Ask me anything Cash Game related that doesnt involve a specific hand!

Topics like: Theory questions, studying questions, mindset, game selection, bankroll management, staking industry, sites to play on, software and tools, where to play live, live adjustments, etc.

If you'd like my input on a handhistory please post it in the designated area of the site and I'll happily give my input!

Do you think people tend to play tighter and bluff less on cash tables .

Originally Posted by colbear

Do you think people tend to play tighter and bluff less on cash tables .

They play tighter than what they do in tournaments pre-flop due to no antes. But while they play tighter pre-flop in general, they tend to be more willing to bluff and bluff-catch due to the ability to rebuy and due to stack depths.

Hey Ryan, here's a question about where to play live ...Texas doesn't have casinos etc. and I'm in Houston. Any ideas on how to find home games that are safe? Thanks a lot

Have you ever quit a live cash game session based only on the fact that you're "running bad"?

Where does the money or chips in your stack come from?
What actions do you take that cause you to win money over time?
Another words, what specific action to take in order to win money in NL?
.... AND what specific action the fish take in order to lose money in the long run?

Give us very specific answers, ....., please

ha ha ha ha ,.. Let's see if you know the specifics and let's see if you are a winning player in the first place.

What software is the most effective in finding fish and donkey's?
Is Poker tracker table selector any good?

Originally Posted by gon4iypes

Hey Ryan, here's a question about where to play live ...Texas doesn't have casinos etc. and I'm in Houston. Any ideas on how to find home games that are safe? Thanks a lot

Not my area of expertise, sorry. I've done my best to stay away from home games, too many risks when I can play in legit games.

Originally Posted by kcanuck

Have you ever quit a live cash game session based only on the fact that you're "running bad"?

No, but have quit due to being tired, being annoyed, losing focus, being tilted, etc.

Originally Posted by Stuey

Where does the money or chips in your stack come from?
What actions do you take that cause you to win money over time?
Another words, what specific action to take in order to win money in NL?
.... AND what specific action the fish take in order to lose money in the long run?

Give us very specific answers, ....., please

ha ha ha ha ,.. Let's see if you know the specifics and let's see if you are a winning player in the first place.

Buying in.

I play loose and strong ranges well, and adjust to my opponents tendencies.

I have an exceptionally strong theory based game that can very quickly adjust to the game im in.

More specifically: My opening ranges, 3bet ranges, continuing vs 3bet ranges, cbet ranges, barreling ranges, check raising ranges, etc, etc. are all built around a very indepth understanding of the game and can adjust quickly and easily to my opponents.

Originally Posted by playinggameswithu

What software is the most effective in finding fish and donkey's?
Is Poker tracker table selector any good?

I dont use any software like a table selector.

I make the decision for what games I play in based on who i recognize and how many recreational players I see are in the game. (Online and Live)

I really love your opening post, very brave and honest at same time.

My question is in a form of a challenge; please use as few words as you can to answer:

BraveQ1: Hero is Protential. 100bb deep, NL5 zoom, hero has KK, hero opens BU-1, Button 3bets -> Describe the opponent (stats are ok) you would flat to maximize EV.
BraveQ2: Hero is Protential. 100bb deep, NL5 zoom, 6max, hero 3bet from button KK against UTG, UTG 4bets 23bb -> Describe the opponent (stats are ok) you would flat to maximize EV.

What is your screen name online

Originally Posted by Stuey

Where does the money or chips in your stack come from?
What actions do you take that cause you to win money over time?
Another words, what specific action to take in order to win money in NL?
.... AND what specific action the fish take in order to lose money in the long run?

Give us very specific answers, ....., please

ha ha ha ha ,.. Let's see if you know the specifics and let's see if you are a winning player in the first place.

haha if you want to see if hes a winning player I suggest starting here. http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=204537
and here https://www.pocketfives.com/profiles/protential/

OK, my entire poker background is tournaments and that's where I want to keep my focus as it's my passion; however I want to start mixing in some cash because once I've hit the rail I want to maximize my poker time and also help pad my bankroll and lower my overall variance (I take time off work and away from my family to travel and play tourney series....so if I bust I just want to keep playing!!!).

That being said A) does this seem like a good idea, or will learning cash take focus away from tourneys thereby lowering my tourney edge? and B) what are the biggest adjustments a tourney player needs to make when moving to cash?

....obviously table selection doesn't exist in tourneys. I know nothing about this i just put my name on the list and sit. also I've figured out you need to raise bigger like 4x-5x preflop at $1/2 and $1/3 and you rebuy to stay deepstacked the whole time. Beyond that I'm not really doing anything different than the early levels of a tourney (pre ante). But I feel like there's more that I'm missing.

Originally Posted by missjacki

haha if you want to see if hes a winning player I suggest starting here. http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=204537
and here https://www.pocketfives.com/profiles/protential/

Lols I read him to be good, but that is out of this world. Maybe he just go lucky

Originally Posted by missjacki

OK, my entire poker background is tournaments and that's where I want to keep my focus as it's my passion; however I want to start mixing in some cash because once I've hit the rail I want to maximize my poker time and also help pad my bankroll and lower my overall variance (I take time off work and away from my family to travel and play tourney series....so if I bust I just want to keep playing!!!).

That being said A) does this seem like a good idea, or will learning cash take focus away from tourneys thereby lowering my tourney edge? and B) what are the biggest adjustments a tourney player needs to make when moving to cash?

....obviously table selection doesn't exist in tourneys. I know nothing about this i just put my name on the list and sit. also I've figured out you need to raise bigger like 4x-5x preflop at $1/2 and $1/3 and you rebuy to stay deepstacked the whole time. Beyond that I'm not really doing anything different than the early levels of a tourney (pre ante). But I feel like there's more that I'm missing.

Certainly a good thing to be doing.

Id start learning via Upswing Poker and get their entry level cash game content.

Originally Posted by Protential

Buying in.

I play loose and strong ranges well, and adjust to my opponents tendencies.

I have an exceptionally strong theory based game that can very quickly adjust to the game im in.

More specifically: My opening ranges, 3bet ranges, continuing vs 3bet ranges, cbet ranges, barreling ranges, check raising ranges, etc, etc. are all built around a very indepth understanding of the game and can adjust quickly and easily to my opponents.

OK, I'm gonna let you off the hook. I see you are a tournament player not a cash specialist/hustler. That's why you don't know the exact specifics of how the money accumulate in our stacks. (in cash games)

Have a nice Day, ..., Good Cards and Good Flops

Originally Posted by Stuey

OK, I'm gonna let you off the hook. I see you are a tournament player not a cash specialist/hustler. That's why you don't know the exact specifics of how the money accumulate in our stacks.

Have a nice Day, ..., Good Cards and Good Flops

In what situations shouldn't make a "contbet"(continuation bet)?

Ryan this is one spot I struggle in so any advice welcome.
You are a TAG and have 3bet AK AQ from the blinds and get called by a solid TAG regular who has position on you.
You whiff the flop.
What factors including board textures and equity are you considering when deciding whether or not to cbet the flop and or continuing to barrel?
Thanks

Originally Posted by Stuey

OK, I'm gonna let you off the hook. I see you are a tournament player not a cash specialist/hustler. That's why you don't know the exact specifics of how the money accumulate in our stacks. (in cash games)

Have a nice Day, ..., Good Cards and Good Flops

This is some excellent trolling good job sir

Originally Posted by Figaroo2

Ryan this is one spot I struggle in so any advice welcome.
You are a TAG and have 3bet AK AQ from the blinds and get called by a solid TAG regular who has position on you.
You whiff the flop.
What factors including board textures and equity are you considering when deciding whether or not to cbet the flop and or continuing to barrel?
Thanks

Texture and equity are 2 main concerns, vs a tag opponent can cbet and barrel most boards with bdfd/etc fairly profitably due to their tight amd face up range.

Originally Posted by Stepgov

In what situations shouldn't make a "contbet"(continuation bet)?

When the board texture hits your opponent very well and you have a low equity hand.

Hey Ryan (I do hope that's you're real name lol). I've been following your posts the last few days and have learned a lot from you so far so thank you for that. I have a few questions that I've never really found a good answer to before but maybe you can help me out with.

1. How can I learn/practice hand reading, I know it's one of my biggest shortcomings in both cash and MTTs and I need to get on top of it ASAP and just need some direction in how to do that.

2. One play I really have problems with is semi-bluffing a straight or a draw when I have a mid pair or low flush draw, I just can't seem to get the other person to fold when they have overcards or a slightly higher but not a flush draw. So my question is basically what's the best way to do this?

3. I just want to see what you opinion on JTs is? I really have a rough time trying to decide on when to play or fold it and how good it actually is to play.

Sorry it's a lot but I really appreciate whatever help you can give me with these!

@Protetial
Lets say you were a new player and had a bankroll of $20 playing 0.01/0.02 ring games. What would you suggest as a game style. Aggressive, tight etc?

In the period «downstreak» player loses confidence, begins to think that the old strategy simply doesn't work, and in the end the situation is getting worse.
Should change the strategy of the game or is it a big mistake?
What's your advice?

First of all great stats man!!!
I have a similar question, as above, I want to start cash games next year with 100$, shortstack/Bigstack for beginners? Tight or just as usual?
How do they treat "new" players, they don't have records of?

how do I avoid loosing money from the beginning and whith which win should I leave the table to not attract some sharks to steal my hard earned bucks?

I want to start at the smallest stakes, so I expect plenty of fish and pure ping pong poker as in freerolls, am I right?

I got a question for ya, how would you say a beginner should get into 3 betting, just started playing live and im doing well but would like some advice on how to get more comftorable with 3-betting. And how to react if you get 4 bet etc etc

You have to choose between two tables a) All rec player + you b) 1xpro + 1xmaniac-whale + 6 rec players + you?

how does your 3betting range from both the button and the blinds adjust as the effective stack increases from 100bb eff to 250/300bb eff+? Does your sizing change?

Originally Posted by thatguy6793

Hey Ryan (I do hope that's you're real name lol). I've been following your posts the last few days and have learned a lot from you so far so thank you for that. I have a few questions that I've never really found a good answer to before but maybe you can help me out with.

1. How can I learn/practice hand reading, I know it's one of my biggest shortcomings in both cash and MTTs and I need to get on top of it ASAP and just need some direction in how to do that.

2. One play I really have problems with is semi-bluffing a straight or a draw when I have a mid pair or low flush draw, I just can't seem to get the other person to fold when they have overcards or a slightly higher but not a flush draw. So my question is basically what's the best way to do this?

3. I just want to see what you opinion on JTs is? I really have a rough time trying to decide on when to play or fold it and how good it actually is to play.

Sorry it's a lot but I really appreciate whatever help you can give me with these!

All 3 of these can be fixed via learning the fundamentals of pre and postflop play.

Id suggest starting with a book like Jonathan Little's "Excelling At No Limit Holdem"

Originally Posted by Xcoder

@Protetial
Lets say you were a new player and had a bankroll of $20 playing 0.01/0.02 ring games. What would you suggest as a game style. Aggressive, tight etc?

Tight Agressive is easiest style to start learning from.

Originally Posted by Stepgov

In the period «downstreak» player loses confidence, begins to think that the old strategy simply doesn't work, and in the end the situation is getting worse.
Should change the strategy of the game or is it a big mistake?
What's your advice?

Definitely a big mistake to change your game because you are doing poorly or well.

Should always work hard on improving your game, abd ignore how well you are doing.

Originally Posted by Peppinotom

First of all great stats man!!!
I have a similar question, as above, I want to start cash games next year with 100$, shortstack/Bigstack for beginners? Tight or just as usual?
How do they treat "new" players, they don't have records of?

how do I avoid loosing money from the beginning and whith which win should I leave the table to not attract some sharks to steal my hard earned bucks?

I want to start at the smallest stakes, so I expect plenty of fish and pure ping pong poker as in freerolls, am I right?

With 100$ id start with 1$ buy-in tourneys or less, or id start with $.01-$.02 cash games.

They treat new players same as old players.

Stick to the lowest stakes until you build your roll consistently and stick to conservative bankroll management!

Originally Posted by PyramidzPoker

I got a question for ya, how would you say a beginner should get into 3 betting, just started playing live and im doing well but would like some advice on how to get more comftorable with 3-betting. And how to react if you get 4 bet etc etc

Stick to using the best candidates:

TT+/AQ+ and hands like 56s, 67s, 78s, 89s.

Mostly fold to 4bets, unless they give us a great price, we are really deep, or we have one of our strongest value hands, or villain is exceptionally loose.

Originally Posted by enolan

You have to choose between two tables a) All rec player + you b) 1xpro + 1xmaniac-whale + 6 rec players + you?

A, unless I get position on the pro and maniac.

Originally Posted by duggs

how does your 3betting range from both the button and the blinds adjust as the effective stack increases from 100bb eff to 250/300bb eff+? Does your sizing change?

Deeper effective more I care about suitedness. Deeper we are, larger I 3b.

What are your tips for cash game play briefly put??

Originally Posted by playinggameswithu

What are your tips for cash game play briefly put??

Play in fundamentally strong ways.

Originally Posted by Protential

Play in fundamentally strong ways.

Play rock style. IS that optimal style i figure for cash games.

How long do u sit down and play a cash game session. Or do u put yourself on a target like i stop when i 30$

Welcome back Ryan Laplante, and I have a couple of questions below.

1) Could you talk about your standard process/thought process that you go through in a hand? (Ex: think about opp range, count outs against range, opp thoughts on my range, board texture, etc). For each step in the process could you explain the basics?

2) Do you recommend short stacking in a cash game? Is there any theory behind why you would or wouldn't want to short stack?

3) There are a lot of new terms in poker no of days. What is a down bet, and why do it?

Thanks for doing this!

hi
its correct they try to bluff and bluff, can you plz also tell me how to be fully focused, because i will money but at the end i loose it all again. thank you, waiting for your reply. thank you again

guys can some body tell me what is the best way to play cash game heads up, aggressive or tight, waiting for your reply

what do you mean by rock style, and can you plz tell me also what the best strategy to win in cash games, thank you

Originally Posted by D3vilF1sh999

hi
its correct they try to bluff and bluff, can you plz also tell me how to be fully focused, because i will money but at the end i loose it all again. thank you, waiting for your reply. thank you again

Originally Posted by D3vilF1sh999

guys can some body tell me what is the best way to play cash game heads up, aggressive or tight, waiting for your reply

Originally Posted by D3vilF1sh999

what do you mean by rock style, and can you plz tell me also what the best strategy to win in cash games, thank you

haha calm down it's been like 10 minutes since you posted your question.

we could tell you our opinions but this thread is where you seek the opinion of Ryan. if you want the opinions of the rest of us you could go search in the cash game section, either find a thread that exists or ask your question there....or just wait a day or two and I'm sure Ryan will respond to you.

happy grinding! :-)

In your opinion, which is the best poker tournament in poker? the big tournaments that pay the most in the best placement are the best and those that qualify you for the most valuable, however have that player who does not care much about this type of strategy. For those any tournament is time to enter and dispute, the cards run but vei

Originally Posted by laiomaycon

In your opinion, which is the best poker tournament in poker? the big tournaments that pay the most in the best placement are the best and those that qualify you for the most valuable, however have that player who does not care much about this type of strategy. For those any tournament is time to enter and dispute, the cards run but vei

You might want to ask your question in his tournament thread. There are a lot of good questions there.

https://www.cardschat.com/forum/tour...aments-353915/

Originally Posted by ekgbeat

Welcome back Ryan Laplante, and I have a couple of questions below.

1) Could you talk about your standard process/thought process that you go through in a hand? (Ex: think about opp range, count outs against range, opp thoughts on my range, board texture, etc). For each step in the process could you explain the basics?

2) Do you recommend short stacking in a cash game? Is there any theory behind why you would or wouldn't want to short stack?

3) There are a lot of new terms in poker no of days. What is a down bet, and why do it?

Thanks for doing this!

1) General hand info. Opponent ability. Opponent range. My range. General dynamics.

GHI:Whats happened in the hand.

OA: How aware is my opponent of general theory, how good are they. How do i adjust.

OR:Based on OA what can i expect differently from GTO here.

MA:How am i adjusting my range away from GTO based on their range.

GD:How do overall dynamics and history shift everything.

2) Short stacking is fine, gives you less decisions, makes playing easier. Def dont want to short stack in soft games!

3) A smaller than normal bet. In a high freq cbet situation you downbet due to wanting to give yourself a better price.

Originally Posted by D3vilF1sh999

hi
its correct they try to bluff and bluff, can you plz also tell me how to be fully focused, because i will money but at the end i loose it all again. thank you, waiting for your reply. thank you again

guys can some body tell me what is the best way to play cash game heads up, aggressive or tight, waiting for your reply

what do you mean by rock style, and can you plz tell me also what the best strategy to win in cash games, thank you

Yes, bluffing is an important tool.

Rule of thumb: Less players at the table, the more loose and aggressive you should play.

Thanks for all of the help @Protential