Playing rags

[phoenix999]

Have only been playing this year so still getting to terms with a lot of the strategies to be successful.

I have been playing low end ($1, $5, $10) SnG and I am struggling with how to play a run of complete rags. I manage ok with reasonable start cards but the run of lousy cards is a pain on how to manage that.

Most of the literature talks about playing Group 1 , play aggressive etc as though you have the winners in your pocket cards.

However they are short on what to do if you get 40-50 hands of 27, 39 etc and when you finally get some playable cards some one always plays Ax and the flop comes Axx and goes all-in.

Am I over complicating this and this is just part of poker or is there a strategy to deal with this?

 

[Irexes]

The strategy is to not worry about it.

You play the cards when you have them and if you are in a situation where you need to accumulate chips because the blinds require you to make a move then you need to get aggressive with a much broader range of hands. There are other opportunities to play more hands but if you are starting out don't go there.

Main thing though is to not let yourself get into a mindset where you are thinking you are "in a bad run", the cards have no memory but you do and if you're not careful it can cause you to make unnecessary moves with weak holdings if you feel you are running cold. Learn to enjoy folding.

Those two paragraphs contradict each other a little bit which is part of the problem

 

[phoenix999]

Ok thanks for the info. Guess it goes with the territory.

 

[shinedown.45]

I can condense the two paragraphs into one word: PATIENCE.
Playing poker requires alot of patience in waiting for the premium cards.

 

[joosebuck]

depending on how well your image is established you can play any two aggressively.

 

[phoenix999]

I guess the ability to play any 2 cards comes with lots of experience, relying on position and ability to read the players well.

I gather that some times you can just be blinded out no matter how good you are if the cards just don't fall though

 

[Threesixes]

depending on how well your image is established you can play any two aggressively.

I second this. If I feel I can outplay my opponents Ill loosen up my starting hand requirements considerably.