it really isnt that hard to do basic odds and outs. It takes a little time, and practice. But that is only the beginning.

You mentioned a player raising pre and post a lot. Of course, your relative position to him is important, but this kind of players could be decent and aggressive, or could just be a manic. Your best strategy vs. him is to also be aggressive, but with a plan. Like if you are in position (IP) 3 bet him with a wide range, like Axs, Any BW, AT+, SC - maybe 56s+, any pair. If he folds, you can start playing back more often till he starts 4 betting. If he calls, see how he plays post. If he always leads, reraise relentlessly. But if he is a manic, you will be flipping a lot, and IMO you should be willing to GII with any PP 88+, and post with any decent draw, big pairs, and maybe even one pair with BD draws.

What I just wrote is very overly simple and in no means a strategy in and of itself, but, to answer your question, yes, you are being over cautious. Folding AA to a bet post is very bad, unless you are folding for a reason. Cause he could have 2P is no reason. If he only bets with 2P+, a good reason.

Your reasoning that "he cant have good cards all the time" is spot on. Abuse him, and he will adjust vs you if he is good, and he will give you money if he is a maniac. You stayed out of his way. He was aggressive. It seems everyone else stayed out of his way. Imagine YOU play aggressive....... You get me???
Click to expand...

I really like this idea. I used to play really tight and cautious, but once I started loosening up a bit playing marginal hands at times just to see what I can get I've started to play a little more free and I am a better player for it.

Lotok, One thing I have realized is that high pairs when a great % of the time. Just be weary of those times when you have a high pair but there may be a pair on the board or a higher card than your pair. If you have top pair good kicker on the flop don't be afraid to bet that hand. Just try to loosen up a little bit and get a feel for what hands you like to play and play them. :cool:
 
H

hffjd2000

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Dont always think that youre losing already. Scared poker will not bring you "on the money". Dont be afraid to bet, especially your good hands. Dont always be afraid to call. You have to call sometimes.

I believe the best time to play pair when someone is betting is when your hand is an overpair.
 
Lotok

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Cheers for the comments guys. I had a look up a few of those terms, I'm quite the newbie.

I work tons so decided to play poker live in the pub once a week, probably now and then online too. I'm not wanting to get serious on it (addictive personality and do not trust myself). So a few tutorial videos etc will be on the cards but no books etc. Interested in tactics some theory though.

I will do some strategy reading on here and look into the how a HUD can help. I'm guessing overlay odds?

Some good advice and I will definitely try and loosen up and be less afraid to raise.
 
magicius

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Thats similar problem i have... If i hold KK and A comea in flop i am than thinking "maybe this fella have AK etc" which is wrong :)
Last few days i try not to do that and to be more loose...

Sent from my HTC Desire X using Tapatalk
 
Arjonius

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Forget about what hands opponents might have that beat you. This is akin to imagining boogeymen under the bed. Instead, focus on the entire range of hands they're likely to have, and how your hand stacks up against those ranges.
 
shinedown.45

shinedown.45

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Arjonius said:
Forget about what hands opponents might have that beat you. This is akin to imagining boogeymen under the bed. Instead, focus on the entire range of hands they're likely to have, and how your hand stacks up against those ranges.
Click to expand...
ranges will become easier to gauge when you know how to bet your strong hands.
 
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