Tips on improving your game

[Mordecai]

Hi,

I am new to the game and got involved through a couple of friends and because of the appeal from watching it on tv.

I can say I'm not great so I'm after a few quick tips whether you think you have them or there is a good book to read.

I can tell you I try to play for premium hands but often whilst also blind stealing every now and again. Often though when do get a big hand I just can't play it.

My last two Wednesday night poker games has seen me knocked out calling with my kings to a flush draw. THen in night two I lost a lot holding kings when an ace hit the flop and my opponent had an ace. Then I bowed out with Ace King - flop came Ace, 10, 6. I went all in with my ace and kicker and lost to trip 6's.

I'm pretty sure I have no idea of the right amount to bet.

Any help appreciated.

 

[Knowledge]

Well to be honest with you I've ready two books on No limit texas holdem and have picked up a lot by playing a ton of hours.

Personally I recommend Doyle Brunson - Super Systems as i truly believe it is a great book for beginners.
No limit holdem theory and practice by Ed Miller and David Sklansky is good also but a bit advanced.

also check out the twoplustwo forums and this link has a ton of strategy http://www.pr0crast.com/2+2.NL.Anthology.v1.htm

 

[Armwarmer]

get a hold of teh books knowledge said

the little green book by phil gordon is a good begginer's book as it's easy to read yet introduces some advanced concepts

the hands you described seem pretty normal and that's what happens in poker.

bet sizing is pretty important. when raising preflop try and raise 3 times the big blind standard. if you are raising from late position and multiple people have entered the pot with a call, you might want to raise 4-6 instead otherwise it becomes an autocall for everyone in the pot.

when rereising try to 3x the initial raise. so if someone raises to 3 dollars utg and you want to reraise with kings, the standard reraise is to 9. ofcourse in some settings other raise sizings can be appropriate. for example if you are playing against a shortstack and want to raise with a premium holding in order to try and get the money in preflop, a smaller reraise might be better in order to allow him to believe he has fold equity and come back over the top. A bigger 3x reraise might lock him out and force him to fold a decent but releasable hand like sixes or A9suited.

when betting postflop try to keep your normal bets between half and 100% of the current pot size.

so if you raise to 3 dollars, get 2 callers both from the blinds, the pot is 9 dollars. A standard bet into that pot if checked to would be 5-7 dollars. If you get a caller of a 7 dollar bet, the pot is then 9 + 7 + 7 which is 23. Your turn bet if checked to could then be in the vicinity of 14-20 dollars. Ofcourse bet sizing is totally up to you so sometimes it might be advantageous to make bigger bets in order to price out draws/obtain value from what you think is a strong hand (assuming yours is better). But then again bigger bets can be used to bluff people off medium holdings that you know they aren't likely to call a big bet.

 

[Mordecai]

That betting information is much appreciated. As are the websites/books above.

The hand above where I had AK and the flop came A 6 10 - one week earlier I got to the river with the same hand and a similar flop. I folded to a bet into me of about 50% of the pot which by that stage was quite large. He has 2 5 off suit - such a shit way to get acquainted with a home game, but that is the way it goes. Above I hit raised earlier on the advice I should "take the pot down earlier". Of course someone hit trip 6's and called. Should I always be calling when I have the over pair? When should I be "taking the pot down"?

 

[Daytripper]

It took me a while to realise this but don't fall in love with high pocket pairs post flop (they're great pre flop though) and more often than not you need better than a pair to win if your hand gets to the river. Top pair top kicker is a great hand on the flop but not so great after the river.

 

[sante]

I've read no books, but I think the best way to learn is to play and play a lot.

I've always liked this quote - 'It doesn't take long to learn the game of Poker but it'll take an eternity to master'

It shouldn't take too long to learn about the game, but even if you think hyou know it all, there is an element of luck involved which always plays it part in every Poker match.

 

[red+black]

Play Casino War instead, the odds are better.

Hmmmm, ok, that may not be the most helpful advice.

 

[Mordecai]

Seems like experience is the key. I only play once a week though and that can often mean it is a costly lesson. So I'm wondering if online poker here and there can help me out. Would it? What sites do you guys use?

 

[Braddock]

It would definitely help, but if you're going to play with play money you have to make sure you don't get influenced by the bad play of others. (and there is a hell of a lot of it) Play solid, don't try ridiculous bluffs and don't get involved with the inevitable all-in fest unless you have a hand to back it up. Pretty much play as if it were real money and see how you go. Try to put players on hands, even when you're not involved, ask yourself why someone is doing what they're doing, etc. Just try and learn as much as you can.

Once you feel you're getting the hang of it (and this won't necessarily be reflected in your results given the variance when playing with donks) step up to real money. There's plenty of micro limits so you don't have to worry too much about whether you can afford it.

From there you just sit back and deal with the terrifying lows, the dizzying highs and the creamy middles like the rest of us

 

[red+black]

Not sure I've experienced any creamy middles

 

[Mordecai]

Ohh I'm sure you have ...

So I took your advice - read some books, played some free games, played some low money games...

In my games I can steal blinds here and there (nothing to get be ahead - usually +-5% of my initial stack). In the big hands I have to say I am shocking. I should probably post these hand histories elsewhere but I'd like some more tips. Some pointers on what I should do next time around.

Edit: I play as dominicb7.

*********** # 1 **************
PokerStars Game #15119529122: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2008/02/07 - 08:41:27 (ET)
Table 'Stebbins' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: m & m NJ ($24.20 in chips)
Seat 2: bacardi ray ($17.75 in chips)
Seat 3: Wirschman ($4.25 in chips)
Seat 4: jiM_waz_ere ($24.65 in chips)
Seat 5: AcedePique ($26.70 in chips)
Seat 6: Gregor1963 ($17.50 in chips)
Seat 7: 21Torpedo21 ($23.25 in chips)
Seat 8: DominicB7 ($14.65 in chips)
Seat 9: fredericvh ($27.70 in chips)
AcedePique: posts small blind $0.10
Gregor1963: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [Kd Js]
21Torpedo21: folds
DominicB7: raises $0.50 to $0.75
fredericvh: folds
m & m NJ: folds
bacardi ray: folds
Wirschman: folds
jiM_waz_ere: folds
AcedePique: folds
Gregor1963: calls $0.50
*** FLOP *** [Td 2h 5h]
Gregor1963: checks
DominicB7: bets $1
Gregor1963: folds
DominicB7 collected $1.55 from pot
DominicB7: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $1.60 | Rake $0.05
Board [Td 2h 5h]
Seat 1: m & m NJ folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: bacardi ray folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Wirschman folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: jiM_waz_ere (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: AcedePique (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: Gregor1963 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 7: 21Torpedo21 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: DominicB7 collected ($1.55)
Seat 9: fredericvh folded before Flop (didn't bet)



*********** # 2 **************
PokerStars Game #15119535879: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2008/02/07 - 08:42:05 (ET)
Table 'Stebbins' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: m & m NJ ($24.20 in chips)
Seat 2: bacardi ray ($17.75 in chips)
Seat 3: Wirschman ($4.25 in chips)
Seat 4: jiM_waz_ere ($24.65 in chips)
Seat 5: AcedePique ($26.60 in chips)
Seat 6: Gregor1963 ($16.75 in chips)
Seat 7: 21Torpedo21 ($23.25 in chips)
Seat 8: DominicB7 ($15.45 in chips)
Seat 9: fredericvh ($27.70 in chips)
Gregor1963: posts small blind $0.10
21Torpedo21: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [Ah Jc]
DominicB7: raises $0.25 to $0.50
fredericvh: calls $0.50
m & m NJ: folds
bacardi ray: folds
Wirschman: folds
jiM_waz_ere: calls $0.50
AcedePique: folds
Gregor1963: folds
21Torpedo21: folds
*** FLOP *** [6c 9c 7d]
DominicB7: bets $0.50
fredericvh: calls $0.50
jiM_waz_ere: folds
*** TURN *** [6c 9c 7d] [2s]
DominicB7: checks
fredericvh: checks
*** RIVER *** [6c 9c 7d 2s] [Ad]
DominicB7: bets $1.50
fredericvh: calls $1.50
*** SHOW DOWN ***
DominicB7: shows [Ah Jc] (a pair of Aces)
fredericvh: shows [Ac 7c] (two pair, Aces and Sevens)
fredericvh collected $5.60 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $5.85 | Rake $0.25
Board [6c 9c 7d 2s Ad]
Seat 1: m & m NJ folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: bacardi ray folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Wirschman folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: jiM_waz_ere folded on the Flop
Seat 5: AcedePique (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Gregor1963 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: 21Torpedo21 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 8: DominicB7 showed [Ah Jc] and lost with a pair of Aces
Seat 9: fredericvh showed [Ac 7c] and won ($5.60) with two pair, Aces and Sevens



*********** # 3 **************
PokerStars Game #15119572768: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2008/02/07 - 08:45:36 (ET)
Table 'Stebbins' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: 1234zu ($4.75 in chips)
Seat 2: bacardi ray ($17.50 in chips)
Seat 3: Wirschman ($4.25 in chips)
Seat 4: jiM_waz_ere ($24.15 in chips)
Seat 5: AcedePique ($26.60 in chips)
Seat 6: Gregor1963 ($17.25 in chips)
Seat 7: 21Torpedo21 ($23.50 in chips)
Seat 8: DominicB7 ($12.60 in chips)
Seat 9: fredericvh ($30.55 in chips)
fredericvh: posts small blind $0.10
1234zu: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [Kd Js]
bacardi ray: folds
Wirschman: folds
jiM_waz_ere: folds
AcedePique: folds
Gregor1963: calls $0.25
21Torpedo21: folds
DominicB7: raises $0.75 to $1
fredericvh: folds
1234zu: calls $0.75
Gregor1963: calls $0.75
*** FLOP *** [Jc Ac 9c]
1234zu: checks
Gregor1963: checks
DominicB7: bets $2
1234zu: folds
Gregor1963: raises $4 to $6
DominicB7: folds
Gregor1963 collected $6.80 from pot
Gregor1963: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $7.10 | Rake $0.30
Board [Jc Ac 9c]
Seat 1: 1234zu (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: bacardi ray folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Wirschman folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: jiM_waz_ere folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: AcedePique folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Gregor1963 collected ($6.80)
Seat 7: 21Torpedo21 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: DominicB7 (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 9: fredericvh (small blind) folded before Flop



*********** # 4 **************
PokerStars Game #15119618347: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2008/02/07 - 08:49:54 (ET)
Table 'Stebbins' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: 1234zu ($3.50 in chips)
Seat 2: bacardi ray ($17.50 in chips)
Seat 3: Wirschman ($3.90 in chips)
Seat 4: jiM_waz_ere ($23.40 in chips)
Seat 5: AcedePique ($29.25 in chips)
Seat 6: Gregor1963 ($21.05 in chips)
Seat 7: 21Torpedo21 ($21.50 in chips)
Seat 8: DominicB7 ($10.10 in chips)
Seat 9: fredericvh ($30.45 in chips)
jiM_waz_ere: posts small blind $0.10
AcedePique: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [7c 7s]
Gregor1963: calls $0.25
21Torpedo21: calls $0.25
DominicB7: raises $0.75 to $1
fredericvh: folds
1234zu: folds
bacardi ray: folds
Wirschman: folds
jiM_waz_ere: folds
AcedePique: folds
Gregor1963: calls $0.75
21Torpedo21: calls $0.75
*** FLOP *** [9s 6s 5s]
Gregor1963: checks
21Torpedo21: checks
DominicB7: bets $9.10 and is all-in
Gregor1963: folds
21Torpedo21: calls $9.10
*** TURN *** [9s 6s 5s] [2h]
*** RIVER *** [9s 6s 5s 2h] [Qs]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
21Torpedo21: shows [Ks Ts] (a flush, King high)
DominicB7: mucks hand
21Torpedo21 collected $20.50 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $21.55 | Rake $1.05
Board [9s 6s 5s 2h Qs]
Seat 1: 1234zu folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: bacardi ray folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Wirschman (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: jiM_waz_ere (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: AcedePique (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: Gregor1963 folded on the Flop
Seat 7: 21Torpedo21 showed [Ks Ts] and won ($20.50) with a flush, King high
Seat 8: DominicB7 mucked [7c 7s]
Seat 9: fredericvh folded before Flop (didn't bet)

They were the key hands where I lost most (and then all of my small investment) money. I feel better at stealing blinds though and raising the right amount. It's just the big hands - I suck.

 

[Borgsta]

The first 3 hands were fine.

The last one I have no idea what you were trying to achieve after the flop. Pot was around $2.50 and you bet $9.10. Why not bet a smaller amount and see where you are at?

 

[Daytripper]

My opinions are for what its worth and bear in mind I'm a fairly tight, aggressive player.

Game 1
KJ off suit in early position is a folded hand pre flop.

Game 2
*Your continuation bet (50c into a $1.50 pot) was too small. You will always get a caller with that sized bet and then to compound it you showed weakness by checking the turn. Why bet that amount on the flop knowing if you get called you will check the turn and lose ?
*Nothing wrong with calling the river bet as you were committted as you were probably priced in.

Game 3
That is a nasty flop and all you have is middle pair. This is a check and fold situation for me especiallly after both blinds called your raise. The likellihood that at least one of them has an ace is very high. You don't even have a club. There are so many ways that you are behind here.

Game 4
Raising with 77 in early position is too loose here. Your objective with these hands in early position is too get as many players into the pot as possible as cheaply as you can. You will only win with this hand in this position by hitting a set or by bluffing so you want to see a very cheap flop and disguise your hand.
Going all in with a medium pocket pair post flop is just a huge mistake.

Sorry for being critical.

 

[red+black]

Game 2
*Your continuation bet (50c into a $1.50 pot) was too small. You will always get a caller with that sized bet and then to compound it you showed weakness by checking the turn. Why bet that amount on the flop knowing if you get called you will check the turn and lose ?
*Nothing wrong with calling the river bet as you were committted as you were probably priced in.

He bet the river, the other guy called. Why the other guy didn't raise I'll never know.

 

[Daytripper]

He bet the river, the other guy called. Why the other guy didn't raise I'll never know.

yep - my mistake.
Good point. What would be beating him there ?

 

[Borgsta]

Game 2
*Your continuation bet (50c into a $1.50 pot) was too small. You will always get a caller with that sized bet and then to compound it you showed weakness by checking the turn. Why bet that amount on the flop knowing if you get called you will check the turn and lose ?

Esp. with the 2 clubs on the flop. If they are chasing a flush you have given them odds to call. Then a non club comes on the turn and you give em a free shot at catching.

 

[Daytripper]

Just one more thing and I don't mean to sound condescending but I reckon 10c/25c is a little bit too high for you at the moment.

In all honesty there is not that much difference in standard between 2c/5c -> 5c/10c -> 10c/25c so if you are just starting out its better ($ wise for you) to make your errors and learn at the bottom levels first.

All depends on what you are prepared to lose though.

 

[Borgsta]

Just one more thing and I don't mean to sound condescending but I reckon 10c/25c is a little bit too high for you at the moment.

In all honesty there is not that much difference in standard between 2c/5c -> 5c/10c -> 10c/25c so if you are just starting out its better ($ wise for you) to make your errors and learn at the bottom levels first.

All depends on what you are prepared to lose though.

Very valid point. If you are starting out you should almost expect a loss for a while. $25 doesnt sound like much but you can lose 4 sessions very quickly and there goes $100.

 

[Mordecai]

Just one more thing and I don't mean to sound condescending but I reckon 10c/25c is a little bit too high for you at the moment.

In all honesty there is not that much difference in standard between 2c/5c -> 5c/10c -> 10c/25c so if you are just starting out its better ($ wise for you) to make your errors and learn at the bottom levels first.

All depends on what you are prepared to lose though.

Yep, it felt high and don't worry for being critical esp on the last hand. I went nuts there. I'd been getting junk for so long and I had a brain fade. You raise hard preflop and limit the field with a midpair hand like that don't you?

See I didn't know, til now, that there were smaller priced tables. I just looked through the hand histories thread and chose the one most of you were using - pokerstars. I shall go to the smaller tables for the next time. Thanks for that tip.

And just to daytripper - I've tried tight-aggressive but struggle with the aggressive aspect. Can you briefly outline what you'd do with 10 10 early and late position and A J early and late position. Also, when I try tight-aggressive in a home game I will generally get no calls on a hand I've waited on for a while.

 

[Daytripper]

Yep, it felt high and don't worry for being critical esp on the last hand. I went nuts there. I'd been getting junk for so long and I had a brain fade. You raise hard preflop and limit the field with a midpair hand like that don't you?

Good strategy in tournalments or in SNG's but at this level in ring games you will always get at least one caller. I always see flops with medium pairs and will call raises pre flop but you must be prepared to let the hand go post flop if you miss the set (which will happen 7 in 8 times).

See I didn't know, til now, that there were smaller priced tables. I just looked through the hand histories thread and chose the one most of you were using - pokerstars. I shall go to the smaller tables for the next time. Thanks for that tip.

Leave your ego at the door when you're playing poker. If 2c/5c is the game you make money on (or lose the least) then play that game.

And just to daytripper - I've tried tight-aggressive but struggle with the aggressive aspect. Can you briefly outline what you'd do with 10 10 early and late position and A J early and late position. Also, when I try tight-aggressive in a home game I will generally get no calls on a hand I've waited on for a while.

TT early I will raise and call a reraise. If there is another raise I will fold.
TT late I wil raise and raise to a reraise. Basically have no problem getting it all in if I have to - pre flop.
AJ offsuit early is a call and a fold to a raise.
AJ suited early is a raise and a call to any reraise.
AJ offsuit late is a raise and a call to any reraise.
AJ suited late is a raise, then reraise any raise, then call. Not happy to go all in unless pot committed.

 

[Mordecai]

Leave your ego at the door when you're playing poker. If 2c/5c is the game you make money on (or lose the least) then play that game.

Yeah the last hand I probably played that way mainly through frustration/stupidity and also having seen it done. I won't do it again unless I hit trips.

I just flat out didn't know other, cheaper, tables existed. My ego is well and truly sitting on the doormat in front of the metaphorical door. I've found smaller tables now.

I'll get you some interesting hands (I'll post comments in bold - they'll probably be wrong):

Some stats (don't know if they tell you anything???)

100 hands played and saw flop:
- 8 times out of 16 while in small blind (50%)
- 13 times out of 17 while in big blind (76%)
- 23 times out of 67 in other positions (34%)
- a total of 44 times out of 100 (44%)

Pots won at showdown - 4 out of 12 (33%)
Pots won without showdown - 20


You can see I'm kind of lost in this hand - Should I have bet harder?
*********** # 1 **************
PokerStars Game #15135616337: Hold'em No Limit ($0.01/$0.02) - 2008/02/07 - 22:38:40 (ET)
Table 'Walpurga V' 6-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: Mrs. Chem ($0.80 in chips)
Seat 2: DominicB7 ($3.14 in chips)
Seat 3: shallobean ($1.64 in chips)
Seat 4: robme1 ($2.16 in chips)
Seat 6: Nana54_2000 ($0.93 in chips)
kitecrazd will be allowed to play after the button
Nana54_2000: posts small blind $0.01
Mrs. Chem: posts big blind $0.02
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [6c Ad]
DominicB7: calls $0.02
shallobean: calls $0.02
robme1: folds
Nana54_2000: calls $0.01
Mrs. Chem: checks
*** FLOP *** [7d Kc Ac]
Nana54_2000: bets $0.02
Mrs. Chem: folds
DominicB7: raises $0.02 to $0.04
shallobean: calls $0.04
Nana54_2000: calls $0.02
*** TURN *** [7d Kc Ac] [7c]
Nana54_2000: checks
DominicB7: checks
shallobean: checks
*** RIVER *** [7d Kc Ac 7c] [2d]
Nana54_2000: checks
DominicB7: checks
shallobean: bets $0.06
Nana54_2000: calls $0.06
DominicB7: calls $0.06
*** SHOW DOWN ***
shallobean: shows [Kh 3h] (two pair, Kings and Sevens)
Nana54_2000: shows [Jh Kd] (two pair, Kings and Sevens)
DominicB7: shows [6c Ad] (two pair, Aces and Sevens)
DominicB7 collected $0.38 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $0.38 | Rake $0
Board [7d Kc Ac 7c 2d]
Seat 1: Mrs. Chem (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: DominicB7 showed [6c Ad] and won ($0.38) with two pair, Aces and Sevens
Seat 3: shallobean showed [Kh 3h] and lost with two pair, Kings and Sevens
Seat 4: robme1 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Nana54_2000 (small blind) showed [Jh Kd] and lost with two pair, Kings and Sevens


Reading this hand back I can see how poorly I played. Dominated on the flop I should have thrown it away.
*********** # 2 **************
PokerStars Game #15136046184: Hold'em No Limit ($0.01/$0.02) - 2008/02/07 - 22:59:44 (ET)
Table 'Walpurga V' 6-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: Mrs. Chem ($2.86 in chips)
Seat 2: DominicB7 ($3.86 in chips)
Seat 3: txn00b ($2.87 in chips)
Seat 4: robme1 ($2.03 in chips)
Seat 6: Nana54_2000 ($2.01 in chips)
DominicB7: posts small blind $0.01
txn00b: posts big blind $0.02
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [9s 9c]
robme1: raises $0.08 to $0.10
Nana54_2000: folds
Mrs. Chem: calls $0.10
DominicB7: calls $0.09
txn00b: folds
*** FLOP *** [Td Tc Jh]
DominicB7: bets $0.12
robme1: calls $0.12
Mrs. Chem: calls $0.12
*** TURN *** [Td Tc Jh] [7d]
DominicB7: checks
robme1: checks
Mrs. Chem: bets $0.16
DominicB7: calls $0.16
robme1: calls $0.16
*** RIVER *** [Td Tc Jh 7d] [8h]
DominicB7: bets $0.12
robme1: calls $0.12
Mrs. Chem: raises $2.36 to $2.48 and is all-in
DominicB7: calls $2.36
robme1: folds
robme1 leaves the table
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Mrs. Chem: shows [8d 9h] (a straight, Seven to Jack)
DominicB7: shows [9s 9c] (a straight, Seven to Jack)
DominicB7 collected $2.97 from pot
Mrs. Chem collected $2.97 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $6.24 | Rake $0.30
Board [Td Tc Jh 7d 8h]
Seat 1: Mrs. Chem (button) showed [8d 9h] and won ($2.97) with a straight, Seven to Jack
Seat 2: DominicB7 (small blind) showed [9s 9c] and won ($2.97) with a straight, Seven to Jack
Seat 3: txn00b (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: robme1 folded on the River
Seat 6: Nana54_2000 folded before Flop (didn't bet)


Similar to hand 1. I don't know how strong I am. Maybe I should have thrown it away to begin with and not have got myself in trouble. How many flops should you see? 1 in 3 hands, 1 in 4?
*********** # 3 **************
PokerStars Game #15136839082: Hold'em No Limit ($0.01/$0.02) - 2008/02/07 - 23:41:51 (ET)
Table 'Bouzareah' 6-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: Cashazamat ($1.87 in chips)
Seat 3: daniela1512 ($2.51 in chips)
Seat 4: DominicB7 ($3.42 in chips)
Seat 5: FDubus ($5.58 in chips)
Seat 6: Christ1337 ($3.41 in chips)
Christ1337: posts small blind $0.01
Cashazamat: posts big blind $0.02
rocknwulf: sits out
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [As 2s]
daniela1512: folds
DominicB7: raises $0.06 to $0.08
FDubus: folds
Christ1337: calls $0.07
Cashazamat: folds
*** FLOP *** [3h 5d Ac]
Christ1337: bets $0.13
DominicB7: calls $0.13
*** TURN *** [3h 5d Ac] [Ad]
Christ1337: bets $0.28
DominicB7: calls $0.28
*** RIVER *** [3h 5d Ac Ad] [5s]
Christ1337: checks
DominicB7: bets $0.28
Christ1337: calls $0.28
*** SHOW DOWN ***
DominicB7: shows [As 2s] (a full house, Aces full of Fives)
Christ1337: mucks hand
DominicB7 collected $1.51 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $1.56 | Rake $0.05
Board [3h 5d Ac Ad 5s]
Seat 1: Cashazamat (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: daniela1512 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: DominicB7 showed [As 2s] and won ($1.51) with a full house, Aces full of Fives
Seat 5: FDubus (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Christ1337 (small blind) mucked [8c 8d]


Again, I don't know how strong I am.
*********** # 4 **************
PokerStars Game #15136821933: Hold'em No Limit ($0.01/$0.02) - 2008/02/07 - 23:40:54 (ET)
Table 'Bouzareah' 6-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: Cashazamat ($1.89 in chips)
Seat 3: daniela1512 ($2.53 in chips)
Seat 4: DominicB7 ($3.62 in chips)
Seat 5: FDubus ($5.32 in chips)
Seat 6: Christ1337 ($3.43 in chips)
FDubus: posts small blind $0.01
Christ1337: posts big blind $0.02
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [Jc Kh]
Cashazamat: calls $0.02
daniela1512: calls $0.02
DominicB7: raises $0.06 to $0.08
FDubus: raises $0.12 to $0.20
Christ1337: folds
Cashazamat: folds
daniela1512: folds
DominicB7: calls $0.12
*** FLOP *** [Kd 7h 8s]
FDubus: bets $0.32
rocknwulf has returned
DominicB7 said, "ak?"
DominicB7: folds
FDubus collected $0.46 from pot
FDubus: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $0.46 | Rake $0
Board [Kd 7h 8s]
Seat 1: Cashazamat folded before Flop
Seat 3: daniela1512 folded before Flop
Seat 4: DominicB7 (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 5: FDubus (small blind) collected ($0.46)
Seat 6: Christ1337 (big blind) folded before Flop


Despite losing I would say I played this hand the best at the flop. Then I should have folded.... but didn't
*********** # 5 **************
PokerStars Game #15135333099: Hold'em No Limit ($0.01/$0.02) - 2008/02/07 - 22:24:55 (ET)
Table 'Walpurga V' 6-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: Mrs. Chem ($1.90 in chips)
Seat 2: DominicB7 ($3.78 in chips)
Seat 3: shallobean ($0.42 in chips)
Seat 4: robme1 ($2.27 in chips)
Seat 5: JJJJAY ($2.55 in chips)
Seat 6: turok64 ($2 in chips)
robme1: posts small blind $0.01
JJJJAY: posts big blind $0.02
turok64: posts big blind $0.02
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [Jh Td]
turok64: checks
Mrs. Chem: calls $0.02
DominicB7: raises $0.02 to $0.04
shallobean: calls $0.04
robme1: folds
JJJJAY: calls $0.02
turok64: folds
Mrs. Chem: calls $0.02
*** FLOP *** [Qs Ts Jd]
JJJJAY: bets $0.02
Mrs. Chem: calls $0.02
DominicB7: raises $0.08 to $0.10
shallobean: raises $0.16 to $0.26
JJJJAY: folds
Mrs. Chem: folds
DominicB7: calls $0.16
*** TURN *** [Qs Ts Jd] [Ks]
DominicB7: checks
shallobean: bets $0.12 and is all-in
DominicB7 said, "hate that"
DominicB7: calls $0.12
*** RIVER *** [Qs Ts Jd Ks] [8h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
DominicB7: shows [Jh Td] (two pair, Jacks and Tens)
shallobean: shows [Ac Qc] (a straight, Ten to Ace)
shallobean collected $0.99 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $0.99 | Rake $0
Board [Qs Ts Jd Ks 8h]
Seat 1: Mrs. Chem folded on the Flop
Seat 2: DominicB7 showed [Jh Td] and lost with two pair, Jacks and Tens
Seat 3: shallobean (button) showed [Ac Qc] and won ($0.99) with a straight, Ten to Ace
Seat 4: robme1 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: JJJJAY (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 6: turok64 folded before Flop

Any better?

Indoor soccer followed by a home game (10/25c constant blinds) - hopefully I do a little better.

 

[Daytripper]

I'll leave these hands for knowledge or somebody else to analyse.

I don't play 6 handed and when I do I'm crap at it.

 

[Mordecai]

I'll leave these hands for knowledge or somebody else to analyse.

I don't play 6 handed and when I do I'm crap at it.

So many things to think about - this is worse than a golf swing. What handed do you usually play?

 

[Ricketts]

Game 4
Raising with 77 in early position is too loose here. Your objective with these hands in early position is too get as many players into the pot as possible as cheaply as you can. You will only win with this hand in this position by hitting a set or by bluffing so you want to see a very cheap flop and disguise your hand.
Going all in with a medium pocket pair post flop is just a huge mistake.

I play it the same way, but i still don't think it's entirely right.

E.g.:

from this thread: http://archives1.twoplustwo.com/sho...Number=7827947&PHPSESSID=&fpart=1#Post7827947

this hand: http://www.pokerhand.org/?578668

One example of why you need to raise. Would I have stacked him in an unraised pot? Most likely not.

Although he is talking about when in position.

3) Flopping sets / monsters in unraised pots is basically a crap pot.

 

[Daytripper]

I play it the same way, but i still don't think it's entirely right.

E.g.:

from this thread: http://archives1.twoplustwo.com/sho...Number=7827947&PHPSESSID=&fpart=1#Post7827947

this hand: http://www.pokerhand.org/?578668



Although he is talking about when in position.

6 handed requires a completely different mindset to full ring IMO. 6 handed I guess you should raise but then again I could be wrong.

With a full ring game at the micro levels you will always get 3 or 4 callers so its easy to build the pot.