Push and Pray Poker

xOneCoolHandx

xOneCoolHandx

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I have been noticing a influx of push or fold players lately. We are all used to this in regular freerolls and microstakes games but I am talking about players using this as their default playing strategy. I think this is a terrible strategy but I keep seeing these type players making deep runs into tournaments. I'm sure y'all have noticed these players too since I see several of them in the CC freerolls. What are your thoughts on these players?
 
hugh blair

hugh blair

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Why these players are running deep is the amount of pots,blinds and antes they scoop without a showdown fearless shoving of group 1 hands or positional steals is probably better play than playing passively having to hit the board first.
Dodgy internet connections cause shove or fold play too.
 
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bellicoso

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Wow. I mean I see this a lot in freerolls but wouldn't expect it to be an actual tactic in larger buy-in games. I think that would just be annoying if I had to face a bunch of players like that in regular games...
 
rj_montana

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It's not pure luck when jamming certain spots is proven to be +EV with atc


Exactly, when stack sizes dictate, pushing can be the optimal play

Especially against a field with a significant skill advantage, jamming in proper spots is the best way to maximize your ev
 
Evan Jarvis

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I have been noticing a influx of push or fold players lately. We are all used to this in regular freerolls and microstakes games but I am talking about players using this as their default playing strategy. I think this is a terrible strategy but I keep seeing these type players making deep runs into tournaments. I'm sure y'all have noticed these players too since I see several of them in the CC freerolls. What are your thoughts on these players?


If they are following shove charts and sticking with optimal ranges for 40, 30, 20, 15, 10 BBs for each position it's not a bad strategy. It's not optimal, but it's certainly not bad.

Chris moneymaker referred to this as the long ball approach, and it was a way to keep skilled players from outplaying you postflop. It means less fluctuations to the stack from no raise/folding and if they are playing a lot of tables it makes sense to play this long ball approach.

They play a bunch of big pots, end up getting a stack in some tournaments, and maybe start playing more 'real' poker once they have a chance to cash for a meaningful amount.

Minimizes the mental stress of making tough decisions while allowing them to put in volume.
 
oneybiggs

oneybiggs

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idk about questions like this,what possible answer could one hope for :p i mean why so serious,in or out haha maybe some people spend their time creating a really bad table image when they are not really in the mood or mindset to stay serious but feel like playing anyway,and if BRM allows for many losses,its a tactical sacrifice , for more and bigger wins in the long run.Maybe they just love gambling.Have you ever tried it out of boredom,it may be fun...and if its hits youre winning twice,you get a huge pot or two if youre really on fire,and upset the oppositions mindset at the same time :)as it appears you are testimony to.Basically i think its part of the game,everyone has the same choices to make,if that causes a problem with your game then maybe thats something you need to work on to combat the situation when it arises.gl 2020
 
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25thinfantryman

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i have also they buy in at the last level and ush alll ins back to back overand over and half the time they be sitting with 2 7 offsuite and hit when i have a q or something and take half the chis i be en workin so hard to get even in the 11 dollar and 16 dollar buy in games
 
TheDude6622

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If they are following shove charts and sticking with optimal ranges for 40, 30, 20, 15, 10 BBs for each position it's not a bad strategy. It's not optimal, but it's certainly not bad.

Chris moneymaker referred to this as the long ball approach, and it was a way to keep skilled players from outplaying you postflop. It means less fluctuations to the stack from no raise/folding and if they are playing a lot of tables it makes sense to play this long ball approach.

They play a bunch of big pots, end up getting a stack in some tournaments, and maybe start playing more 'real' poker once they have a chance to cash for a meaningful amount.

Minimizes the mental stress of making tough decisions while allowing them to put in volume.

Unfortunately these players are playing with no charts it seems and zero strategy. They shove early, and often I've seen some build it up to first place with a 5x beginning stack and get knocked out in 6 hands.
 
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Hemified

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I noticed the same thing,alot more all inners. They probably learned that way in free rolls. I like it because it usually me calling em.
 
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UncleConRon

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My opinion

Thse players take a break and play when everyone is doing the same default way. They most of the time people won't pay to see. Its best to call him on third time he pushes all-in. Once happens. The second can fold the winner. The third you got him. It is true there is a parity bit error there. You don't know if it was one to or three he hit or folded winner. Its like the shell game. Theres no choice go for it before chips or that person can just bully you.
 
redboy23

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These players are annoying at times but they do save you money many times by getting you to fold marginal hands early.
Sit back and wait for your optimal hand / spot and get in there with them. True they may be lucky against you, buy as long as you made the right play you should be fine with the outcome. Over time you will get to like them, especially if you have them covered with your stack size.

Some players have a fear of being outplayed or hitting their miracle card from the muck so they prefer to jam it in there.

Take notes on their ranges and their positions and be patient. You will get the drt on them eventually!

Good luck at the tables.
 
Iryna Stryzheuskaya

Iryna Stryzheuskaya

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If you think they are bad players, then simply take their chips.
 
dallam

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Okay. When it comes to microstakes games, players can beat me with A-5, 8-9 (both not suited) if I am not capable to make them fold. Cause sometimes I raise 3bb or 4bb and they just follow me, and hit the combinations. These tournaments are really dangerous, because so many opponents you have, and the prizes are not so high.
I agree with TheDude6622, they often are chipleaders, but when there's no luck, they lost their chips quickly.
 
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Szachajevy

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its just their strategy I think, but in my opinion this strategy is the worst. This strategy is good for bingo games.
 
MrPokerVerse

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If you can't beat these type of players you should pick another hobby. Why do people complain about this?
 
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kalelisback

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I have been noticing a influx of push or fold players lately. We are all used to this in regular freerolls and microstakes games but I am talking about players using this as their default playing strategy. I think this is a terrible strategy but I keep seeing these type players making deep runs into tournaments. I'm sure y'all have noticed these players too since I see several of them in the CC freerolls. What are your thoughts on these players?



Thinking about what you're saying, Im actually realizing that same thing. I see a shift in game strategy to just 2 moves in the grand scheme of play.

Between the early poker boom till now, the either "push in position" or fold strategy is becoming more and more dominant
 
MishkaZL

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Lately, I have also often noticed these bingo players. I think these are players who are just not interested in playing freerolls because they prefer to lose money in cash games, tournaments or casinos.
 
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