Hi guys

I'm having a bit of a recurring issue. I play turbo heads up SNG's and I'm getting into the same spot of losing to opponents on tilt. I will give an example below

I played a $7 SNG against a new player. We played a few hands and I managed to get a slight chip lead. I played well and definitely frustrated him. All of a sudden, he starts opening the button for 4x, shoving over my raises for 60bb etc. Eventually he works his way back into the game and got the chip lead

He shoved on a J74 flop when I had 44. The next hand he open shoves and I call with AK, he has Q4o and hits his 4 to double up and later takes the match

This is just an example, my issue isn't with this hand specifically, but I don't know what to do or how to adjust my play when my opponents just start being maniacs and spewing bets all over

Sounds like to me you did everything right and got him to continually put his money all in when he had the worst of it. I dont know if much more can be said here. You are not going to win every hand even when you are a large favorite - but if you keep playing that way and getting your opponent to stack off light like this you will destroy them more often than they will beat you

Originally Posted by Jordansimo

Hi guys

I'm having a bit of a recurring issue. I play turbo heads up SNG's and I'm getting into the same spot of losing to opponents on tilt. I will give an example below

I played a $7 SNG against a new player. We played a few hands and I managed to get a slight chip lead. I played well and definitely frustrated him. All of a sudden, he starts opening the button for 4x, shoving over my raises for 60bb etc. Eventually he works his way back into the game and got the chip lead

He shoved on a J74 flop when I had 44. The next hand he open shoves and I call with AK, he has Q4o and hits his 4 to double up and later takes the match

This is just an example, my issue isn't with this hand specifically, but I don't know what to do or how to adjust my play when my opponents just start being maniacs and spewing bets all over

This sounds too familiar to me and i just had to reply on this one. I hear you but try to think another way. I suppose you are a player who just don't like to be in situation to be forced to go all in pre flop often but this is all about that, very often you have to adjust your play to a player you play with. I know it could be very annoying, in most cases it is really but in most cases you will be ahead, you will lower your criteria but not that far to go all in with Q4o definitely. So loosing to players like that could be taken subjectively, i truly believe that you win this hands more often than loosing so in long terms it's good actually to have opponents like that because they secure your profit in long terms. The thing is that you just can't always win when you are ahead, even with Q4o that guy still had his chances. Take a look at your graph and i guarantee that it would look far worse if there were no players who are ready to go Q4o against your AK.

If a player starts playing maniacally, the best adaptation would be to cut our range of preflop OR, and play by postflop value and bet large sizes on all streets.

If you have position on them it's easier. If they are in a hand and they're tilting hard, only play premium hands and put them all in right away. If you try to play your usual game they'll apply too much pressure with their stack and it's really hard to call when you miss the flop entirely.

It does hurt your ability to win comfortably. Continue to get in with the best and you will come out on top over time. Try regular speed heads up, gives you more time to set them up.

He changed gears, it happens. You have the chip lead and can wait for a good hand. Most hands are 60/40 and you don't need to get into races when you hold the chip lead.

I think you are just at the downswing of variance at the moment - keep making the +EV decisions and if they keep shoving nonsense like Q4o, you will be a winner in the long run. We might need to reduce our hands we play preflop facing 4x raises but we get much more value when we 3 bet our premiums and it is even better if they are choosing to play hands this bad.

He has some ideas, and opposing player is playing, too.

Whatever kind of hand is being struck, You'll decide the bet sizing to which you can correspond calmly.

Its not really an issue, that you got someone to put his chips in bad with Q4o. In fact this is exactly, what you want. In reality you are asking, how you can avoid, that your opponents get lucky. And the answer is you cant. The only answer to variance is bankroll, volume and emotional control, so that you are not the one, who goes on tilt yourself

At low stakes you`ll meet players like that..with huge bankroll that would just go all in hoping for luck. I`d advice you to play or 3.50$ SNG multiple times. Luck can`t hit so many times. Cheers

Originally Posted by japg11

If a player starts playing maniacally, the best adaptation would be to cut our range of preflop OR, and play by postflop value and bet large sizes on all streets.

+1 When facing players on tilt, I usually tighten up a bit preflop. I can still make select bluffs and moves at them (since it fits my play-style), but one must always be very careful about this. Players are tilt are obviously more willing to just call you down or re-raise you. Most of the time there isn't the need for these "moves" (I use them sparingly for sure) - just play ABC poker and value bet bigger/more often.

i have had so many bad beats am kinda mentally badly beaten

Don't worry about it, on a distance you will benefit from such plays from them

it is not a good idea to play against the same player every time. especially when you have a good stack and can expect better spots. more variance tends to favor this type of player who likes to bet with weak hands.

The main thing in such situations is not to lose heart and make positive decisions.

tilt in poker is ever more prevalent in online game rooms due to the fact that more hands are dealt. one way to reduce the effects of tilt is not put all your eggs in one basket meaning manage your bankroll.
the other way to reduce the effects of tilting is deduce situations before taking action remember all hands in poker are winning and losing hands. some players believe because they've got AK there invincible no you're not; not even AA is guaranteed to win preflop.
use the tools available to you meaning take notes and mark players with the color feature
every player has a tell

Everything was right on your part. The fact that luck smiled at your opponent is not your fault. There are times when there is simply a black streak of failures.

This is poker and you have to be prepared to lose. It is always impossible to win, although you need to strive for this.

I don't think you can adjust anything. The odds were for you. Longterm you will win with it. Sometimes it is just bad luck. But I feel the pain when the lower hand hits und turn or river..

Originally Posted by Jordansimo

Hi guys

I'm having a bit of a recurring issue. I play turbo heads up SNG's and I'm getting into the same spot of losing to opponents on tilt. I will give an example below

I played a $7 SNG against a new player. We played a few hands and I managed to get a slight chip lead. I played well and definitely frustrated him. All of a sudden, he starts opening the button for 4x, shoving over my raises for 60bb etc. Eventually he works his way back into the game and got the chip lead

He shoved on a J74 flop when I had 44. The next hand he open shoves and I call with AK, he has Q4o and hits his 4 to double up and later takes the match

This is just an example, my issue isn't with this hand specifically, but I don't know what to do or how to adjust my play when my opponents just start being maniacs and spewing bets all over

got the same problem....

When i notice they are on tilt I just wait for the best hand before the flop. I go all in and he always calls and loses most of the time . you just have to be patient .

For your specific example, neither of you have a made hand. You are only a 2-1 favorite if both offsuit and 70-30 if you are suited to his queen.

Don't always expect that when a player changes how he plays that he is on tilt. And even if they are, tilt can end at any time.