127 - Danny Ashman - Secrets of Short-Handed No Limit Holdem

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Secrets of Professional Poker, volume 1

by Rolf Slotboom 978-1-904468-40-0, 256pp, $24.95 / 14.99
Advanced Limit-Holdem Strategy

by Barry Tanenbaum 978-1-904468-36-3, 256pp, $24.95 / 14.99
Secrets of Sitngos
by Phil Shaw 978-1-904468-43-1, 224pp, $24.95 / 14.99
How Good is Your Limit Hold em?

by Byron Jacobs with Jim Brier 978-1-904468-15-8, 192pp, $23.95 / 13.99
How Good is Your Pot-Limit Omaha?

by Stewart Reuben 978-1-904468-07-3, 192pp, $19.95 / 12.99
How Good is Your Pot-Limit Holdem?

by Stewart Reuben 978-1-904468-08-0, 208pp, $19.95 / 12.99
Holdem on the Come

by Rolf Slotboom and Drew Mason 978-1-904468-23-3 , 272pp, $19.95 / 12.99
Secrets of Professional Pot-Limit Omaha

by Rolf Slotboom 978-1-904468-30-6, 240pp, $24.95 / 14.99
Limit Holdem: Winning short-handed strategies

by Terry Borer and Lawrence Mak with Barry Tannenbaum
978-1-904468-37-0, 352pp, $24.95 / 14.99
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Firstpublishedin2009byD&BPublishing Reprinted2009 Copyright2009DannyAshman TherightofDannyAshmantobeidentifiedastheauthorofthisworkhas beenassertedinaccordancewiththeCopyrights,DesignsandPatentsAct 1988. Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedin aretrievalsystemortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic, electrostatic,magnetictape,photocopying,recordingorotherwise,without priorpermissionofthepublisher. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data AcataloguerecordforthisbookisavailablefromtheBritishLibrary. ISBN:9781904468417 AllsalesenquiriesshouldbedirectedtoD&BPublishing: Tel:01273711443,email:info@dandbpoker.com, Website:www.dandbpoker.com CoverdesignbyHoratioMonteverde. PrintedandboundintheUS.
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Contents
Introduction
Pokerisanewgame Becauseitsnewpeopledontunderstandit Thereisalotofmoneyinpoker Whythisbookwillmakeyoumoney Aboutthisbook
8 8 9 10 11 12 14 14 14 15 18 20 22 24 26 26 28
Approaching the game

Thekeystowinningpoker Passionforthegame Whypokerishardtolearn Confidenceandhonesty Whycontinuallearningisimportant Selfchecking Intelligence
Mental discipline
Generalguidelines Winningpoker
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Tilt Thesevendeadlysins Theimportanceofnottilting Howtoavoidtilting Empoweringyourself 29 30 33 34 36 37 37 38 38 42 45 46 46 46 47 48 50 54 54 55 58 58 58 60 61 64 69 69 72 73 73 75
Strategic considerations
Shorthandedvs.fulltable Livevs.online Gameselection Bankrollmanagement Multitabling
Poker math
Expectedvalue Basicprobability Handcombinations EVcalculations Puttingitalltogether
Pre-Flop
Evaluatingyouropponents Skilllevel Loosevs.tight Aggressivevs.passive Makingadjustments Startinghands Handreading Examplehands
The Flop
Planningahand Beingaggressive Protectingyourhand Determiningthebestline Potodds
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Impliedodds Examplehands
77 79 89 89 90 94 99 100 102 104 106 111 111 118 131 138 145 149 155 157 160
The Turn and River

Sophisticatedplay Consideringfuturecards Ev+vs.Ev+++ Betsizing Instincts Strategicconsiderations Metagame Examplehands
Other concepts and hand histories

Valuebetting Bluffing Semibluffing Trapping Foldingstronghands Betcallandcheckcalllineswithweakhands Changinggears Miscellaneous Headsupmatches
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Introduction
Poker is a still new game

In1998internetpokerbeganwiththelaunchofthesitePlanetPoker. Notmanypeoplehadheardof,orindeedplayedon,PlanetPoker butitonlytookonemoreyearuntil1999whenthemuchbiggerand successfulParadisePokeropenedupforbusiness.In2001Party Pokerstartedandthiswouldlaterbecomethebiggestsiteforonline poker(beforethegovernmentpassedantigamblinglegislationin 2006).In2003Partysrevenuewasslightlyover$100million,butby 2005ithadpeakedatwellover$800million.Eventhoughitwasbig in2003,itwasntuntilasrecentlyas2005thatitreallytookoff. Thesamephenomenonofveryrecentgrowthhasoccurredinthe arenaoflivepoker.TheWorldSeriesofPokerstartedin1971witha numberofentriesyoucouldcountonyourfingers.By2003ithad grownto839entriesafairamountofgrowth,butthatwasasnoth ingcomparedtothenextperiodofexpansionwhereby2006there were8,773entries,whichamountedtoafirstplaceprizeof $12,000,000whenJamieGoldhappenedtowin. MeanwhiletheWorldPokerTourscheduledafulltwenty$10,000
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Introduction
tournamentsforitsseasonsixscheduleof2007.Alloftheselive tournamentsgooutonTVwiththerecentadditionsofpokershows suchasHighStakesPoker,CelebrityPoker,theProfessionalPokerTour andsoon.Thenumbersdonotlieandthefactscitedaboveillustrate thatthoughpokerhasexistedforalongtime,ithasnotexistedinits currentformwhereitisordersofmagnitudemorepopularanda partofpopularcultureuntilveryrecently.
Because its new people dont understand it

Allofthisisofmorethanacademicinterest.Becausepokerissucha newgame,thegenerallevelofunderstandingisquitelow.Couple thiswiththefollowingfacts:alotofpeopleplaypokerandpeople playforalotofmoney.Maybethebestwordtodescribethesitua tionthatexistsisopportunityorperhapstwowordsthatdescribe itevenbetteraretremendousopportunity. Thispopularityhasledtotheincreasinginclusionofpokerinpopu larcultureforinstancea$10,000,000pokertournamentwasused asthesettingfortheJamesBondmovieCasinoRoyale.Inthisfilm, BondsarchenemyLeChiffredeclares,Allin.Ihavetwopairand youhavea17.4%chanceofmakingyourstraight,asifhehasmade asupposedlygoodplay.Accordingtoconventionalwisdom,thisis apparentlythemathinvolvedinthegamethetypeofskillre quiredtoplayinatenmilliondollartournament.Naturally,there alityissomewhatdifferent. PerhapsanevenbetterexamplefromCasinoRoyaleiswhereLeChif fresays,YouchangedyourshirtMr.Bond.Ihopeourlittlegame isntcausingyoutoperspire.BondrepliesAlittle.ButIwont considermyselftobeintroubleuntilIstartweepingblood.Bond hasapparentlypicksupatellonLeChiffrethatwhenhecries blooditgivesawayinformationabouthishand.However,theun derlyingideaisthatthekeytopsychologyinpokerislookingata personsfaceandfiguringoutwhattheyhave.Again,therealityis somewhatdifferent.
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Secrets of Short-handed No Limit Holdem
Forexample,inabaseballmovieifsomeonesaid,OkaySlugger, youhavebigmusclesonyourarms.Usethosetohitthatballfar, realfarandthenwecanwinthegame,thiswouldbeanalogousto theCasinoRoyaledialogueaboutpoker.Thedifferenceisthatpeople taketheCasinoRoyaledialoguemoreseriouslybutwouldrealisethat thecomparablebaseballdialogueisnonsensebecausebaseballhas beeninpopularcultureforacomparativelylongtime. IftheskillscitedbyBondandLeChiffrewerethetrueskillsneeded tomasterpoker,theyaresobasicthateveryonecouldbeapoker expertinacoupleofweeks.Itistruethatthetwokeystonestopoker arepsychologyandmathbutthosetwotermsactuallymeansome thingmuchmoreprofoundthanmostpeoplethink.Thiswillbeex plainedingreatdetailinthisbook.
There is a lot of money in poker

Beforepeoplecouldplaypokeronline,theyplayedincasinos.The bestpokerroominLasVegasistheBellagioandtheyhaveoneroom whichseatsamaximumoftenplayers.Itshouldthereforebeobvious thatcomparedtotheactiontheycangetbydealingblackjackor roulettepokerwasnotanattractivepropositionforthecasinos.This ispartofthereasonwhypokerhasnotbeenmorepopularinthe pastitisnotveryprofitableforthecasinos.However,nowadays, thankstotheonlinerevolution,alotofpeopleplaypoker. Goingbackintimeafewyears,$2/$4NoLimitHoldem(NLHE) wasconsideredhighstakesandtherewasnotmuchactionavail ableonlineanyhigher.Slowly,andwithsomereluctance,sites addednewerandhigherstakesgamesthat,atthetime,causedgreat excitementamongtheplayers.Theavailabilityof$5/$10NLHE gameswasabigdeal,andthenlaterwhen$10/$20NLHEwas addedthatwasabigdealtoo. AslateasDecemberof2005IemailedPokerStarsCardroomman agerLeeJonesmakingthecaseforadding$25/$50NLHEgames.He responded,No,Imafraidwerenotgoingtodeploybiggerno
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Introduction
limitholdemgamesanytimesoonthatsnotcarvedinstone (nothinginthisbusinessis)butunlessIseeamajorshiftthatImnot expecting,wewontbedoingit.Howeversincethentheyhave added$25/$50andtheneven$100/$200and$200/$400NLHEinad dition. ThesecondmostpopularpokersiteisFullTiltPoker.Whatmakes themspecialisthattheyhavethehigheststakespokergamesavail able.Theyhost$1,000/$2,000mixedlimitgames,$1,000/$2,000LHE, alongwith$300/$600PotLimitOmaha(PLO)and$500/1,000NLHE. Clearlythereforethereisahugeamountofmoneyinvolvedandit willpaymassivedividendsifyoucanlearntoplayitwell.
Why this book will make you money

Thisbookisidealforsomeonewhotrulywantstounderstandpoker. ThereasonthisisthecaseisbecauseIamapokerprofessionalandI haveputalotoftimeandenergyintoputtingeverythingIknow intoit.Manybooksarewrittenbycharlatanswhohavenorightto bewritinginstructionalmaterialonpoker(Icallthemcharlatansbe causetheyaremediocreplayers).Mostpeoplewhocouldwrite worthwhilethingsaboutpokerdontbother.Mostpeoplewhoare qualifiedtowriteaboutpokeranddoarelazy.Thisbooktookalot ofworkbecauseitisatextbookonanewareaofpokerthathas neverbeenthoroughlyexamined. FirstandforemostIamaprofessionalpokerplayer.Istartedout with$1,500tomynameandbuiltthatupbyconsistentlyratcheting upmywinrate.Mywinscomefromconsistentsuccessesincash gamesIhavenevermadeabigtournamentscore.Tournaments requirealotoflucktosucceed(grantedskilltoo,butrelativetocash gamesmuchless).Itwouldntbetruthfultosaythatanyoldfool couldwinatournamentbutjustaboutanyoldfoolcan.Winningone tournamentproveslittleabouttheskillofaplayer.Havingnumer oustournamentsuccessesdoesshowsomethingaboutaplayers skill.However,whatshowsthemostabouttheskilllevelofapoker
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playeriswinningalotoveralongperiodoftimeinthehighest stakescashgames.ThiswisdomisshownbythefactthatIhave nevercomeclosetogoingbrokeincontrasttomanypokerplayers. Ihavemademostofmymoneyplaying$25/$50NLHEheadsup which,whenIwasplayingpokermostseriously,wasjustaboutthe biggestgameoffered.However,alongthewayIhaveplayedasig nificantamountathigherstakes,upto$200/$400NLHEandPLO, andalsoLHEuptothestakes$200/$400.Ihaveplayedallthese gamesliveandonline,shorthanded,headsup(HU)andinfulltable formats.Ihavealsoplayedafairamountoflive$10,000tourna ments,althoughadmittedlywithoutmuchsuccess.Ivesatwith over$100,000infrontofmeplayingpokerwithbillionares,fools andmoreskilledpokerplayersthanme.Asaresultofallthat,I knowalotaboutpoker,andeverythingIknowisinthisbook.
About this book

MymaingameishighstakesNLHE,shorthandedandheadsup.As Igothroughtopicsliketilt,bankrollmanagementandexample handstheyarealldrawnfromthatcontext.However,becauseall variantsofpokeraresimilar,thetypeofthinkingandmanyofthe conceptsbehindNLHEareverytransferrableandhelpfulforall playersfrommicrostakesNLHEplayerstoHULHEplayers, tournamentandevenPLOplayers. Thisbookwillnottellyoupreciselyhowtoplaypoker.Insteadit describeshowIplaypokerandhowI(andothertopplayers)think whenplaying.ThereasonIhavetakenthisapproachisbecauseitis impossibletocreatesetrulesonhowtoplayortogivejudgmentson specificsituations.Indeed,someofthedecisions,andevensomeofthe logicIusedcouldbewrong.Whatisimportantaretheconceptsand ideasusedtothinkthroughthepoker.Pokerisalwayssituational, butonceyouunderstandthetypesofconsiderationsthatareimpor tantindecisions,comingtoadecisionitselfbecomeseasierandonly amatterofgainingexperience.
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Introduction
Thisbookiswrittenforpokerplayerswithsomeexperienceofthe game,notbeginners.Assuchtherewillbenoelementaryexplana tions.Basicideassuchaspotoddswillbeexplainedquicklyand throughexamples,andwherethisbookdifferentiatesfromothersis thatthebulkofthebookwillconsistoftakingthosebasicconcepts andusingtheminadvancedways,asthisiswhathighstakesNLHE isallabout.Emphasisisplacedonpsychologyandhandreading. Handreadingandmentaldisciplinearethetwomostimportant elementsofpoker.Theyarethefocusofthisbookwhereasmost otherbooksfocusonwhatlinetotake(inotherwordsthedeci sionofwhethertoraise,foldorcall)aftertheassumptionismade thatourhandreadingiscorrect.Thewhatlinetotakedecisionis trivialandamatterofbasicmathwhenweknowwhatouroppo nentshandrangeis,sothisbookwillfocusprimarilyonthehand readingelement. Forthemostpartthisbookisnotabstractessaysonconceptsin pokerbutinsteadacompilationofhandsthatactuallyhappened. Thetypeofthinkingrequiredtoplaythehandcorrectlyandthe ideasandconceptsbehindwhathappenedareexplainedveryspe cificallyandingreatdetail.Theideasandcomplexitypresentin pokerarenotdumbeddownintheleast.Pokerisamuchbetter gamethatway.
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Chapter One
Approaching the Game
The keys to winning poker

Pokerisverycompetitive.Mostofthetraitsneededtosucceedin pokerarederivedfromthisfactandare,forthemostpart,similarto whatisneededtosucceedinothercompetitiveendeavors(e.g.chess, soccer,racing).Agoodwaytolearnhowtolearnpokeristostudy howwinnersactandthinkreadbiographiesofwinners.Inthis sectionthequalitiesneededtowinareexaminedastheyrelatespe cificallytopoker.
Passion for the game

Themostimportantpartofbecomingagoodpokerplayerishavinga passionforthegame.Mozartsaid,Neitheraloftydegreeofintelli gencenorimaginationnorbothtogethergotothemakingofgenius. Love,love,love,thatisthesoulofgenius.Youhavetocareabout whatyouredoingtogetreallygoodatit.Theconceptofpassionis slightlyabstract,soletstryandmakeitmoremeaningfulforapoker player.Sincepokeris,byitsnature,verycompetitive,apassionfor
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thegamealsomeansadesiretobethebestplayer.Orputanother way,itnecessarilymeansadesiretobeateveryoneyouplay.When youareactuallyplayingarealpersonthiswilltranslateintoadesire tocrushyouropponent.Incidentally,oneofthebestwaystogainor regainthispassionistowatchplayersbetterthanyourselfandsee themmakereallyskillfulplaysthiscanbeinspiring. Thequestionis,howdoessomeoneachievethathighskilllevel wheretheyarebetterthaneveryoneelseintheirimmediateenvi ronment?Theansweriseasyitsthesameanswerapersonwould getthataskedthesamequestionregardingskillinanydiscipline throughhardworkandstudy.Buthardlyanyoneactuallydoesthat, insteadtheyplaypokerandassumetheyllgetbetterasaresult. Theymaydo,buttheprocesswillbeslowanderratic.Insteadof playingpokerandhopingthatthesideeffectwillbeagradualim provement,itsmuchbettertoactonourmaingoalandgearour planspecificallytowardsattainingthisimprovement. Ifsomeonewantstobeadoctortheydontjuststartdoingsurgery. Theygotouniversityforsixyearsandinternforanothertwoto studytheprofession.IfsomeonewantstoplaysoccerinthePremier Leagueittakesmanyyearsofpractice,practiceandthensomemore practice.Theystudytheirdisciplinewithprofessionalism.Tosuc ceedasapokerplayerisnodifferent,thisprofessionalismisneeded.
Why poker is hard to learn

Thedifferencebetweenpokerandothersportsorprofessionsisthat, aspreviouslydiscussed,itsarelativelynewthing.Thereareno pokerschoolsandthereisntmuchpokerliterature.Thereisnoes tablishedroadmapforwhatittakestobecomegood.Everyone needstosomeextenttogoaboutreinventingthewheel.Andits notjustlearninghowtoplaygoodpoker,itsaboutlearninghowto learnhowtoplaypoker.Andbeyondthatproblemthereareafew reasonsuniquetothedisciplineofpokerthatmakeitanespecially hardgametomaster.
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Onereasonisthatformostofitshistory,pokerhasbeenplayed livewithrealcards.Peopledidntrealizeituntiltheinventionof internetpoker,butlivepokerwasactuallyaveryslowgame.People getdealtmaybethirtyhandsanhourinliveplay.Comparethisto aninternetplayerplayingtwotablesandgettingonehundred handsanhourpertable.Theonlineplayerisgettingalmostseven timesasmanyhandsastheliveplayer.Thisresultsinalotmoreex periencegainedveryquickly,sothisplayerlearnsalotfaster.It takesalongtimeforaliveplayertolearnthegamesinceittakesso longtogainexperience. Thenthereisthefactthatthebestplayersdontteach,theyplay.The sayingthosethatcan,do.Andthosethatcant,teachholdsan elementoftruth.Itisespeciallytrueinpokerbecausethebestpoker playerscanmakealotofmoney.Asaresultthepeoplewhocan makehugeamountsofmoneylogicallydecidetodojustthat.They concentratetheireffortsonplayingratherthanteachingpoker. Thosewhodontmakehugeamountsofmoneyplayingpokerteach alotmore,becausetheiropportunitycostisntashigh.Whenthey areteachinginsteadofplayingpokertheyarentlosingalotbecause theydontmakemuchmoneyfrompokerinthefirstplace. Pokercanalsobeverytryingemotionallysinceitissodirectlycom petitiveandbecausemoneyissuchanintegralpartofthegame.So ifaplayerwantstolearnandimprove,theyshoulddisregardtheir emotionsanduseananalyticalmind.However,itisactuallyquite hardtoignoreyouremotions.Forexampleifaplayerwinsabigpot, theyshouldbecalmingtheirmindtoanalyzethehandandtryingto understandiftheyplayeditcorrectly.Whentheydothistheymay realizethatinfacttheywereoutplayedandjustgotlucky.This wouldbeanimportantpartofthelearningexperience.However, maybetheamountofmoneytheywonwassubstantialand,natu rally,thismakesthemhappy.Sonowtheyrecelebratinganddoing alittledancearoundthechairinsteadofthinkingabouttheimpor tantthings. Converselyifaplayermakesabadplayandthentheopponentcapi
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talizesonit,maybethepersonwillbecometoodepressedandbeat themselvesupwiththoughtsofdamnImsobadatpoker.Imjust sobadatpoker,whydidIdothat?Ijustlost$5,000.Imsobad. Thentheykeeprepeatingthisoverandoverintheirhead.Instead whattheyshouldbedoingisgettingridofthesenegativeemotions andquietlythinkingoverwhatwentwrong,andhowspecifically thehandcouldhavebeenplayedbetter.Butitsquitehardtosepa ratetheemotionalaspectofpokerfromthelogicalaspectwhich,in evitably,makesithardforpeopletolearntoplaythegameatahigh level. Thatbringsustothebiggestreasonpokerisahardgametolearn. Whenlearningtakesplace,apersonwilldosomething,andthenhe willreceivefeedback.Thefeedbackwhethergoodorbadiswhat peopleusetolearn.Forinstanceastudentcandoamathproblem, butthekeyiswhentheteachermarksitasincorrectsothestudent willknowtochangehowheapproachesthatproblem.Orateacher couldmarkitascorrect,sothestudentwillknowtokeepdoingit thesameway.Thatfeedbackishowastudentadaptshisbehaviorto bebetter. Studyingpokerisalittlelikelearningwithacrazymathteacher.A teacherwhomarksproblemsrightorwrongwithnocorrelationto whetherwedidtheproblemcorrectlyornot.Forastudentofpoker, thefeedbackisverydifficulttointerpret.Forexample,aplayer couldplayverybadly,butwinalotofmoney.Sothefeedbackisthe exactoppositeofwhatitshouldbe.Heretheexperiencemerelyrein forcesthebadhabits.Oraplayercouldmakeareallygoodplayand getunluckyandthenthinkthegoodplaywasactuallybadandnot doitanymore.Againthefeedbackisallwrong. Therearemanydifferentwaysthiscouldhappenforinstancea playercouldmakeagoodplayandgetallthemoneyinasafavorite andgetoutdrawn.Thefeedbackistheoppositeofwhatitshouldbe, butitsprettystraightforwardtounderstandthattheplaywasgood iftheopponenthitsatwoouter.However,whatiftheplayermade whatwasinprincipleagoodplaybutgotcalledbyabetterhand
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andendeduplosingthepotasanunderdog?Nowthefeedbackis muchmoredifficulttointerpret. Maybeonewouldnormallyexpecttheopponenttohaveaworse handormaybethenormaloutcomewouldbethattheopponent wouldfoldthebetterhandanditwasjustunluckyhecalledthis particulartime.Ortherecanbeotherpossibilitiesmaybetheop ponentshouldnthavehadthathandinthatsituationandwaslucky tohaveitthere.Itsquitedifficulttoselfchecktheanswerand evaluateonesplayinpokerbecausethefeedbackissounreliable. Couplethatwiththeemotionalissuesofplayingthegameandthe lackofqualityinstructionalmaterialonpoker,anditexplainswhy mostpeoplefacealotofproblemsbecomingskilledatthegame. Inreality,however,pokerisactuallyamuchsimplerdisciplineto masterthanmanyothers.Forexample,ittakesalifetimeofgood worktoachievetoplevelskillsasanactor,anartist,asoccerplayer, orperhapsasawriter.Forapokerplayeritmanyonlytakeayearor twotoachieveahighlevelofskill.Althoughitisacomplicated game,itsnotnearlyascomplicatedasotherskills.Itactuallycanbe aloteasiertolearnthanpeoplethinkbutwhenitisntthereasonis usuallybecauseoftheseissuesinlearning.
Confidence and honesty

Confidenceisfundamentalinpoker,asitisinallendeavors.Itsalso notjustimportantforlearningthegame,butimportantforplaying qualitypoker(thisisdiscussedinthementaldisciplinesection).A bigpartofthelearningprocesstakesplaceawayfromthetable.This involvesvisualizationandanticipatingeventsthatcanoccur.Imag inewhatwouldhappenifyouwantedtolearnpokerandsoyou thoughtaboutpokerawayfromthetableandvisualizedsituations thatmighthappenandhowyouwouldreacttothem,butthenyou lacktheingredientofconfidence?Youmightbevisualizingyourself gettingintosituationsinthefutureandthenplayingthempoorly. Thisisnotwhatyouwant.
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Howcanyoubepassionateaboutpursuingpokerandbecomingthe bestifyoudontbelieveyouarecapableofdoingit?Itisnonsensical. Withconfidencethatyouhavetheabilitytoimprovecoupledwith thedesiretoimproveyouwillaskyourselftherightquestions. Thiswillhappeninspecificgamesituations.Letssayyougotout playedinapotbuthaveconfidenceinyourselfandyourcapabilities. ThelogicalquestionforyoutoaskisOkayIgotoutplayedinthat hand.LetsseehowIcanplayinasimilarsituationinthefutureto getbetter.Notethatwithconfidenceyouwillfeelsecureandbe abletobemorehonestwithyourselfandadmitwhensomeoneout playedyouandsoallowimprovementtohappen.However,ifyou donothavetheconfidencethatyoucanbeatthisopponentthenit makesnosensetotrybecause,quitesimply,youdontbelieveyou canbeathiminthefuture. Alsobecauseofthedifficultiesdiscussedaboveinlearningpokerit iscrucialthatyouarehonestwithyourself.Notonlywilllackof selfhonestyhugelyinhibitlearning,butitwillpreventaccurateas sessmentsofyourownskillrelativetothatofyouropponents.This willresultinbadgameselection.Thereasonhonestyissoimportant isbecause,aswehaveseen,inpokerfeedbackissotrickytointer pret.Itsnotlikemorestraightforwardpursuitswheretheresultsare clearcutandthereisnowaytohidefromthem;inpokeronehasto activelysearchforthetruth. Akeytogettingbetteratpokerisbrutalselfhonesty.Donotallow yourselftimetobesatisfiedwithyourplay.Ifyoulostapot,see whatyoudidwrong.Anddontjustlookforabetterline,lookfor thebestline.Dontjustconsiderwhetheryoumadeabadrivercall, considerwhethertheturncallwasokay,considerwhetherpreflop wasokay,considerifyourbetsizewasokayontheflop,considerif youshouldhavebet10%more.Considereverything. Ifyouwonapotbecauseyougotlucky,thatsreallythesameaslos inginthelongrun,sostudythathand.Ifyouwonapotbecause yououtplayedtheopponentthatisnotgoodenoughconsiderhow youcouldhaveoutplayedhimevenmore.Considerifitjustlooks
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likeyououtplayedtheopponentandinactualityyouplayedit badly.Oftenplayersdontevenknowwhathandstostudybecause theythinktheyplayedwellwhentheyactuallyplayedbadly. Forthisreasonyoushouldstudyalotmorehandsthanyouthink youshould.Aplayeroftendoesntrealizewhentheyaremaking badplays,ortheysimplywouldntmakethem.Evenifyouareon thebiggestupswingofyourlife,youstillneedtostudyalotof handsjustasyouwouldifthereverseweretrue.Itpaystobetough onyourselfandfindasmanymistakesinyourplayasyoucan. Youllbetheonetobenefitinthelongrun.Thebestplaniscriticism ofyourownplay,exposingthemistakesyoumakeandthenfixing them.Downthelinethiswillpayoffwhenyouhaveimprovedby muchmorethaneveryoneelsebecausetheyhavebeencomplacent.
Why continual learning is important

Asapokerplayeryouareselfemployed.Thereisnobosstodecide whenyougetaraise.Theonlythingthatdecideswhenyougeta raiseisyourskilllevelandthetypesofpayraisesyoucangetare massive.Thereishugeupwardmobilityinpoker.Winratesmight startoutat1centanhourbutthebestplayerscanmakesomething like$5,000anhour.Onlyafewpeopleintheworldarerewardedon thatscale,althoughtherearemanyplayerswhocanearninthe rangeof$1,000anhour. Becauseofthishugepotentialreward,itpaystofocusextrahardon learninginpoker.Thebestplayersputasmuchenergyintolearning astheycanandtheirwholefocusisonthefuture.Thefollowing sayingisusuallyattributedtoAbrahamLincoln,IfIhadseven hourstochopatree,Idspendthefirstfoursharpeningmyaxe.It mightappearasifsomeplayerswhohavehadgreatsuccessare naturallytalentedanddidnotneedtostudytogetbetter.Thisisab solutelyuntrue.Iguaranteethatifyouaskedthemyouwillfind theystudiedthegameonewayoranother.Maybetheydidnthave acoach,orpostonaninternetforum,ordoequityequations,but
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theydidsomething.Whetherthatwastalkingtoafriendabout handsorevensomethingassimpleasthinkingoverpokerintheir headsintheirowntime.Thereisnoshortcutalotofhardworkis requiredtogetgoodatpoker. Thereareacoupleofwaystoapproachpoker.Oneistoplaythe gametomakemoney.Theotheristoplaytolearn.Itjustsohappens thatifyourapproachinvolveslearningtoplaybetterthen,asare sult,youjusthappentomakeevenmoremoneythanifyourgoal whensittingwastomakemoney.Andthedifferencewillbesignifi cantyouwillmakealotmoremoney. Itmakessenseinpokertotakeadvantageofanyresourcethatmight helpyourgame.Thisisbecauseifyoulearnsomethingnewyou dontgeta$10onetimebonus,insteadyoumightmake$10more anhourforeveryhourofpokeryouplay.Themathisthereforethat ifyouhavetopay$100forapokerlesson,andthecoachteachesyou justonelittlething,thenthatisokay.Maybethatonelittlelesson onlymakesyourexpectedwinratejumpby$2anhour.Theninthat caseyouneedtoplay50hoursforittopayoff,andsinceyouarea pokerprofessionalandpokeriswhatyoudoyouwillplay50more hoursquitequickly.Everythingafterthatisprofit. WhenIstartedplayingpokerIreadliterallyeverythingIcouldget myhandsonaboutthegame.Iboughtaprinterforthesolepurpose ofprintingoutfiveyearoldarchivesfromapokerforum.Iprinted outoverathousandpagesandreadthemall,andreadallofthenew contentfromtheforumaswell.Imadefriendswitheverypoker playerIcouldandaskedasmanyquestionsastheywouldletme.I readeverybookthatwasavailable.WhenIplayedasessionof pokerIsavedthehandsandthenafterthesessionwentoverevery handthinkingitthrough,decidingwhetherIgotluckyorunlucky andifIplayeditwellandhowtoplayitbetter.Ididequityequa tionsonthehandsandthenwhenIwasgoingtosleepthoughtover thosesamehands.Irememberthataftermyinitialintroductionto pokerwhenIobsessedoveritforafewmonthsIthentooka break.However,towardstheendofthatbreakacoupleofhands
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startedpoppingintomyheadthatIwouldcontinuetoanalyzeand consider.Itpaystocompletelyimmerseyourselfinpoker. Anotherreasonitpaystogetreallygoodatpokerinsteadofjusta littlebitgoodisbecausethegameissostressfulandbecauseofthe variance.Becauseitssostressfulitishardtodoasafulltimejobas wellandthisisnotrecommendedunlessyouplayreallywell.Lets consideraplayerwhoisquitegoodandmakes$75anhour.For somereasontheystartplayingworsethannormalandsuddenly theyareonlymaking$35anhour. Whatwilltheydothen?Iftheytryplayingmorehourstomakeup forthelostwinratetheymayendupjustplayingevenworse,self destructingandlosingmoney.Furthermore,sincethisplayerisjust goodandnotgreat,theydonthavealotofmoneysavedupinthe bankandtheygetworried.Sotheyplayevenmore,gettiredand keeplosing.Nowtheycanrunintotrouble.However,thisismuch lessofaproblemifthisplayerisverygoodandmakes$500anhour. Iftheystartlosing,theyhaveflexibility.Theycandropdownand stillmake$200or$300anhourandcontinuelivingverycomforta bly.Theyhavemoreflexibilityandthuslessstress.Thebottomline is,thebetteryouarethegreateryourflexibility.
Self-checking
Sincepokerishardtothinkaboutobjectivelyagoodtechniqueto useistoaskyourselfquestions.Thiswillhelpyourlearningprocess immensely.Whenplayingpokerthefirstthingtodoafterasession istoexaminethehandsanddecidewhoarethegoodplayersand whoaretheweakerones.Dontconsiderwhetheryouwonorlost moneyconsiderwhetheryouplayedwellorbadly. Ifyouwinahandaskyourselfifitwasduetoskillorluck.What wouldhavehappenedinthehandifthecardswerereversed?Say youhadhishandandhehadyours,wouldhehavewonasmuch moneyasyouactuallydid?Wouldyouhavelostasmuchashedid? Ifyouwouldhaveimproveduponhowheplayedandnotlostas
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much,thatshowsyououtplayedhimandyourskillwasrewarded. Inrealityitisrathermorecomplicatedthanthisbecauseplayers dontallplaythesamestyleofpokeratdifferentskilllevels.People playindifferentstylesandwitheachdifferentstylecomedifferent waysofmakingmoney.So,ifyoudothethoughtexperimentand switchplaceswithyouropponenttofindoutifyouwouldhave faredbetterintheirsituationyouneedtobecarefulthatitsnotjust becauseyourplayingstylesaredifferent.Maybehisstyleofplayal lowshimtoloseabitmoreinaspotwhereyouwouldnthavelost somuchbecauseheendsupmakingitbackinotherspotslateron. Anotherquestiontoaskafterthehandisoveriswhendidmostof themoneygoin?Diditgoinwhenyouwerethefavoriteorthe underdog?Howbigafavoriteorunderdogwereyou?Saysome moneywentinwhenyouwereafavorite,butthensomewentin whenyouwereanunderdog.Thenitisamathquestionhow muchwentinwhenyouwereafavoriteandhowmuchwereyoua favoriteby;andhowmuchwentinwhenyouwereanunderdog andhowmuchofanunderdogwereyou?Whatwouldhavehap penedifyourhandhadremainedgoodallthewaywouldtheop ponenthavekeptcommittingmoneylikehedidintheactualhand, orwouldhehavestoppedputtingmoneyintothepotifhehadnt hithishand? Forexample,letssayyouwinahandbecauseyoucalledaturnbet withtheplanofcallingariverbluff,thentherivercardcameand youcalledtheriverbetandwonandthatwasagoodplay.Then letssaywedidsomebasicanalysisandfiguredoutitwasaprofit ableplaywhenthatrivercardcame,butyouneedtogobackand figureoutwhatwouldhavehappenedifotherrivercardshadcome andfigureoutiftheplaystillworksoutprofitable.Maybeyourplay waspoorandtheopponentwastheunluckyonewhojustdidntget agoodrivercard.Maybehisplaywouldnormallyhaveworked.If youlostahandthesametypeofanalysisapplies. Naturally,analyzingahandinthiskindofdepthcantbedonedur ingplay.Infact,whenfacingatoughdecisionatthepokertableyou
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probablywontbeabletofigureitoutinthe30secondsorseveral minutesyoumighthaveunderpressure.Youjustmakethebestde cisionyoucanfromexperience.Thereallearningwilltakeplaceaf terwardswhenyouhavehourstothinkitover.Then,whenasimi larsituationarisesinthefuture,youwillhavedonethehomework andbepreparedtomaketherightdecision.Similarly,youcantdo equityequationsatthetable,butithelpsenormouslytodothem awayfromthetable.Playaroundwiththenumbersandseehow importantitiswhenyouchangecertainfactorsandhowitchanges theplayofthehand.Then,althoughyouwontbeabletodothis mathatthetableforfuturehandsyouwillbesubconsciously estimatingthismathallthetimeandwillfindthatyourstudyaway fromthetablehashelpedyouenormously.
Intelligence
Asyoumightimagine,intelligenceisimportantinpokersinceitis morecompetitivethanmostactivitiesbecausepeoplearentjusttry ingtowinforthesakeofwinningthereistheadditionalelement ofmoney.Moneyispresentinmanymentalactivities,suchasa prizeinachesstournament.However,therelationshipisnotasdi rectasinpoker.Inpokerthesolepurposeistowinmoney.Theonly tooltoaccomplishthisisbyusingyourbrainitsagainsttherules topunchsomeone.Andunlikemanyotheractivitiesthereisno combinationofmindandbody,inpokeritsjustyourmind. Thereisananalogyherewithsportingactivitiesifwereplacethe useofbrainforbody.Takeracingforexample.Thereisalittlebitof intelligenceusedtorunagoodrace,butitisprimarilyabouthaving agoodbody.Inpokerthebodyisoflittleimportanceinsteadhav ingagoodmindisparamount.Ofcourseskillandexperienceare alsonecessary.Therearealsoactivities,suchasbowling,whereex perienceisthekeyfactor.Havingagoodbodycomesintoplaybut comparedtoothersportsnotsomuch.Techniqueiswhatisim portant.
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Itshardtosaywhereexactlypokerfallsonthiscontinuumbutitis probablyclosetoagamelikesoccer,sincebothskillandexperience andagoodmindaresignificant.Inpokeritisimportanttobecon stantlythinkingandusingyourbrainasmuchasyoucan.Itispos sibletoplaybyshuttingthebrainoffandgoingmainlyoninstinct (althoughthisisstillbasedonpastexperience).However,yourre sultswillbepoor.Useyourheadasmuchasyoucaninapoker game. So,ifthatmeansyouneedtoexerciseormeditatebeforeplaying thendoso.Usinginstinctforgenericsituationsisokaybutinshort handedandHUplayitwillnotbegoodenoughbecausepeople quicklystartadjustingtoeachother.Formakingadjustmentsto specificopponentsandchangesinthegamethatoccur,conscious thinkingthroughofthecurrentsituationisimperative. However,thisisnotaboutmathematicalintelligence,despitewhat manypeoplethink.Themathelementinpokerisnothowitisusu allyperceived.Itisdeepandunderliesallpokerhands,butthemath isnotadvanceditissimplealgebraandstatistics.Clearthinkingis neededforthatbutitisnotjustthemaththatisimportantaspsy chologyisnecessaryalso.Youneedtooutwityouropponentandto understandwhatheisthinking.Experienceplaysapartherefor surebuteveryopponentisdifferentso,oneachoccasion,youwill havetothinkthingsthroughandcometoanunderstandingofwhat youropponentisthinking,orhowheisplaying.
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Chapter Two
Mental Discipline
General guidelines
Wehaveseenthathavingapassiontoimproveisvital.Similarly, havingastrongbodyand/ormindisalsoimportant.Butmentaldis ciplineisperhapstheimportanttraitinpokersincewhensomeone losestheyactuallylosetheirownmoney.Thisisquiteasevere shockincontrasttowhathappensinotherpursuitswhensomeone fails.Inanathleticorsportingeventifsomeonemessesuptheylose, butthelossesarentpenalized.Thatisthekeyinmostothercom petitivepursuitstheloserisnotactuallypenalized,insteadtheper sonsskilllevelstagnatesintheiractivity. Butinpokerwhenyoumessupyouloseyourmoney.Thisisnot stagnating,butgoingbackwards,anditisaverybadresult.This tendstoaffectthemindevenmoreandtheconsequencecanbefur therlosses,whichcananddobreakpeopleemotionallyandfinan cially.Thingsaredifferentin,say,soccer.Ifanaspiringcollegeath letedoesbadlyhedoesntgobrokeandhisbodywontselfdestruct. Hemaybedisappointedbuthewontgocrazy.Hellstayinthe samespotandnotloseanything.Helllatereitherresumehismarch
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forwardorquitthesport. Inpoker,playersoftenmakeinformalrulestoprotectthemselves fromthesenegativepenaltiestomakeitmoreofasafeactivitylike soccersotheycantreallylosetoomuch.Withtheserulestheycan thenfacethenormalswingsofvariance,butthoseswingsbecome expected.Theymightappearnegativeontheoutside,butsomeone whounderstandswillrealizethattheyarenttoobadandarejust partofthegame.Absorbingthesenormalswingsinvarianceises sentialinordertogaininthelongruninpoker.Inmanyactivities consistentnegativeresultswouldmakeitobviousthataperson shouldconcentratetheireffortselsewhere.However,inpokeritis muchmoreconfusingbecauseofunreliablefeedback.Thisiswhy therearerulespeoplemakeuptoprotectthemselves. Whenapersonlosesmoneyfollowingtheserules(andeveryonesets uptheirownbasedonwhateverworksbestforthem),theyarere gardedasnormalbusinesslossesthatareexpectedandnotaprob lem.Forinstanceifsomeonehasabankrollof$100,000andtries playing$25/$50NLHE,thatiscompletelyreasonableprovidingthat iftheylose$15,000theythendropbackdowntotheirregulargame of$10/$25.OrifIamplayinganopponentandhebustsmefora buyinandIrealizeheisbetterthanmeandstopthatisalsofine(of courseitisbetterifIrealizethatsoonerandquit).Thosearenormal unavoidableexpensesofdoingthingsliketryingtoimprovein pokerandmakemoremoney. Whatisunacceptablethoughiswhensomeonehas$20,000totheir name,theironlyjobispokerandtheyareplaying$25/$50NLHE. Thatisridiculouslyunprofessionalandsuchapersonhaslittle chanceofsuccessastheyhavenomentaldiscipline.Theyprobably knowtheyshouldntplaythatgamebutmostlikelytheywerelos ingearlieronandbeganchasingtheirlosses.Youneedtobeableto controlyourhead,howyouthinkandwhatyoudowhenyouplay pokeroryouwillgobackwardandmaybeevenenduponthestreet. Therulesthatmostpeoplefollowarediscussedbelowandrelateto issuesofmovingupinstakes,bankrollmanagementandsoon.But
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fornowjustknowthatyouneedthementaldisciplinetofollowthe guidelinesyousetforyourself,inordertoallowyourselftoplaythe bestpokeryoucanforaslongyoucan.
Winning poker
Playingwinningpokerisaboutacoupleofthings.Firstlyitsabout playingyourbest,orasgoodasyoucan,foraslongasyoucanplay. Anditsalsoaboutplayingyourworstasinfrequentlyasyoucan.It isabitmisleadingtousethewordtiltasiftherearetwolevelsto playpokeronnormalpokerandtiltpoker.Infact,thereisahuge varietyinwhatpokergamepeoplebringtothetable.Mostpeople veryrarelybringa100%efforttothetable.Mostpeopleplayaver age,middlingpokerformostofthetimewithlittleperiodsofrela tivebrillianceandstupiditythrownin. Whenyoustartplayingyoushouldcomeintothegamewiththe mindsetthatyouwanttocrushyouropponents.Ifyoustartout sloppyandlosefromtheoutsetyouwillspendyourentiresession tryingtogetevenandyourplaywillsuffer.Startoutbyplaying precise,winningpokerandtrytocontinueinthatmindsetthrough outthegame. Aswehavealreadysaid,toplaythebestpokeryoucan,havinga passionforthegameisessential.Onethingthatcouldhelpisto watchbetterpeopleplay,remindyourselfwhatyouarestrivingto achieve,howmuchyouwantachieveit,seehowgreattheyplayand rememberyouwanttoachievethesame.Andremembertodowhat theydo,andwhatyouneedtodo,whichistoplayasbestyoucan forashighapercentageofthetimeasyoucan. Playingyourbestpokerisalsoconstructiveintermsoflearningand gettingbetter.Whenyourmindisfocused100%ontryingtoplay yourbestandthinkingeverythingoveryouwilllearnalotmore thanwhenyouplayaveragepoker(thisworksinthereversetoo). Whenyourmainfocusinpokerislearningandgettingbetterit forcesyoutoputinmaximumeffortatthetable,whichwillhelp
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Mental Discipline
youlearnandasasideeffectyoullplaybetterandwinmoremoney. Inpokeryoushouldalwayskeepthemindsetthatyouareattheta bleplayingpokertolearn,tobecomeevenbetterandtomoveupin stakesthisiscruciallyimportant.
Tilt
Pokercanbedifficultonthepsycheattimes.Sometimesyouwillbe playinggoodpokerandyouwillstilllose.Dontcompoundthese situationsbytiltingandplayingworse,andasaresultlosingmore money.Whenyoutiltbecauseofbadluckitusuallymeansthatthe moneyyouareplayingformeanstoomuchtoyou.Thereareacou pleofexplanationsforthis.Oneisthatyouonlythinkaboutpoker asajobandintermsofthemoneyyoumake.Youmightbecon stantlyworriedabouthowmuchmoneyyouhavewonorlostina session,alwayscountingyourchipsorcheckingyourbankroll.This isabadhabitthatshouldbestopped.Lookatpokerasagamethat youcantrytomaster,notasameanstomakemoney.Whenyouare lessconcernedwithwinsandlossesandmoreconcernedwithplay ingwell,youwillbelessinclinedtotilt. Anotherexplanationforwhythemoneymeanstoomuchtoyouisif youareplayinghigherstakesthanyouareusedto.Higherstakes willincreasethestressofplayingbecausethepotentialwinorloss willbegreaterthanyouareusedto.Ifyouareaplayerwhohas troubleplayingunderstressfulconditionsthenitmightnotbea goodideatotakeshotsathigherstakes.But,ifyoupracticemental disciplinethentakingshotscanhelpyourgameandyourbankroll. Anotherfactorthatmaycauseyoutotiltiswhenyoumakeabad play.Pokerisalongjourneythatwillneverbecompletedyouwill alwaysbechangingyourgameandimproving.Also,youwillmake manymistakesalongtheway,asallplayersdo.Soifyoulose moneybymakingamistakeyouneedtorealizethatinthegrand schemeofthingsitdoesntmatter.Youareconstantlylearningtoget betterandoneofthewaystolearnisbyevaluatingyourmistakes.If
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youseethereasonyoumadeamistakeandcorrectittheninthefu turethanyourgamewillbenefit.Dontmakethemistakeworseby tiltingafterwards.
The seven deadly sins

Peopletiltbecauseofemotions,andsomeofthesevendeadlysins comeintoplayhere.Infacttheyalldo,togreaterandlesserex tentstheleastimportantbeinglustwhichcanforallpracticalpur posesbeexcludedunlessaprettyladyiswatchinganditcompels youtomakeanimpressiveplaytoshowheryourskills.Similarly gluttonydoesntplaymuchofapartinapokerplayersdownfall eitherundernormalcircumstances. Angerisaninterestingemotioninthatunlikealltheothersithasa goodchanceofactuallyhelpingaplayerifitisdirectedatyourop ponents.Ifyouwinitsagainstaplayeryouhate,andifyouloseits againstaplayeryouhate,sothiswillfocusyoureffortsinabigway tomakeyoudoeverythingyoucantowin. Prideandvanitycomeintoplayalsoandarerelatedtotheideaof honestywhich,asdiscussedalready,isveryimportant.Ifaplayeris nothonestwiththemselvestheygiveintovanityandprideand thinkthemselvesbetterthantheyreallyare.Thiscanleadthemtosit ingamestheyshouldntbeplaying.Thesearegameswhereaplayer oftheimaginedskilllevelmightbeexpectedtoearnmoremoney, butinactualityourmisguidedherowillbeexpectedtolose. Envycanalsoleadaplayertoplaystakeshigherthantheyshouldto mimicandtrytoobtainwhatotherplayershave.Ontheotherhand itcouldserveasadrivingforcetomakeaplayerimprove.Perhaps thiscouldwork,butevenStarWarsmadethepointthatifthepow ersacquiredbyconvertingtotheDarkSidearestrong,theyarenot worthgivinginto.Sousenegativeemotionsatyourownrisk. Slothisaseriousproblemforpokerplayerstoo.Lazinesswillslowa playerslearninggreatly(aswellastheirwinrate).Learningslowly takesalittlehardwork,andlearningfasttakesalotofhardwork.If
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apersonputsinnohardworkatalltheywillexperiencenolearning. Again,learningisthekeytosuccessinpokersoyouhavetobevig orousandenergeticinitspursuit. Theotherproblemwithlazinessisthatitwillverydirectlymake youwinlessmoneyatthetable.Inalmostalljobspeoplegetlazy andeveniftheirbosscatchesthemtheconsequencesmightjustbe somesharpwords.However,inaway,pokerhaslessluckinvolved thanotherprofessionsthecardsdonotlieanditisjustsimple maththatrewardsgoodplayandpunishesbadplayovertime.If youarelazyalittlebityouwillbepunishedalittleovertime,andif youarelazyalotyouwillbepunishedalot.Thechoiceisyours. Theworstproblematthetableisgreed.Mostpeoplewantmoney, andalotofmoneyasfastastheycangetit.Butthatsnottheway thingsworkinpokeractingonyouremotionsanddesireswont help.Justbecauseatagivenmomentyouareimpatienttogetmore moneyorgetitfasterthanyounormallydo,thisdoesntmeanyou canactonthisandgetit.Greedneedstobepushedasideandig noredwhenplayingpoker. Formanypeoplepokerissimplyajob.Butunlikeotherjobsthepay isntsteady.Inotherjobsapersonknowsthatforanhourworked, hewillgainanexpectedamountinhispaycheck.Pokerisdifferent andpeoplecangoonlosingstreaksforlongperiodsoftime.This personmightthenthinkwellthissucks,Imnotplayingpokerfor myhealthIwantmymoneynow.Thisisgreedsincetheywant moneyimmediately.Butthatsnotthewaypokerworksbecause thatemotionwillmakethemplayworseandlosemoney.Thisisa goodopportunitytogainanedgeoveryouropponentsbecause mostpeopleareveryseriouslyaffectedbyalongtermdownswing, soifyoucanbenotaffectedmuchthatwillbeahugedifferenceand thusahugeedgeoveryouropponents. Similarly,afteraplayerhaslostagooddealofmoneyinasession sometimeshebecomesfocusedonwinningitbackratherthanplay inggoodpoker.Whenthishappensaplayerbecomesconcentrated onwinningabigpotandasaresultplaysbadpoker.Thisisacriti
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calmistakeandwillcauseyoutolosealotofmoney. Forexample,letssayyouhaveQJ,raisepreflopandgetcalled. Thenyoufloptoppairandbettheflopandgetcalledandthenan inconsequentialcardcomesontheturn.Nownormallyyoudcheck heretokeepthepotmediumsizedwithamodesthandsuchastop pair,mediumkicker.Butbecauseyouredownabuyinandyou wanttowinitbackyoubettheturn.Ifbettingtheturnherewascor rect,youwoulddoitallthetime.Butitisntbecauseyourhandisnt goodenoughtogoallinwithandifyouropponentraisesyoumust foldandhewontcallwithaworsehand.Insteadofwinningyour moneyback,youwilllosemore. Whenyouareonlyfocusedonwinningbigpotsyouneglectsmall pots.Inshorthandedplaymarginalsituationsarisefrequentlyin smallpots.Itisacostlyerrortoforfeitallthesmallpotsbecauseyou areonlyconcernedwithwinningabigpot.Mostofthetimebigpots arejusttheresultofluck,likepocketacesrunningintopocketkings. Thesekindsofhandswillevenoutinthelongrun,soyouradvan tageisoutplayingyouropponentsinthesmallerpots,whichwill addupquickly.Alsoplayingeveryhandandallthesmallpotswell iscrucialtofrustratingtheopposition.Ifyouropponentshavean easytimeinthesmallpotstheywillfeelrelaxedandbeplayingwell whenthebigpotsarise.However,ifyouarereallyoutplayingthem andmakingthemfeelbadineverysinglehandtheywillbecome frustratedandplaythebigpotspoorly.Thislastpointiscritical. Thereareafewothertraitsthatdontfitintothesevendeadlysins thatareworthdiscussing.Curiosityispresentatthetablealotif youareplayinggoodpokerandtryingtofigureoutwhatyourop ponentshave.Butwhenyoureachtheriverandyouropponentbets andyouarecuriouswhathehasbutyouareprettysurehehasyou beatthatfirstreasonshouldbeignored.Anotherproblemthatcan ariseisboredom.Boredomwillleadtoalackoffocusandalackof thinkingthatwillmakeyouplayworse.Itcouldalsoleadtoforcing theactiontomakethingsmoreexciting Thelastoftheproblemsthatwillbediscussedhereisdesperation,
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oralackofconfidence.Maybetherehasbeenabadrunofcardsand forawhileyousimplycannotwin.Inpsychologythisiscalled learnedhopelessnessanditleadstopeopledoingreallystupid thingsevenwhenhistoryhastaughtthemtheycannotwin.How everinpokerweknowthatunreliablefeedbackcansometimes teachyoutodothewrongthings.Onlongdownswings,youshould notgiveintodesperationorstopmakingplaysthatarenormally goodplaysbecauseinarecentunluckystreaktheyhaveappearedto bebad.
The importance of not tilting

Aswehaveseen,tiltisamajorfactorinpoker,andifyoulearnnot totiltyouwillbeabletoprogressasaplayeratamuchfasterrate. Ofcourse,ifyouplay$1/$2NLHandeliminatetiltfromyourgame youwontbeabletojumprightupto$5/$10.But,youwonthaveto spendhoursandhoursgrindingawaytotrytomakeupformoney youloseontiltandyouwillprogressfaster. Manypeopleunderestimatejusthowhighawinrateispossible, andhowmuchtiltingcanimpactthis.Whenplayingheadsup onlineyoucanplay100to400handsperhour,comparedtofullring liveplaywhereyouarefortunatetoget20to30handsperhour. Yougetsomanymorehandsonlinethatifyoutiltforashorttime youcouldcostyourselfagreatdealofmoney.Conversely,when youareplayingwellyourwinratewillbemagnifiedbecauseyou areplayingmorehands. Ifyouaretiltingandhappentoloseabuyin,thinkabouthowlong itwilltakeyoutomakeitback.Ifyoumaketenbigblindsanhour onaverage,itmighttakeyoutenhoursofplayingtomakeitup. Also,whenyoucalculateyourwinrateoftenbigblindsperhour thataccountsforallthetimesyoutiltawaymoney.Soifyouplay yourbestpokerallthetimeyourwinratewouldbesignificantly higher. Itisimpossibletofullyeradicatetilt.Evensomeofthebestplayers
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intheworldhavemassivetiltproblems.Theymayhavehugewin rates,butsometimestiltawayfive$10,000dollarbuyinsinasession. Ifyoucanlearntoplaypokeraswellassomeofthetopplayersbut nottiltimaginewhatkindofmoneyyoucouldbemaking! Whenplayingheadsupeverythingisalsomagnifiedbothyour skillandtiltproblems.Sometimesyoumaynotbeontiltperse,but youmaybenotplayingaswellasnormal.Maybeyourenotcon centratingsufficiently,arealittleoffyourgame,orplayinglistlessly becauseofboredom.Butthesemistakeswillwreaksimilarhavocto tilt.Whenyouareplayingpoorlyortiltingitmightbeagoodidea toquitthegame. Thisisaninterestingpoint,becauseitswhatmostpeopleadvocate whenyouaretilting.Howeverthedecisionisalittlemorecompli catedinthemomentanditdependshowgoodyourmentaldisci plineis.Ifyouhavegoodmentaldisciplineitcanpayoffbigtimeto stayinthegameassumingyouhaveagoodedge.Thereasonisthat ifyouhavebeentiltingandmakingcrazyplays,youropponentwill havenoticedthisandyouwillbeinagoodpositiontochange gearsandstartplayingsolidpokertotakeadvantageofagreatta bleimage.
How to avoid tilting

Tobeasuccessfulplayeritisclearlyimperativethatyouminimize tilt.Yourwinningscomefromyouropponentsandthismightbebe causeyouareanamazingplayer,oranamazinglydisciplinedplayer. Ofcoursethebestthingtobeisboth;however,ifyouhadtochoose onethecorrectanswerwouldbedisciplined.Youwonthavetodeal withtheenormousvarianceassociatedwithhugewinsandhuge losseswhichwillmakepokermuchlessstressful. Takeastepbackandlookwherethemoneyyouaretiltingawayis going.Itdoesntjustdisappear,itdoesntgotohelpafriend,buya product,ortoadeservingcharity.Itgoestoyouropponenttheen emy,thevillainofthehandsyouplay,thepersonyouneedtobeat
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Mental Discipline
tobesuccessful.Whenyouthinkaboutlossesinthiswayitmight helpyouavoidtilt.Andwhenyougettheurgetomakeabadplay becauseyouarefrustratedorbored,thinkabouthowunhappyit willmakeyoulateron.Thereisnoneedtorushimportantdeci sionstakeyourtimeandreallythinkitthrough.Bemethodical aboutplayingpoker. Anotherwaytoavoidtiltondownswingsisnottogethungupon yourcurrentstackorbankrollandnotworryabouthowmuchbig gertheywerepreviously.Thistrainofthoughtwillforceyoutoplay tooaggressivelyinhopesofregainingwhatyouoncehad.Some timesyourbankrollorstackwillfluctuatedownwardbutyoumust avoidgivingintogreedwhenyouareinoneofthesedownswings sinceforcingtheactionwilllikelycauseyoutolosemoremoney. Thejourneyoflearningtoplaypokercanoftenseemtotakeyou twostepsforwardandonestepback,buteveryonewhoplaysthe gamegoesthroughlongperiodsoflosingatsomepoint.Thisisof tenacombinationofbadluckandbadplay,sincewhenpeoplestart losingtheyinvariablybegintoplayworse.However,itisimportant totrytoavoidlongtermtiltinordertominimizeyourlosses. Sometimeswhenyouareonabadstreakofcardsyoustartmaking thinnervaluebetsandmorebluffsinanattempttorecoupyour losses.Othertimesyouropponentsmightbeonagoodrunofcards andwhenyouplayaggressivelytheykeepshowingupwithbig handsandthiscausesyoutoplayscared.Longlosingstreaksare likefoginthedistancetheycauseyoutoloseyourwayonthe journey. Therearegenerallytworemediesforlongtermtilt.Forsome players,takinganextendedbreakfromthegamemightbeagood idea.Afterlongbreaksthefogwillsubsideandyourmindwill becomeclearer.Pokerisntasteadyclimbupwardsthereare frequentlyvalleysandplateausencounteredontheway. Forotherplayersabetterremedymightbetojustrefocusyouref fortsandforceyourselftoplayyourbestpoker.Thiswillworkbet terforplayerswithstrongerwillpower.Ifyouareplayinggood
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pokeryouwilleventuallywin,sojustrideoutthelosingstreaksas therearegreenerpasturesahead. Converselythereexiststheproblemofplayingbelowyournormal skilllevel,andnotethatsuchissuescancompoundthemselves. Whenyouplaywell,youwillcontinuetoplaybetterandbetterand youropponentmayplayworseandworse.Butwhenyouplaybad theopponentwillplaybetterandyouwillplayworseyourself.This iswhywhenyoustartplayingbadlyandtiltingitshardtoreverse thetrendanditisusuallybettertojustquit.
Empowering yourself
Manydifferentthingshavebeenbroughtupsofarthatcontributeto howwellorbadlyaplayerwilldoingeneralinpoker.However, ratherthanbeingoverwhelmedbythemyoushouldviewthepossi bilitiesasempowering.Alloftheseelementsareinyourhandstodo withasyouchoose.Theyareallveryconcretewaystoimproveyour pokergameandgainanedgeonyouropponents.Thefactthatthere aresomanydifferentaspectstopokerandvaryingdegreesofskill meansthatthedifferencesinwinratesbetweenplayerswillbe hugeand,assumingyouarepreparedtoworkhard,thisisavery goodthingasitmeansupwardmobilityandthepotentialforyouto makealotofmoney.However,thesearejustsomeofthe underlyingfactorsthatwillcontributetoyoursuccess,anditisnow timetomoveontodiscussthemoreconcretefactorsinvolvedin winningathighstakesnolimitholdem.
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Chapter Three
Strategic Considerations
Shorthanded vs. full table

Anolimitholdemgamecanbeplayedwithanywherefromtwoto tenplayers.Thechangefromatwohandedtoafullringgameis gradualandcontinuous.Withmoreplayersinthegame,patiencebe comesahugevirtue.Becausemoreplayersareinvolved,morehands aredealtsothewinninghandsarehigherinquality,andtherefore yousimplyhavetowaitforagoodhandtoplay.Asthegamegets moreshorthandedthehandstrengthsgodownsoitslessaboutwait ingforagoodhandandmoreaboutoutplayingyouropponents. Obviously,inatenhandedgameallotherthingsbeingequalyou willwinoneintenhands,butinaheadsupgameyouwillwinonein two.Thusyouarecompetingovermorepots.Andbecauseyouare fightingovermorepotsmanymoredecisionsariseandpeoplewillbe fightingforpotsusingmorethanjustthevalueoftheirhands.Simi larly,themorepeopleatatablethemoreimportantitistoplay straightforwardpokerbecauseitwilltakealongtimebeforeyour opponentsadjusttoyourplay,whereasthefewerpeopleareatthe tablethemoreyouneedtomixitupandconstantlyadjustyourplay.
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Live vs. online

Livepokerandonlinepokerareverydifferentgames.Inlivepoker becauseeveryoneisonlyplayingonetableatatime,andbecauseat thatonetablehandscomemuchslower,individualhandshavea greaterimportance.Onlinepokerismoreaboutdevelopingasystem ofplaythatworksandnotworryingaboutindividualhandsas much.Livepokerisaboutfocusingoneveryhandandtryingtowin asmanypotsaspossible.Seeingliveplayersfightingforbigpots withmarginalhandsdemonstrateshowrarebighandsactuallyare. Also,liveplayshowsthatconcentratingonplayingeveryhandop timallyleadstoobtainingmaximumvalue.Online,peopleoftenget boggeddownintheirsystemandlosesomevaluebynotconcen tratingoneveryhandandseeingthespecificaspects. Forexample,onlineapersonplayingfivetablesmightseeasitua tionasIhavetoppairwithamediocrekicker,thatisnotgood enoughtoplayfor100bigblinds(BB)soIfold.Thatisplayingon autopilotanditmissesalotofthespecificsofahand.Inliveplay becausethereisonlyonetableandlimiteddistractionspeopleare abletoconcentratebetter,whichleadsthemtohandreadbetterand developabetterunderstandingoftheiropponents.Thisallowsthem tomakemoreoptimalplays,thinnervaluebetsandthinnerbluffs.It canalsoopenupanonlineplayerseyestothepossibilitiesformak ingmoneybyutilizingsomeoftheseplaysonline.
Game Selection
Gameselectionisveryimportantinpokerandthisisespeciallytrue asthenumberofplayersdecreasesatatable.Atafulltableifthere isonereallybadplayerthebenefitsofhislackofskillwillbeshared bytheentiretable.Attheotherendofthespectrumisheadsupplay where100%oftheequityanopponentgivesupwillgostraightto you. Additionally,atafulltableitwilltakemoretimetoreapthebenefits
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ofplayingagainstabadplayerbecauseeveryoneplayssomany fewerhandswithmorepeopleatatable,andthustherearefewer occasionswhenyouandthebadplayerareinthepottogether whereyouareearningmoneybecauseofhismistakes.Ofcourse, theoppositeistrueandifyouaretheinferiorplayerinaheadsup matchyouwillloseyourmoneyfaster.Therefore,especiallyin headsupplay,itisimportanttofindthegoodtablesandtoleave thebadonesalone. Justhowimportantthisis,isobscuredbytheideaofwinrates.Take theamountofmoneywonanddividebyhoursplayedandthisis yourhourlyrate.Itishelpfulinformationbutitisanaggregateof otherinformation,andthusmisrepresentswhatreallyhappened.It canbeusedproductively,butmustalsobeusedcarefully.Thisis becausethenotionofhourlyratemakesitlooklikeforeveryhour playedtheexpectedvaluewasthestatedamount,andthatforany givenhourinthefuturethesameexpectedwinrateholdstrue. Howevermanyfactorsaffectexpectedwinrateindifferentsitua tions.Maybeyouropponentswereworsethanaverageincertain games,ormaybeyouropponentswerealotbetterthannormal. Maybeyouropponentswereaveragebutyouwereplayingparticu larlygoodpokerormaybetheywentontiltforfifteenminutes.All ofthesefactorsareveryimportanttoconsidersincewhenplaying pokervaguethinkingisakiller.Inthemiddleofasession,being mindfulofyouropponentswillpaydividends.Constantlyevaluate thegameyouarein.AskyourselfquestionssuchasDoesthisop ponenthaveatendencytogoontilt?andAmIalotbetterthan himorjustalittlebetter?.AndthenperhapssayIfImjustalittle bettermaybeitsnotworthittoplayhimbecauseIcansimply chooseadifferentgameversusanevenworseopponent,andsoon. Partofgameselectioncannotbecontrolled.Forinstance,without sittinginagameitsoftenhardtotellwhethersomeoneisplaying verypoorly,whethersomeoneistilting,orwhetheranewplayer youareunfamiliarwithisbadorgood.Alsoasfarastiltgoes,ina HUmatchpeoplegenerallydontstartoutontilt.Ittakessometime
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untilsomethinghappensthatwillsetthemoffandyoucantcontrol thatitjusthappensandyouhavetowaitforit.Whatcanbecon trollediswhatlevelofeffortyouputintoevaluatinghowgoodthe gameisforyou.Themoreeffortyouputinthesooneryoucande cidewhetheritsagoodgameorbadgame,andbywhatdegree andthenyoucanmakegoodgameselectiondecisionsanddoany numberofthings,suchaschangetables,playalongersessionthan normalorleaveimmediately.Theseareallopportunitiestoexercise goodgameselection,andconsequentlyincreaseyourwinrate. Puttingnumbersonthiswillillustratejusthowimportantgood gameselectionis.Playingatableof$5/$10NLHEmightyieldPlayer X$200anhouronaverage.However,ifhehasatiltproblemand everynowandthentiltsinaveryseriouswayfor10minutes,dur ingthattimeperiodhemightaverage$2,500anhour.Also,some timesheplaysheadsupbutonlyversusplayersheknowsarebad andhereheaverages$1,000anhour. Thesenumbersaremadeupbuttheyareplausible,sincethereisa hugerangeinwhatispossibleforindividualwinrates,whichwill averageoutovertimetoanhourlyrate.Thekeyistomaketheaver ageturnoutashighaspossiblebyactingontheinformationseenin theindividualwinrates.WhatPlayerXneedstodoisstoptilting, butifhecantheneedstoexercisegoodgameselectionandjust leaveatablewhenheistilting.Notethat$2,500anhourcomesout to$416.66forevery10minutes.Ifnormallyhetiltsfor10minutes, maybehecouldraisehislevelofdisciplineandawarenesssothat after5minutesherealizeswhatishappening,andatthatpointex ercisesgoodgameselectionandleaves.Thatwouldsavehim $208.33,whichisafullhourofworkforhimaccordingtohishourly rate.Bydoingthatlittlethinghesaveshimselfafullhourofworkin thefuturethatishowimportantgameselectionis. AnotheroptionsuggestedbythisinformationisthatplayerXonly playsHUmatchessinceheearnssomuchmoreinthemcompared tohisnormal$200anhouryield.UnlesstheHUgamesarebothrare andhereallyneedsallthemoneyhecangethishandsonand/orhe
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enjoysplayinghisnormalgamethatearns$200anhour,itmakesa lotmoresensetojustwaitforHUmatches,sinceheonlyneedsto playonehourofagoodHUmatchtomakewhatwouldhavetaken fivehoursofthenormalgame. Anotheradvantageofgoodgameselectionisthatitreducestheim portanceofvariance.SayPlayerXplayssomeoneatawinrateof $1,000anhour,someoneelseatawinrateof$0anhour,andathird playeratawinrateof$1,000anhour.Duringfivehoursofplayvs. eachofthosepeoplePlayerXgetsveryunluckyandloses$4,000in expectedvaluevs.thefirstplayer,whichmeans$5,000$4,000= $1,000won.Versusthesecondplayeritis$0won,so$4,000=$4,000 lost.Andfinallyvs.thelastopponentPlayerXlost$5,000inexpected valueandthenanother$4,000,whichcomesouttoa$9,000loss. Notethatthevariancewasthesameineachofthesematches.How ever,evenwhenPlayerXgotunluckyversusthebadplayerhestill wonoverall.Totheoutsidespectatorthiscanbeconfusing.IfPlayer Xonlyplaysbadpeoplehewillalwayswin(unlessheeithergets especiallyunlucky,orasthetimeperiodgetsshorteneditbecomes moreandmorelikelyforPlayerXtolose).Totheoutsideritappears asifPlayerXisreallylucky,butthatsnotthecaseheexperiences thesamevarianceaseveryonebutissomuchbetterthanhisoppo nentthathestillmanagestowinevenwhenunlucky.Notealsohow beingareallygoodplayerandexercisinggoodgameselectionare effectivelythesamething,sinceskillinpokerisalwaysrelative. Versusthebetterplayerthesessionwasadisaster.Evenifthevari ancehadbeencompletelyreversedsoitwasinPlayerXsfavorand hewon$4,000morethanheshouldhavehestillwouldlose$5,000 accordingtohiswinrateandcomeoutdown$1,000.WhatPlayerX shouldhavedoneisplayforasmanyhoursaspossibleversusthe badplayer,andquitversustheothertwoplayersassoonashehad playedenoughhandstoevaluatethemasskilledopponents. Thispointaboutrelativityinpokerisveryimportantandtheonly thingthatmattersishowsomeonematchesupagainstyou.Aplayer couldbegood,butrelativetoyou(sinceyouareaverygoodplayer)
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youwouldconsiderthembad.Similarly,inthemanyhandexam plesthatfollowinthisbookaconstantrefrainwhendescribingthe opponentisheisbadorheiseasytoread.Theseopponents reallyarentthatbad,andiftheysimplyplayedagainstadifferent opponentatthesamestakestheycouldbefavorites,orifthey moveddowninstakesthenonceagaintheywouldprobablydofine. Theyarenotbadopponentspersesimplyworsethanme.Mostof thehandsareexamplesofgoodgameselectionbymeandbadgame selectionbymyopponents,andforthemostpartmyopponentssuf ferforit. Gameselectionisalsorelevantintermsofyourgeneralpoker schedule.Somepeopleliketologacertainamountoftimeperday andquit.Otherswillplayandthenquittolockupawin,orifthey losekeepplayinguntiltheygeteven.Otherswilldotheopposite andiftheyarewinningkeepplayingandiflosingstop.Theright courseofactioniscertainlytoplaylongerwhenyouarewinning andquitearlierwhenyouarelosingratherthansetspecifictimes foryourselftoplay,whichmakesyouinflexible.Ifyouarewinning thisincreasesthechancesthatthegameisgoodsoyoushouldkeep playing.Ifyouarelosingitincreasesthechancesthatthegameis badandyoushouldquit.Similarly,ifyouarewinningitprobably meansyouareplayingwellandnowyourconfidenceisespecially highsoyoushouldkeepplaying,andifyouarelosingyouare probablyplayingbadlyandnowyourconfidenceislowsoyou shouldquit.
Bankroll management
Duringyourprogressionasapokerplayertherewillbetimeswhen youhavetomakethedecisionwhetherornottomoveupinstakes. Todothisyouhavetobeintunewithyourselfandbeawareofyour goalsinpoker.Beintrospectiveandaskyourselfimportantques tionslikeAmIcommittedtoputtingalotoftimeintopokerforthe longhaulornot?orDoIwanttoplayforaliving?
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Thesignificanceofthesequestionsisthatmovingupinstakesis normallyaninvestment.Itisrarethatwhensomeonemovesupin stakestheyareimmediatewinnersthemorelikelyoutcomeisan initialstruggletomakeitthere.Itwilltakesignificantinvestments oftimetolearntoadjustandimprovetowinatthenewstakes. However,thatinvestmentwillpayoffinthelongrunbecausemov ingupinstakesisawaytoincreaseyourwinrate,andinpokerwin ratescanimprovewithhugeleapsorevenexponentially.Theques tionisareyougoingtoputinthetimeandthinkingrequired? Youmayalsoaskyourself,DoIhaveafamilytosupport?Oneof themostcommonwaysforapersontotiltiswhentheyareplaying formoneythatisimportanttothem.Ifyouliveoffyourmoney,or needittosupportafamilythenthemoneyyouareplayingwithand moneyyouareplayingtowinbecomeevenmoreimportanttoyou. Losingwillcausealotofstress,whichisbadforlivingahealthylife andforplayinggoodpoker. ThenyoumayaskDoItilteasily?Thepreviousparagraphgave reasonswhyapersonmighttilteasilybutevenignoringthata personmighttiltmoreeasilythanmostpeoplejustbecauseitisin theirpersonality.Behonestwithyourself.Ifyouhavebettermental disciplinethanmostthenyoucanmoveupinstakesfaster,andif youloseitsnotasbadasformostpeoplebecauseyouwontcom poundtheproblembygoingontiltandlosingevenmore.Ifhow everyoudotiltrelativelyeasily,youhavetobemoreconservative withbankrollmanagementandmovingupinstakes. FinallyyoumustaskHowgoodamI?Thisisastraightforward questionand,obviously,thebetteraplayeris,thelessvariancewill affectthembecausetheycouldbesogoodrelativetotheiroppo nentsthattheywinevenwhenexperiencingnegativevariance.Thus ifvarianceisntasmuchofanissue,asmallerbankrollisneededto sustainlossesduetovarianceandthebetteraplayeris,theless moneytheyneedtotrymovingupinstakes. Keepinmindthatwhenyoumoveupitwilltakesometimetoad justtonewandbetterplayers.Youmightwanttotryplayingacou
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pleoftablesatyourcurrentlevelandaddingonetableofahigher stakesgame.Thatway,ifyouloseatthehigherstakesgamewhile youareadjusting,youwillbebankrollingyourlossesbyplaying twotablesofthegameyouarecomfortablewith.Thinkofthisad justmentperiodasaninvestmentandsoonyouwilllearnandadjust tobeabletoplayhigherstakessuccessfullyandmakemoremoney. Anadditionaladvantagetomovingupinstakesisthatyouare forcedtorefocusyourgameandimproveyourplay.Forexample, whenIstartedoutinpokerImovedupinstakesveryaggressively. IfIhadtenbuyinstomynameIconsideredthatenoughtoplayata givenlevel.OrifforsomereasonIdidnthavealotofmoneyonline andhadtostartoutatstakesextralowformeIdgivethestakesa goatfivebuyins(althoughgrantedIdidhavemoremoneyinthe bank)becausemyskilladvantagewassohugeoverlowerstakes players.ThereasonthisworkedformeisIhadgoodmentaldisci plineIhadnoexpensesorresponsibilitiesandIwasverycommit tedtothelongtermandrampingupmywinrateashighasIcould. SoevenifIlostmoneyIcouldjustifyittomyselfasaninvestmentin thefutureandnotbebotheredtoomuch.AlsoIhadalotofflexible freetimesoifIjumpedupinstakesandlostIwasabletoplaymore hoursthannormalatlowerstakestowinitbackandthengivethe higherstakesanothergo. Nowfiveyearslaterthingsareverydifferentforme.Alotofmy moneyisinvestedandpokerisaparttimejob.Iamnotinterestedin makingitthecenterpointofmylife,andamnotinterestedinstudy ingthegameasintenselyasisneededtoimproveandmoveupin stakesfurther.NecessarilybecauseofpokersplaceinmylifeIplay worsenowthanIusedtoeitheryouaremovinguptheladderor down,itshardtostayinthesameplace.NowalthoughIhave muchmoremoneytomynamethenIusedtoIactuallyplaylower stakes.
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Multitabling
Itsworthtalkingalittleabouthowtoapproachonlinepokerand theabilitythatcomeswithittoplayasmanytablesasyoulike. Thereareacoupleofdifferentissueshere.Oneisthatplayingmore thanonetableisgoodbecausethenyouplaymorehandsoverall, facemoredecisionsandthusgainexperiencefaster.Ontheother handifyouplaytoomanytablesthisadvantageisnegatedbecause theactionwillmovetoofastforyoutothinkabouthandsandactu allylearnfromthem. Itsbesttostartoutwithoneortwotableswhennewtoonlinepoker tojustbecomeaccustomedwiththegame.Withmoreexperienceits importanttoaddmoretablesnotonlyforthesimplereasonthatit createsahigherwinratebutalsoforthereasonsmentionedabove. However,evenifyourhighestwinratemightbeachievedwithten tables,youshouldrejectthisoption.Intheshortrunitmightmake youmoremoney,butthefactisitwillslowyourlearningdownand soyouwillimprovelessandmoveupinstakesmoreslowly.The keyistofindagoodbalancebutifindoubtthefocusshouldal waysbeonlearningandgettingbetterforthefuture.
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Chapter Four
Poker Math
Expected Value (EV)

Inpoker,expectedvalue(EV)isafrequentlyusedterm.Itmeans howmuchyouareexpectedtowininacertainsituationonaverage. AnEVcalculationissimplyanactualmathcalculationtofigureout moreexactlywhatsomeones$EV(theirrealmoneyexpectation)is inapot.EVcalculationsaregoodpractice,andarewellworthcarry ingouttoincreaseyourlearning.However,theyareimportantfora betterreasontheyareamathematicalwayofwritingoutwhatis reallyhappeningineveryhandofpoker,whetheritsthoughtabout inthesetermsornot.
Basic probability
Letsstartwithsomebasicmathforexampletheoddsofhittinga flushdraw.Thereare52cardsinadeck,fiveofwhicharevisibleaf tertheflopthethreeontheboardandthetwoinyourhand.There areeithertwoflushcardsinyourhandandtwoontheboard,or threeontheboardandoneonyourhand.Thatmeanstherearenine
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flushcardsleftinthedeckoutof47unseencards.Theoddsofone comingontheturnissimply9/47.Theoddsoftwoflushcardscom ingconsecutivelyis9/47*8/46.Theoddsofoneflushcardcoming andonenonflushcardis9/47*38/46.Theoddsofnoflushcard comingtwiceis38/47*37/46. Wecantdosuchmultiplicationsinrealtimesoagoodwaytocalcu latetheoddsifweareconsideringatwostreetscenarioistoesti matebasedonafewfacts.Withsixoutsandtwocardstocome(e.g. atwoovercarddraw)theoddsofithittingareslightlyworsethan3 1,i.e.itwillhappen1/4times.Theoddsofanineoutercoming(e.g. aflushdraw)isalittlebetterthan21or1/3times.Andtheoddsofa 12outerhitting(e.g.aflushdrawandovercard)isalmosteven money.Thesenumberscanbeusedasapointofreference,soifthe numberofoutsissomewherenearthesenumbers,theprobability canbeestimatedbyraisingorloweringoneofthesememorizedex amplesasneeded. Whencountingouts,runnerrunnerflushdrawsandstraightdraws arealsoworthconsidering.Saytheboardis569andIhave A-2,theoddsthattheflushcomesare10/47*9/46=0.042,which addsabout4%tothechancesofwinning(whichisroughlyequiva lenttoanadditionalout).Aswillbeseenlateron,simplypickingup theflushdrawontheturn(regardlessofwhetherithitsontheriver) canbeaverypowerfulweapon,allowingustobluffandbeaggres sive.Similarlywithastraight,iftheboardis3410andIhaveKQo, Ineedajacktocomeandtheneithera9oranacesothatis4/47* 8/46*2=0.03orabout3%.
Hand Combinations
Anotherimportantbasiccomponentofpokermathishandcombi nations,i.e.howmanydifferentwaystherearetomakeupahand. Forexample,withAKtheansweris16astherearefouracesand fourkingsthatcaneachmatchup.Butifanacecomesontheflop therearenowonly12,andsoon.Pocketpairsaredifferentsince
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theyaretwocardsofthesamerank.Ifyouwriteoutthefourdiffer entcolorsforanygivencard,anddrawlinesbetweenthemrepre sentingallthecombinations,youwillseetherearesixcombinations. Howaboutasuitedconnector?Therearefourwaystomakeany givensuitedconnector(oneofeachsuit).
EV Calculations
Nowwehavecoveredsomeofthebasicsitistimetoattemptasim pleEVcalculationtoseehowthemathofpokeractuallyworksin practice.Forexample,considerthefollowing: (8/46)($350 + $1,000) + (38/46)($350) = $54 Thisisaquickwayofsayingthat8outof46timesoneeventwill happen,andwhenitdoeswegain$350+$1,000,butwhentheother eventhappens(whichis38outof46times)weareexpectedtolose 350andthenthattheoverallexpectedvalueofthissituationisap proximatelyminus$54. Thisisarepresentationofwhentheopponentgoesallinontheturn for$350more,andthepotisalready$1,000andwehaveanopen endedstraightdrawexactlyeightoutsthatweknowaregoodand nomore.OneimportantthingEVcalculationsshowisthatpoker decisionsareclose.Itmightfeellikeyouaremakingacallfor$350 towina$1,350pothere;however,inactualitythedecisionisclose andwhetheryoucallorfold,orwinorlosethepot,theexpected valueofthedifferentplaysisnowherenearthepotsize. Forinstanceintheabovesituation,itisbadtocalloverthelonghaul asacallwillcostusmoneyandthe$54lossisrelativelylarge.Play aroundwiththenumbersintheequationandyouwillseethatthe potwouldneedtobe$300biggertomakethecallaboutbreakeven and$600biggerbeforethereisarounda$50expectedvaluegain.
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Poker Math
Pokerisallaboutthesedecisionsnotmakingdecisionstowin $1,500potsbutmakingdecisionstogainasmallamountinexpected value. TheideaofanEVcalculationistoconsidereverypossibleactionwe cantakeandfigureoutwhichearnsusthemostexpectedvalue. Heretheoptionsaretoeithercallorfold.Ifwefoldourexpected valueis0wecantloseanymoremoneybecausewearentrisking anymorebyputtingitinthepotandwealsocannotgainanymoney becausewearefoldingsothereisnowaytowinthepot.Thehand endsrightthereandourexpectedvalueis0.Sowecanthencon siderwhatotheroptionswehaveandseeiftheyarebetterthanthat (i.e.iftheexpectedvalueishigherthan0).Acoupleofwaystoset uptheequationare: (x/46)($350 + $1,000) + (46 x)/46)($350) = 0 Here,solvingtheequationforx,and46x(wherexisthenumberof outsweneedtohavetomakeourcall)willrevealwherethebreak evenpointis.Soifwehavethatmanyoutsormorethenourex pectedvalueishigherthanzeroanditsabetterplaythanfolding. Anotherwaytosetuptheequationistokeepthenumberofoutsthe sameandchangethepotsizetoseewhatpotsizeisrequiredforus tomakeitaprofitablecall: (8/46)($350 + x) + (38/46)($350) = 0 Andonefinalwaytosetitupistochangehowmuchtheopponent goesallinforontheriverinordertoseehowmuchthatneedstobe forittobecomeaprofitableplay:
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(8/46)(x + $1,000) + (38/46)(x) = 0 BytakingsituationsthatcomeupandturningthemintoEVequa tionsyoucanlearnalot.Byplayingaroundwiththenumbersand equationsitwillshowwhattheimportantfactorsareinahand,and howmuchtheyneedtochangeonewayortheothertomakeplays profitableorunprofitable.Itwillshowwhensomeplaysarentas importantasyouthoughttheywerebecausetheEVisntmuch aboveorbelow0,andhelpyoudecidewhetheryouhavemadea goodorbaddecisionintheplayofanactualhand,sothatyouwill beawareofitinthefuture.
Putting it all together

Nowletsconsiderareallifeexample.Saythatouropponentraises to$30andIreraiseto$90with55andhegoesallinfor$1,000.This isaclassicwaybehindorevensituationanditsclearafoldin mostsituations.Herethenisasimplemathconceptputintowords thatshowswhatthemathobviouslyproves.Butletssayhewould dothisonlywithAK,KK,orAAandconsidertheEVcalculations involved.AAandKKareeffectivelythesameifwegoallinvs.55 soinsteadofanalyzingthemindividuallywecanputthehandsinto differentgroupsAKandtheoverpairgroups.Ifwethinkhehas AK50%ofthetimeandahighpocketpair50%ofthetimetheEV equationis: (1/2)(1/2($1,090) (1/2)($910)) + (1/2)((4/5)($910) + (1/5)($1,090)) = $210
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Thisequationisslightlymorecomplicatedthanthepreviousoneas itssplitupintotwosections.Thefirstsideisarepresentationof whathappensthe50%ofthetimetheopponenthasAK,andthe secondsidearepresentationofwhenhehasAAorKK.Whenhe doeshaveAKvs.our55wewillwinroughly50%ofthetime,so wewin$1,090andtheother50%ofthetimewelosesothatmeans welose$910. Thenontheothersideoftheequationwhenthe55goesallinvs.a higherpocketpairwewillloseroughly4/5ofthetime,andlosethe $910weputintothepottocall.Andtheother1/5thetimewewin the$1,090inthepot.Addallofthosetogetherandtheresultisan expectedvalueofaround$210whichisverysignificant(although stillsurprisinglylow).Thefactthatwearerisking$910towin$1,090 makesalittledifference,andalsothefactthatwecanoutdrawabig pairwiththe55helps.Alsoobviouslythefactthathalfthetimewe areevenmoneymakesahugedifference.So,ifwecomparecalling withthe55toouralternativeplays,herethereisonlyonemore whichisfolding.TheEVofthatplayis0,andtheEVofcallingis $210,sowesaveourselves$210byexercisingdisciplineandfolding. Nowletsmakethisrepresentationevenmoreaccurate.Inareal situationheisntgoingtohaveAAorKKhalfthetimeandAK theotherhalfthetime.TherearemorewaystomakeAKthanthere areAAandKKcombinedthereare16combinationsofAKand 12ofAAandKKintotal.SotheoddshehasAKwillbe16/28vs. thechanceshehasAAorKK,whichwillbe12/28.Sotheequation becomes: (16/28)(1/2($1,090)-(1/2)($910)) + (12/28)((4/5)(-$910)+(1/5)($1,090)) = -$167 Soherethingsstarttocomebackinourfavouralittle.Butnowlets saythatalthoughhewillgetAAandKK42%ofthetimeversus
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the58%ofthetimehegetsAK,hemightnotalwaysplaythisway withAAorKKandalwaysplaythiswaywithAK.Anopponent mightmakethisplay7/8timeswithAKbecausehejustwantsto getallininsteadofplayingpostflop,whereasplayingAAorKK iseasierpostflopbecausetheyarealreadystronghands,sohe mightwanttotrapasmuchas50%ofthetime.Inthiscasetheequa tionchangesdramaticallyandnowwemustweightthehand combinationsandthenputthemintheEVequation: 0.5 * 12 = 6 ways hell play A-A or K-K this way 0.875 * 16 = 14 ways hell play A-K this way. Sonowthereisa6/20chancehehasAAorKKanda14/20chance hehasAK,whichmakestheequation: (14/20)(1/2($1,090) (1/2)($910)) + (6/20)((4/5)($910) + (1/5)($1,090)) = $90 Soclearlyunlessthecircumstanceschangedramaticallythiswillal waysbea$EVplay.However,therearestillalotoffactorsthatcan bechangedinthisorothermodels.Forinstance,maybetheoppo nentscouldhaveanunderpairandthentherewillbethreegroups ofhands.Againthesewouldneedweightingasitsunlikelyeach groupwouldhaveaprobabilityof1/3itsprobablya50%chance hehasovercards,10%chanceunderpair,and40%overpair. Oraswehavealreadyseenyoucanchangehisstacksize(andhence hisbetsize),oraddinmorehandcombinationslikeQQorJJin whichcaseanoverpairbecomesalotmorelikelyandacallalot worse.OrmaybehedoesthiswithjustAKorAQandJJbecause
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Poker Math
helikestotrapwithhisreallybighands,andjustgoesallinpreflop withhandsheisafraidtoplaypostflop.AKandAQhaveatotal of32combinationsvs.6possibilitiesforJJsoifhealwaysplays thosethreehandsinexactlythismanneritweightsheavilytowards acall. Thisistheunderlyingmathinvolvedinthegameandittakesplace ineverysinglehand.Thisisarelativelysimpleproblemtofigure outbecausetheopponenthasgoneallin,therearenofuturestreets andnomoreactionjusttrydoinganEVcalculationontheflop withmiddlepairandaddingallthepossiblescenariossuchasthe possibilityyouareahead,behind,thetimeshebluffsyouwhenyou areahead,thetimeshegivesyouafreecardwhenyouarebehind andyouhaveimpliedoddsandsoon.Itsimpossible. Thatswhyinsteadofdoingthematheverytimeweuseconcepts toguideusthroughthesesituations.Forinstanceifweareeither waybehindorevenmoneythatisanexcellentreasontofold.But thereareotherconceptstoothatcanbeimportantsoherevery goodpotoddswouldcounterthefirstconcept.Itsusefultodothe equationsyourself,simplifieddowntothebasicconceptsinvolved inahand,andthentoplayaroundwiththenumberstoseewhich conceptsoutweighothersandsoon.
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Chapter Five
Pre-Flop
Evaluating your opponents

Ifwesitinapokergamewithnopriorknowledgeofouropponents andarefirsttoactwecanbasedecisionsonourhandstrengthalone. Howevertheveryfirstactionanopponentmakesisinformationthat needstobeusedinbuildingupaprofile.Ifitsthefirsthandandhe raiseshisbutton,Idassumeheslooseandaggressiveuntilshown otherwise.IfhefoldshisfirstbuttonIdsayheistight.Ifheraised hisfirstbuttonandthenfoldedhissecondbuttonIwouldthenre versemyopinionofhimtothinkingheistightbecauseitscorrect generallytoplaymorethan50%ofhandsonthebuttonandherehe hasplayedtighterthanthat. Everythingdependsonhowyouropponentplays,includingyour preflophandselection.Thefirststepistolearnaboutyouroppo nentandtodothatwelluselabelsandcategoriestoputpeopleinto. Butbecarefulbecausethoughhelpful,categorizingopponentsisin accurateeveryopponentisdifferentandtheydontfitintoneat tidycategories.Someplayersareaggressivepreflopandthenim mediatelyslowdown,orothersmightbeskilledtoughplayersex
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Pre-Flop
ceptforprefloptheyplayverypoorly.Makeyourreadsonplayers asdetailedandaccurateaspossible.Whenevaluatingaplayerthe mainthingstoassessarelevelsofskill,aggressionandtightness. Playingtightorlooseisnotinherentlybadorgood.Thereareskilled playerswhowinalotofmoneybyplayingtight,andthosewhowin alotofmoneybyplayingloose.Thereareadvantagesanddisad vantagestobothstyles.Playingtightwilllowerthequantityandse verityofyourswingsinpoker.Butplayingtightwontgetyouas muchactionaspeopleliketogiveactiontoopponentswhowill gamble,notnits.Playingloosemeansgettingintomoretoughsitua tions,andthoseextrasituationsmeanthepossibilityofmaking gooddecisionsandmakingmoremoney,buttheycanalsomean gettingoutplayedandlosingmoremoney.Becausepokerisacom petitivegame,beingaggressiveisadvantageous.However,itispos sibletobeagoodplayerandwinalotofmoneyplayingmorepas sivelythanmost.Anditispossibleandnotanuncommonproblem toplaytooaggressively. Therearemanythingstoconsiderwhenlearningaboutanopponent, althoughtheaboveonesaretheprimaryfactors.Youmightalso considerifwhenhehasaverybigstackhebecomeslooseandcare lessorwhetherhetightensuptoprotectit.Ifhelosesapotdoeshe tiltandtrytowinitback?Ordoesherefocushiseffortsandstart playingsolidpoker?Ishesuspiciouswhenyoubetordoeshetake youatyourword?Ifthepotisbigontheriverandhefacesabigbet willhethinkalongthelinesofIcantcallifIdonthavethenuts,I dontwanttogobustorifhegetsagoodhanddoesherefusetobe pushedoffofit?Andsoon.
Skill level
Onewaytolearntheanswertothesequestionswouldbetoplay HUforacoupleofhours.This,however,isnotoptimalpokerisa gameofadjustmentsandthefasteryouadjustthebetter.Mostpeo pleadjustquiteslowly,sothisisagoodwaytogainabigedgeover
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youropponents.Anotherwaytofigureoutifaplayerisgoodisto playhimandthenseeifyoufeelyoucanbeathim.Thisiswhat mostpeopledobutagainitisnotoptimal.Theissueisthatemotions areinvolvedherepeoplehaveegosanddontliketoadmitdefeat. Ifheisbetterthanyou,itwilltakeafairamountofdamagedoneto youforhimtoproveitandforyourconsciousmindtoacceptthe fact. Thewaytogetareliableansweronanemotionalandtrickyques tionlikethisistoaskyourselfquestionsindirectquestionsthat willsuggestananswer.Sincetheyareindirectandstraightforward questionstheanswerswontbetaintedbyyourego.Andsincethey arequestionsyouareaskingyourself,itforcesyoutoconsciously thinkaboutthesituationandlearnandadjustagoodstrategyif yourgoalistomakemoney!Questionsyoumightaskinclude:Am IhappywhenIgetintoapotwithhim?Thereasonyoushouldbe happyisbecauseyouarecomfortableandatease.Theopponent isntmakingplaysthatputyououtofyourcomfortzoneandput youtotoughdecisionswherewhatyoushoulddoisunclear.The conversetobeinghappywhenyouenterapotwithhimisbeing afraidandintimidated.Thereasonyouwouldfeelthoseemotionsis becausebasedonyourpastexperiencetogetherhehasputyouto toughdecisionsandoutplayedyou,anditislogicaltoassumethis willcontinueintothefuture. Doesitfeellikeheisalwaysgettinggoodhands?Thoughitispos sibleforpeopletogetagoodrunsofcards,itisunlikely.Mostofthe timepeopledontgetluckyanddontgetparticularlygoodcards. Thusthereisadiscrepancybetweenthecardsyouthinkhehasbeen gettingandreality,andthediscrepancyhastobeexplained somehow.Whatishappeningistheopponentistrickingyouand outplayingyou.Youcannotsatisfactorilyhandreadagainsthim.If youthinkhehasonlybeengettinggoodhandsthatmeanshehasnt shownyouanyofhisbadhands,whichmeansheiswinningpots withhisbadhandsbybluffingyououtofthepotorfoldingthem earlyonandonlyincurringsmalllosses.
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CanIreadhimorisitaguessinggame?Ifyoucannotgetintohis headpsychologicallyandarejustplayinganeducatedguessing gamebasedoffofthemathyouareinbadshape.Heisoutthinking yousowhyplayhim? IshemakingbadplaysthatIwouldnevermake?Youshouldbe lookingatallthehandsaftertheyareplayedinrealtimeandasking whatwouldhavehappenedifIhadhishandandhehadmine? Thereshouldbecleartimeswhenhemadebigerrorsyouwouldnot havemade.Clearlywhatyouwantareopponentswhoarejustob viouslyworsethanyou,notanopponentyouthinkmightbemar ginallyworsebutwhomayinfactbebetter. Isheagoodhandreader?Ifheisagoodhandreaderthatwill makethingsalottougherforyou.Thepointisthatmostpeople dontbotherhandreading,theyjustgoonhowtheyfeel,whichisnt veryaccurate.Thedifferencebetweenahandreaderandsomeone whodoesnthandreadcanbeseenwhenfacingapotsizedbeton theriverwithaweakmadehand.Apersonwhodoesnthandread willseeabigbetandfold.However,ahandreaderwillthinkokay heknowsIamweak,sowhyishebettingintomesobig?Hemust expectandwantmetofold.Hewillthentakehisweakhandand call.Itsstillquitepossibletobeatthisplayernowyoujustneedto thinkokayIwillbetasmallamountsinceheknowsIknowheis weak,thenhewillthinkImexpectingacall. Somepeopleplayweakpokerandothersplaystrongpoker.A strongplayerishardtopushoffofahandandaweakplayergets scaredeasilyandfoldshandstoomuch.Thedifferenceisinhand readingskillsastrongplayerwillhandreadtheopponentand thenplaythehandbasedonhisread,whereasaweakplayerwont botherhandreading.InHUandshorthandedpoker,goodhands comealongveryrarely,sowhencardscomeontheturnandriver theyaregenerallynothelpingtheopponentsomuchasputting scarecardsoutthere.Toastrongplayerwhohandreadsandputs theopponentonspecifichands,justbecauseascarycardcomes doesntmeanithitstheopponent,andsomeonehandreadingwell
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willrealizethatandplayaccordingly.Aweakplayerwillseeascare cardandbescaredinsteadofactuallyhandreadingtoseeifhe shouldbescared.
Loose vs. tight

Nextthereisthedifferencebetweenlooseandtightplayers.Aloose playerisapersonthatputsmoneyintothepottoomuchandatight personissomeonewhoputsmoneyintothepottoolittle(with solidbeingsomewhereinthemiddle).Againthistraitwillvary greatlyfromstreettostreetandindegreessoyouwillneeddetails toplayHUandknowthatyouropponentissimplytightor looseisfarfromsufficient.Therearenotrickstogettingthean swerherethebestthingtodoisdirectlyobserve.Whenheisfaced withadecision,doesheputmoneyintothepot(witheitheraraise oracall)ordoeshefold?
Aggressive vs. passive

Finallythereisthedifferencebetweenaplayerwhoisaggressive andonewhoispassive.Whentheopponentdoesdecidetoput moneyintothepot,ishedoingitwitharaiseoracall?Beingtoo aggressiveortoopassivearebothleaks.Howeverincompetitive gamesbeingaggressiveisalmostalwaysfavored.Adviceinchess, soccer,orracingisgenerallytoplayaggressively.Itjusthappensto workoutbetterifyouareputtingpressureontheopponent,show ingconfidence,goingforthewinyourselfandtakingtheinitiative.
Making adjustments
Beforetalkingaboutadjustmentstotakeadvantageandexploitthe specifictendenciesofopponents,considerhowyoushouldplay pokerinavoidmathematicallycorrectpoker.Therightwayis straightforward,justplayingyourstronghandsstronglyandweak handsweakly.Ifyouhaveastronghandbetandraise,ifyouhavea
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Pre-Flop
weakhandfoldorcall.Fromthere,asyouropponentseeshowyou play,adjust.Furthermoreasyouseehowyouropponentplays youshouldadjust. Asyoudiscoverinformationaboutyouropponent,consciouslyask yourselfhowyoushouldadjust.Ifheisaskilledplayerthemainad justmenttomakeistogivehimrespect.Youcannotplayagainst himinmarginalsituationsbecausethedecisionswillbetoughand hecantrickyouintomakingthewrongchoices.Agoodplayerwill justplaytoowell,soalotofspotsthatwereprofitableversuspoor opponentswillchangefrombeingprofitabletocostingmoney.So themainadjustmenttomakeistotightenup. Additionally,versusaskilledplayeryouwillhavetoplaymoreag gressively.Versusabadplayeritcanbeadvantageoustoplaymore passivelysomeofthetime.Thebasisforthisisthatyoucanoutplay abadplayerandwantasmanyopportunitiestodosoaspossibleon asmanystreetsaspossible.Soitwouldbeokaytoplaymorepas sivelyversusabadplayertodrawoutthehandandgetasmany chancesaspossibletooutplayhim.Ifyoudothisversusagood playeritistheoppositeofwhatyouwantasnowhelloutplayyou. Ifyouropponentistightpreflopthenyoushouldadjustbyraising alot.Butthenwhenhecallsyouknowhishandrangeissmalland strong,sobelessinclinedtoblufftheflop.Butifaplayerisloose preflopthenyoushouldbemoreinclinedtobettheflopbecause theirhandrangeiswideandweaksoonthefloptheyprobably donthaveanything. Onedifferenceisthatwithapassiveplayeryoudonthavetoforce theactionyoucantakeyourtimeandslowlygrindawaysothere isnovariance.Butversusanaggressiveplayeryouhavetogamble withyourstack(thisbecomesmoretruethebettertheplayeris)and maybethemathofjusthowmanytimeshehasbluffedinthepast saysyouhavetodosomethingotherthanfold. Similarly,ifhefoldsalotontherivertobigbets,thenmakemore riverbluffsthanyounormallywould(andadditionallyfeelfreeto putyourselfinthosepositionsmoreoftenwithmoreliberalturn
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betsandraises)andconverselyifyouhaveastronghandbetsmall ontheriver. Whenbettingtheflopconsiderhowoftentheopponentcallspre flop.Iftheopponentfoldsalotprefloprealizethatthisiswhere yourprofitcomesfrom.Againstthatopponentyoucanautoraise preflopandthenjustkeeptakinghisblindsandmakeahandy profit.Whenhecalls(whichwillberelativelyrarely)hellhavea goodhandsodontusuallyblufftheflopagainsthimasheisnow morelikelytohavesomethingdecent.Butagainstaplayerwhocalls toomuchpreflopyouarenotgoingtowinmoneybystealingthe blinds.Youaregoingtowinmoneybyvaluebettingyourbetter handsand/orbluffingtheflopagainsthim.Sincehecallssomuch preflop,hisholdingswillbefairlyweak,thusyoucanbluffhimoff hishandontheflopmoreoften.
Starting Hands
Thereisalotofflexibilityinplayinghandspreflop.Alotofpeople agonizeovertheirpreflophandselectionanddebateendlesslythe meritsofreraisingsomeonewith1010.Thereisnorightorwrong answeritdependsonthesituation.Butmoreimportantlytheright andwronganswersdonotdifferbymuchintermsofEVsoitisnot importantwhichyouchooseasbothplaysarevalid.Thestageis onlysetforahandwhentheflopcomesanditisthosethreecards thatcanchangesomuchforyouandtheopponent. Becauseofthisifyouwanttocreatealoose,aggressiveimagetoget paidoffwhenyouhitbighands,itsfinetomakeloose/aggressive playspreflopandthenslowdownpostflop.Playingcrazypre floplooksalotworsethanitreallyis.Otherpeoplethinkyouare nuts,butyourealizethatifyoureraisesomeonepreflopalotof thingscanhappenyoucanwinitthere,youcanbluffatsome pointinthehand,youcanhitahandandwinthepotevenifyou startoutbehindpreflop,andsoon.
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Hand Reading
Handreadingisoneofthemostimportantskillsinpoker.That mightsoundlikeanobviouscommentbuttheimportanceofhand readingisstillunderrated.Firstyouuseyourhandreadingskillsto figureoutwhathandstheopponentcouldhaveandhowlikelyeach typeofhandisforhim.Thenyouusebasiclogictoconsider differentscenariosthatcouldplayoutversushisdifferenthands andweighthecostsandbenefitsofeachofthemandchoosethebest linetotake.Allthewhilementaldisciplineisusedtoimplementthe previousskillstothebestofourability. Handreadingisacombinationofmathandpsychology.Themathis derivedfromknowingaboutaplayersstylehowlooseortight, passiveoraggressivetheyare.Sayingapersonistightisanother wayofsayingthatthepercentageofhandsapersonplaysissmaller thannormal.Sincethispersonwillalwaysplaytheirbesthands, whenapersonlowersthepercentageofhandstheyplaythehands theyarenolongerplayingarethepoorestqualityones.Sothe tighterapersonplays,thebettertheiraveragehandis.Andtosaya personisplayingloosemeanstheyplayahigherpercentageof handsthanisnormal.Thusthismakestheiraveragehandweaker.If apersonisplayingaggressivelythatmeanstheratiooftimeshe raisesorbetsversuscallingishigh. Andwhenapersonispassiveitmeanstheratiooftimeshecallsor checksversusthetimeshebetsorraisesishigh.Thisinformationis abithardertointerpretasfarasgivingusinformationaboutwhat handapersonhascomparedtoinformationaboutapersonbeing tightorloose.Thisisbecausewhenapersonistightheisalways playinghisbesthands.However,whenapersonisplayingaggres sivelytheymixitupsomearemorelikelytobeaggressivewith theirstronghands,andsomepeoplearemorelikelytobeaggressive withtheirdrawsorbluffs.Ontheotherhand,apersonwontbe tightandmixitupbyfoldingstronghandsandplayingweak ones.
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Thenthereistheelementofpsychology.Youneedtoknowhowthe opponentthinks.Lookattheirbetsandfigureoutwhattheyare thinking,orwhattheyaretryingtoaccomplishwiththeirbet(or check).Iftheyaregood,yourthinkingneedstogetmoreadvanced totakemoreintoaccount,likehowdoestheopponentviewme? WhatdoeshethinkIhave?Whatdoeshethink,Ithinkhehas?and soon.However,assumingyouareawinningplayer,mostofyour opponentswillbebad(relativetoyou)andthinkingonabasiclevel. Againstthemdonotovercomplicatethings,thinkonthesamelevel asthem.Playinabasicmanneruntilyouseeevidenceheisathink ingplayer,thenadjust. Sayyouropponentisnotreraisingyoualotandthenhedoesforthe firsttimeinawhileyoumightthinkheisraisingwithonly stronghands,andheknowsIknowit.SosurelyifIreraisehewill knowImextremelystrong.Thatsnotthewayitworksthoughas nowyouareconfusingthesituation.Themathsayshewillhavea stronghandandpeopleplaystrongwithstronghands,sohellsim plycallyourraiseorgoallin.Startthinkingonthesimplestlevel andthenadjustfromthere.Startplayinganopponentbyplaying thestrengthofyourhandandthenveryquicklyadapt,startthink ingabouthowgoodyouropponentshandis,andifitmattersthink ofwhatyouropponentthinksofyourhand.Buteaseyourselfinto themoreadvancedthinkingasyouseewhatlevelyouropponentis thinkingon. Bluffwhentheyareweakanddontbluffwhentheyarestrong.A lotofpeoplemakethemistakeofbluffraisingtheturn,butnot bluffbettingtheturnwhencheckedto.Theybelievethatbecause theopponentbettheturnitmakestheirbluffmoreconvincingbe causeofhowmuchstrengththeycanshowbyraisinginsteadofjust betting,andbyraisingalot.Butthereisareasontheopponentbet theturntheyprobablywanttobuildabigpotwithabighandas opposedtowhentheyarecheckingtheturn,wheretheyprobably wanttokeepthepotsmallsincetheirhandisntthatgood.Take thingsatfacevalueandplaystraightforwardly,thenasyoustartto getinsideanopponentsheadadjust.Noreadshouldequalnobluff.
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Thisgetsbacktotheideaofstartingoutbysimplyplayingyour handstrengthandonlyafteryouseehowyouropponentisthinking playingyouropponentshand,whichthenallowsyoutobluff. Mathcomesintoplayinpokerallthetimebehindthescenes.But thereismoremaththanjusttheoddsofhittingaflushdraw.Ina HUsituationsomeonecanraisefromthebutton50%ofthetime,or maybeeven90%ofthetime.Ifheraisesthebutton90%ofthetime thinkofallthepossiblepokerhandsthathisrangeconsistsofal mosteverythingincludingQ4oorJ2o.Herethereisnopsychology involved,itsstraightforwardmaththatyoucanreraisehimpreflop andheprobablycannotcallyoubecausetheoddsarehishandwill bequiteweak.Ormaybeheautomaticallycallsyourreraise,then themathsaysyoucanautobettheflopandmostofthetimehewill havetrashthatcantcallyourbet.Orifheisinthehabitofcontinu ingonthefloptooandisamaniacthefirstgoodhandyougetyou canmakealotofmoneyoffofhimandyoumustjustbepatient. Ifhecallsyourflopbetalotthenheisgoingtohaveaweakerrange. Butifheisverytightpreflopandthencallsyourflopbetheproba blyhasahandeverytimebecausehehasalreadyfilteredouthisbad handspreflop.Maybeyoucantgetinsidehishead,butthismath tellsyoualot. Ifanopponentraisespreflopandbetstheflopandyoucall,thenhe oftenbetstheturn,youcanpunishhimbyreraising.Ifhedoesit seldomthenhedoesntmakealotofmoneybybluffingyououton theturnsolethimtakedownthepotandwinmoneyfromhimin otherways,likepickingupalotofsmallerpotsalongthewaythat hedoesntcontest.Bluffwhentheyareweak,anddontbluffwhen theyarestrong. Whensomeoneistooloose,loosenupbutnotasmuchasthem. Whensomeoneistootight,tightenupbutnotasmuchasthem. Sayingplaytightwhentheyareloose,andloosewhentheyare tightmakesnosense.Itssymmetricalsohowcanoneplayergain anedgeonadvicethatissimilartobothplayers?Pictureaspectrum withtootightontheleft,correctinthemiddle,andtoolooseonthe
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rightside.Ifsomeoneisplayingtooloosethenyouwanttoadjust bylooseningupandmovingtotherightabit,butnotasfarasthem. Ifsomeoneistootightyouwanttotightenuptoadjustbutnotas muchasthemjuststayclosertothecorrectpointthanthem. Someofthetimetheelementsofmathandpsychologybehindpoker willcoincide.Forexample,saytheopponentisplayingveryLAG (loose/aggressive)sothemathsayshehasnothing,andthen psychologicallyonagivenhandyouhaveafeelingthathehas nothinganditturnsoutyoureright.Inthiscaseyouareoutplaying youropponent.Ontheotherhandsometimesanopponentwillplay LAG,soyoufigureheprobablydoesnthaveahandandcallhim down,buthedoes.OrheisplayingTAG(tight/aggressive)soyou figurehedoeshaveahandandfold,andhedoesnt.Inthese situationstheopponentisconfusingandoutplayingyou.Whenyou noticethishappeningalotversusanopponentitmeanstheyare betterthanyou,oratleastmatchupwellvs.yousostayaway from them!
Example hands
Example 1
$5/$10,fivehanded,effectivestacksizesare$1,000.OpponentinCO raisesto$35,heisagoodplayer.Buttonfolds,anditstomeinthe SBwith66andIfold.Thevalueinalowpocketpairisgenerally hittingasetandbuildingabigpot.Theopponent,however,willnot gethisstackallinwithmejustbecausehehitsamediocremade hand.SoIwillhavetooutplayhimandtrickhiminsomewayand IdratherwaittotryanddothatwhenIhavepositiononhimanda handthatwillhittheflopmoreoftenthenthe81ofhittingaset.66 alsohasshowdownvaluebutvs.askilledopponent,hewillnotlet mewinwithalowpocketpairoutofposition(OOP)ifhehasking highoracehigh,asopposedtoabadplayerwhocouldverywell allowthattohappen.
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Example 2
$1/$2,sixhanded,effectivestacksof$200,friendraisesto$7second toactandthenthecutoff(CO)makesit$29togo.Friendhasaces butwhatarethecriteriafordecidingwhetherornottoreraise?Start withthemostbasicthinkingwhichiswhatdoyouhave?Agood hand,soyouwanttogetmoneyintothepot.Thentakeittothesec ondstepwhatdoeshehave?Ifheisraisingalotthenhehasa widehandrangeandifheisraisingalittlethenhehasasmallhand range.Awidehandrangemeansitslikelyhehasaweakishhand thatwillnotcallareraiseandwillfold.Asmallhandrangemeans hehasagoodhandthatwillcallareraiseandmayjustpushallin becausehewillbepracticallypotcommittedfromcallingareraise. Anotherconsiderationishowaggressivetheopponentisifheis aggressivenowisagoodtimetotakeadvantageofthatandjustcall becauseontheflophewillplayaggressivelikehenormallydoes andtraphimself.Theaceswillalmostcertainlyremainthebest handontheflop,sothatsexactlywhatyouwanthimtobeput tingmoremoneyinontheflop.However,ifheisntaggressivethen justcallingpreflopwontservetotraphimverywellbecausehis styleofplaymeanshewonttraphimself.
Example 3
$25/$50,sixhanded,78sUTG.Iraiseto$175.Thisdecisionispretty straightforward,themaincriteriahereishowgoodIamrelativeto myopponents.IfIamgoodandwanttoplaypotswiththemthenI willtakemarginalsituationspreflopandgowiththem.Iftheyare betterthanmethenIwillfoldinmarginalsituations.InthiscaseI ambettersoraised.
Example 4
$25/$50,K9o,secondtoactsixhanded.Theopponentsareverybad, Iraiseto$175.
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Example 5
$25/$50KJo,secondtoactsixhanded.Theopponentsareskilled,I fold.
Example 6
$25/$50,A5oHU.Theopponentisskilledandtightandopensto $150onthebutton,Ifold.ThenexthandIhave95oonthebutton andraiseto$150totakeadvantageofhistightness.Hefolds.
Example 7
$25/$50,sixhanded,UTGopensto$175,heisslightlybadandloose. IhaveA8snexttoact.Itstemptingtocallhereandabigfactoris howaggressivetheplayersbehindyouare.Iftheyreraisefrequently usingtheirpositionitsverybadtocoldcallhere,soifthatisapos sibilityitweighsstronglyonthesideoffolding.Butifthatdoesnt happenoftenthenacallisreasonable,thoughstillmarginal.
Example 8
$25/$50,sixhanded,UTGopensto$175,theCOandbuttoncalland IhaveA8sintheBB.Inanabsolutesensealltheotherplayershave positiononme,i.e.theywillallactaftermeoneverystreet.But whatisalsoimportanthereisrelativeposition.Thepreflopraiser hasagoodchanceofbettingtheflopagainbecausehewasaggres sivepreflop,sotheresadecentchancehecontinuesbeingaggres sive.InwhichcasemypositionisactuallybetterthantheCOand button.TheywillhavetorespondanUTGflopbetandIgettoact aftereveryoneelseontheflop.Relativepositionisanimportantfac tortoconsideralongwithabsoluteposition.A8sisacallhere.
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Example 9
$10/$25HU,opponenthas$1,300.Wehaventplayedmuchbuthe hasreraisedmealotsofar,andrecentlyheshoweddownQ6safter reraisingsoitisveryobviousheisreraisinguslightnow.IraiseA 10oonthebuttonandhereraisesme.Thisisnormallyabadspotto reraisebecauseofstacksizessincewewillbepotcommittedfora bigoverbetofthepotandA10oisamediumstrengthhandsohe couldcallwithbetterhandsandfoldworseones.Also,heissobad thatitmightbebettertowaitandjustgrindhimdownwithlower variancepostflopthangetitallinpreflop(evenwithasmallEV edge)andgamble.However,ontheotherhandheissobadandhis rangeissowidethatinthefinalanalysisareraiseisagoodplay. Alsoheisbadaggressiveandnotbadpassive,whichmeanshe wontbethateasytoplayagainstanyway,andhecoulddefinitely chipmedownifIdontfightback.Ireraisedhimallinandhecalled withQ7s.
Example 10
$10/$25HU,webothhave$2,200.IhaveQQandraiseto$75onthe buttonandhereraisesto$225.Nowthereisadecisionastowhether toreraisehimagainortojustcallandtrap.Itwasclose,butthere wasonedecidingfactorthatmadetherightplayclear.Hewasplay ingstraightforwardanddecentlypreflop.However,postflophe wasjustaterribleplayer.SoIwantedtomakesurewegottopost flopplaywherehewillplaybadly.Asthehandturnedout,theflop was554,hebets$300,andIcalled.AgainheplaysbadsoI wantedtolethimkeepgoingandgivehimasmuchropeaspossible soIjustcalled.Theturnisthe2;hebets$775andIraisedhimhis last$900,andhecalledwith66.
Example 11
$5/$10,threehanded,opponentopensto$30intheSB,Iaminthe
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BB.Hehasraisedto$30intheSBalot.Thismeanshishandusually isntverygood.IhaveQ9andreraiseto$90.Thisisagoodspotto reraiseforacombinationofreasons.Firstofall,Imnotscaredofa fourbetfromhimbecausehehasopenedalotandIhaventreraised himyetsoitlookslikeIhaveahand,andsincehehasopenedalot heprobablydoesnthaveahand.Andifhedoesreraisemehe probablyhasagoodhandandQ9oisntthatgoodofahandany waysoImnotlosingalotofvaluebynotseeingaflop.Alsoifhe foldsthenformetagamereasonsitwillmakemyimagelooserand crazierandnexttimeIreraisehimpreflophewontknowwhatI have.Mystyleofplayistoraiseandreraisealotpreflopandhope thattricksmyopponentintothinkingIhavealooseandcrazyim age,butfromthereItightenupalotandinbigpotsIamverytight andhaveagoodhandoften.Thisisagoodlowvariancestylebe causeinthebeginningwhenthepotissmallIamplayingcrazy, butwhenthepotisbigandweplayaroundwithbiggerbetsIplay conservativelysowhenIdoplayabigpotIgenerallywin.Andin thebeginningwhenIamplayingcrazyIamreallynotgivingaway alot,assumingImthebetterplayer.
Example 12
$25/$50HU.Ilimponthebuttonwith35oandheraisesmepotto $150ashehasdoneeverytimeIhavelimped,soIcall.Theflopis 69Qandheleads$300ashehasdoneeverytimesoIpotitto $1,200.Sincehehasbeenmakingthisplayregularlytheoddsare goodthathedoesnthaveanypieceoftheboard,andevenifhe doessincehebetseverytimeitcouldbesomethinglike67,which hecantcallmewithanyway.
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Chapter Six
The Flop
Planning a hand
Havingaplanforhowtoplayahandinpokerisanecessityandthe timetomakethisplanistheflop(notpreflopbecausetherethe situationisstilltoocomplicated).Theplanshouldbeadecision aboutwhatpotsizewillbeoptimalinthesituationandalsohowto achievethatpotsize.Thereisabigdifferencebetweenbettingallin yourselfforinstance,asopposedtocheckcallinganallin.Some situationscallforthefirstone,somecallforthesecondone.The moreinformationandconsiderationstakenintoaccountwhenmak ingaplan,thebettertheplanwillbe,andthemoremoneyyoucan expecttomakeonthehand.Moreprecisely,themoreaccuratein formationandrelevantconsiderationsaretakenintoaccountthe betteraplanwillbe. Forexample,someonemighthavethewrongreadonanopponent andapplythattoaplanobviouslythatplanwillnotfareverywell (andifitdoes,itwillbeaccidental).Orifapersonbelievesonecon ceptisveryimportantinasituationbutinfactitmaynotberelevant, thenagaintheplanisapoorone.Theonlywaytobecomegoodat
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pokeristomakealotofplansandstudy,andthenyouwillimprove andyourplanswillbemoreprecise. Inpokeritisabsolutelykeytothinkinspecifictermsandnotallow vagueandhazythinkingtogetintheway.Whenconsideringaplay, thinkaboutwhatspecificthingsitwillaccomplish.Andwhenwe sayaccomplish,ourgoalistowinmoney.Socallingbecausewe arecurioustoseetheopponentshanddoesaccomplishsomething itsatisfiesourcuriosity,butitdoesnotsatisfyourmaingoal,which istowinmoney. Inthischapterwellstartintroducingtheconsiderationsthatneedto betakenintoaccountwhenmakingaplan.Thenwellmakeplans forhandsbasedoffthoseconsiderations.Theconsiderationsorrea sonsthatwouldhaveapersonmakeaplaythatweregoingtotalk aboutareasfollows:gainingvalueforahand;makingtheopponent foldabetterhand;preventingabluff;protectingyourhand;pot odds;stacksize;position;beingaggressive;andbettingforinforma tion.Butnotethattoomanypeopleovervalueprotectingyourhand, beingaggressive,preventingabluff,andbettingforinformation thosearebyfartheleastimportantreasonstomakeaplay. Continuationbetsonthefloparealsoabigleakforalotofpeople. Thiscanbecorrectedintwoways.First,simplyplaythestrengthof yourhand.Ifyouraisepreflopandgetcalledandyouhaveagood hand,betagain,andifyoudonthaveagoodhandcheck.From thereyoucanmixupyourplaysforspecificreasons.Secondly, avoidhazythinking.Itisthehazythinkingthatleadspeopleto thinkthattheyneedtobettheflopbecausetheywanttobeaggres sive,ortoshownoweakness.Thesearesuchvaguereasonsfor anactionthattheyarenotrealreasonsatall.ItslikesayingIbeta lotbecauseIwanttowin. Realreasonsmightbeitsgoodtobeaggressiveagainstthisplayer becauseheisweakandwillfold(anotherwayofsayingmakea betterhandfold)orIdontraisemuchpreflopsowhenIcon tinuationbettheflopitsconsistentandcrediblyrepresentsastrong hand(again,anotherwayofsayingmakeabetterhandfold),or
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The Flop
itsgoodtobeaggressivebecausethenitgiveshimachancetocall mewithaworsthand(valuebetting).Rememberyourgoal whenplayingpokeristomakemoney.Itsobvioushowmakinga betterhandfoldwillallowustowintheentirepot,andhowthat helpsustowinmoney.Itsnotatallclearhowseizingtheinitia tivewillleadtomakingmoney.Beingaggressiveisnotanendin itselfitsawayofplayingthatinsomesituationswontworkwell andinotherswillworkwellforspecificreasons.Thekeyistobe morespecificandtofindoutforwhatspecificreasonsbeingaggres siveworks,andthentodirectlyconsiderthosefactors. DoyleBrunsonadvocatesautomaticallybettingtheflopafterraising preflopinSuperSystem,buttodaywhenplayingheadsupor shorthandedthisstrategywillgetyoueatenup.Instead,takepoker streetbystreetthemistakealotofbeginnersmakeiscommittinga lotoftheirmoneytoahandonanearlystreet.Forinstance,abegin nercantcheckraiseblufftheflopbecausehellautomaticallygoall inontheturntocontinuetheblufftoooften.Theexpertreevaluates ontheturnheseesifanygoodcardshavecometocontinuethe bluffandsomeofthetimehellsimplygiveup.Similarly,agood playerwillraisepreflop,andthentheflopisanotherstreethe wontautomaticallybetit,hellconsiderhisoptionsatthatpoint andmaybebetandmaybenotbet. Averygoodactionthatwillhelpuswinmoneyisgainingvaluefor agoodhand,i.e.gettingmoneyintothepotwithagoodhandver susaworsthand.Thisdoesntneedalotofexplanationbuttherea sonitissuchapowerfulwaytogainvalueisthatwhenyouarebet tingtoppairandtheopponenthastoppairwithaworsekicker(or middlepair)andcallsyou,heonlyhasthreeorfiveouts.Hell rarelyoutdrawyou,andyouhavealotofequityinthepotcom paredtohim.Wheneveryoumakeabetandhecalls,yougainal mosthisentirebetinexpectedvalue.
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Aggression
Peopleusuallywanttobeaggressivetotakecontrolofthehand orseizetheinitiative;however,aswehavesaidthesearenotends inthemselves,justexamplesofhazythinking.Takingcontrolofthe handismeaningless;itsalmostsynonymouswithacoupleofle gitimatereasons,whicharebettingnowtopreventablufflateron andbettingforinformation.TheseideasaremoreLimitpoker ideasthanNLHEones.InNLHEsincethebetsizesarenotsmall fractionsofthepotbutratherclosetopotsizemostofthetime,they aresignificantandcantbethrownaround.Bettingforinformation istooexpensive,infactitdoesntreallyaccomplishmuchexceptfor sometimesmakingahandeasiertoplay. Butmakingahandeasytoplayisnotthesameasmakingitmore profitable.InNLHEinsteadofbettingforinformationitsbetterto justcheck,andthenyouwonthavetheinformationbutyoualso wonthavethrownoutasizeablebet,andwithouttheinformation youlljusthavetomakeaneducatedguessandcometothebestde cisionyoucan.Similarly,insteadofbettingtopreventabluff,just check.Andthenifhebets,nowyouhaveadecisiontomake.Ifyou areafraidhesbluffingyoualotthensimplystartcallinghimdown withweakerhands. Beingaggressiveisoktoaccomplishcertainthingswhenyouare aggressiveandbettingorraisingitcouldbetogainvalueortobluff theopponent.Asshownabovethatgainsrealmoney,butjustbe ingaggressivedoesnotgainanythinginitselfunlessitisusedasa tooltogainsomething.Sobespecificandfigureoutwhatexactly youaretryingtogainandwhatthethingyouaretryingtogainis worth. Anotherimportantfactortoconsideristheskillofyouropponent forexamplewhethertheywilloutplayyouontheriver.Ifyoucheck theturnandtheyareabadplayer,youcanmaybepickoffabluffon theriverwhenthedrawmisses,andfoldwhenithits.Butiftheyre betterthanyou,maybetheylloutplayyouontheriverwithabluff
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andyouwilllosethewholepotsonowyoumightwanttobetto protectyourselfagainstgettingbluffedlaterinthehand.
Protecting your hand

TheconventionalwisdomthatsaysprotectingyourhandsinNLHE isamustisoneofthebiggestmisconceptionsoutthere.NLHEisnot likelimitholdeminthatregardyoudonotbettoprotectyour hand.InNLHEprofitscomefromvaluebettingagainstworsehands orbybluffingoutbetterhands.Themathshowswhythisistrue. Saythepotis$1,500andyoubet$1,500intoittoprotectyourtop pairfrombeingdrawnouton.Maybetheyhavetoppairwitha lowerkicker,aflushdraworsecondpair.Incaseonetheyhave threeouts,incasetwotheyhavenineouts,andincasethreethey havefiveouts,soinallcasestheirequityisbelow1/4ofthepot.So basicallyyouarebetting$1,500toprotect1/4ofthepot,or$375. Anotherfactorpeoplethinkisimportantisbettingtoprotectsbluffs inthefuture.Thisisrelatedtotheideaofbettingforinformation anditsjusttooexpensivetodoinNLHE.Instead,ifyouthinkthe opponentisthetypetobluffalot,justchecktheflopandtheneither makeaweakcalldownorrebluffraisehim.Thatishowtoprofit fromsomeonewhobluffsalotnotbystoppinghimfrombluffing withacostlybet,butbyspottingitandtakingadvantageofitby callinghimlight.
Determining the best line

Themainfactorindeterminingwhatisthebestlinetotakeisseeing ifwhenyoubetaworsthandwillcallorifabetterhandwillfold. Considerforexampleifat$5/$10HUIopenonthebuttonto$35 withA10andtheopponentcalls.Theflopis1074.Nowthereason Iwouldbethereforthemostpartistogainvalueratherthanprotect myhand.IfhehastwoovercardslikeQJorQKhehassixouts,if hehasapairoftenswithaworstkickerjustthreeouts,andevenif
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hehas87thathasonlyeightouts. Sowedontgainmuchvaluebyforcinghimtofoldbutthereis valueifhellraiseusandwerepreparedtocallthenalotof moneycangointothepotwithusasbigfavorites.Thathowever isntreallyprotectingourhand,itsstillbettingforvalue.Andifhe hasapairoftenswithaworsekickerhellcertainlyputmoneyin andhavelittlechanceofoutdrawingusandthatiswherethemain valuecomesfrom. Stacksizeswillaffecttheplanyoucomeupwithforahandand whatmattersiseffectivestacksize,whichmeansthemoneythatcan bewonorlostbasedonthesmalleststack.Wecanlookatstacksizes inrelationtothenumberofbigblinds,andalsowhatpercentageof wentinpreflopandfromthisdecidewhattypeofhandwillbe playedoutpostflop.Thegeneralruleisthatthebiggertheeffective stacksare,themoreflexibilitythereisinhowahandisplayed,and themoremoneythatgoesinpreflopthelessconcernthereisthata playerwillhitabighandifaplayerputsin10%oftheirstackpre flop,thenwerenotreallyafraidofhimhittingflushesortwopairs. Positionisabigadvantage,whichyouwanttomakesureyouutil izetothefullestextentpostflop.Thewaytoutilizeitisbyplaying asmanystreetsaspossibleinpositiontoputthedisadvantageon theopponentasoftenaspossible.Ifjustonestreetisplayedthenthe opponenthastodealwiththedisadvantageofbeingoutofposition, butjustonetime.Withmorestreetsapersoninpositiongainsmore information,astheygettoseemorecardsandhowtheopponent reactsthewholeway.Thewaytoplaymorestreetsistoplaymore passivelyinposition.Conversely,ifapersonisplayingoutofposi tion,theyneedtoneutralizethedisadvantagebytryingtoendthe bettingactiononahandassoonaspossiblebyeitherfoldingorrais ing,andingeneralapersonwillneedtoplaymoreaggressiveoutof positioniftheyenterapot.
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Pot Odds
Potoddsaretheoddsyouaregettingtocallabettowinthepot.If thebetissmallinrelationtothepot,thenyouaregettinggoodpot odds.Ingeneral,ontheflopandturnpeoplebetaroundthepotsize, whichgivesaperson2:1potodds.DrawsinNLHEarenotthat strong(almostnodrawsaregoingtohit1/3timesgettingonecard) soforthemostpartpeopledontmakethosecallbecauseofpot odds.InsteadNLHEplayersthinkmoreintermsofimpliedodds thechancesofhittingahandandwinningadditionalmoneyafter makingit. Potoddsarethereforemostimportantontheriverwheretheoppo nentmakesabetandthereisnofutureaction.However,potodds arestillrelativelynotthatimportanteventhen,asmakingthecor rectriverdecisionismainlyamatterofhandreading,andthenifthe decisionisclosetheideaofpotoddscanbefactoredintoswayit onewayortheother. Hereisasimplehandtotryanequitycalculationwith.EPmin raisesto$100at$25/50andLPcallswithashortstackof$3,000.I haveAQoonthebutton.Theminraisetomesaysthathehasa mediocrehandthathedoesntwanttoputalotofmoneyinwith, anddoesntwanttobuildapotwithhejustwantstoseeaflop cheaply.SoIraiseto$500,EPfoldsandLPcalls.Theflopcomes AJ6withthreespades,hechecks,Ibet$800andhegoesallinfor $1,700more. Sonowthereisapproximately$1,100inthepotfrompreflop,then $1,600morefrommybetandhiscall,whichmakes$2,700,andhe raises$1,700moresoIwouldputup$1,700towin$4,400so44:17 oralmost5:2.IfhehasAJ,aset,oraflushthenIhaveverylittle chanceofwinning.IfhehasapairandaflushdrawlikeKJwitha spade,ormaybe1010withaspadethatgiveshimfiveortwo pair/setoutsandnineflushouts,so12onaverage.12outstwiceis aboutevenmoneytowinthepot.Sotheequationis:
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x($4,400*0.5 $1,700*0.5) (1-x)($1,700) = 0 $1,350x $1,700 + $1,700x = 0 $3,035x = $1,700 x = 0.56 Itsimportanttounderstandhowthisequationworks.Xisequalto thepercentageoftimesAQhastobeaheadversusasemiblufffor ourequitytobebreakeveninthepotwhencalling.About50%of thetime1010willwinsowelllosethe$1,700weusedtocallhisbet, andtheother50%ofthetimewewintheentirepotof$4,400.(1x)is alltheothertimeswhenhedoesNOThaveasemibluffitisthe timesImdrawingdeadandthenIlosethe$1,700call.Notethat(1 x)addedtoxisequalto1,i.e.xand(1x)accountfortwodifferent scenarios,whichtogetherhappen100%ofthetime.Therearetwo factorsbattlingeachotherherethefirstisthatourpotoddsareso good,butsecondisthathehasalotofequityevenwhenhesbehind. Sofromtheequationwecanseethatifourhandisgood56%ofthe timethencallingisabreakevenproposition.Letssayourhand readingisoffanditsgoodonly30%ofthetime.Nowwecanplug thosevaluesinandseehowmuchourmistakecostus: 0.3($4,400*0.5 $1,700*0.5) (0.7)($1,700) = $788 Orletssayitsgood70%ofthetimethenitbecomes: 0.7($4,400*0.5 $1,700*0.5) (0.3)($1,700) = $435
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Basedonthecalculationsaboveifwecallwhenweareahead70%of thetimethenwewin$435fromouropponentsinExpectedValue, andifwecallwhenourhandisonlygood30%ofthetimewelose ourselvesalmost$800inEV.Youcanseethatbycallingorfolding wedontmakedecisionsthatcostus$1,700orwinus$4,400they actuallywinorloseasmallfractionofthatdependingonhowgood orbadourhandreadingwas. NowletssayheeitherhasA10ooroneofhishugehandsthentry runningitagain: x($4,400) (1-x)($1,700) = 0 $4,400x $1,700 + $1,700x = 0 $6,100x = $1,700 x = 0.27 Soifwereeitheraheadhugeorbehindhuge(andthereisnore drawing)thenweonlyhavetobegood27%ofthetimebecauseour potoddsaresogood.Notethatthisequationisjustalonghand wayofwritingoutpotodds,whichare4,400:1,700or1,700/(4,400+ 1,700)=0.27.
Implied Odds
Impliedoddsareanothertooltoaddtothepokerarsenal.Whena personstartsoutplayingpokertheyhaverelativelyfewtoolsto useforinstancemaybethereisjustpotodds,whichasseenabove donotallowforalotofflexibility,asbasedonthemalonemany handswouldhavetobefolded.Asmoreandmoreideasgetadded intothethinkingandplanningofahand,therearemorepossibilities
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andmorewaystomixitupandeithercall,raiseorbetasopposed tofoldingorcheckinganditwillbeunderstandablewhythoseplays areprofitable. Impliedoddscomeintoplaybasedonhowmuchmoneyyouthink youcanmakeifyouhitthatdrawinghandonfuturestreets.Your impliedoddsdependheavilyonearlierfactorssuchashandreading andthestyleofanopponent.Tofigureoutifyouhavegoodimplied oddsfirstconsiderthehandrangesofyouropponentandhowthey willreacttothecardscomingontheboardthathityourhand.Then alsoconsiderthestyleofpokeryouropponentplays(skilled?ag gressive?loose?)andhowthatwillfitintothepicture.Impliedodds canalsobecombinedwithpotoddstofindmore+EVcallingsitua tions. Hereisastraightforwardexample.Eighthanded$5/10,UTGlimps, UTG+1limps,IlimponthebuttonwithKQandtheBBchecks. Normallythishandisgoodforaraiseitsagoodhandandwe haveposition;however,thereasonIdidntthistimeisbecauseUTG hadastackofjust$250,whichmakesiteasyforhimtolimpreraise meallinwhichisnotsomethingIwant.TheflopcomesA32, BBandUTGcheck,nexttoactbetspotof$45.HereclearlyIdonot havepotoddsbutifIgetpaidoffifaflushcomesthenIcancall. Theturnisa7andhebets$135leavinghimselfwith$500.Aflush cardwillcomeabout1/5times,andpotoddssayIneedtowin1/3 times,soIneedtomakeupforthatdifferencesomehowtocall.The answeriswithimpliedodds,orinotherwords,thetimeaflushcard comesandhepaysmeoff: 0.8(-$135) + 0.2($405 + x) = 0 Thismeansthat80%ofthetimewewonthittheflushandwont winthepot(notethisneglectsthetimeswhenourhandisalready goodandwecanwinasinashowdown,andthetimeswecanbluff
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himwhenaflushcarddoesntcomewhicharesignificantfactors). And20%ofthetimewewinthe$405inthepotandthenx,wherex istheamountofmoneytheopponentwillpayusonaveragewhen wehit,whichinthiscaseis$135.Notehowaturncallisworsethan aflopcalleventhoughwestillhavea1/5chanceofhittingthenext cardandimmediatepotoddsof2:1.Thisisbecauseonstraightpot oddswecannotcallgetting2:1ona4:1shottohit;however,ifhe givesusafreeturncardthenourchanceofhittingaflushbecomes about2:1overall.Hewillchecktheturnsomeofthetime(when playingyouneedtomakeamentalestimate)sopotoddswontjus tifythecallentirely.However,impliedoddsarebetterontheflop thantheturnbecausethenthemathis 0.8(-$45) + 0.2($135 + x) = 0 Itisalotmorelikelywithtwostreetsofactiontogothatwegetthe valueofx,whichisonly$45here.
Example hands
Example 1
$25/50HU,Iraiseonthebuttonto$150withA10andopponent calls.Theflopis479o.Imightcheckthisflopbecausetheopponent ispassiveandifmyacehighisgoodhewillbepassiveenoughto allowmetocheckitdownandwin.Ontheotherhandifmyhandis K10Iwouldbemoreinclinedtobetbecausekinghighismuch worsethanacehighinashowdown.SaymyhandisA7thenId asksomequestionslikehowaggressiveismyopponent?.Some opponentswilleitherfoldorraiseandnotcallinthatcasebetting willonlyservetoprotectmyhand,itwontfoldoutbetterhandsor
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gainvalue.Hereitisntneededtopreventversusabluffbecausemy handisstrongenoughtocallafuturebetsoitdeprivesmeofafu turebluff.IfontheotherhandtheopponentispassivethenIdgo forabetforvalueandtoprotectmyhand.
Example 2
$25/$50HU,IraisedpreflopwithA9andhecalled.Theboardwas 934o.NowIdbemoreinclinedtobettheflopbecausemyhandis bettersoitismorepossibleforhimtocallwithaworsehand(gain ingvalueforme).
Example 3
$25/$50HU,Iraisedpreflopwith59,hecalledandtheboardis 934o.HereIdbealotmorelikelytochecktheflopbecauseits harderfortheopponenttocallwithaworsehandforhimtohave hitapairmeanshehastoppairwithabetterkicker,orapairof threesoffours,butsincethethreeandfouraresuchlowcards,its hardforhimtocallpreflopwithathreeorfourinhishandveryof ten.
Example 4
$25/$50HU,IraisepreflopwithK5oandhecalls.TheflopisKJ8. Heretheboardisverycoordinated,andeventhoughmykickeris baditsquitepossibletheopponenthitasecondbesthandandIcan getvaluewithaflopbet.Oneconsiderationwhenyouhitahand andwanttogainvalueishowaggressiveistheopponent?Ifhes aggressiveIdratherchecktobetrickyandtrytocatchabluffonthe turnand/orriver.Italsodependsonhowhappyyoudbetocalla raiseandbuildabigpotwithyourhandifyouarehappytodo thatthentherecouldbehugevalueinbettingandcallinghimdown ifheisaggressiveandraises.
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Example 5
$25/$50HU,Iraiseto$150onthebuttonwith69o,opponentcalls. Theflopis236.Ifmyopponentistightandpassive,eventhough wehavetoppairtherearentalotofwaystogainmoneyfromthis situationbecauseifIcheckbehindhewontbluff,hewontcallwith asecondbesthand,andwecertainlycanttryandmakehimfolda betterhandwithaflopbet.Sothemainconsiderationsarenotrele vantandweresorttosecondaryconsiderationslikeprotectingyour hand.Hereprotectingyourhanddoesntgainyoumuchvalue,but thenagainneitherdoescheckingsoitsbestjusttobetandtakethe potdown.
Example 6
$5/$10HU,opponentislooseandbad,effectivestacksizeis$825,I have1010.Heopensto$30andbecauseishelooseandbadthereis alotofvaluetobehadinreraisingwithahandasgoodastens.I reraiseto$90andhecalls.TheflopisA78.IfIcheckandhe betsIwillbeconfusedaboutwhattodoversusthisopponent.That isnotenoughofareasonalonetobetout;however,inthissituation theopponentisbadenoughthathecouldcallwithaworsehand,so mybetservesasavaluebetandalsoprotectsmyhandfromgetting outdrawn.Allthosereasonsontheirownaresmall,butaddedto getheritmakesbettingthemostattractiveoptionhere.Asthehand turnedout,Ibet$130withtheaimofachievingallthosegoalsand hecalled.TheturnwasJwechecked.Theriverwasthe6,Icheck andhebets,andtheveryfactthathebetsmakesmethinkImbeat, butheonlybet$80intoamuchbiggerpotsobasedonpotoddsI calledandhehadK8.
Example 7
$25/$50,effectivestacksof$5,000,fourhanded.Opponentopens underthegunto$175andIcallintheBBwithAJo.Theflopis
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1010K,Icheckandhebets$300.Eventhoughnotmuchhas happened,duetotheboardtexturewecanalreadydosomehand reading.Wouldhebetlikethatifhehadateninhishand?Mostcer tainly,hecouldraisewithitpreflopandthenheddefinitelybetthe floptobuildapotandgetvalueforhisstronghand.Wouldhebeta kinglikethat?Thisisthecruxhemayorhemaynot.Forhimto betthekingheneedstobeabletoputmeonworsehandsthatcould callhim,anditshardtodothatbecauseoftheboardifIhitthe boardIhiteithertriptensofapairofkings.Somaybehehasapair ofkingswithastrongkickerandhopesIhaveapairofkingswitha weakerkicker.Howevereventhenhemightchecktheflop,because heisntgoingtotryandbettheflop,turnandriver,sothereisno rushtobet.Ifhewantstogetoneortwobetsfrommehecandothat ontheturnorrivermoreeffectively.Soitpolarizeshishandrange suchthatheprobablyhaseitheraverystronghand(thetriptens)or aweakhand(notapairofkings),andstronghandsarerare. Basedonthat,itsagoodspottoraise,andIdidsoto$1,000.Pot oddsareonewayoflookingatthiswearerisking$1,000towin $650sohehastofoldabout2/3ofthetimewhichIthinkhewill. However,impliedoddscomeintoplayheretoobecausewedohave agutshotdrawwhichwillprobablygiveusthebesthand.Also thereisachancetheaceisanout.Alsopositionisimportanthereso wewanttoplayaggressivelytoneutralizeourdisadvantagesoif weregoingtomakeaplayforthepotweneedtoraiseandtryand endthehandnow.Stacksizesarealsofavorableforthisplayifthe opponentwasshortstacked,itmakesitmorelikelyhellbettheflop withapairofkingsorevenaweakerhandheiswillingtogetallin with(becausehedoesntneedtoworryaboutpotcontrol).Asitis, whenwebet$1,000ifhewantstoreraiseushellhavetoreraisealot more,andifhecallshellhavetofacetheprospectofabigturnbet, sothestacksizesgiveuspowerhere.Inthehandhefolded.
Example 8
$5/$10threeway,Iraiseonthebuttonto$35withAKo,theBBcalls
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andtheflopisAJ4o,hechecksandIbet$60.Myhandisquite strong,Imwillingtogetalotofmoneyintothepotandevengetall themoneyinhere(wehave$1,000each).Soabigpartoftheplan hereishowwewantthemoneytogoin.Thehandsthataremost likelytoputmoneyintothepotherethatareworsethanusarepairs ofaceslikeAQorA10.Thosearethesortofhandsfromhisper spectivethatarelikelytojustcallwhenIbet.Theydontneedto raisebecausetheyarentafraidofgettingoutdraw(therearent drawsontheboard),worsthandswontcalltheraiseandjustcall ingallowsmetokeepbluffing. Thusifheraisesmeheusuallyhasabluff,twopairoraset(ora pairofacesthatheisplayingbadly).IfIbettheflopfor$50andhe checkraisesto$150andIcallthentheturnisathreeandhebetsout for$350afoldshouldbeconsidered.Herehishandrangeisvery differentwhenhedoesthisasopposedtoifhecheckcallstwiceand thencheckstherivertome,whereIdbetasmuchasIthought couldgetcalledbecausehishandrangeisverydifferent.
Example 9
$5/10,sixhanded,secondtoactopensto$35,hehas$455andI cover,IamtheonlyonetocallwithA-J.TheflopcomesA48, Icheckandhebets$50.Asfarashandreadinggoes,thereisnt muchinformationtosaywhathehas.Hecouldbebluffing,orbet tingwithanyaceoraflushdraw.AtthispointIneedtomakeade cisionifImhappytogetmyhandallinversushishand,andifso whetherraisingisthesuperiorplaybecausebycallingIallowhim tobetthehandshewantsontheturn(thehandsthatbeatme),and checkthehandsthatIwantmoneytogoallinagainst.Imnottoo afraidoffreecardsherebecauseIhavetoppairandnoovercards cancome.Hecouldhaveaflushdrawbutflushdrawsdontcome alongalltoooften.Themainreasonforaraisehereistogainvalue fromweakeracesthathemighthave.
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Example 10
$25/$50HU,opponenthas$1,600,heopensto$150andIcallwith 89o.Theflopcomes8810,Icheckandhebets$150.Herethe mainconcernishowtogetinthemostmoneyandtogainvaluefor thehand.Forhimtooutdrawmewithastraightdrawis48outs andtohitahigherfullhouseistwoouts.Sothosearentconcerns, itsjustfiguringouthowtogetthemostmoneyin.Basedonhisflop betitseemedlikehehadapairoftensorsomesortofhandsoI raisedtheretogainvaluefromit.Hewentallinaftermyraiseto $600withA10andlost.
Example 11
$5/$10,itsfoldedtotheSBwholimpsin,andyoucheckintheBB withQ8o.TheflopcomesAK5,andhechecks.Herethereisnot muchvalueinbettingbecauseaworsehandwontcallandabetter handwontfold(withtheexceptionofQ9,Q10andQJ).Sohereis theequitycalculationofchecking.Letssayhehas10980%ofthe timeandtheother20%ofthetimehecheckedtheflopasatrapwith amadehandthatwillcall.Andthenthe109outdrawsusabout1/4 thetime: 1/5($15) + 4/5($20) = $13 1/4(0) + (3/4)($20) = $15 HereitshowsthatourEVisgoodineithercase,butitsslightly higherinthecasewherewedontbotherbettingtheflop.Theequa tionshowswedontgainmuchvaluebytakingcontrolandtaking itdownimmediately.Weriskalotthatcostsusthefewtimeshe trappedusanddontgainmuchequitybecausehewontoutdraw usveryoften.However,letschangeitalittletosaythatifwecheck thereisa20%chancehewillbluffus:
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1/4(0) + 1/4(0) + 1/2($20) = 10 Becauseofthesmallbutsignificantchanceofhimbluffingusbetting theflopismarginallybetterthancheckingbehind.Notehowallthe decisionsareclose,butifyoukeepaddinginfactorsandmakingthe decisionmoreandmorepreciseabetterdecisionisarrivedat.This equationwillchangefromplayertoplayersomepeopletrapon theflopalotwhichmakescheckingbehindmorecorrect,andsome bluffalotwhichmakesbettingmorecorrecttostopthemfromdo ingit(althoughiftheydoveryoftenthenmaybethebestwayto capitalizeistobluffraisetheturn).
Example 12
$25/50sixhanded,IopenUTGwithK10oto$175andamcalledby theBB.Asfarashandreadinggoes,theBBneedsaweakerhand thanotherpositionstocallbecausehealreadyhas$50committedto thepotsohehastocallasmallerbet,andalsonooneelseistoactso noonecanreraisehimoutofthepot.AlsoIraisedUTGsoheviews meashavingastronghand.Theflopis66Qandhechecks. Hereisagoodspottobetbecauseofthefactorsjustmentionedand themaingoalistobluffhimoffabetterhand.Hefolded.
Example 13
$25/50HU,opponentlimpsonthebuttonandIcheckwithJ8o.The flopisQQ9,Icheckandhebets$100.Therehadbeenoneother handwherehelimpedpreflopandbettheflopinashortspanof playingsobasedonthatitmakeshishandrangeherewiderand weakerthannormal.Alsoevenifhedoeshaveamadehandlikea pairofnineswhichisalotmorelikelythantripqueens,Iwillhave outs.SohereIcheckraisebluffedandhefolded.
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Example 14
$5/$10HU,Iraiseto$30with109oandtheopponentcalls.Theflop isJ57,hechecksandIcheck.Theopponenthasbeenplaying slightlytight(thoughnotparticularlypreflop)andaggressive.The factthatheplaystightandaggressive,andthefactthattheboardis coordinated,makeacheckraisetoolikelyhereforustotryabluff. Wealsohaveoutsintheshapeofagutshotdrawtothenutsand alsosomepairoutsthatmightbegood,butwemightnotgetthe opportunitytohitvs.anaggressiveopponentifwebettheflop(and getraised).Theturncamea3andhebet$30andIfolded.
Example 15
$50/$100,opponentlimpsonthebuttonandIcheckwith85o.The flopcomesAQ7o,Icheckandhebets$50.Intermsofhandread ingIthinkpreflopifhehadahandwithanaceinithewouldraise, soIdontthinkhehasapairofaces.Withapairofqueensorsevens hemightbetbuthemightchecktotryandtrapmeforasmallbet lateron.Alsoifhedoeshavethosehandshemightfoldtomy checkraise,butmostlikelyhehasnothing.SoIcheckraisedhereto $250asabluffandhefolded.
Example 16
$5/$10fivehanded,IbuttonraisewithJ9o,SBcallsandtheflop comesA104,thenhechecks.Peopleliketocallwithpocketpairs prefloptohitasetandthentrytogetmoneyin.Withlowconnec torspeoplewilljustcallbecausetheyareweakhands(especiallyout ofposition).Withhighcardslikestrongacestheywillsemibluff raiseandiftheygetcalledtryandpairup.Sohereinthissituation thereisntmuchinformationtogoonbutanaceisatthebottomof hishandrangeandwecandefinitelyhaveanaceonthebutton,plus ourjackhighhasnoshowdownvaluesothisisagoodspottocon tinuationbet.
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Example 17
$10/$25HU,opponenthas$500andIcover.IhaveJ-4andraiseto $75onthebutton,opponentcalls.Flopis273,hechecksandI check.PleasenotethatingeneralthemoreIraisepreflop(andI raisealot,almostautomaticallyascanbeseenbymyraiseherewith J4o)themoreIllhavetochecktheflopandshowdiscretion.Thisis becauseifIraisepreflopandthenbettheflopeverytimeIobviously canthavehittheflopeverytimeandhecantakeadvantageofiteas ilybybluffingme. Theturnisthe4,hechecksanditstome.Hereisaperfectexample ofatimenottotryandprotectmyhandwithabet.IfhecallsmeI havenooutsandifheraisesmeIcannotcall.IfhebeatsmeImbeat, andifheraisesmeitcouldverywellbeasemibluffbutIcantdo anythingaboutitbecauseeitherhehasalotofoutsorImdead. Thesereasonsareprettysimpleandoverwhelmingbutmostpeople letthethoughtoflookatallthosecardsthatcanhurtme,Iwantto justtakethepotdownnowmakethembet.Theproblemistheun derlyingmathwhichmakesitaclearfold.Basically,Istandtolosea lotmorethanIwinbyattemptingtoprotectmyhand.Themathis Ieitherwinamediumtosmallpercentofthepotbyforcinghimto foldahandthathasamediumtosmallnumberofoutsorIlosethe valueofthewholepotwithmypotsizedbetwhenhesimplycalls mewithbetterhands,andIlosethesamewhenheraisesmewith betterhandsorasabluff.Alsosincewehaveamadehandbut checkedtwiceitsalittletrickyandmaybewecangainalittlevalue ontheriver.Inthehandtheriverwasthe2andheledout$25. Thatlookslikeawackybetwithsomethingweirdlikeacehigh,soI minraisedhimto$50andhecalledwithQ10.
Example 18
$25/$50HU,stacksof$5,000,opponentlimpsonthebuttonandI raiseto$160intheBBwithJJ;hecalls.TheflopisA93.Betting toprotectmyhandisabadideahere.Saytheopponenthas910,
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orsayhehasK2,orsomethingevenasweakasQ-2;ifIbethe iscertainlynotfolding.Andhisequityisroughlyequaltomineon theflopsoImnotgaininganything.InsteadImbuildingapotout ofpositioninaveryprecariousspot.Hecouldalsoeasilytakea handlikethatandjustbluffmeoutofthepot,whichisobviously bad.Bettingtomakeaworsehandcalldoesntmakesensebecause hishandrangeisverynarrowforhandslikethathedneedto have9xwithnodiamondandeventhenhemightjustfoldthehand. Afterbettinghewillneverfoldoutabetterhand,andagaincon siderspecificallywhathands.Themostlikelyhandthatisbetter thanoursisapairofacesandhewouldntfoldthat.Wecheckand theturnistheA.Nowifhehasadiamondinhishandhisequity hasgonedownsignificantly,andthesecondaceontheboardalso makesitlesslikelythathehasone(andalsolesslikelythatwehave onesohewillbetemptedtocallusdownwithaweakerhand).Also hecheckedtheflopsuggestingthathedoesnthaveastronghandso nowwecanbetforvalueandtoprotectourhand.
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The Turn and River
Sophisticated play
Theabovepokerisbasicpoker,andappliedalongwithstrong mentaldisciplinewillyieldverysolidresults.ButtoplayHUand takepokertothenextlevelsomenewideasneedtobeadded.They stillrevolvearoundplayingwellthoughtoutpoker,havingaplan, controllingthepotsizeandgettingthemoneyinwell.Itsjustthat withinthatframeworksomenuancesneedtobeadded. Thebestplayersplaywithprecision.Iftheymakeacallitsbecause theythinktheyarebest,notbecausetheythinktheyhavetogiven theirhandstrength(theyfollowtheirinstincts).Someofthetimes youmighthaveaprettygoodhandandcallaflopbet,butforsome reasonyouareprettysureyouropponentisgoingtobettheturn again,andyourhandisntgoodenoughtocallthatbet.Thisis knownasaweakflopcall.Itcanalsohappenontheturn.Makea decisionaboutthehand(thisismoreapplicabletotheturncallthen theflop),makeareadaboutwhetheryouregoodornotandacton it.Theworstthingtodoisgetconfused,saydamnitandcall,then hebetsonthenextstreetlikeyouthoughthewouldandyousay
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damnit!(youarequiteabitangriernow)andquicklymuck.This isterribleplayandyouwilllosealotofmoneyonit. Conventionalwisdomsays,Everytimeyoucalltheturnwitha madehand,andthedrawmissesontheriver,youshouldbecalling theopponentspotsizedbet.Thisisnottrue.Playpreciselyif younowthinkyouarebeatyoucanfold.Sometimesagainstagood playeryoucallaturnbet,thedrawmissesandtheybettheriver,so youdonthaveanynewinformationandareunsureofhowtopro ceed.Thisisbecausetheyareplayinggoodpokerandyoucant handreadthem.Inthiscaseyoushouldmakeadecisionontheturn becauseyoudontgainanythingbywaitinguntiltheriver.Against abadplayer,oraplayerwhoyoucanreadwell,youmightmake callsontheturnandthenaftergainingmoreinformationfoldwhen theybetontheriver.Thesearebadplayersandyoucanoutplay them.Ontheturnyouthinkyouareahead,buthisriveractionwill tellyouotherwisesoyoucalltheturnandreservejudgmentuntil yougainmoreinformation. Whateverthepotsize,itsveryimportanttoplayprecisepoker dontgiveanythingawayanddontplayweak.Ifyouregoingto play,fightforthepot,mixitupandraisehimlateron,callhim down,orreevaluateyourdecisionandfold.But,donotmake sloppycallsandslowlyhemorrhagemoneyawaytoanaggressive playerthisisoneoftheworstpokersins.
Considering future cards

Whencomingupwithaplan,themorefuturethingsthatcould happenthatyouconsiderthebettertheplan.Abeginnerwillstart outwiththemostbasicplan,onlyforeseeingwhatwillhappenin thecaseofafewcardscoming.Forinstanceifhehasaflushdrawhe willconsidertwodifferentcaseswhentheflushcardcomesand whenitdoesnt.However,theadvancedplayerwillseemanydif ferentcases.Takeforinstancethissituation.Theboardis1093, andtheexperthas87o.Hedoesntjustseeeightcardsthatcome
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thathitastraightandeightthatdont.Heseesthreecardsthatgive himthenutstraightwithouthittingaflush,acardthatgiveshimthe nonnutstraightandhitstheflushandfourcardsthatgivehimthe nutstraightoneofwhichhitsaflush.Healsoseesalltheflush cardsthatcancome,andalsononflushovercards.Soforinstance saytheopponentbets,andtheexpertdoesnthavetheoddstocall onstraightforwardconsiderationslikejusthowoftenthestraight comes.Maybeheputstheopponentonapairoftens,andthen maybehecanwinabigpotifthestraighthits,orbluffiftheright cardscomes(likeaflushcardorscaryovercards). Anotherwaytoconsiderfuturecardsthatcancomeisnotjustif theycanbeusedtobluffbyyou,butifyouropponentcanusethem tobluffyououtofthepot.Thisismoreofaconsiderationthemore aggressiveandskilledyouropponentis.Anotherconsiderationis thatwhenyouareontheflopandhaveabighandmostofthetime youarentconcernedwithcardscomingthatallowyouropponent tooutdrawyousomuchascardscomingthatarescaryforyourop ponentandruintheaction. Forexample,playing$10/$25HUifwebothhave$2,500andmy opponentisplayingstandard.Iraiseto$75withA-7,hecalls,the flopis1086,hechecksandIbet$125andhecalls.Iftheturnis theKthisisagreatcardtocontinuethesemibluffon.Hejust calledtheflopanddidntraisesohishandisprobablyweak.The turnisscaryforhimandIcouldhavehadagoodhandalready,orI couldhavehitthekingoraflushandmaybeevenmoreimportantly heknowshewillfaceahardriverdecision.Ifhecalls,Imostlikely havealotofoutsandeveniftheyarentoutstheywillbescary cardsforhimthatIcanbluffon.Thatisthepowerofsemibluffing evenifheknowsImightbesemibluffingthereisntmuchhecando aboutit.Anotherreasonthisisagoodtimetocontinuewiththe bluffisthatthereisnovaluehereincheckingbehindontheturn, tryingtohitthedrawandgettingmoremoneyinontheriver.My drawsmightmakemethebesthandbutarentstrongenoughtoex tractalotofvalueontheriversoitsnotasmuchofaproblemifhe checkraisesmeoffthehand.
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Nowletsconsideranotherhandinevenmoredetail.Supposewe areplaying$25/$50HU,wehave$5,000stacks,Iraiseonbuttonto $150with78oandhecalls.Theflopis56Q,hechecks,Ibet $225andheraisesto$600andIcall.Theturnisthe10andhebets outpotof$1,500.Imgoingtohitastraight8/46times,sobasedon potoddsIcannotcall.Andsincetwoofthosestraightcardsalso bringtheflushheprobablywontpaymeoffonthosebecausehell beafraid,soIhaveimpliedoddsforsixofthecardstocome.Sothe mathisasfollows: 38/46($1,500) + 2/46($3,000) + 6/46($6,000) = $326 Thepreviousequationissaying38/46timesanonstraightcard comessowelosethe$1,500wecallwithontheturn,2/46timesa straightcardwillcomethatisalsoaflushcardsotheopponentwill bescaredandnotpayusoffforariverbetsowejustwinthe$3,000 inthepotontheturn,andfinally6/46timesanonscarystraight cardwillcomeandwecangetpaidoffforapotsizedbetonriverso wewinatotalof$6,000,andthiscomesouttoanexpectedvalueof $326.Thisishelpfulanalysistodo,butdoesnttellthewholestory. Considernotjustthetimesstraightcardsandnonstraightcards comebutseparatethecardsintomorecategoriesstraightcards, flushcards,andnoneoftheabove.Letssayonaflushcardtheop ponentwillbescaredandwecanusetheflushcardstostealthepot withabluff.Thenthemathisasfollows: 9/46($3,000) + 6/46($6,000) + 31/46(-$1,500) = $359 Thismeansthe9/46timesaflushcardwillcomeandtheopponent willfoldwhenyoublufftheriversoyouwinthe$3,000inthepot ontheturn.6/46timesanonflushstraightcardwillcomeandthe
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opponentwillpayyouoff,and31/46timestheopponentshandwill remaingoodandwellbeunabletobluffhimoutsowelose$1,500. Suddenlywiththismoreaccurateplanacallcanbecomegood.But eventhisisstillabigsimplification,asconsiderthatsomeofthe timetheopponentwillmakeabigcalldownwhentheflushcomes, orthathemightevenhavetheflushdrawhimself.Oreventhe timesthathedoesntpayusoffwhenanonflushstraightcard comes,orthetimesheisbluffingandifwepairupthe8or7inour handthenwewin.Sothesituationmightbeclosertothis: 9/46(0.8*$3,000 + 0.2*-$4,500) + 6/46(0.8*$6,000 + 0.2*$3,000) + 6/46(0.9*-$1,500 + 0.1*$3,000) + 25/46(-$1,500) = $46 Thismathisanevenmoreaccuratemodelofwhatisreallygoingon inthissituation.Itissayingthat9/46timesaflushcardwillcome, andthenwhenthathappens,80%ofthetimewecansuccessfully blufftheopponentandwinthe$3,000potand20%ofthetimehe willcallusdownandthenwelose$4,500(the$1,500fortheturncall and$3,000forriverbluff);6/46timeswellhitanonflushstraight, and80%ofthetimehellpayusofffortheriverbetandwewin $6,000but20%ofthetimehellfindafoldandweonlywin$3,000; 6/46timeswepairuptheeightsorsevensinanonflush,ofwhich 90%ofthetimethishasnorelevanceandhellcontinuebettingand welllose,orhellcheckandhavethebesthandinashowdown,but maybeasmallpercentageofthetimesay10%hellcheckwitha bluffandwecanwinthepot;andfinallywhentheother25/46other cardscancomeandwelllosethe$1,500. Thisallcomesouttoaprofitof$46.Itsinterestingtoseehowwhen wearecallingwith$1,500ontheturnandplanningon$3,000bets ontheriver,theedgeinthehandcameouttobesosmall.Bylook ingatthemathitbecomesclearwhatisimportant.Forinstance,it needstobeveryclearthattheopponentwillfoldwhentheflush cardcomesandwecansuccessfullybluffthatcardifnottheplay
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losesalotofvalue.Notethatthebetteraplayeris,themoreintothe futuretheycanseeandplanfor,andareallygoodplayersplan wouldincludecontingenciesforevenmorethanwhatistalked aboutabove.Forinstanceontheturn,agoodplayerwouldknow thereareothercardsthatalsobringupinterestingsituationslike nonflushaces,jacksorkings,whichmightbegoodcardstobluffon. Ormaybewithintheflushcardsthatcouldcometherewillbesome thatcanbebluffedandsomethatcannotbebluffed.
Ev+ vs. Ev+++

Youshouldalwaystrytofindthebestlineineverysituationwith outsettlingtooeasilyonamerelymediocreorstandardline.There areafewtraitstobattleherefear,greedandlaziness.Fearcomes intoplaybecausethelinethatmakesthemostamountofmoneyfor youmightbeatrickylinethatrequirestoughdecisionsonlater streets.Oritcouldbefearthatyouwilllooksillyandfoolishfor playingahandinadifferentway.Greedcomesintoplaybecause youcouldquicklyseealinethatwillmakemoneyandwanttojump onitrightaway.Thisgreedwillonlypreventyoufromrationally thinkingaboutthehandinprogressandactuallymakingevenmore money.Andfinallythereissimplementallazinessnotthinking aboutthebestlineandjustplayingstandardpokerandthatcostsa lotofmoneytoo. Ifyoumakeaniceplayandwinapotdontbetoohappywithyour selfanalyzethehandandseeifyoucouldhaveplayeditevenbet ter.Forexample,maybeina$25/50livegameaquietkidwhoisnot uptomuchopensinEPwith$125andIlookdownandseeanytwo cardsandraiseto$450.Betsizestellalot,andinthissituationittells methatthekidwantstoseeaflopcheaplywithamediocreholding. Withhis$125bethestryingtoblockpeopleup.SoIhave5-8and raiseto$450expectingtotakeitdown.IfhecallsIwillusemyposi tionandsuperiorplayingskillstobeathim.Ireraisedpreflopso therearealotofhighcardslikeaces,kingsorqueensIcanuseto
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bluffhimout.TheonlydifficultyisifhehasthehandIamrepre senting,butnonethelessIwillusemypositiontofeelhimout,figure whathehasandbluffhimifIcanonthescarecards.IfIhitmyhand isquitedisguised.Asalwaysthishasthebenefitofguaranteeingac tionwhenIdogetabighand. SoanywayhemakesanunexpectedcallandtheflopisKQ8. Hechecks.Itsunclearatthispointwherehesat.IfIbetandhe raisesweregoingallinandprobablyrunningsomesortof50/50 situation,orhecouldfoldstraightaway.SoifIbetthetwowaysthe handcouldgoarethatwegambleinabigpotwhereIdonthavea bigedgeorhefoldsontheflopbecauseheisweakandItakedown thesmallpot.Note,ifheisweakandfoldstomyflopbet,myhand isprobablygoodasitis,sothereisnoneedtoevenbetontheflop andgethimoutofthepot. Theotheroptionistoplaydeceptivelyandcheckbehindontheflop andtryandwaituntilIhitabighandandgetallthemoneyinat thatpoint.SosinceIhavepositiononhim,Icheckandtheturnis the9.Hebetsout$700,andifIraisehesgoingtohaveahardtime puttingmeonarealhand.Acesbettheflop,andkingsandqueens thataresetsbetthefloptoobecausetherearesomanycardstocome offandslowtheaction.Plusifmyopponenthasadrawhemight putinaraiseanditsbesttogetthemoneyinontheflop.AlsoifI bettheflopandheflatcalled,andtheturncomesaflushcardandI betbigagain,itsaloteasiertoputmeonaflushsincemostpeople willsemiblufftheflushdrawontheflop. SohereIaminareraisedpotlookingatawonderfullydisguised handandraiseto$2,400.Itseemslikesomeofmymostlikelyhands areanyhandwithoneclubinitthatissemibluffing(e.g.A-Joor 10J)ormaybetoppair.SometimesIllgettrickywithKJoforin stanceonthatflopbecausemyhandisntthatstrong,soweaker handsarentgoingtocallmuchunlessIadddeceptionbychecking. SomaybeIhavethatKJoandamraisingtheturntofreezehimup, valuebetvs.anyweakerhandshehaswithadrawandtakeafree showdownthatswhatmymediumsizedraisewasintendedto
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representanyway.OntheotherhandIwantedtomakemyraisebig enoughtocommithimforabigriverbet.Hecalls,therivercomesa rag,andhechecks.SoIbet$4,500,justpickingthebiggestnumberI thinkIcangetcalled.Hemullsoveritalongtimeandeventually callsandloseswithhissetofeights. Nowletslookatanotherhand.Thegameis$10/$25threehanded;I raisewithAQoonthebuttonto$85andtheBBcalls.Wehave $2,500each.TheflopisA53andhecheckcallsa$165bet.Theturn comesa5,andhecheckssoIcheckbehind.Thisisaboutpotcon trolIthinkIamaheadhereandIthinkthatthereisagoodchance Icangetmorevalueoutofhim,butonlyonebetnottwo.Myhand isntstrongenough(i.e.hecanthaveastrongenoughbutworse hand)tocallaturnbetandariverbet.Thestrengthofourhands makesitsoitspossibletogetmaybeonebetoutofhim,andits morelikelyIwillgetthatbetontherivernottheturn.Bettingonthe rivernottheturnismoresuspicioustohimandalsohegetstosee mycardsimmediatelyontheturnhehastoworryaboutafuture riverbet.Alsoitsaverydryboardsogettingoutdrawnisnta worrysoallthosefactorsmakeitaperfectsituationtocheckthe turnandtryandgetvalueontheriver. TherivercomesaK,andheleadsoutfor$200.WhatIdidhereand whatIexpectmostpokerplayerswhoarevastlyinferiortome woulddohereisbealittleupset,maybealittlehopefulthattheyre stillgoingtowinandjustquicklycall.However,thatsmissingabig opportunity.Letsdosomehandreadingtoseewhyfirst,thepre flopactionactuallytellsusquiteabit.Heputmoneyintothepotso hethinkshishandisgood.Thehigherthecardsareinahand,the betterthehandis,andthemorelikelyitistheplayerwillplayapot withthem.Whichmeansthatthemostlikelycardforhimtohavein hishandisanace,thesecondmostlikelyaking,andsoon. Hisbetsizeontheriveralsoshowshedoesnthaveafiveinhis handbecauseifhedidhewouldwantmorevalue,whichmeans bettingbiggerorgoingforacheckraise.Afinalreasonheprobably doesnthaveafiveinhishandisbecausenowthereisnotjustone
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fiveontheboardbuttwofives,whichmeanstherearenowonly twofivesinthedeckforhimtohaveandnotthree.Heclearlyis telegraphingapairofaces,andhereanacesuphandisntaworry hecantAKashewouldreraisepreflop.Soweareverysurehere ourhandiseitherbestormorelikelytied. Thewinningplayhereistoraisebigandmakeitscaryforhimand trytomakehimfoldtoscoop100%ofthepot,not50%ofthepot withalmostnorisktous.InthehandIcalledandgotshownA10. Maybehedcallmybigscaryraisebecausehessmartandreasoned itout,butmaybehewouldnt.Andevenifhedoesitsgoodforus andourimage,makinguslookscaryandunpredictableandletting himknowwedontneedtohavethenutstoraisebig. Onenoteonthemetagamethere.FormeitsgoodthathethinksI dontneedthenutstoraisebigbecausemypersonalstrategyin poker(althoughthiscanchangedependingontheopponent)isto normallyhaveabighandwhenIraisebig,soIwanthimtothink theoppositeofme.However,thereisnothinginherentlygoodabout thatforsomepeoplemaybetheywouldwanttocultivatetheop positeimageofbeingtightandonlyraisingbigwhentheyhavea goodhandandthenplaytheoppositeandtakeadvantageofthatby bluffing. Itdependsonwhatstyleyouliketoplay,anditalsodependsonthe naturalstyleoftheopponent.Forinstanceiftheopponentisnatu rallyaloosecrazyplayerthenhealreadymakestheerrorofplaying toomanybigpots.Itwouldbealotofworktomakethisplayerre versehistendenciescompletelyandtryandmakemoneyfromhim bydevelopingatightimageandbluffinghim.Itmakesalotmore sensetotakeadvantageofhisnaturalweaknessanddevelopawild bluffingimage,andtheninrealityplaytightandsolidandmake moneywhenhecallsandyouhaveagoodhand.Inpokeritsim portantnotjusttofindaplaythatmakesusmoney.Thekeyisal waystocompareallthedifferentoptionsandfindwhichhasthe highestEV.SoevenifoneplayhasanEVof$200,dontimmediately makethatplayconsiderifanotheroptionyieldsahigher$EV.
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Brunsonalsosaidthattheflopiswherehemakesallhisdecisions onthehandbutthisisalsonotanoptimalstrategy.Thebasicideais thathewasaggressiveandthatwashissystem.Thismightwork sometimesforinstanceifplaying$50/$100anopponentraisesto $350,Icallwith8-9anditsHU.TheflopisA84,andheleads out$750.NowIcouldgoallinfor$9,000moreandmaybetakeit downandwinthe$1,500inthepotorraceitvs.AK.OrIcouldcall andtrytooutplayhimonthefollowingstreets.Againstagood playeryoucantoutplaythemsobemoreaggressive,butwhen playingabadplayerwhereyoucanplayasmanystreetsasyoucan, getasmuchinformationasyoucan,andgiveyourselfasmany chancesasyoucantooutplaythem. SoIcalled,theturncamethe2andhequicklyledoutfor$2,500, whichindicatesastronghandforhim.Sowithoutthinkingmuch aboutitIfiguredheprobablyhasastrongacelikeAK.Thisisa closedecisionbutImgetting2:1potoddswithprobably13outs from44cardsandthenIalsohaveimpliedodds.Heisaplayerwho callsalotsoIthinkhedprobablycallanallinwithAK.Remember, justbecauseyouhaveastrongdrawdoesntmeanyouneedto raiseastrongdrawisstillalotweakerthanAK.Itsstrengthlies inthefactthatitisneverdominated,whereasAKcaneasilybe dominated.However,iftheopponentcallsalotdrawsarentworth much,sowaittohitthemandwaitforstrongmadehands. SoIcalled,therivercamethe10andhethoughtforasecondand ledoutallin,Icalled,andhehad44.Inretrospectthisplayerisso badthathisinstantpotbetontheturnmightnotevenhavebeen AKtheresadecentchanceitsAA,88,44,A8,orA4.Outof positionevenagainstabadopponentitmighthavebeencorrectto foldhere.SinceIhavepositionthough,thingsbecomemuchharder forhim,especiallysinceIvebeenfloatingwithalotofhandsto stealitlater.Asitis,thewayIplayeditturnedouttobeprettygood. EventhoughhehadasetontheturnIhad9/44outs,or4:1,Imget ting2:1immediatepotoddsandhehasanother$5,500behindsoIm gettingabout4:1withimpliedoddswhichisevenmoney.Thenif eitheroftheeightscomeIcantfoldandlosemystack.Ifa9comes
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andhechecksIobviouslygoallin,andifhebetsallinitsatough foldthatImaynotmakeinthegamebutifIhadachancetothinkit throughIprobablywouldsincehesabadplayerandImightbe abletoreadwhathehassincewhenhebetsstronghenormallyhas somethingbig.
Bet Sizing
Betsizesgiveoffinformation,andyoucanusetheinformation givenoffbythesizeofsomeonesbettohelpreadtheirhand.Say someoneminraisesprefloptoopenupthebetting.Whatdoestheir betsizemean?Itmeanstheyhaveahandthattheywanttoseea flopwithbutitsnotgoodenoughtoraisealargeamountorplaya bigpotpreflopwith.Theydontlimpbecausetheydontwantto havetocallaraisebehindthem.Basicallywhatitmeansistheyare tryingtoseetheflopascheaplyaspossible.Thiscanbeagoodspot toautoraisewithanytwocards(thiscantbedoneeverytime thoughoryouropponentwillknowsomethingisupandplayback atyou).Ittakestimeandexperienceanditsacontinualprocessof refininghowtochangegearsandhowoftentheseplayscanbedone. ForexampleconsiderahandofHU$2/4wheretheopponentraises onthebuttonandIcallwith67s.TheflopisKQ6,Icheckandhe checks.TheturnisaQo,Icheckandhebets$12.Ifhehadakinghe wouldhavebetthefloporprobablycheckedtheturnagaintotrap. Orhewouldbetmoreontheturnbecausehiskingshouldgethim morevaluethanhalfthepotandmorevaluewillprobablybeob tainedbybettingfullpotorbycheckingbehindtobetricky.Ifitsa queenhewouldwanttobuildabigpotsohedbetmoremoney. Asitis,itlookslikehehasamediocretoweakhandorisbluffing. Thequestioniswhethertocallorraise?Agoodthinkingopponent whohassay99couldcallacheckraisebecausetheyknowtheyin duceditbyactingweakanditisdifficulttoputmeonahand.And wouldakingcheck/raisetheturnlikethat?Akingwouldprobably leadtheturnorcheckcall,sincecheckraisingisastronglineforit.
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OfcourseIddefinitelyplayaqueenlikethatbuttripsarehardto comebyanditseithertripsorasemibluffofsomesort.However thisopponentwasweakandifIcallthenIfacethedisadvantagesof lettinghimhaveachancetooutdrawme,orhecouldbevaluebet tingwith77JJ.Acoupleofreasonstocallhereareiftheoppo nentistoughandwillcalldownlightoriftheopponentwillbluff againifIcall,butnoneofthoseappliedheresoIraisedthepotand hequicklyfolded
Instincts
Itisoldadvicebutgoodadvicethatbearsrepeatingtrustyourin stincts.Donotentirelyplayonyourinstinctsthough,trustthembut alsologicallyandconsciouslythinkthroughhands.Alotofthetime inahandyouwillnothavethetimeorthewherewithaltologically andconsciouslythinkthroughit.Instinctsareyoursubconscious tellingyouwhattodoinagivensituationgivenallyouvealready learnedinpoker.Trynottogetflusteredinahandcalmdown, thinkthroughthehandasbestyoucantoconsciouslyreason throughthebestplay,balancethatwithwhatyourinstinctstellyou todo,andthenact.Afterthepokersessionisoverrunthroughthe handsinyourheadandfullyfigureouthowyoushouldhave playedthem. Forexample,playing$25/$50liveattheBellagio,UTGwhoisabad playerstraddlesto$100,IraiseinEPto$300with88,andthenext playertoactisLeeMarcaultwhocallsandsodoesUTG(whowill almostalwayscallthere).Thisisagoodspottobettheflopevery timewithnothing(andifyourhandisbigenough,dothecon versecheckandtrap).Thereasonisthestraddleinflatesthepotso itisbigandmyflopbetwillbebig.AdditionallyIminEPsoIget morecreditforabighand.AndfinallyImbettingintoathreeway potwhichisstrongerthanacontinuationbetintoaheadsuppot. Oratleastthatswhatitlookslikeatfirstglance.However,inactu alityIknowUTGcalledpreflopsohesweakandfoldingtheflop
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almostallthetime.Soaddthesefactorstogetherandaflopbettakes itdownmostofthetime.Sincethatistrue,ifthissituationaroseand Ihadastronghandontheflop,thoughthespecificsoftheflopand myhandwouldbethedecidingfactor,Idstronglyconsidercheck ingandtrapping. Thentheflopwasdealt,774.Withahandlike88itsnotstrong enoughtoinducebluffshereforafewreasons.Leeisagoodplayer soIdontwanttobeplayingwithfireandgettingintomarginalpots outofpositionvs.him.IfIcheckandhebetstheresagoodchance hejusthasmebeatwithahigherpocketpair,andifhedoesnthave mebeatnowheandUTGcanhavealotofovercardstooutdrawme. SoIbetout$700intothe$975pot.LeecallsandUTGfolds.Theturn comesa7.NowLeesagoodplayer,soImgoingtotreadcautiously andgivehimrespectbecausehehaspositionandhascalledtwo betsofminealready.Heisnotloose,passiveorweak,soifIbetthe turnheisnotgoingtocallmeandthenletmewinthepotwitha marginalhandlike88hewillbluffraiseme,raisemewithabet terhand,orjustfoldsoabetdoesntgainmuchformehere(unless Impreparedtobetandcallaraise).SoIcheckandhechecks.The riverisanacenotagoodcardforme,obviously.Icheckandhe bets$1,500.MyinstinctstellmeifIcallImgoingtobeshippingmy cardsintothemuck.Itrytoreasonitthroughthoughandcomeup withrationalizationstocalllikemaybeheismakingthebetwitha lowerpocketpairlike2266andtryingtousetheaceasascare cardtobluffmeoffmyhigherpocketpair.Alsothereareonlyafew acehighflushdrawshecouldhave. SoIcallandgetshownA-10.Afterreasoningitoutmorefully (again,itshardtodothisduringahand)itisaclearfold.Firstofall, takingamadeweakhandlike2266andusingtheaceonthe rivertobluffisafairlyadvancedplay.Mostpeoplewilljusttake thatfreeshowdown.ItmeansLeeneedstohaveareallygoodread onme,namelythatIhaveexactly88KK.Alsothisbringsupan otherpointmyplayistotallyconsistentwithA10AK.With A10AKIcouldhavebettheflopasasemiblufftonotletmyself getbluffedout,givenupontheturn,andthenontheriverifIhitan
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aceIdbeprettysurehesnotcallingandmyonlychanceistoin duceabluff.Sobasicallyhesgoingtohaveahardertimerepresent ingthatpairofacesiftheresadecentchanceIinfacthavetheaces myself.Furthermorewith2266Leeisactuallyprobablygoingto befoldingontheflopbecauseofallthereasonsIlistedaboveabout howstrongIlook.ItistrueLeecouldhaveaflushdrawwithoutan acesomyplayisnottotallywithoutvaluebutinthiscaseIshould havetrustedmyinstinctsandnotletfaultyrationalizationsand quickthinkingletmegettrappedfora$1,500bet.
Partofmystyleofplayistochecktheflopmorethanmostpeople. Thisslowstheactiondownandextendsitsomorestreetsareplayed, morecardsareshown,andIgettoseemoreofmyopponentsaction. Acommonresponsetothisadviceisbutthencanthejustbetinto youontheturnwithanything?.Ofcoursehecan,andifhedoes thatIcanadjustbycallingtheturnweakerthannormal,orbybluff raisingit.ThatisthewholepointIfeelconfidentinmyplaysoI dontneedtoplayitsafeandstandardontheflopandalwaysbetto makethehandeasytoplay.Illmakethehandhardertoplaylater onbecauseImconfidentinmyabilities.Andbecausetherewillbe harderdecisionstomakelateroninthehandthantherewouldbeif Isimplybettheflopeverytimewhichwillgivememoreopportuni tiestooutplaymyopponent,whichiswhatIwantsinceIfancymy selfabetterplayerthanhim.IfhedoesstartoutplayingmeafterI checktoomuchthenIwillhavetoadjustandreverttoplayinga morestandardaggressivestyleofbettingtheflopmore. Whenplayingheadsuptheadjustmentsandstrategyyouuse againstyouropponentarecruciallyimportant.Consciouslythink abouthowyouaregoingtomakemoneyagainstyouropponent.Is itbybeingaggressiveandpushinghimaround?Ishegoingtoforce youtogambleinmarginalspotsorcanyouwaitforbighands?Here isanexampleofatimewhereIshouldhavethoughtmorecarefully
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aboutthecorrectstrategyagainstacertainplayer.Myopponentat $10/$25wasplayingverypoorlyandlikehewasonconstanttilt.He had$1,300infrontofhimandIcovered.Ilimpedwith107onthe buttonandheraisedto$75,andIcalled.Ididntraisesincehewas callingeveryraisepreflopandIdontwanttoputmuchmoneyin with107preflop,butIwantedtoplaythehandinpositionsoI calledhisraise.Theflopis722andheleadswithapotsizedbet. ThereisaverygoodchanceIamaheadagainstthisopponentbut thestacksizesareawkwardbecauseifIraiseandhemovesallinI willhavetocallbutIwontbeveryhappyaboutmyhand.AlsoifI raiseandhehasnothinghecanfoldeasily.Ishouldhavejustcalled giventhestacksizesandthewaymyopponenthadbeenplaying. Sincehewasplayingsobad,itwouldbealmostinevitablethathe wouldgobroke.Ididntneedtoriskmymoneyhere,andshould havewaitedforabetterspot. Hereisanotherhandwhereat$25/$50myopponentplaysokay normallybutisontiltnowafterlosingalotofmoney.HUheraises onthebuttonandIcallwithA8;theflopis865.Ileadoutthepot of$300andheraisesto$1,200(hehasastackof$3,500).Iwaspretty sureIwasaheadbutthisisthesortofboardwhereIameitherway aheadorwaybehind.Againthemainpointisthatagainstthisop ponentIdontneedtogambleIcanjustwaitforahandandthere isnoneedtogivehimlooseaction.Thiswillfrustratehimandhell playworseandworsetryingtowinhismoneybackfast.Orevenif hetightensupforabithellcrackeventually(unfortunatelyinthis handitwasmethatcrackedandIwentallin).Thesamereasons applyagainifIlosethisbigpotIcouldtilt,hecanplaybetterorhe canleavethegame.Itsafoldforstrategicreasons. Wevesaidalreadythatitsimportanttogetasmuchmoneyoutof everysituationaspossible.Onemoresituationisagroupofmany handsversusanopponent.Whenitbecomesclearinwhatdirection thisopponentismakingamistake,youllnaturallywanttoexploitit. ForinstancesayIveraisedoneverybuttonwithanytwocardsver susweakblindsforafeworbits.Thenextorbitthesameplaywill stillshowanexpectedprofit,buttheexpectedvaluewilldecrease
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everytimeImakethisplay.Bydoingiteverytimeitwillbeeasier forthemtoadjusttomyplayandfightbackatme.Soevenifan autoraiseisprofitableitmightmakesensetotakesomeofthe weakerhandsandfoldthemanywaytoshowsomerespectandnot gettheopponentsangry. Similarly,thereisacorrectamountofthetimetodefendtheblinds vs.abuttonraisepreflop,butmostopponentswillplayincorrectly inonedirectionortheother.Iftheyareplayingtootightyouwant tokeepthempredictableandpushthemfurtherintheincorrectdi rectiontheyreplaying.Byraisingliterallyeverytimeyouaremak ingyourstrategytransparentandeventheworstopponentwillad justandbecomelooserandstartplayingmorecorrectly.Soitmakes sensetoslowdowninmarginallyprofitablespotswiththeworst handspreflopjusttoshowalittlerespectandkeeptheopponent predictableandplayingincorrectly.Thenasplaycontinuesyoucan slowlybleedthemeasily,insteadofforcingthesituationtoosoonin amarginalspot. Howoftenyoucanexploittheopponentsweaknessversusshowing themrespectisafunctionofhowbadtheopponentis,ormorespe cificallyhowslowtheywillbetoadjust.Theworsetheyarethenthe moreyoucantakeadvantageoftheirbadplaywithoutthemeither noticingorknowinghowtoadjust,butthebettertheyaretheless youcantakeadvantageoftheirweaknessandsomorecaution needstobeshowninspotsthatshowsmallexpectedvalue.
Metagame
Decisionsshouldnotberandomizedtobemadeunpredictable.You shoulduseeverypieceofinformationavailabletoweightheadvan tagesanddisadvantagesofmakingaparticularplayversusapar ticularplay.Theniftheresultisroughlyequal,addinmoreinfor mationandkeepaddingmoreinformationuntilyoucancometoa decision.Randomnessisnotneededtokeepyouropponentguess ingbecauseyoucansimplyoutthinkyouropponent.Insteadof
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makingarandomplayandnotknowinghowyouropponentisgo ingtoreactyourgoalshouldbetomakeaplayandknowexactly whatyouropponentisgoingtodo.Ofcourseallthisassumesyou areabetterplayerifyouarentthentheywilloutthinkyouandin thatcasemaybemorerandomnessisneeded.Butinthatcaseifitis HUyoushouldjustquitandifitisshorthandedyoucanadjust yourplaydrasticallytonotentermanypotswithhim. Metagameisnotasimportantasmanypeoplethink.Themostim portantfactorishandreadingandifyouhandreadwellandplay accordingly,metagametakescareofitself.Playersoftenusemeta gameasanexcuseforplayingsuboptimally.Forinstancebadplay ersoftenthinksomethinglikeokayitstheriverandIjusthavea sevenhigh,andIfeellikeheprobablywillcallmybluffgiventhe actiononthehandbutitwillbeembarrassingtolosethepotwith sevenhigh.TheresalwaysachancehewillfoldifIbluffplusitwill beawesomeformymetagamedownthelinehewillcallmemore oftenwhenIgetrealhands!Thereislogicbehindthislineofthink ingbutatitscore,itsarationalizationofabadplay. Similarly,aplayermaybluffafewtimesbybettingbigontheriver andthenbettheriverbigagain.Youmightthinkhesdueforabig handhereorhewassettingthisplayupwiththelastfewbluffs, hewouldntbluffagain,thistimehemusthaveit.Thislineof thinkingisalsoillogical.Inpokerifsomeonehascalledyourriver raisessevenofthelast12timesthenhesmorelikelythannotcalling thisnextone.Sodontrationalizeyourinternaldesiretobluffallin becauseyoudontwanttogiveupthehandhesbeencallingbe foreandhewilllikelycallthistime.Gowithyourreadifyour readsayshescalling,dontbluffallinevenifitwouldmakeyour metagamelooknicerandbalanceoutyourplaymore. Itistruehoweverthatmetagamethinking,putintoappropriateper spective,willleadyoutoplaybetterpoker.Youllbeinsomesitua tionswithamonsterandthinkthereisnowayhecanpaymeoff, thereisonlyonehandIcouldhavehere,heisdefinitelyfolding andthenhellfold.Sowhatyouneedtodoisplaysomeweaker
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handslikethattoo.Forexamplesaysomeoneraises,andsomeone elsereraises.Itnormallymakesnosenseheretocoldcallwith109o. Howeverinthishandyouhappentoreadthemasfairlyweak,and ifyoualsoreadthattheyaresmartenoughtofoldhandsthatappear tobesecondbestandtheyunderstandthatnormallyyouonlycold calltherewithacestotrapthemthengoaheadandcallwith109o onceinawhilesoyoucantakeitawayfromthemontheflop.Youll almostneverneedtogetthisfancy,though,becausemostplayers arebadandactuallywillgettrappedwhenyoucoldcallwithaces theresoitiscallingwith109sthatisthebadplay. Anotherimportantpointisthatgoodplayersdontmakerandom decisionsformetagamepurposes.Goodplayersdontmixuptheir pokergamerandomly.Theydontdoitrandomlybecausetheyare betterthantheiropponentssotheydontneedtorandomize.They getmoreinformationthantheygiveaway,theycanoutreadand outplaytheiropponents,andsoinsteadofflippingacoinon whetherornottocallabigbetontheriverformetagamereasonsa goodplayerwilljustmakeareadonthesituationtheywillthink backoverthehandandkeepaddingmoreinformationuntilthey cantiltthedecisiononewayortheother.Agoodplayerwouldnt makealoosecalldownwhereheknowshewillprobablylosejust sotheopponentwontbluffinthefuture.Theywillfoldinthat situationwhenitiscorrecttofold,andthenifhefeelshisopponent willbluffmoreinthefuturebecauseofit,hewilljustcorrectlyopen uphiscallingrangeinthefuture.Inthiswayheadjustsandout playshisopponent.
Example hands
Example 1
$10/$25HU,opponentisplayingdecentandstraightforward.He raisesonthebuttonto$75andIcall.TheflopisJJ8Icheckandhe
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checks.Turnisa4,Ibetpot$150andheminraisesto$300.Itakemy twocardsandthreebetto$950.Hisminraiseontheturnissayinghe wantstocontrolthepotsizeandkeepitsmall,andfreezemeup.He isnottryingtobuildthepotasbigashecanheissayinghedoes nothaveajack.WithmyplayIamsayingIdohaveajackandifhe doesntbelievemehedoesntjustcalltheraiseof$650ontheturn.He mayormaynotfaceabigriverbettoo.InthisparticularhandIhada flushdrawthemoreoutsyouhaveinthesespotsthebetter.
Example 2
$25/$50HU,opponenthas$2,200andIcover.Helimpsonthebut ton,IhaveK9oandraiseto$150becauseheisweakandeven thoughImoutofpositionIthinkIcanoutplayhimpostflop.The flopcomes345andbecausehecanfloattheflopwithasweak asacehighandIllbeintoughshapeontheturntodoanything aboutitIcheckedtheflopandhecheckedbehind.Theturnisthe5, Iled$300andhecalled.TheriveristheA,andthepotis$900soI wentallinfortheoverbetof$1,500.Thebasisofthisplayisthatmy playisconsistentandrepresentsaflushandbigbetsarehardtocall.
Example 3
$25/$50HU,Ihavetwocardsandcallaminraiseto$100.Theflopis 1023anditischeckcheck,theturnisa10,check/check,theriveris a4.Hedoesnthaveatenbecausemostpeoplewouldbetitonthe flop,andifnottheydbetitontheturnbecausetheyhavetripsand wanttobuildapot.Ontheriver,Ileadout$300intothe$200poton thebasisthatIknowhedoesnthaveaten,soheisweakandmybet isbigandveryhardtocallwithamediocrehand.
Example 4
$10/$25HU,opponentisstraightforwardandalittleloose.Ihave K-5andraiseto$75andhecalls.Theflopis1054,hecheck
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callsa$125bet.Theturnisthe9,checkcheck.RiverisJandhe checks.ImprettysureIhavethebesthand,andheisstraightfor wardsoIbetasmuchasIthoughthedcall.Ibet$65andhemadea sillydesperationcallwith22.Sinceheisastraightforwardandeasy toplayagainst,thissmallrivervaluebet(wheremybetsizetele graphswhatmyhandis)isokay.
Example 5
10/$20shorthanded,UTGopensto$80,IamnexttoactwithAA.I tookmytimeandthoughtthatIdbeenreraisingalotpreflopand UTGwassuspiciousandthetypetocallareraisepreflopregardless ofraisesize.NormallyIdreraisehereto$240butagainsthimInow raisedto$280toextractalittlemorevalue,andevenmoreimpor tantlythisbuildsthepotsohellbemorecommittedtofightingforit postflop.
Example 6
$10/$25HU,Ihave5-7andopento$75onthebuttonandhecalls. TheflopisA88withtwoclubs,hecheckcallsmybetof$125.The turncomesanoffsuittwoandhecheckstome.Heisnotgoingto checkraisemesoIdontrisktoomuchbysemibluffinghere.When Ibetthegoalistomaximizethetimeshefoldsandtochoosethebet sizethatdoesthat(althoughtechnicallyitistomaximizethetimes hefoldsandminimizetheamountofmoneyweriskwecouldbet allinfor$2,200herebutthisalmostneverhappensforobviousrea sons).Thepotis$400andinthegameIbetthepotof$400butthisis amistakeIshouldhavebet$300.BybettingthefullpotIamsay ingIeitherhaveaverygoodhandandwanttowinalotofmoney orImsayingIhaveablufforsemibluffandwanthimtofold whichiswhatIhad.Sogivenmyhandrangesandpotoddsitisjust toounlikelyIhaveaneightforhimtofoldsohecallswithwhatis probablyapairofaces.Betting$300isactuallymuchharderforhim tocallifhehasapairofaceswithaweakkickerbecausewhenIbet
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$300itisasmallervaluebetsoitmeansmyhanddoesntjusthave tobeverygooditcouldbejustgood,inotherwordsitcouldbean eightoritcouldbeapairofaceswithastrongkicker,anditcanstill beasemiblufforbluffalthoughthatdoeslookslightlylesslikely probabletohimnowbecauseIbetless.Sonowintermsofhand rangesIcouldhaveaneight,orapairofaceswithastrongkicker whichmakesitalotmorelikelyIhaveagoodhand,andmakesit harderforhimtocallmedownweak.
Example 7
$10/$25fivehanded,UTGcalls,nexttoactraisesto$110,Icallon thebuttonwith1010andsodoestheUTGlimper.Theflopis 26Jandischeckedthrough.Ontheturna5fallsandUTG leadsout$230thenthenexttoactfolds.Hisbetfeltkindofoddto measitwasntclearwhathewasrepresentingnormallysomeone wholimpsinEPhasapocketpairandwantstohitasetcheapand itsalittlehardtoputhimonapairofjacksbecauseofhisUTGlimp. Anotherfactorthatmakesitsuspiciousisthatthepreflopraiserand Ibothcheckedbehindhimontheflop,soitappearsasifwereweak. Hisbetsizealsofeltstrangeandwhenthingsfeelstrangeitsnor mallybecausesomeonedoesnthaveahand.SoIcalled,theriver camea6andheleadsout$650.Thiscontinuestheweirdnessand itshardtoputhimonahand.Ifhehasajacktobemakingavalue bethehastothinkthereareworsthandsIcouldhavetocallhim with,andthemostlikelyhandforthatisformetohaveisapairof jackswithaworsekicker.Sothisnarrowshishandrangedown morefromapairofjackstoapairofjackswithagoodkickerlike AJormaybeKJ,soforhisbettomakesensehehastohaveanar rowhandrange.Icalledandhehad77.
Example 8
$5/$10HU,opponentisbadandhas$650,Iraiseto$30onthebut tonwith33andhereraisesto$60,Icall.Hedoesthisfairlyoftenso
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itdoesntindicategreatstrength.TheflopisQ94andhebets out$65.Nowgivenhistendencytoplaysolooseandaggressiveand continuationbetherefrequentlyhishandrangeisweak.Alsohisbet sizeisalittlesmallandthusalsoweak.Howeverourhandisweak too.Sothedecisionastowhethertotryandmakeaplayhereis closeandthedecidingfactorisstrategic.Hesabadplayerwhois goingtolosehismoneytouseventually,sowedonotneedtoplay crazytoupsetandtilthimbecauseheisalreadyplayingbadand willalreadylosehismoney.Howeverthereversecanhappen,ifwe loseapottohimhecanchangefromplayingbadtoplayinggood, whichalotofplayersactuallydotheytightenuptoprotecttheir wins,anditsalsopossibletheyllgetupfromthetableandleave. Hereitsmuchbettertofightthewarofattritionfrustratehim, dontgiveanythingawayandjustwaitandslowlywearhimdown.
Example 9
$25/$50HU,opponentraisesto$150andIcallwithQ4s.Theflopis A66,Icheckandhebets$135.Hehasbeenraisingpreflopand continuationbettingtheflopalotsoIthinkhishandrangeisweak andhecanhavealotmorethananace.HoweverIalsothoughtthat ifIcheckraisedhimhemightbesuspiciousandcontinuewitha weakhand.SoIjustcalledhisbetwiththeplanofleadingoutabout 4/5potintohimonanyturn.Itsessentiallythesameplayascheck raisingtheflop,butonedifferenceistheturncardcouldeitherhit hishandandmakehimcallmybetoritcouldbeascarecardforhis hand.Fromhisperspectivewhenhefacesaturnbethewillhavea hardtimenotgivingmecreditforahand,sincehewillthinkwellI bettheflop,andhejustcoldcalledmeoutofposition,sohemust havesomesortofdecenthand.SobecauseitssoobviousIshould haveahand,thisisatimetousethatagainsthimanddotheoppo site.Inthehandtheturncamethe2,Ibetout$375andhefolded.
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Chapter Eight
Other Concepts and Hand Histories
Value Betting
Herearesomeexamples.
Example 1
$3/6HU,Iraiseto$18onthebuttonwithA9oandmyopponent calls.Flopis7Q5,checkcheck.Turnis3,checkcheck.Riveris 9hechecksIbetpot.Fromtheplayitshardtoputmeonahand.If IhaveaQIbetthefloporturn.Aflushdrawbetsthefloporturn, whichIdidnotdosoIdonothaveaflushdraw.Andsincetheflush drawhitthatisscaryfortheopponentsoitshardtoseemevalue bettingaweakmadehand.Alsothestraightdraw86willusually semiblufftheflopandturn. Mostpeoplewillstopthethinkingtherebutitisrightforthemto continuesinceitsquitehardtoputmeonahand,butitsalsoa weirdplaceformetobluff.Thisisbecausewhenpeoplebluffthere shouldbearangeofhandsapersoncanrepresent.Here,becauseits hardtoputmeonareasonablehanditsalsohardtoputmeona
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bluffbecauseabluffcantrepresentareasonablehandhere.Sothe opponenthastoseethroughtheunusualnatureoftheplayandde cidewhatIhave.Onemorepieceofthepuzzleisthattheychecked onallthreestreetssoIamprettysuretheyhavesomethingweak. Theproblemariseswhenwehaveatoughopponentwhoseesus makingthinvaluebetsandthencheckraisestherivertocombatus hislineissostrangeandtricky(checkingthreetimestocheckraise theriver)thenitstimetoconsiderjustcallinghimwithafairlyweak holdingbecauseitlookslikehesbluffingus.Goingdownthislineof thinkingishowhighstakesHUgamesbecomesocrazy.Itisespe ciallytoughifopponentscheckraisegoodhandstousontheriver alongwithbluffcheckraises.Fromhisperspectiveifheactuallyhad aflushcheckingtheriverwouldbeagoodplay.Icheckedtheflop andtheturnsoImweak.HehastohopeIhitsomethingthatwillbet whenhecheckstome(thatwouldntvalueraisesincetheflushhit) butcouldbestrongenoughtocallacheckraise,orthatIbluffthe river.Itsalsoasimplematterofpotcontrolforhimwithaflushhe doesntwanttobetandbecalled(gettingjustonebetintothepot),he wantstocheckraiseandbecalled(gettingtwobetsintothepot)be causeaflushissuchastronghandhewantstobuildthepot.Inciden tally,italsowouldhavebeenagoodspottocheckraisetheturnwith aflushdraw.IcheckedtheflopsoIprobablydonthavetoppairif ImbettingalotofturnswhenhecheckstwiceandIllhaveahard timecontinuingagainstafullpotsizedcheckraise.Thereisalsovery littlechanceIllthreebetallinontheturnaftercheckingbehindthe flopsohedoesnthavetoworryaboutnotseeingtherivercard.
Example 2
$1/$2eighthanded,onelimperinEP,herohasAQandraisesto$9, limpercalls.TheflopisK105andvillaincheckcallsa$16bet. Turnisthe9,checkcheck,riveristheJ.Villainleadsfor$15.The potis$50andthebetis$15sothiswillbeabarequeenmostofthe timewithaflushthevillainwouldprobablybetmorebecausehis handisstrong.BasedonourhandreadingAQcertainlylooksgood
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here.MaybeyoudaskwhatworsehandscancallmeifIraisewith AQthough?.Well,maybeabarequeen.Itsahardcallforsome onetomakewithjustapairbutifyouarebetterthanyouroppo nentsyoucanthinkalongtheselines:Iplaypokerwithopponents worsethanme,soifImprettysureIhavetheopponentbeat,Illgo aheadandvalueraiseandsincehesabadplayermaybehellmake amistakeandmakeabadcall. Beyondthatwearenotthatafraidofareraise.Onereasontobe afraidofmakingabetorraiseisbecauseitopensusuptoabluff reraise.Herewearentafraidofabluffreraisebecausewearevery capableofhavingthatflush.Thatswhatwererepresentingwith ourraise.Howcanhereraisewhenwecouldlikelyhavethenuts?It takesahugeamountofcourage(andinthiscasecraziness)tothree betblufftheriver.Bluffshappenalotofthetimewhenyouare prettysurethevillainhasaweakhand,orareprettysurethevillain doesnothavethenuts.Inthisparticularcasethevillaincannot knowwedonthavethenuts.
Example 3
$25/$50HU,wehave$5,000each.Opponentisanokayplayerandis TAG.Heraisesto$150onthebutton,Ireraiseto$450withQQand hecalls.Theflopis258,Ibet$700andhecalls.Theturnis7 andhereImadethemistakeofchecking.TheopponentisTAG whichmeansthatheisnotthetypetofloatwithweakhandsonthe flopjusttotryandstealitontheturn.Hesaggressivesoifhehasa handhelikeshellprobablyjustraisetheflop,andsincehedoesnt showthataggressionontheflopitsunlikelyhellshowitonthe turnwhenIchecktohim.IfIcheckIshouldntexpectabetthe onlyreasontocheckisifIputhimonamediocremadehand(which Ido)andthinkthatmyshowofturnstrengthwillbetoomuchfor himandhellfold,ifIchecktheturnthoughitcanputdoubtinto hismindaboutmyhandstrength,andalsothenwhenIbettheriver healsoknowsthatsthelastbethewillbefacingsoitseasierfor himtocallandseeashowdown.
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TherivercomestheA,abadcardbecauseitcouldhavehithim, andevenifitdidntitsascarecardsoheslesslikelytocallavalue betbyme.However,itsbadtoplaypokerscared,thiscardcould havehithim,butitprobablydidnt.AlsotheopponentknowsthatI canbluffbetonthiscardasascarecard.Itsalsohardtopushthis particularopponentoutofthepotonbluffs,sototakeadvantageof thatwehavetovaluebetaggressivelyandlightlyagainsthim.So despitetheaceitisstillaclearvaluebet.Ibet$1,800andhecalled with1010.
Example 4
$25/$50fivehanded,theSBraisesto$150andIhaveK-4intheBB andcall.TheflopisAK5,opponentbets$300andIcall.The turnisthe4andhecheckcalls$700.Theriveristhe3,hechecks. Ihavetwopairbutitsnotatwopairwiththeace,andtherearealso fourcardstoastraightoutthere.However,thesethingsthatonthe surfaceareinstinctivelyscaryactuallydontmatter.Itsimpossible toputmyopponentonatwoforastraighttheonlywayofhim havingitwouldbeifhehadA2andthatisjustonehand.Orhe couldhavehitthethreeifhehasA3hehitabettertwopairbut thatisjustonehandsothatisntlikelyeither.Alotmorelikelyis thathehasA6,A7,A8,A9,A10,AJorAQ.Itsalsohardfor himtoputmeonatwo.Theriveristhereforeastandardvaluebet forasmuchasyouthinktheopponentwillcall,whichinthiscaseI feltwas$2,000.HecalledwithA10.Hemightalsothinktheriver cardmakestheboardmorescarysoIcantvaluebetwithmymore marginalhandsandthatIwilljustbetwithmyreallystronghands (astraight)andeverythingelsewillbeabluff.
Example 5
$10/$25HU,Iraise99to$75andhecalls.Flopis638,he checksandIbet$125.Sincethecardswereloweranditwasslightly lesslikelyhehitthem,Iwantedtocompensateandgivehimthe
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chanceofplayingwithmebybettingjustalittlesmaller$125in steadof$150.IfthehandwasQQandtheboardwasJ93Iwould surelybetfullpotof$150becauseitsmorelikelyhehassomething andIwanttobuildthepot.Also$125isfinejustbecausebothare equallyvalidandIliketomixitup.Hecalls. TheturnistheK.Sincehecalledtheflopitsimpossibletoputhim onahandcontainingakinghemostlikelyhasapairfromtheflop, somethingeitherconnected,orwithanace.HandslikeA3,A6,67, 78,89or810.ItsunlikelyhehasK3,K6orK8o.Itspossiblehe hasK8s,possibleandlesslikelyhehasK6sandpossiblebuteven lesslikelyhehasK3s.Notonlyisitalittleunlikelyhedplaythose handstobeginwith,butthesuitedpairsthathaveakingareall suited,narrowingthepossibilitiessignificantly.Forinstancethere areonlythreecombinationsofK8shecouldhavebutthereare12 combinationsofA8hecouldhave. Sowehavetoassumehedoesnothaveakinghere,whichmeanshe hasadraworapair.Thebestwaytogetmoremoneyfromthose handsistobettheturn.Thereasonisbecauseitwillbehardforhim toputusonahand.Ourbetiseithersayingwearebluffingorhit thekingsupposedlyanyhandweakerthanapairofkingswould stopbettingbecauseofthescaryovercard.Thereisnopointin checkingtotrapifhehassomethinglikeA8hemightbescared, buttherivercardisntgoingtohelp,itsonlygoingtoscarehim moresowehavetobethereandhopehissuspiciousnessgetsthe bestofhim.
Example 6
$50/$100HU,IraisepreflopwithKJoandmyopponentcalls.The flopisJ93,heleadsout$450andIcall.Theturnisthe6, whichisagoodcard.Therearemanycardsthatmaketheturnquite complicatedforexampleaqueenhitsallhisstraightdraws,or makesapairortwopairsforhimsometimes,andanacemight makeusloseoratleastgetuslessactiononourstronghand.Aten
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hitshandslikeQK,910orJ10,andaneighthitstwopairsandgut shots.Basically,whenheledoutheprobablyhashandslikeQ10,K 10,810orQ8.Thereasonisthatthesehandhaveouts,andtheyare willingtoputmoneyintoseeaturn.However,theyarenotstrong enoughtocheckcall,andcheckraisingputsinmoremoneythan theywantto.OntheflopKJcouldraisebutherewecall. Theturnisa6,hechecksandwefeelgreataboutthehand.Sowe betaway$1,500.Nowontheflopwhenhebetsoutandwecallour handlooksweak.Wecouldhavecalledwithanynumberofhands, evenaslightasAK,AQ,evenAxoor78,usingthestrengthof ourposition.Ourrangeisquitewide,sohecallsussinceourrange issowidehisrangealsobecomesquitewide.Ontheriveranoffsuit acecomes.Nowourrangesarebothwide,hecalledusontheturn suspiciouslyandthenanacecomesontheriver.Anaceisaperfect bluffingcardandalsomostpeoplecheckmediocrehandsbehindon acehighboards.Soifwebetagainhesgoingtoputusonsome thinglikeAJ,anysortoftwopair,aset,ormorelikelyhesgoingto besuspiciouswemissedadraw. Nowontheturnhecheckcalledsoheprobablyhasamadehand. Wecalledanddidntraisetheflopsowereprobablynotvery strong.Thus,ifhebettheturnwithadrawhewouldnthaveto worryaboutgettingraisedoffit.Thecheckcalllineisofcoursea typicalmadehandlineandnotadrawlinebecauseheputsmoney intothepotontheturnbycalling,andhecantplayadrawprofita blybyjustcalling(mostofthetimeanyway)soaslongasheswill ingtoputmoneyinhemightaswellbetit.Ontheriverweaska fewquestions.Whatdoeshehave?Whatdoeshethinkwehave? Doeshecalldownalotordoeshefoldalot?Toanswerquestion one,wedontknowwhathehasbutitisclearlyfairlyweakso probablynotAJ.A9isapossibility,butjustonehand.Sowe shouldfeelprettygoodaboutKJ!Questiontwohethinksweare eitherverystrongorveryweakandpeoplegetfewstronghandsin general.Pluswejustcalledtheflopandbetwhenhecheckedtous, whichisnotoverpoweringstrength.Questionthreehecallsalot. Thereforeweshouldbetandscoopupthatvalue!
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Somepeoplewillaskhowoftenhecallsus.Ofcoursewedontknow whathehas,andmaybehejusthaspocketsevensanditsdoubtful hellcallus,butrightnowweresurewereaheadofhimsoevenifhe callsusveryinfrequentlyitisstillaprofitableplay.Also,ifhecheck raisestheriveralotthenthingsbecometrickierandwecantbesuch heroeswithourvaluebets.Forthebetsizethereisadecisiontomake too.Icouldeithermakeitfairlybigandclosetoapotsizebetwhich makesitlookmorelikeImbluffing.OrIcanjusttryandpricehimin onalowbetsize,whichwouldobviouslybeavaluebetbuthemight mindlesslycallbecauseitscheapto.Thequestioniswhethertheop ponenthandreadsandwouldbesuspiciousofabiggerbetandactu allyhavethecouragetocallitorwhetherhesapoorerplayerwhois badenoughtogetpricedintomakingacallbecausethebetisasmall size.InthiscaseIbetbigandhefolded.
Example 7
$5/$10HU,opponenthas$415andisbad.IhaveQ10andraiseto $30preflopandhecalls.Flopis9910andopponentleadsout $60.Thedecisiononwhatlinetotakehereisbasicallyapotcontrol decision.Normallywithtoppairmediumstrengthkickeritisacall ontheflopbecauseyoudontwanttobuildthepottoobig.Inthis case,however,wearewillingtogetallofourmoneyintothepot. Thereasonisthattheopponentleadsoutonflopsenoughsoour handissostrongwehavetogowithit.Ifhehasabetterhandthan usweloseallourmoneynomatterwhat.Thequestionishowdowe gainmoremoneyagainstdrawsandworsemadehands?Thean swerisbyraisingtheflopifhehasamadehandthenalotofscare cardscancomeandalsobyraisinghemightthinkwehaveadraw. Ifhehasadraw,hehasalotofoutsandtherearealotoftypesof drawshecanhavesothisinfodoesntreallyhelpusandwecant exploititthatmuchbycallingandwaitingfortheturntomakea play.Soforthosereasonsweshouldjustraisenow.Iraisedto$190; hecalled.Theturnwasa4andheledoutallinfor$215moreandI called.HehadJ7andourhandheld.
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Example 8
$25/$50HU,opponentisatiltingmaniac.Hehas$7,500andIcover. Iraisewith1010to$150andhereraisesto$450,buthisrangeis verywidehere.Itsnotanytwocardsbutitcompriseshandsas weakas89orA5o.Thisisaveryeasythreebetto$1,300whichhe automaticallycalls.TheflopisJ79,hechecksandIcheckbe hind.Theturnis6.Hebets$2,700ontheturn.Givenhowloosehe ispreflop,andhowaggressiveheis,hecouldhavemebeatbut thereisjusttoomuchofachanceheissemibluffing,orevenbetting withnothingbecauseIcheckedbehindontheflopandheisama niac.Alsowehaveafewoutsevenifhesahead.Iraisehislast $3,500andhecallswith89withnodiamond.
Bluffing
Bluffingisobviouslyanimportantpartofpoker.Everyoneknows this,butmanypeoplegetintroublewithbluffs.Oneofthemost commonproblemsisthatpeoplethinkoncetheystartabluffthey cantstopandendupbluffingallin.Afteryougetcalledonone streetmostofthetimeitiswisetogiveupthebluff.However,ifyou haveagutshotstraightdrawandmakeabetoraraiseyoucould continuethebluffbyplanningtobluffcertaincards.Likeifthe boardcompletesaflushdraworstraightdrawyoucouldrepresent thesebighands.Soyoucanwinthehandbymakingyourhandor bybluffingonascarecard.Butifabrickhitstheturnorriveryou needtoexercisedisciplineandbewillingtogiveupthehand. Peoplewhodonothavethedisciplineorskilltomaketherightde cisionintoughsituationstendtogetinalotoftroublewhenmaking bluffs.Thereasonisthatbluffingcanputsomeoneinanextramar ginalposition.Sayyoubluffedandgotcalled,andthenonthenext streetyourhandislosingandyouhavenooutsthatisatough spotandthekeyistorealisethatthebluffwasapoordecisionand notcompoundyourerrorbycontinuing.Ifitwastheoriginalplan tobluffasecondstreetifcalled,ortobluffoncertainscarecardsthat
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comethatisonething,butalltoooftenpeoplebluffagainsimply outofrecklessness. Anothertendencypeoplehavewhichhurtsalotisthatiftheyare abouttogotoshowdownandtheyhavenothingtheyfeeltheyhave tobet.Sayadrawofsomesortmissedontheriver.Useyourjudg mentifyouthinkabluffwillworkthenbluff.Butdontbetjust becauseyouhavenothingandyoufeelyouhaveto.Rememberto playstraightforward.Youweredrawing;ifyourdrawhityoud haveabighandandcouldbetbig,butyouhaveabsolutelynothing sodontbetbig,justgiveupthepot.Thatis,unlessotherreliable informationtellsyoutodootherwise. Alsorealizethatifsomeonebetsintoyouonafourflushboardand theyareadecentplayer,theycanhavemorethanthenutflush. Thinkaboutitmathematicallytheyhavetoholdjustonecardin thedecktohavethenutflushsothisisntverylikely.Theycould haveanutflush,butthinkofalltheotherhandsagoodplayercould bethecouldbetanymediumtohighflushormaybeheisbluffing. Thiscouldbeagoodspottoraisebecausetheywillhavetrouble callingwithlessthanthenutflushonthesescaryboards.
Example 1
$10/$25HU,meandopponenthave$2,500stacks.Iraiseto$75on thebuttonandhereraisesto$225,whichhehasbeendoingalot,so Icallwithmyredpocketeights.Theflopis973,hebets$375 andIcall.Heisraisingsomuchpreflopandcontinuingtobetso manyoftheflopsthathedoesntneedtohaveabighandhereI couldbeaheadorIhavethechancetooutplayhimonlaterstreets.I calledinsteadofraisingforacoupleofreasons.Thefirstistoplay morestreetsashisactionontheturnwillgivemeinformationabout hishandstrengthandIcaneithercall,bet,raiseorfoldwhereasifI raisedontheflopitwouldbedoingsoblindly. However,histurnactionwilltellalotmoreabouthistruestrength notethisistruemainlybecauseheisaworseplayerthanmeandif
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hewerebetterthanmethanhisturnactionwouldgiveawayless informationandwouldconfusemesoIdjustfoldtheflop.Thesec ondreasonisthattherearealotofhandshehasthatImevenwith intermsofequitylikeovercardswithaflushdrawthatmightgoall inifIraiseandforcemetofold,whereasontheturnhisequitywill godownalotsohewillbealotlesslikelytosemibluffmeoutof thepot. Theturncomesthe4,hechecksandIcheckbehind.TheriverisA, thepotis$1,200andhebetsout$750.Hisbetsizegivesmeinforma tionmainlywhatitsaysishedoesnothavetheaceofclubs.Ifhe hadthenutflushherehewouldbetmoremoney,becauseifIhada highclubIwouldcallformoremoneysohewouldbemissingvalue. Hisbetdoesntlooklikeabluffbecauseitsasmallsizesoitlooks likehewantsacallandisnttryingtoforcemeoutofthepot.It lookslikehehasahighclubthatisnttheace.BasedonthatImoved allin.Heranhistimerdownandcalled.HehadK-Q.Onepartof myanalysisthatislackingiswhathighclubshewouldbedoingthis with.Itsdoubtfulheisanaggressiveenoughbettortomakethis playwiththeJorlower,andwhetherhedbetorcheckcallwith thequeenofclubsisunclear.SohishandrangeistheKandmaybe theQ.Soeventhoughhedoesnthavetheaceofclubshishandis quitestrongandmyraiseisntbig.Hisbetlookslikeavaluebetbut itispossibleforhimtohaveabluff.Alsopartoftheproblemisthat theopponentisanokayhandreaderifIhadtheaceofclubsthere isaverygoodchanceIwouldsimplygoallinontheflop.
Example 2
$200/$400HUliveagainstChauGiang,heisplayingweaktight.I have$50,000andhecoversme.IhaveQJo,heraisesto$1,600andI call.Theflopis1052andIleadintohimfor$2,800andhecalls. Thisisagoodleadbecause(unlikeifIhadanacehighinmyhand) QJhasnoshowdownvalueatallifitgetscheckeddown.WithQJI havetwoovercardouts,plusitsunlikelyChauhitanythinghere, plusChauisaweakplayer.Theturnisthe6,Icheckandhechecks,
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thentheriveris10andIcheck.Thepotis$9,000,Icheck,andhe bets$5,000. Hisbetsizeindicateshedoesnothaveaflushbecausehewouldbet biggerwiththattogainmorevalue.Hecalledtheflopsohehad somesortofmadehandandthenfeelshismadehandisgood enoughtogoforvalueontheriversoitsurelooksliketriptens. Alsonotethatontheturnhishandwasntgoodenoughtobetfor value,butontheriversomethingchangedsoitwasgoodenough. Twohandsthatimprovedwerepairsoftenstotriptensandflush drawstoflushes,andwevealreadyruledouttheflushpossibility soitlooksliketriptens.Thatgivesusalotofpowersinceweknow whathandhehas.ButcanItrytobluffhim?Hishandisstrong; whatwillhethinkIhaveifIcheckraise? Leadingtheflopindicatedthattheboardhitmeinsomeway.That couldbeaflushdraw.Ontheturnmyequitywithaflushdrawand impliedoddsgodownafternothittingandhecalledmyflopindi catinghehasahandheliked.Aflushdrawwouldprobablythen checktheturn.Wouldaflushdrawthencheckraisetherivertoo? Yes,itmakesperfectsense.IfIhitaflushIwouldconsiderwhat secondbesthandsaregoingtogivememoney,andthemainoneis triptens.Triptensareprettygoodandwillalmostcertainlybetif checkedto,soacheckraiseisdefinitelybetterthanleadingout.So withaflushIdefinitelycould,andprobablywould,haveplayedit thesame(althoughbecauseIthinkhesfoldingversusthelineI tookwithanactualflushIwouldchangemylinetoonewhereI thoughthedcall). Heshouldstillcallthough.Intermsofreadingmyhandheneedsto realizeafewthingsinadditiontothehandreadingwejustdid.The questionishowoftendoIleadtheflop?IfIrarelyleadthenI probablyhavesomethingprettygoodlikeasetoraflushdraw.IfI leadfrequentlythenmyhandrangewidensconsiderablysoIcan havealotofnothinghandsmixedinwithflushdraws.Ileadouta reasonableamountsowhenwegettotherivermyhandrangein cludesmynothinghandsalongwithaflush.Andeventhenhe
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wouldneedtoconsiderifIambothcapableandlikelytomakethis playwithnothinghands.Ifnottheneventhoughmyflopbet doesntnarrowmyhandrangetoaflushthentherivercheckraise itselfwould.However,Iambothcapableandlikelyofdoingithere withallmyhands. SoIcheckandhebetshalfpot,whichgivesawayinformation.Itisa badplaytomakeasmallbetwhichsaysIhaveahandIlikealittle butnotalotthenfoldwhenagoodplayerrespondstothatweak ness.Whatdoesitmeanwhenagoodplayerseesabadplayerwho isweakmakeabetlikethatandthenrespondswitharaise?It showsthegoodplayerexpectsthebadplayertofold,soitmakesa lotofsenseitisabluff.Chauneededtoseethehistorybetweenus, howhewasplayingweakandInoticedthatandadjustedthenhe wouldhaveoutplayedmeandwonabigpot.
Example 3
$25/$50liveatBellagio,opponenthasabout$17,000andIcover.He seemstoplaypokerclosetocorrectly,althoughaccidentallyhis gameisunimaginativeandweak.IopenUTGfor$200withA-Q, hecallsandthreeotherscallbehind.TheflopisQ73,Icheck, theopponentbets$400andthethreeothersfold,Icall.Theturnis the9,Icheckhebets$1,200andIcall.Theriveristhe2,Ileadout $1,200,hefairlyquicklyandwithoutaworryraisedto$3,000,Ipush allinfor$13,000more. Ontheflopmyhandisprobablybest,butthedecisionishowbestto reapvaluefromthehand.Imnotallthatafraidoffreecardsandby continuingtobetinafivewaypotIrepresentastronghand(which iswhatIhave)sotheopponentswillhaveahardtimecallingme withweakerhands.Becauseofthosereasons,Icheckedfordecep tionandtoseewhatwouldhappen.Theplayerimmediatelybehind mebet$400intoa$1,000potwithsuchasmallbetintoamultiway pothemustthinksomeonewillcallorraisehim.Becauseofthat,he isnotbluffing,andbecauseitisafivewaypotitsdoubtfulhe
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wouldbesofoolishastomakethatbetwithahandasweakasJJ here.Thushishandisprobablyasetortoppair.Setsareunlikelyby theirverynature,plushisbetsize,whichissmall,doesntseemlike asetbecausehedoesntseemthatconcernedwithbuildingabigpot. Ontheturnhisbetsizeisfurtherevidenceagainsthimhavingaset becauseonceagain,hedoesntbetbiggertryingtobuildapot.He bet$1,200intoa$1,800potwhichisamoderatesizedbet,butit wouldbenaturaltobetabitbiggeraround$1,500withabighand likeaset.Noteonewaytobuildapotistobetsmalltoinducea raise,butgivenmycheckcallfloplineitsunlikelyImgoingto springtolifehereandcheckraise. OntheriverIledout$1,200tosqueezewhatvalueIcouldoutofhis toppairsinceitseemedunlikelyhewouldvaluebetatthatpoint giventhattheflushdrawhit.Heraisedto$3,000andheremymind crackedabitunderthepressureofthesituation.Isawhisbetsize whichwasasmallraiseandbasedonthatfiguredhehadamedium strengthhandlikeasetoralowflush,sinceIhadtheaceofclubsin myhandsohecouldnthavethenuts.Thereforewithover300BB stacksandaweakopponentIraisedallinasabluff.Hegotasick lookonhisface.Itdidntevenlooklikehewasthinkingthroughthe handdecidingwhattodoitwasmorelikehewasjustdepressed thathedidnthavethenutssocouldntcallinsuchamassivepot. HeshowedK-Qandmuckedit. Now,letsaddressthemistakeImadewhichcouldhavebeenvery costly.Thewholehand,Ihadhimreadforatoppair,andthen changedthatopinionontheriver.ThemainreasonIchangediton theriverwasthatIsawIcouldbluffwith250BBandknewhedid nothavethenuts.ButthenIallowedsomewishfulthinkingandput himonthehandsheneededtohavesoIcouldmaketheplayI wantedtomake. Thehandreadingthatshouldhavetakenplaceisthataftertheturn heprobablyhastoppair,althoughthereisasmallerchancehecould haveaset.Ontheriveritdoesntmakesenseforhimtomakethat raisewithasetbecauseheisaweakplayer.Aflushhitsohisset
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couldbebehind,andmoreimportantlyitmakesitharderformeto callhisraisewithaworsehand.Hemusthaveamadehandgiven theactionandifitisthattoppairwesuspectedheisdefinitelynot imaginativeenoughtoturnthatintoabluffontheriver.Somehow hemusthavehitaflushandtheonlywayhecouldhavegivenhis flopandturnplayisbybackdooringaflushwithtoppairso Q-K,Q-JandQ-10ashedprobablyfoldworseQxofclub handspreflop.DuringthehandbasedonhislowbetsizeIthought hecouldhavealowflush,butthatmakesnosensewiththeother informationandthereisnowayforhimtoreachtheriverwitha lowflush.Eventhoughheisaweakplayer,itseemsquiteriskyto knowthathehassomethinglikethesecondabsolutenutsandtry andpushhimoffthathand. Buthemadeahugemistake,whichhewouldhaveknownhadhe spenttimehandreadingontherivertoseeifheshouldcallme.How canIgettotheriverwiththenutflush?Icheckcalledtheflop,so couldIhaveA-7orA-K?Probablynot,asIdverylikelyfold themboth.A-KImightcallwiththeintentionofmakingaplayon theturnbutontheturnIjustcheckcalledagain,alsoanunlikelyline. AhandlikeAQwouldmakemoresensebuthehasallhandslike thatblockedbecausehehastheQandK.Perhapsevenmoreim portantthanmyflopplayistheriverplaywhichreallyshowsthatI havenonutflush.IfIhadthenutflushIwouldbetthefullpottoget asmuchvaluefromitasIcould,orIwouldgoforacheckraise.The small$1,200leadandthenthreebetallinisverysuspicious.Wasit reallymyplantobetsmallsohecouldraiseme,andthentraphim forathreebetallinwiththenutflush?Maybeitsabrilliantplayby me,butinthatcasehejusthastopayitoff.
Example 4
$25/$50fourhanded,opponentopensUTGto$175andIcall,heisa decentthinkingplayerandIcallnexttoactwith107s.Itisgoodto callbehindwithadecentrangeofhandsshorthandedtomess aroundwiththeopponentsohedoesntfeelfreetodowhateverhe
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wants.Itsannoyingforaplayertoalwayshavetoplaypotsoutof position,plusitdisguisesthetimesIdohavegoodhands. TheflopcomesA2Aandheleadsoutpot.Itstemptingto makeaplayatthispotgiventhelowprobabilitythathehastrips andwiththepowerofourposition.However,todothatversusa thinkingplayerwehavetothinknotonlyabouthishandrange (whichwejustdidanddecidedhedoesnthaveastronghand probably),butalsothinkaboutthehandrangehecanputuson ourbluffmustbecredible.ThewayIplayedthehandpreflopgives informationawayasifIhadanacewithastrongkickerIwouldre raise.HandsIwouldcallwitharepocketpairs,andsuitedconnec tors.Thusheknowsmyhandrangeismediumtoweakmadehands ornothing. IfIraisetheflop,giventhatIdonothaveastrongaceandheknows it,myplayissuspicious.Agoodwaytorepresentamedium strengthhandhereistocall,becausethatishowIwouldplay pocketpairs,sotorepresentapocketpairIshouldplayitthesame wayandcall.However,thisisaskilledopponentsoontheturnhe willknowthatmyhandisprobablyapocketpairandthatIdont haveanace,andalsoknowthatIknowhecouldhaveanace.Thus hecancontinueabluffintomeontheturn.Sothisisabadspotto tryabluffhereandIhavetofold.Comparewhathappenedhereto whatwouldhavehappenedversusaweakplayer.VersushimI couldcalltheflopandthenifhehassomethinghewillbetturnand ifhedoesnthewillcheckfold,orIcouldjustraisetheflop.Ineither caseIcansimplyworryaboutwhathehasnotwhathethinksI haveandthatwouldhaveallowedmeadecentchanceatthepot.
Example 5
25/$50fivehanded,opponentopensto$175,hehas$5,000andI cover.IreraisepotwithAQoandhecalls.Opponentistightand straightforward.Theflopis10106,hecheckcalls$1,000and thereis$3,100inthepotnow.Theturnisthe4anditgoescheck
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check.Theriveristhe2andIthinktherearesomehandsIcan plausiblyrepresentherelikeAAQQ,aten,andaflushsoIgo aheadandbet$2,700andhecallsmeandwinswithQQ. Theproblemherewasthatmyreasoningshouldhavestartedona morebasiclevel.Thefirstissueathandinabluffisfiguringout whattheenemyhas.Thisopponentistight,notweak,andthat meansthatforhimtocallpreflopandontheflophehastohavea handhelikes.Inconclusion,hishandrangeisstronghandsand verystronghandsandtherearebetterspotstobluffthanthis.IfI hadkeptmythinkingsimpleandfocusedontherightthingsI wouldhaveseenthisandnotbluffedinahugely$EVspot.
Example 6
$25/$50HU,webothhave$5,000stacks.Opponentisloose aggressive,givestoomuchactionandisafish.IhaveJ8oandraise mybuttonto$150andhecalls.Theflopis2Q7andweboth check.Theturnisthe4,hebets$300andhehasbeenleadingthe turneverytimeIcheckbehindontheflopforthelastfewhandssoI raisedto$1,000.Hisaggressivenessandlooseplayhadworkedsuc cessfullyagainstmeduetoabadrunofcards.Itfrustratedmeand putmeonalittletiltandtheturnraisewasaproductofthat.This turnraisewasforcingtheactionhereIhadnogoodouts,theop ponentisaloosefishandIshouldhavejustfoldedandbeenpatient. Hecalledtheturnbet,andthentherivercametheA.What changedfromthefloptotheturn?Afourcamewhichmadeaflush draw,andifIhadapairoffoursitgavemeaset,sothefourdidnt changeawholelot.Ididntbettheflop,butIraisedtheturnsoit lookslikethefourcouldhaveaffectedmyhand(ofcoursetheother possibilityisthatIwasgettingtrickywithsomeotherhandandthe turndidntaffectmyhand).ThehandIammostconsistentlyrepre sentinghereisaflushdraw.Alsotheacecame,whichisjustaplain scarycardforhim.Eventhoughheisacallingstation,thiscard shouldbesoscarytohim.Itsaclosedecisionbutworthcontinuing
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mybluffonsoIfiredoutapotbet,andhethoughtforawhileand folded.
Example 7
$25/$50threehanded.Buttonfolds,SBlimpsandIcheckintheBB. TheflopisA24,hechecksandIbet$50.Thisisagoodspotforthe SBtoautocheckraisebecauseitisunlikelyIhaveapairofacesand itistoughtocallacheckraisewithlessthanthatonthisboard.
Example 8
$25/$50HU,opponenthas$10,000andIcover,heplayswellbutisa littleoveraggressive.Hehasbeenreraisingmepreflopalotand thenalmostalwayscontinuationbettingandsofarithasworked againstme.Iraiseto$150onbuttonwith44andhereraisesabit morethanpotto$500.Icall.TheflopisJ87o,hequicklyleadsout $800likehenormallydoes.Sincehemakesthatplaysooftenhis handrangeisfairlywideandweak.Thisisagoodboardtomakea playonhimbecauseitsthesortofboardwheresupposedlywhenI raiseIcanhaveabighandlikeastraight,twopairorset,oronthis boardIcouldhaveastrongcombodrawlikeJ10,pluswehave deepstacksandhesoutofposition.Thatcombinationmakesithard forhimtocontinuetherefacingascaryboardwheremyhandis supposedlyastronghandorahandthathasgooddrawingpossi bilities.Iraisedandhefolded.
Example 9
$10/$25HU,opponentisokayandislooseaggressive.Wehave $2,500each.IhaveK-Jandopento$75andhecalls.Theflopis 1074,hecheckcallsmybetof$150.Isuspecthesweakbe causenormallyheraiseswhenhesstrong.Theturnis3.Nowon theonehandIhavenothingIhavenogoodoutsbecauseevenmy
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overpairoutsmightnotbegood,andacouplearetainted(theK andJ)sothatpointstonotputtingmoremoneyintothepot.How ever,whenIsaytheopponenthasbeenloose,sofarhehasplayed looseontheflopbuthehasntfacedmanyturnbetsyet,soifIbet theturnhereitshouldappearstrongtohim.Alsoheisweakbased onthefactthatnormallyheraisesbutherehecalled,andifhes weakthenathirdclubontheboardandabigturnbetbymeshould lookscarytohim.Andevenifhethinkshesstillgoodorwantsto drawtoamediocrehandhehastheproblemofbeingoutofposition andhavingtoworryaboutwhatIwilldoontheriver.Soitsagood spottobet,thenifhecallsIhaveoptionsontheriverdependingon whatcardcomes.Butasexpectedhefoldedontheturnhere.
Example 10
$10/$25fivehanded,opponenthas$2,850andIcover.Onelimper secondtoact,thenIraiseto$110withK10,theBBcallsandso doesthelimper.TheflopisA75andtheybothchecktome.I likedbettinginthisspotbecauseImprettysurethelimperhasa pocketpairsowhenIbetitlookslikeImstrongbutinrealityI knowImreallyonlybettingintooneopponent.Ialreadyknowthe limperprobablyhasapocketpairandisprobablyfoldingtheBBis theoneImnotsureabout.BasedonthatIcontinuationbetherethe potof$340,theBBcallsandthelimperfolds. Theturnisthe10andhechecks.Atthispointweknowwhatthe opponenthasandthatgivesusallthepower.Hehasapairofaces. Asetortwopairispossiblebutbasedontwothingshedoesnthave thatsetsandtwopairarestatisticallyharderandmoreimprobable tocomeby,andalsohecalledtheflopanddidnotraise.Alsoweare prettysurehispairofacesdoesnothaveaveryhighkickerbecause peoplenormallyreraiseAKpreflop.Soweknowhehasamedium strengthhand,andhedoesntknowwhatwehave. Wecouldverywellbestronggiventhebettingsofar,andalsogiven thedrynatureoftheboard,soifhewantstocallusdownthatelimi
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natesabiggroupofhandsfromourhandrangethatwouldgivehim areasontodoso.Thisisalsoagoodtimetoputintoplaytheconcept ofusbettingagivenamount,andthatamountreallyforcingtheop ponenttomakeadecisionforhiswholestackofchips.Ontheturn thepotisabout$1,000butinsteadofbettingfullpotIfeltitwould makeitlookmorebelievablethatwehaveagoodhandandaretry ingtomilkhimsoIbet$765.Ifhecallsthatthenthepotgrowsto $2,500andhewillbeleftwith$1,800,sohecomesclosetocommitting hiswhole$2,500stacktothepotwhenIbetjust$765.Alsoconsider thatgiventhenatureofhishandsayAJhedoesnothaveredraw possibilitiesandheseitheraheadorbehind.Forthestandardplayer itsaneasyfoldbutifheseitherabraveandgoodhandreaderora stupidlunaticthenwecouldbeintrouble.Inthiscasehefolded.
Example 11
$10/$25threehanded,opponenthas$1,500andraisesto$75from theSBandIcallintheBBwith66.Theflopis28Qandhebets out$150.Hereisatimetomakearaisebasedonstacksizesandhis handrange.ThestacksizesaresuchthatifIraiseandhecallshe comesquiteclosetocommittinghimselfforhiswholestack.Soitsa caseofmeonlybetting$500(inthehandIraisedto$500),andhim nothavingadecisionfor$500butforhiswholestack.Secondlyhes aggressivesoIbelieveifhehadanypairofqueenshebetsthere, andmoreimportantlyIthinkhebetsjustaboutallofhispocket pairs.HesalittlewilyandhemightbesuspiciouswhenIraisebut ultimatelyifhehasapocketpairthebottomlineishecantdomuch. Hesgoingtohaveahardtimecallingoutofpositionandhehasto assumeIhavetwoovercards,aflushdraworapairofqueens.Plus thenevenifIdonthitmyhandIcanbluffscarecards.Sohisother optionistoraise,butIraisedto$500soishereallygoingtoputa full$900moreintothepotwithanunderpocketpair?Itsatough spotforhimandhereallycantdomuchherewithamarginalhand butfold.
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Example 12
$5/$10sixhanded.Abadplayerlimps,anotherpersonwhoposteda blindchecks,theSBlimpsandImintheBBwith9-Qandraiseto $55.Idothisforafewreasonsmyhandisacoollookingone,Ima betterplayerthanmyopponents,anditsanimageplaythatmakes melookkindofwackysoIgetmorevalueonmygoodhandsinfu ture.PostflopImundernoobligationtocontinuewithabluffand willonlybetifthesituationisprofitable.OnlytheEPlimpercalls. Heisabadplayerandhas$550,whichIcover. TheflopisJ510andwebothcheck.ThereasonIcheckedisbe causeheisalittlewackyandhiscombinationofwackinessandthe stacksizesmakesitreasonableforhimtoraisemeallinwithawide enoughrangeofhandsthatitmakesmeuncomfortable.Theturnis a3.Sincehecheckedbehindontheflophishandisntthatstrong, sowithahandthatisntstrongheisgoingtobecallingorfoldingto abetfrommeandnotraising.Alsotheturnwasaragsoitdidnt changehishandstrength. IfhecallsmeinthissituationitsreallynotallthatbadasIhavea lotofoutsandwerebuildingthepotsoifIdohitmyhandmaybeI canwinareallybigpot.TheriveristheAsoIhavenothing.Hesa badlooseplayerandImreluctanttobluffhimbuttheAisthe scariestcardinthedecksoIhavetotakeadvantageofithereandI betoutthepotandhefolds.
Example 13
$10/$25HU,webothhave$2,500,theopponentisokaybutpretty straightforward.Heraisesthebuttonto$75andIcallintheBBwith A-3.Theflopis7Q8,checkcheck.Theturnisthe2,check check.Theriveristhe4,Icheckandhebets$150,whichcaughtme bysurprise.Hecheckedtheflopandturnsohedoesnthaveagood handandthenhebetstheriverwhichisarag.Whatthatmeansis heeitherhasaweakmadehandhestryingtovaluebetorhehasa bluff.Giventhat,Icheckraisebluffto$600hopingthesizeofmy
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betwillscarehimmorethanitssuspiciousnesstemptshimtocallit. Inthiscasehethinksforabitandfolds.
Example 14
$10/$25HU,Ihave9-8andcallthebuttonsraiseto$75.Theflop isJ33,checkcheck.TurnistheK,checkcheck.Riveristhe 10.NowatthispointifIwanttobluffitsgoingtobealittlehard becauseIcheckedtheturnsohewontgivemecreditforapairof kings,andifIhavelowerthanapairofkingsthenwhatamIdoing valuebetting?ThusifItrytobluffhesprobablygoingtocallme withjustaboutanymadehand.Howeveritlookslikehedoesnt evenhaveapairmaybejustanacehigh,orsomeotherhighcard thatbeatsme,sothosearethehandsweregoingtofocusonbluff ingouthere.Andtobluffthosehandsoutwedontneedtobetthe fullpotof$150asthatswastingmoney. Whatweneedtodecidehereistheleastamountofmoneywecan bettomakehimfoldacehigh,whichIdecidedwas$65andsubse quentlybet.Inthisway,thetimesthathehappenstohaveapair andcallsuswesavethedifferencebetweenanormalsizedpotbet of$150and$65.Notethatthe$85isonlysavedthetimeshedoes calluswhichmightbe50%ofthetime,sobychangingourbetsize hereourexpectedvalueincreasesby$42.50,whichaddsupover time.
Semi-bluffing
Example 1
$25/$50HUagainstathinkingaggressiveopponent,hehas$5,000 andIcover.HeraisesthebuttonandhedoesthatalotsoIfight backwithA2andraiseto$450andhecallsashehasdoneafair amountofthetime.Theflopis234,Icheckandhebets$650.
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HewouldbettheflopfairlyoftenafterIcheck,andthengiventhat healsoraisesalotpreflopandoftencallsmyreraise,toothat makeshishandrangequitewide.Sinceheisplayingsolooseand aggressiveabigmadehandcanbediscountedforthemostpart(al thoughnotentirely).Alsosinceheissoloosetheoddsofhimhav ingapocketpairareless,too,anditcanbemoreweightedinfavor ofanothinghandtryingtostealthepot.However,evenifhedoes haveapocketpairhewillhaveahardtimecallingmyallinraise becauseitssobig.Fromhisperspectivewithamediumpocketpair, Icouldhaveeitherhaveabighandthathashimcrushedlikean overpair,ortwoovercardswhichalongwiththegutshotdrawifI haveanacehavemanyoutsandarenteventhatbigofanunderdog. Becauseofthat,itwillbehardforhimtocall,andhardtocalleven ifhedoeshaveamediocremadehandwhichisatthehigherendof hisrange.EvenifhedoescallIstillhave9outsandamrisking $4,500towin$1,500.TheimmediatepotoddssaythatifIalways loseifhecallsthenmybluffhastowork3/4timesforittobeprofit able.Butletssayhehas1010andhecalls,inwhichcaseIhave9 outswhichhas35%chanceofwinning.BydoinganEVcalculation wecanseethatifhefolds40%ofthetimeitsabreakevenplayand ifhefoldsmoreImakemoney.Alsothisplayinparticularisgood formetagameasitwillmakehimscaredandfrustrated.
Example 2
$25/$50fivehanded.IraiseUTGto$175andthebuttoncalls,hesa littlewilyandtrickybutnotgood.IhaveQKandtheflopisJJ6,I checkandhebets$350.Nowitstimetodosomehandreadingas hisbetfeelsweirdhere.Onepossibilityishehittripjacksbecause hebetfullpotontheflopsoheistryingtobuildapotnow.And withsomeplayerstheywillhavetripjacksalothere,butsincethis opponentisalittletrickyhedoesntneedagreathandtofloatwith preflopandheisnotanitandwillbetmorethantripsonthisflop soitmakestripsunlikelyjustbyvirtueofthefactthattheyarehard tohit.Ifhehasalowerpocketpairhewouldprobablybetlessbe
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causeallheneedstodoisbetenoughtoprotecthishandhe wouldntwanttobetalotforvaluebecausethereisnovaluethere forhim.EvenifitisapocketpairImostlikelyhavetwoovercards toit,andalsoitwillbehardforhimtocallme,andparticularlyhard forthisplayertocallmebecauseherespectsmygameanddoesnt wanttotangleinbigpots.SoIcheckraisedto$1,000hereandhe folded.
Example 3
$10/$25sixhanded,100BBeffectivestacks.UTGlimps,Iraiseonthe buttonto$110withA-Q,theBBcallsandsodoeslimper.Flopis 347andtheybothcheck.Mostpeoplecontinuationbetand blufftoomuchbutthishappenstobeagoodspotandtherearea fewfactorsherethatmakeitagoodbethere.Becauseofthewaythe handdevelopedwehappentobeabletorepresentmorestrength herethanisusualandthatisthekey. First,ourbetwillbeagainsttwoopponentsandnotonesoourbet representsstrength.Alsosincetherearethreepeopleinthepotthat putinafullbetpreflopthepotsizeisbiggersoournaturalpot sizedbetwillbebiggerthannormalafull$340.Ifoneofthemhas apocketpairmaybetheywillfeelcomfortablecallingasmallbet (becausetheyhaveasmallhand)butnotabigbet. Alsoonefinalreasonisbecausethepreflopactionwasnotraise, call,call.Itwaslimp,raise,call,call,whichagainmakesthepotsize biggerbecausemypotsizedraisepreflopcameafterthelimper. Andthusitfollowsthatitstougherforthemtocontinuewith pocketpairsbecausetheyareweakhandsthatdontwanttofacebig bets.Thecruxhereisthissituationjustsohappenstoallowmeto representgreaterstrengththanInormallycaninthistypeofsitua tion.SoIshouldtakeadvantageofthatabilitytorepresentstrength andblufftheflop,whichIdidandtheybothfolded.
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Example 4
$5/$10sixhanded,UTGlimpsandIraisenexttoactwithA-Jto $45,UTGcallsanditsheadsup.TheflopisQ106andhechecks. Thisisagoodspottotakeitslowandcheckbehind.Firstofallby checkingweensureseeinganothercardandcanmaybehitthe straightorapair.Beyondthat,maybehehassomethingandmaybe hedoesnt.Ifhedoesntandhehasthatpocketpairthatpeoplelike tolimpinwithfromEPthenhewillchecktheturnandwecanbet andourturnsemibluffwillbeaseffectiveasifwehadsemibluffed theflop.Whatwevedoneeffectivelyissaveourselvesmoneythe timeshedoeshavehandsandthetimeshetellsusthatbyleading outontheturn.Thedownsideisifhedecidestoleadintousonthe turnandbluff,butsincemostpeopledontplaygoodtrickypoker thisisntmuchofarisk.Anotherdownsideisifhetakesaweak handhewouldhavefoldedtoabetontheflopandgetssuspicious andcallstheturn.Thatsnotreallyaproblemeitherbecauseifhe hasapocketpair,theboardissimplytooscaryandtherearetoo manyovercards/drawsforhimtoplayaroundandtrycallingeven ifitisontheturn.InthehandIcheckedtheflop.Theturnwasa4 andhecheckfoldedtomybet.
Example 5
$10/$25fourhanded,IopenonbuttonwithQ-9to$85andtheSB calls.TheflopisK52,hechecksandbecausehesintheSBits morelikelyhehasapocketpairthantwohighcardswithaking, becausewithtwohighcardspeoplearehappytotakethepotdown immediatelypreflopwhereaswithapocketpairtheywanttocall andhitasetandbuildabigpot.Ibettheflopfullpot$190andhe calledsothepotis$570. Theturnisthe6.Ihadbeenplayingaggressivelytomakehimad justandcallmedownlightersohisflopcallisweakerthannormal. Thestacksizesareperfectforthisplayhere,henowhas$1,600left andIcovered.Ontheturnthepotis$570andIbet$525.Thereason
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ingbehindthisplayismultifacetedfirstofallIhaveoutsifhecalls (alsosomeimpliedodds).Secondly,hishandrangeiswideand fairlyweak.Andthirdly,thepowerofmybetisthatifhehasamar ginalhandheisntjustlookingatthe$525betontheturn,hes reallylookingatcommittinghisfullstackof$1,600ifhewantsto raisetoprotecthishand,orheislookingtocallariverbetofmine. SoIbet$525andinpositionhavethechoiceofwhethertoputthat last$1,075inthepot.Oneconsiderationforthishandishowpassive oraggressivetheopponentis.Themoreaggressiveheisthemore likelyyoushouldbetocheckbehindandthemorepassivethemore likelyyoushouldbetobet.Ifheisveryaggressiveandwillonly raiseorfoldherethanyouaredevaluingyourhand,whichhas valueintheQforflushoutsandevenimpliedodds,intoapure bluff.
Example 6
$10/$25vs.thesameopponentshortlyafter.IraiseJ-4to$75and hecalls.Theflopis356andhechecks.Apartofmewantedto checkbecauseheisaggressive,anditwouldbebadifIgotcheck raisedontheflop,butontheotherhandthatisplayingrightinto thehishandsthemorepassiveIplaytosomeextentthemorehe wins.Letssayheisanaggressivebadplayerwhoisjustwacky, theninthatcaseIcanplaypassiveandjustwaitforhandsandbeat himthatway.Butifheisaggressiveanddecent,whichthisoppo nentwas,Icantplaypassiveandwaitaround.Sometimesyoujust havetoplay.aggressiveandgetintotoughsituations.Noteherein thissituationhowmucheasieritistoplayvs.apassiveplayer (whichistheequivalentofsayingabadplayer).Anyway,Ibetand thistimehejustcalledme.Theturnisthe8.Imnotsurewhathe hadbutIusedthesamereasoningasbeforethathejustcalledthe flopsowasweak.Thentheturncouldhavehelpedhimbutproba blynotbecausehewasweak,thenhecheckstheturnagainandits veryconsistentformetogoaheadandbetagainandevenifhecalls Istillhaveouts.Herehefolded.
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Example 7
$10/$25sevenhanded,Iopento$85andaloose,slightlycrazybut decentplayercallsintheBB.IhaveQ10oandtheflopisJ47, hechecksandIcheck.Theturnis9andheleadsout$110.Hesa decentplayersohedoesntgiveawayalotofinformationwithhis bethecouldhaveasemibluff,amadehandorabigmadehand. Thisisagoodspottosemibluffraiseforafewsimplereasons.First ofallwehaveoutstohitabighand.Secondlyifhecallsitsnot reallythatbadbecauseasstatedwehaveequityinthepot,andalso impliedoddstowinabigpot.Finallywehavepositionandthere areanumberofscarecardsthatcancomewhichwecantakeadvan tageoftoblufftoolikeathirdheartourplayisperfectlyconsistent withaheartflushdraw,andprobablyrepresentsthatmorethan anything.Wecheckedtheflopsowedidntlikeourhandthen,but thenontheturna9cameandwelikeourhandnowsomuchwe decidetoraisewhatchanged?Aheartcamesupposedlygivingus aflushdraw.Inthehandhefoldedtotheraise.
Example 8
$25/$50HU,opponenthas$1,800andIcover.IhaveA-7and raiseto$150fromthebutton,hereraisesto$390andIcall.Thecall isslightlymarginal,buttheopponentisntthesharpesttoolinthe shedsothatmademewanttocall.TheflopisK54,checkcheck. Theturnisthe6andheleadsout$260.Thisisaperfectspotto semibluff,theopponentcheckedtheflopandthenbetsmallonthe turnsothatmakeshimlookweak.Althoughtobehonestitsun clearsincehesalittletrickyandhecoulddefinitelyhaveagood handhere. Whatthenmakesitagoodspottoraiseistwothings.Firstofallwe haveoutswehavetheopenendedstraightdraw,whichgivesusa eightoutsandalsothereisafairchanceouracehighisgoodforan otherthreeouts.Beyondthatthestacksizesareperfect.Partofthe reasonnottosemibluffraisemostofthetimeisthewayanoppo
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nentcanoutplayyoubyreraisingyoursemibluff.Here,however, thatissimplynotpossibleforouropponent.Anaturalpotsized raiseforusisaboutallinsothereisnowayforhimtocounteract theplayanditsalsogoodforimagereasonsandgettingactionlater onwithbiggerhands.
Example 9
$25/$50HU,opponentraisesto$150andIcallwith10-9.Theflop is338,Icheckandhebets$175.Thisisagoodspottocheck raisehimagainhisbetsizeissmallandweirdandheisprobably weak.AndevenifImwrongtherearebackdoorstraightandflush drawswhicharesignificantastheyletmecontinueasemibluffon theturnifIchooseto,andiftheyhitontherivertheyaresuchdis guisedandstronghandstheimpliedoddsaremassiveandIcan makealotofmoney.Thereareafull10heartsthatcancome,six nonheartstraightcardsandalsosixpairingcards.HereIraisedand hefolded.
Example 10
$10/$25HU,Iraiseonthebuttonwith4-7to$75andmyoppo nentcalls.Flopis543,checkcheck.TurnisJandhebets$70. Pokerisacomplicatedgamewithalotofthingsgoingonsoitsim portanttobeabletosimplifysituationsandanalyzeonlytherele vantfactors.Herethehandturnsouttobequitesimpleandwecan ignorethingslikepotcontrol,puttinghimonhandrangesandsoon, andjustlookattwothings.Thefirstfactoristhathemadeanodd lookingsmallbetsothismeansheisweak.Thesecondisthatwe haveoutstohitabetterhand.Thatsallittakesallweneedtosee hereistheweakbetandoutsevenifhedoescallus.Iraisedthepot andhefolded.
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Trapping
Normallywhenyouhaveagoodhandyoubet,andwithaweak handyoucheck.Trappingmeanstakingahandthatisgoodenough towarrantthatbetandchecking,whichaccomplishesafewthings. Itletstheopponentbluff(althoughsometimesthebestwayto trapanopponentistobettoinduceabluffraise)itcanalsoput doubtintotheopponentsmindthatyourhandisstrong(ifitwas strongwhywouldntyoujustbetitrightaway,whichisthestan dardplay?)andwiththatdoubtinhismind,thuscreatemoreaction onlaterstreets.Finallyitallowsmorecardstocomeontheboard whichcouldmaketheopponentputmoremoneyintothepot. Whenyouchecktolettheopponentseeanothercardandyouhope hehitsahand,considerwhatspecificworsthandyouarehoping youropponentcatches.
Example 1
$5/$10,threelimpers,IcompleteinthesmallblindwithKJo.The flopisAKKwithtwoclubs.IfIcheckwhatworsthandamIhop ingtheyhit?Thereisaflushdrawandiftheyhitthattheyarebeat ingme.Theycantpairupbecausethereisalreadyanaceonthe boardsotheirpairwouldbeanunderpairandnotaverygood hand.Thesecondquestioniswillmycheckputdoubtintotheir mindsotheywillgivemeactionlateroninthehand?Forexample wouldtheycallmewithA10ontheturnwhereastheywouldhave foldedittoaflopbet?Anotherquestionis,willtheyattemptabluff ifwetrytrappingandchecktothem?Inthishandalmostcertainly notitsafivewayunraisedpotsotheywouldhavetobequite recklesstotryandblufffouropponentsoutofthepot.
Example 2
$5/$10fivehanded,Ihave79oandraiseonthebutton,theBBcalls. FlopisJ93,hechecks,andIcheck.Thisboardissodrawheavy
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thatwitheitheradraworamadehand,especiallysincehesoutof position,hehastogetridofmypositionaladvantagebyraisingso onthisboardtextureitisclosetoaraise/foldsituationforhimhe cantjustcallandseewhathappens.Araiseorfolddoesntlookthat greattomy79,soIcheck,theturnisaJ. Hechecks,andagainthisisagoodspottobetrickyandcheck.Re memberthatinNLHEprofitscomefrommakingworsehandscall you,ormakingbetterhandsfoldprofitsdonotcomefromhaving drawscallyou.Inthefirstplaceifhehasadrawheiseithergoingto leadtheturnorcheckraisetheturnitwouldtakeabadandweak playertocheckcalltheturnwithadraw(notethatcheckcallingthe flopismorereasonablebecauseitistrickierandhehastwocards lefttohitit).Checkcallingapotsizedbetontheturnmeansputting moneyinatoddsof2:1whenaflushdrawonlyhits1/5times.But sayhehasahandlikeAQandwehave79,thenhehassixouts, whichmeansbybettingandmakinghimfoldheloses6/45,or13% equityinthepot,sooutof$70thatis$9equitywegaininthepot. Saywebet$50toprotectthepotwiththeplanoffoldingtoaraise ifheraiseshewins$120,soifheeverbluffsorsemibluffcheck raisesweareinbigtrouble.Wearetryingtopushhimoutandwin $9ofEVbutitcanendupcosting$120. SinceIcheckedtheflopheknowsIprobablydonthaveajack,thus hecancheckraisebluffmewithseemingimpunity,semibluff checkraise,andthisisalsoagoodspottotrapcheckraiseifhehas ajack.Itshardtoseewhatworsehandhecancallwith,orinother words,howavaluebetbymecouldbesuccessful.Themostlikely handtocallisabetternine,likeK9orA9.Soagainitsprobablya fold/raisesituationforhim,butlessofafold/raisesituationthanon theflop.Forinstanceletssayhehasapocketpairlowerthannines. IfhecallstheflopandIhavetwoovercards(andpossiblyastraight draworgutshotdrawonthisboard)hehastododgeanoutdrawon twostreets,andhealsohastododgecardsthatallowmetobluff himandalsododgemybluffontwoseparatestreets. However,ontheturntheveryfactthatIcheckedtheflopmakesit
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lesslikelythatIhaveamadehand.Alsoheonlyhastododgeone streetofoutdraws,raisinghisequitysignificantly,andfinallyhehas onelaststreettododgebluffsbyme.Allofthesefactorsmakeit morepossibleforhimtocalltheturninsteadofraisingorfolding. SoIcheckfordeception,therivercomesasevenandhechecks.He definitelycantputmeon8Tasthatwouldhavebetthefloporturn, anditsureseemslikeanineorJwouldhavebetearlierinthehand too.Sobasicallyabetbymeissuspiciousasitshardtoputmeon anything,sohemightcallwithaworsehandthathewouldhave foldedearlierinthehand,plusthereisdefinitelythechancehecan leadoutonabluffontheriver.InthehandIbetandhefolded.
Example 3
$10/$25HUvs.abadplayer;webothhave$3,000stacks.Heraises to$75andIhaveA10osoIreraiseto$225forvalue.Icanoutplay himpostflopsoImnotafraidofbuildingabigpotoutofposition withamarginalhand,althoughinthiscaseA10oisntactually marginalbecauseheisraisingthebuttonveryoftenandhecalls everysinglereraise.Normallyaproblemwithraisingahandlike A10ohereisthattheopponentwillfoldworsthandsandcallwith betterones,butinthiscasetheopponentisautocallingreraises. TheflopisAJ3andnowIhavetodecidehowtoplaythehand. Sinceheisraisinghisbuttonsooften,andbecauseheautomatically callsmyreraise,hishandrangeisverywideandthereisagood chancehehasnothing.Alsoheisaggressiveandcapableofbluffing soIcheckedtoseeifhedtraphimself.Hebet$400andagainst someopponentsyoudhavetoproceedverycautiouslyhereand evenconsiderfolding.Butagainstthisopponentafterthinking abouthisbet,hisprefloptendenciesandabilitytobluff,Iwasnt ecstaticaboutmyhandbutcheckingtheflopwasmyplantotrap andnowherewasmychancetotrapandIdfollowthroughwithit soIcall. Theturncomesthe10andIcheckagain.Nowthepotis$1,250and
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hebets$800.BeforetheTcameIwasntthrilledaboutmyhandbut wasprobablygoingtofollowthroughwiththeplanandshowdown, butnowIamecstatic.Theonlyquestioniswhethertogoallinorto call.Againgiventhathessoloosepreflopthereisagoodchancehe isdoingthiswithrandomcardsthatdonthaveanyouts.Alsoifhe hasaflushdrawhisbetsarealittleoddbecausehekeepsgivingme achancetocheckraisehimoffhishandsothatmeanstheresagood chanceitisntaflushdraw NotethatafterIcallthepotwillbealmost$3,000andweonlyhave $1,500lefteach.Mostpeoplewouldgetexcitedabouttheirhandand checkraiseallinwithoutthinkingaboutitforanumberofreasons. Howevereventhoughanallinwouldbeanunderbetcomparedto thepotsizeyoushouldntjustthrowitinthereforthehellofitplay precisepoker.SoIcalledtheturnandtheriverisablank,Icheckand heimmediatelygoesallinfor$1,475whichIcallandhemucks86o. NotethatgivenmyplanandpotsizeIhavetocallanyriverinclud ingtheQ,otherwisemyplancouldbackfireinabigway.
Example 4
$25/$50HU,opponentisloose/badandhasastackof$2,000,Icover. Ilimponbuttonwith57sandheraisesto$150,whichhelikestodo frequently.TheflopisQQ5andheleadsout$300,whichhealmost alwaysdoes,Icall.Theturnisafiveandhechecks.Basedonhow heplayswhichconsistsofalwaysraisingpreflopandalwaysbet tingtheflop,alongwithhisturncheckhere,Ithinkhedoesnthave aqueen.Sinceheissuspiciousthisisagoodtimetonottrapand justbetstraightaway.Mostpeoplewouldntbeaggressiveandbeta five,sowhenIbetIamsayingIhaveaqueenoramjustmaking someweirdbluff.Hesnotgoingtocatchagoodsecondbesthand heresohehasadecisiontomakeaboutifIhavesomethingornot, andmybetlooksmoresuspiciousontheturnthanontheriver.On theturnitlookslikeIamjustquicklytryingtogethimoutsothisis agoodspottonottrap.InthiscaseIbet$700intoa$900potandhe checkraisedallinfor$1,500totalwithA2.
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Example 5
$25/$50HU,opponenthas$3,300andisatiltingmaniac.Iraiseto $150onthebuttonandhereraisesto$450andIcallwith66.The flopisQ76andhehasbeenbettingtheflopwhenhehassome thingandcheckfoldingwhenhedoesnthaveanything.Andwhen Icheckbehindhealmostalwaysautomaticallybetsthepotof$900 intomeontheturnwhichhedoesherewhenthe8comes.Now thisputsanawfullotofdrawsoutthereanditstimetoaskacouple ofquestions.Whatishishandrange?Verywide.Whatisthebest waytogetmoneyoutofthathandrange?Becauseheissoaggres siveandiscurrentlybetting,wewanttolethimkeeptheleadand lethimbeoveraggressive.Sothebestplayistojustcallhisbet.His handrangeissowiderightnowthatitcouldbeanytwocards,and sinceheisamaniachewillgiveactionontheriver.Heprobably doesnthaveagoodhandthatwillgiveactionnowbutmightifa scarecardcomes.Heprobablydoesntevenhavethatgoodadraw. Theplanistocall,andsincehesamaniacwecantoutguessour selvesontheriveritsacallnomatterwhatcardcomes,evenifits the9.Inthehanda10felloff,hewentallinfor$2,000,Icalled, andhehadQ8.
Example 6
$10/$25HU,opponenthas$1,000andIcover.IhaveJ3andraise preflopto$75andhecalls.TheflopisJ55andhechecks.We havetoppairwithnokickerandarenttooafraidoffuturecards comingtooutdrawusasheprobablyhasoneovercardtohitatmost. Grantedfuturehighcardscouldscareawayactionbutthatisacal culatedrisk.Alsoitshardtoputhimonasecondbesthandthat willgiveusactiontheboardwouldntletthathappen.Ifhehitthe boarditseithertripfivesorabetterpairofjacks.Thesituationis ripeforatrap. Inthisparticularcaseitturnsoutthebestwaytotraphimisactually nottocheck.Firstofall,oneproblemwiththechecktrapishecan
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notcatchasecondbesthandheeitherpairsuptooutdrawusor hitsanunderpair,whichissuchaweakhandheprobablywouldnt commitmuchmoneywithit.Herehisstacksizemakesiteasierif heraisesusifhedoeshaveusbeat,westandtoloseless.Oneofthe reasonstochecktheflopnormallyisacombinationoftrappingand potcontrolasitwouldgenerallybebadtoget100BBinhere;how ever,gettingjust40BBinismorereasonable. Thebottomlineisthatbettingtheflopismoresuspiciousthancheck ing.Becausetheboardissodryandhecouldnthavehitanything,its alsohardforustohavehitanything.Andbecausethisopponentis aggressiveandlooseIamalrighttogetallthemoneyinhereandsoI bet$125,andhecheckraisedto$390,whichmakesthingsslightly awkwardforusbecauseoncewecallitshowswehaveanokayhand. Fortheturnplayhewouldhavetheadvantageashewouldknow aboutwhattypeofhandwehaveandsupposedlybeabletoplay prettyclosetocorrectly.Wewonthavealotofflexibilitygivensuch goodpotodds.However,withthatbeingtrue,thereisnothingwe cando,wejustwillhavetofollowtheplan.Icalled.Theturnisa3, hegoesallinandwecallandhis10-4isnogood.
Example 7
$25/$50threehanded,Ihave$7,500andtheopponentcovers,heis badplayerwhoiseasytoread.Heraisesthebuttonto$175andI callwith22intheBB.Theflopis267,Icheckandhebets$375 quickly.Ithasbeenabettingtellofhisthatwhenhebetsfullpot quicklyhecontinueswithabetontheturn.Ihaventseenhishands whenhedoesthissoitsunclearifitsablufforagoodhand.Inany casemyonlyquestionhereishowtobuildthebiggestpot.The boardissouncoordinatedthatImnotworriedaboutdrawsthe onlydrawsherearegutshotstraightdrawsandan89butifhehits thatthereisnothingIcandosomymainconcernisjusttobuildthe pot. SoIcalled,theturnisthe2,Icheckandhequicklybetspotasex
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pected.Nowthereareacoupleofquestionstoaskhowoftendoes hehaveagoodhandhere(anoverpair)andhowoftenishebluffing andhowoftenwillhecontinuetobluff?Myreadwasthatheproba blyhadagoodhandbuttherewasachancehewasbluffing.Inei thercaseIfiguredifIcheckcalledtherewasagoodchanceheddo itagainontheriver. TheriveristheA,whichseemedliketheworstscarecardpossible anditbecamelikelyhewouldshutdownnowwithwhatevermade handhehad.Iconsideredleadingoutintohimlike$1,100toforce somevalueashewillbecuriousandsuspiciousandprobablycall itsquitehardforpeopletofoldadecenthandina$3,500potfor $1,100.However,thedecidingfactorwashisbettimingandsizing tell.Whenhehadquicklybetfullpotbeforehehadalwaysfollowed ituponthenextstreetwithabet.InthehandIcheckedandheim mediatelywentallinandhisKJolost.
Example 8
$25/$50HU,opponenthas$15,000andIcoverhim.IhaveQ-8,he raisesto$150preflopandIcall.TheflopisAK5,Icheckhe bets$300andIcalltomixitup.TheturnistheQ,checkcheck.The riveristhe10.Thisisaperfecttimetocheckandtrap.Thereason isthatIwillonlygetmoneyfromtheopponentifhehasastraight orifhehasaflush.Soifhedoesnthaveoneofthosetwohandsit doesntmatterwhattheriveractionis,theresultisalwaysthesame. Soletssayhehasoneofthosetwohandsandconsiderwhatwill happenifIcheckandwhatwillhappenifIbet.Ifhehasaflushand Ibethewillraiseallin,andifIcheckhewillbetandcallmycheck raiseallinsoIgetallhismoneyeitherway.Sotheonlyhandthat mattersforanalysisnowisthestraightandwhathappenswhenhe hasastraightifIbetandwhathappensifIcheck?IfIbethewill onlycallme,butifIcheckhewillbetandthenmaybecallacheck raisesoImightgettwobetsontheriver.Icheckedandhechecked behindwithK4,fromwhichIwouldhavegotnovalueanyway.
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Folding Strong Hands
Example 1
$50/$100threehanded.Myopponent,whoisarelativelysolidand unimaginativeplayer,opensto$350onthebutton,Ireraiseinthe BBto$1,100withAA,andhemakesthesurprisingmoveoffour bettingmeto$3,400quickly.Sinceitssorareforhimtofourbet, andbecauseheisunimaginative,hisbetmeansabighand.Tobe moreprecise,itdoesntevenhavetobeabighandjustahandhe thinksisbig.Alsogiventhathewillhavepositiononmepostflop, andalsoconsideringthathedoesntgiveexcessiveactionpostflop unlesshehasabighand,andfinallyconsideringthatacallbyme willgiveawayalmostasmuchinformationasraising,Ishouldhave justgoneallinpreflop. ButthistimeIjustcalled.TheflopcameKK6,Icheckedandhebet $3,600.Nowwemustaskwhatthehandrangefromatightuni maginativeplayerafterthispreflopactionisAA,AK,KKor QQ?Ifhehasqueenshellchecktheflopforsurewhywouldhe betthem?Heisntcallingacheckraiseandhedoesntneedtopro tecthishandagainstoutdraws,whichwouldonlyhavetwoorthree outs.Andhesnotbluffingwithnothingbecausehispreflopaction sayshehasastronghand.Evengivenasmallchancehewasbluff ingpreflop,sinceIcalledhewouldprobablygivehisbluffupand checktheflop.SohishandrangeisbasicallyAKorKK.Ipushed foolishlyandheinstantlycalledwithAK.Aruleofthumbiswhen youputinabout10%ofyourstackpreflopwithaces,itsokaytogo tothefeltwithitallthetimeontheflop.Thatruleofthumbworked, andmyflopplayhereisstandardforalmosteveryone.However, thiswasagreatopportunitytomakeabigfoldhereandgainalotof EVthatotherplayerswouldntget.
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Example 2
$50/$100threehanded,$15,000stacks.IhaveAAandraiseonthe buttonto$350,opponentmakesit$1,100intheBB.Heispassive anddoesntreraisemuchpreflop.Alotofthetimejustcallingwith acesisabetterplayherebecausefourbetsarereallystrongandlet peoplefoldtheirmediumstrengthhandsandbluffs.Howeverin thisspottheopponentisprobablyquitestrongbecauseheneverre raisespreflop,soIfourbetto$3,500andhecalls.Theflopcomes 1055,hechecks.Whenmostpeoplegetacesandreraisepre floponeoftwothingshappentheygetoverexcitedandwantto getalltheopponentsmoneyrightaway,ortheygetafraidofplay ingatrickypotonlaterstreetsandinstantlybetpotontheflop withoutrealizingthattheeasiestlineisnotalwaysthemostprofit able.However,inthisspotabetisbestashedidntcallwithaweak handwiththeintentionofbluffingmeoutlaterhehassomething strongandhastomakeadecisionaboutwhetherImbluffingornot. MaybeIllgethismoney,maybeIwont. TheotherquestiontoaskiswhathandscouldItrapbychecking,? Wellnotmanytheonlycardthatcouldcometosetaneffective trapisaking,andifhehappenstohaveakinginhishandthereare onlythreeofthoseleft.Imnotsoafraidabouttheflushbecause thereisonlyoneexacthandcombinationthatcouldhaveaflush drawA-K.SoIbetthepotof$6,500,hethinksforawhileand goesallin.Iobviouslycall,ashishandrangehereisprobablyAA QQ,1010orAK.AlsoImgetting41oddsonmymoney,and thiswasmyplanwhenIbettheflop.SoIcalledandhehadAK. Ifweconsiderhissideofthethingsthishandwillshowushownot toplayadraw.ReraisingpreflopisperfectlynormalwithAKs (thoughitwouldhavebeensmartofhimtoreraisemorefrequently soIdidntputhimonahandrangeasnarrowasQQAAand AKorAQ).However,myfourbetisquitestrong.Onethinghe shouldrealizeisthatIamabetterplayerthanhim,andheshould givemerespectandrealizeIcanoutplayhim.Ifanaceflopshe wontgetbluffsfrommeandifitdoesntIllpushhimoffhishand.
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Anaceorkingwillonlyflop1/3timesandhesoutofposition.He needstogiveabetterplayerhisdueandfoldAKhere.
Example 3
$10/$25HU,opponentraisesto$75onthebuttonandIcallwith 9-10.Theflopis832,checkcheck.Theturnisthe9which makesforalotofhandscomposedofsomecombinationofstraight drawandovercarddrawthathellsemibluffthere.Herehechecked, thentherivercomestheA.Icheckandhebets$150.Itspretty frustratingthathecheckedbehindontheturnthensuchabadcard comesontheriveranditsveryeasytocallhereoutofacombina tionoffrustrationandcuriosityatwhathehas,hopingthatour handisgood.Butthisisactuallyagoodspotinasmallpottofold wheremostpeoplewouldmakeasloppycallandlosetheir$150. Partofthereasonisthatoneofthemostlikelyhandstheopponent checksbehindontheflopandturnisacehighithasshowdown valuesohedoesntneedtobluffwithitlikehewouldwithahand likeKJ.
Example 4
$25/$50fourhanded,buttonraisesto$175,SBcallsandIcallinthe BBwithA5s.Theflopis26KandtomixitupIleadout$500. Thebuttoncallsandtheturnbringsthe10,Icheck,thepotis $1,500andhebets$1,300.ShouldIcheckraisemylast$3,000?Or call?No,eventhoughIhavetheacehighflushdrawwithanover carditsafold.Itsveryhardformetohavetwopairherewiththe flopbeingsouncoordinatedIcouldhavehittwopairontheturn withK10,butwithK10Iwouldntleadtheflop. Thereforemyflopleadiseitherair,aflushdraw,oraset.WhenI checkraisetheturnallinhecanputmeoneitheraflushdrawora set.Thefactissetsdontcomealongasoftenasflushdrawssothe questioniswhetherheisaweakplayerwhoseesabigbetandauto
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automaticallyfoldsonepair?Orisheathinkingplayerwhowillput hismoneyinwhenhethinkshishandisbest?InthiscaseIthought hewasjustaloosesuspiciousbadplayer,soIjustfoldedwhichis thebestplayontheturn.
Example 5
$10/$25HU,opponentisplayingweirdillogicalpoker,heistricky andalittletoughtoplaybuthasmanyleaks.Hechangeshisbetsize alotmakingsmallandmediumbetswithsmallhandsandbluffs andhebetsfullpotwhenhehasagoodhand.Iraisepreflopto$75 withQJandhecalls.TheflopisQ72,andhecheckcallsabetof $150.Hecallsafairamount.Theturnisatwoandintermsofpot sizemyhandisgoodenoughtogetonemorebetintothepot.Butif wegoallin,orbetsgoinonboththeturnandriver,thentheresa goodchanceIlllose. ThereforeIchecktheturnandhopetogetvalueontheriver.The riverisaneightandheleadsout$400likehedoeswithgoodhands. Iwasslowlygrindingthisplayerdownsostrategicallyitsnotbad tofoldhere.Also,Ihadafeelinghewasntbluffing,whichcame fromthegametempo,hisbetsizeandbetspeed.Anotherreasonit probablyisntabluffisbecausethereisntanythingforhisbluffto represent.NoscarecardshitandIeitherhaveapairofqueensorI dont.IfIhaveapairofqueensImprobablycallinganybetupto thepotsize.IfmyhandisworsethanapairofqueenthanIm probablyfoldingtoabouta3/4potbetorevenalittleless.Sohecan accomplishthesamebluffbybettingabout$300buthedidnt,he bet$400.MyreadwasthathestargetingmeifIhaveaqueenand soIfolded.
Example 6
$25/$50,fourhanded.IopenonthebuttonwithQJoto$175,theSB raisesto$575,BBfoldsandIcall.Thisisnormallyafoldbutheis
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playingaggressivelyandpeoplearepushingmearoundpreflop. TheflopisKQ7andheleadsout$725.SinceIcalledwithsuch amarginalhand,thesituationismarginalandIhavetoplayvery welltomakeitanokaycallpreflop.Although,justbecauseIcalled preflopdoesntmeanthatifIhitsomethingIamcommittedtoput tingmoneyintothepotIcalledhisreraisepreflopsotheQandK areverylikelycardstohavehitmeandhisbetsizeseemstosaythat hewantstokeepmeinthepot.Wecantknowforsurebutitlooks likeheistargetingusifwehaveaqueen.WhatImeanisifwehave apairofkingsweareprobablygoingtoputmoneyintothepot whetherhebets$725orifhebets$1,150.Ifwehave1010orQJwe areprobablynotgoingtoputmoneyinifhebetsthefullpot$1,150; however,wearemorelikelytoputmoneyinifhebetssmaller. Thefirstpieceofevidenceishebetonaboardthatcouldverylikely hitapersoncallingareraisepreflop.Thesecondpieceofevidence isthathebetsmalllikehestryingtotrapus.Normallyasmallbetis evidenceofweaknessbuthereitsdifferentbecausegiventheboard textureitsquitelikelywehitsomething.Andifwehitsomething andhebetsmallitlookslikeheswantingustocallandifhewants ustocallthatmeanshehasagoodhandandshouldfold.Alsothis playerisaggressiveandwhenhebetstheflophegenerallybetsthe turn,soforthatreasonweneedtomakeadecisionhereasto whetherwearewillingtogoallinwithapairofqueensontheturn whenhebets,andthatsimplycantbejustifiedasheisaggressive butnotamaniac.
Bet-call and check-call lines with weak hands
Example 1
$10/$25sixhanded,twofoldsandalimper,Iraisepotto$110with K-10,SBcallsandsodoeslimper.Ihave$2,400andlimpercovers me.TheflopisK5Q,SBchecksandBBleadsoutintomefor
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$250.IcallandtheSBfolds,theturncomesthe4andheleadsout $600.Nowwehaveadecisiontomakeandnowitstimetostart handreading. Normallyaccordingtothebasicconceptsofpokerthisisafoldit wasathreewaypotpreflop,wehavetoppairandakickerthat isntworthmuchandtheopponenthasmadeadecentsizedturn betandiscertainlythreateningtomakeabigriverbet.Normallywe dontplaytoppairforbigpots,letalone100BB.AndhadIbeen playingonautopilotwithoutconsciouslyanddeliberatelythinking throughthehandIsurelywouldhavefolded.Butdoingexactlythat yieldsinterestingresults.Tryputtinghimonaspecifichand.Aset? KKisveryunlikelyasthereisexactlyonecombination,sinceIhave akingandthereisakingontheboard;QQisalsounlikelybecause helimpcalledpreflop,andforthesamereasonhedoesnthave aces.HealsodoesnthaveAKbecausehewouldntlimpcallwithit preflop. KJisapossibilitybutthislinewithKJwouldbequitepeculiaras hishandisntquitegoodenoughtobeplayedsoaggressively.Ifhe hadKQheprobablywouldjustraisepreflopbutassuminghelimp calledheprobablywouldntleadoutontheflopsincehehasthe boarddominated.Hecouldhaveasetoffivesbutthatisonlyone handcombinationsonottoolikely.Thereforesincewecantputhim asetwewillcontinuewithK10butshouldweraiseorfold?Raising makesnosenseasifheisbluffingwewanthimtokeepbluffingand theboardisnttooscarywithdrawssowedontneedtoraisefor protection.Theonlyreasontoraisewouldbeifweareverysurehe hasadrawandalsoverysurehewillnotbluffusontheriver.Sowe call,theriverisaqueenandhegoesallin.Nowwemustaskifthere isanywayhecouldhaveaqueen?Notreally,hewouldhavehadto bettheflopandtheturnwithaQsomehowlikeAQ,KQorQ5, whichdontmakesense.SoIcallandheshows86foragutshot drawhepickedupontheturn.
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Example 2
$10/25HU,theopponenthas$1,350andIcover.Ihave99,heraises onthebuttonto$75andIreraiseto$225.Hecalls.Thepotis$450 andhehas$1,100left,theflopisK82.Nownormallypotcon trolwouldbeahugefactorhereasyouwouldbetryingtokeepthe potsmallbecauseifthepotgotbigandyouwenttoashowdown youwouldlikelylose.Inthisparticularcase,however,theopponent israisingveryfrequentlyandcallingallreraises.Soingeneral pocketninesareagoodhandandwilloftenstillbebestontheflop. Thisflopisalsorelativelygoodwithjustoneovercardsosinceheis solooseandtiltingandourninesareprobablythebesthandwejust havetogetthemoneyinandseewhathappens. ThereforeIbet$325andhecalls.Theturnisthe7;Icheckbecause ifhefloatedtheflopwithnothingoraweakhandjusttoseewhat Iddo,Iwanttogivehimachancetobluffhere.Hewentallin,I calledandhehad56.Inthishandhecouldveryeasilyhavehadus beatbutsometimesinpokerthereisnothingyoucandotoavoid losingmoneyandthiswouldhavebeenoneofthosespots.
Example 3
$25/50HU,opponentisverylooseaggressiveandbad.Heisraising almosteverybuttonandthenalmostalwayscontinuationbetting theflop,hehas$2,500andIcover.HeraisespreflopandIcallwith K10s.TheopponentissobadandneedlesslyaggressivethatIcan justwaittoseeifIhitaflopwiththishand,andthengetthemoney infromtherebecausehewillalwaysbet.SohereIcall,theflopis K93,Icheckandhebets$300asexpected.NownormallyIhave toppairwithamediumkickeranditsnotgoodtoget50BBsinon theflopwiththatonadryboard.Agoodplayerwouldeithercheck behindontheflopwithsomethinglikeK5sohecanpracticepot controlhimself,orhedfolditpreflop,orifsomeoneraisedhim hedmakeagooddecision.Thisparticularopponentwillnotonly bettheflopwithK5,alwaysraiseitpreflopandwillmakeabad
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decisionifIraise,buthecouldbebettinganytwocardsandwillcall withworsekings.SoinsteadofcallingwhichIdnormallydo,inthis caseIcheckraisedto$1,000,heimmediatelywentallinandhisK4 lost.
Example 4
$10/$25HU,opponentisverybadandloosepassive,hehasalready beenstackedacoupleoftimes.IraiseKQoto$75andhecalls.The flopis446,hecheckcallsa$125bet.Theturnisthe6andhe checks,Icheckbehind.Thepotis$450,therivercomesanoffsuit Jackandheleadsout$270.Myinstinctstoldmethatsomethingfelt offtherewasacombinationoffactorsherethatmadehisplaysus picious.Heplaysstraightforward,soifhehitthesixontheturnhe probablywouldhaveledoutandsofarhehasbetthefullpotin stantlywithhandshelikesandhedidntdothathere,whichisevi dencehedoesntlikehishand.Hecallsmepreflopalmostevery timesohishandrangeiswide,andhecallsmyflopbetsveryoften, sohishandrangeiswidethere,too.Ifhehadacehighhewould probablychecktheriverbecauseacehighhasshowdownvalue. WithA4inhishandhewouldraisetheflop.A6wouldprobably betthepotontheriver.Thecombinationofallthesefactorsmade mesuspicioussoIcalledandhehad52.Itsworthnotingthata raiseisbadasifhehasa4ora6heisneverfolding.Theworsthand hecouldhaveisajackandaraiseissosuspiciousandhessobad thathecouldcallanyway.
Example 5
$10/$25HU,opponentisaclownbutplayslikeanitsoitsagrindto takehismoneyaway.Heminraisesonthebutton,Irepopto$150 with88andhecalls.Thissequencehashappenedafewtimesal ready.Heisshortstackedwith$1,200.TheflopisA102,andI checkasthereisnoreasontobet.Hecheckstoo.TheturnistheQ, Icheckandhechecks.Theriveristhe4,Icheckandhebets$300.
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Normallythisisaneasyfoldjustbasedontheobviousfactthatitis anunderpairtoaboardwiththreeovercardsinareraisedpot. Butmyinstinctssaidhisbetdoesntmakesense.Hisprefloprangeis wideasheraisedpreflopalotandwouldalwayscallmyreraise. Thenifhehasabighandwhywouldnthebetthefloporturnboth forvalueandtoprotecthishand.Thentheriverisablanksoit doesntchangethestrengthofhishandandhechosethattimetobet? Hebetsfullpot,too,whichonthatboardindicatesagoodamountof strengthwhichisinconsistentwiththefacts,sothisissuspicious. Also,itindicatesalotofstrengthbecausehewasnotasophisticated opponentsoifhebetsfullpotitsnotwithamediumstrengthhand mixingitupandheisnotsophisticatedenoughtotrapbychecking theflopandturnwithagoodhandthatoften.Evengivenallofthese factorsitisstillahardcalltomake,giventheboardandtheweakness ofmyhandbutinHUpokerandyoucantletscarecardsgettoyou andyoucantletyourselfgetrunover.Icalledandhehad6-9.
Example 6
$10/$25,sameopponent,hehas$1,300andIcover.Helimpsonthe button,IraisewithKKto$75,hecalls.TheflopisJ103;Ibet $150andhecalls.Theturnisthe7anditfeltlikehewouldfoldifI betandhemightbetsoIcheckedhopingtocheckraisebuthe checksbehind.Theriveristhe8.Icheckandhequicklybets$450. Againmyinstinctssaidhisbetwasoffpartlybecauseofhisbettim ing.Butitsalsobasedonstraightforwardhandanalysis.Hecould haveaflushbutthisisabackdoorflushandthosearehardtocome byHU.Hecouldhaveastraightbutthatmeansveryspecifichands forhimlike109orJ9orQ9.Thebigquestionishowsophisticated heis,e.g.wouldhebettwopairontheriveragainstmetogetvalue? Atoughplayerwouldbetmanytwopairhandsontheriveraswell asaflushorastraightsohishandrangeisalotwider.Butinthis casetheopponentisntsophisticatedandwouldonlybetastraight orflushorabluff,whichmakesitalotmorelikelyImahead.I calledandhehad53.
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Example 7
$10/25sixhanded,IraiseinMPwithA-9to$85andonlytheSB calls.Theflopis3102,checkcheck.Theturnisthe4,check check.Theriveristhe7andtheopponentquicklyleadsoutthepot. Whatisherepresenting?Wellhedidntbetonthefloportheturnso basedonthatitdoesntseemthatstrong.Andifhehadamediumto weakmadehandwouldnthechecktheriverandhopeforafree showdown?Sohesrepresentingaflush,butpeopledontget flushesallthatoftenadditionallyhemightbebettingwiththaton theturn.IcalledandhehadQ-J.
Example 8
$5/$10HU,opponenthas$400andIcover,heisbadandloose.I haveA5andraiseonthebuttonto$30,hecalls.Theflopis 596,hechecks.InNLHEitcanbehardtoprotectyourhand sometimesforinstanceifwebetthepotof$60thenhewillnotcall withworsehandsbuthecouldblufforsemibluffusandhecancall withbetterhands.Andifwechangedourbetsizetoprotectthepot tosomethinglike$20thenitwouldgivealotofinformationaway aboutthetypeofhandwehaveandhecouldoutplayus.Sonor mallytobedeceptiveweareforcedtocheckinthissituation.How evergiventhatheisespeciallybadhereIbet$25forthepurposeof protectingmyhandsinceheissobadhewontbeabletotakead vantageofmyobviousbetsize. Hecalledanditsunclearwhathehasatthispoint.Theturnisthe 3,hechecksandIcheckbehind.Theriveristhe9andheleadsout $110quickly.Letsdosomehandreadinghequicklybetoutthe potsohesrepresentingagoodhand,whichherewouldbeaflush oranine.Itsnotlikelythathebackdooredaflushsodoeshehavea nine?Well,becausewebetsosmallontheflophisflopcalldoesnot provetousthathehasanine.Andparticularlyinlightofthefact thathessobadandpartofthereasonwebet$25isbecausehesca pableofcallingitwithgarbage.Thingsgetalittletrickierifhishand
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rangeexpandstoincludeapairofsixesbecausethatexpandshis rangesignificantlyandmakesitmorelikelyhehasoneofthehands thathecouldbeplayingitthatwaythatbeatsus.Fortunatelythis playerisnotsophisticatedenoughtomakesuchaggressivevalue betswithweakhands.IcalledandhehadJQo.
Changing gears
Changinggearshasalottodowithbeinginthezone.Theques tionisareyoufocusingonthepokergame,ormindlesslyplaying standardpoker?Ifitsthelatterthenyoureintrouble.Youmightbe doingfinebutthencardswillfallacertainwayforinstanceyou getafewgoodhandsinarowandraisetheopponentandhefolds. Nowhedoesntknowyouhadgoodhandseachtimeinfacthell beprettysureyoudidnthaveitoneofthosetimesbecausemathe maticallythatisthemostlikelyscenariobyfar.Andifyouraisehim againsoonhellbeevenmoresureyouarebluffing,thusyouneed toadjust.Yourstandardsystemofplayisntgoingtoworkinthis situationbecauseanoddrunofcardshasyouropponentsuspicious andheisgoingtoadjust,soyouneedtoadjusttothatadjustment andthatiswhatchanginggearsisabout.
Example 1
$10/$25HU,opponenthas$2,200andIcover.Iopento$75with AKandhecalls.TheflopisAK10andhecheckcallsmypot betof$150.Theturnisthe5andhechecks.Ifhehassomesortof drawormadehand/drawcombinationIwanttoenticehimtocon tinuethehandandalsoenticehimtodosoontermsunfavorableto himsoIbet$300hereandhecalls. Theriveristhe3andheleadsoutthefullpotfor$1,050andmy initialhappinessandconfidenceaboutthehandquicklywentaway. MyhandwassostrongthatIhadtocall,butthedecisionwaseither tocallorgoallin.Inaspotlikethiswherehisbetreallysurprised
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meitseasytoletthataffectmydecisionandmakemecallorgoall inwithoutthinking.Butdontdothatbemeticulous,thinkand handread. Heseemstoberepresentingastronghandbutnoreallystrong handsmakesensehere.Theissueisthatifhehasastraightoraset fromthestarthishandisstrongbutvulnerableandsohewould haveraisedatsomepoint.Actionlikethiscouldbeapocketpair thathitasetontheriverbutthereisnowayhecouldhavecalled theflopandturnwith33.OnehandthatdoesmakesenseisA3, butfortunatelywebeatthathand.Sointheenditsimpossibleto puthimonahandthatbeatsus,soweraiseallin.Hecalledwith A4.
Example 2
Acoupleofhandsafterthattheopponentisplayingwitha$1,200 stack.Iraisethebuttonto$75withQ8oandhereraisesto$195. Normallythisisaneasyfold,butgivenhiscompleterecklessness andthefactthatIhavepositionandthathedoesntmakeafullpot raiseitmakessensetocallhereandseewhatdevelops.Icall,the flopisK87oandhequicklybetsoutthepotof$390.Againthisis normallyaspotwherepeoplelosealotofmoneybygetting draggedintoahandearlyon,andthenwhentheyhitahandthey thinktheyhavetogowithit. WellIdonthavetogowithitgivenhisquickfullsizedpotbetfelt strongtomeandthekingisoneoftheworstcardsthatcouldcome. Alsothestacksizesmakeitawkward.However,themostprofitable playisnotalwaystheeasiestplayandthatisthecasehere.Thesim plefactisthathispreviousplaywithA4wasjustsocrazyandhe losthiswholestack,sohecouldbetiltingevenmorehereandthat makesitacall.Icalledandwithoutputtinganymoremoneyinto thepotwonagainsthis94o.
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Miscellaneous
Example 1
$25/50sixhanded,buttonraisesto$175,theSBcallsandIcallinthe BBwith89o.TheflopisA94,itischeckedaround.Theturnis the6andtheSBleadsoutfor$400.Thisisapeculiarbetfromhim becausewhenhehasagoodhandhehasbetthepotinthepast.A lotofthetimespeoplewillbetsmallerwiththeirbesthandsbut shorthandedpeoplerarelymakehugehands.Basically,therearea lotofdifferenthandshecouldhavebutbecauseofhisbetsizeit doesntfeelstrong.Anotherfactoristhemath.Somepeopleinthis spotwillbetoutandyoullbluffraiseandtheyllalwaysseemto haveagoodhand.Otherpeoplewillfoldoften.Thekeytoseeing howoftentheyhaveabighandornotishowoftentheycallpreflop. Iftheyrarelycallthentheyarealreadyfilteringtheirhandselection, soiftheybettheflopoftenandhaveitoften,itsbecausepreflop theyalreadydumpedthetrash.Iftheycallpreflopalotthenbetthe flopfrequentlytheyaregoingtohavemanyweakholdings. Now,allthreeoptionsareviablehere.Icouldcertainlyfoldsome opponentsaresuspiciousandsomeareweak.Thisparticularoppo nentisweakanddoesntputupmuchofafightwithmediocre holdings.Icouldcallbuthecouldhavealotofmediocrehandsthat stillbeatme,andthereisalsoaplayerbehindme.Also,hecould blufftheriverifIcall.IfIraisehellhaveahardtimecallingwithhis mediocreholdings.AlsoifhedoesshowupwithahandIprobably haveouts.PlusifImabetterplayerthenIcanraiseandifhecalls,I canplanonoutplayinghimbasedonhistiming,therivercard,and hisriveraction.Anotheradvantageisthathecouldcallwithadraw, whichisthebestofbothworlds.Mydecisiontoraisehereisacom binationofmanymarginalfactors,andtheplayitselfisquitemar ginalbutitillustratesthethinkingbehindthissortofplay.
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Example 2
$3/$6sixhanded,UTGraisesto$21,IcallwithredjacksintheSB anditsHU.TheflopisA109,Icheckandhebetspotfor$46. Theopponentisadecentplayerwhoisgivingmealotofrespect andthisisagoodtimetousethatrespecttoendthispotrightnow insteadofplayingmorestreetsoutofposition,whichwillgetcon fusing.Araiseisgoodherebecauseifwejustcallwewillnotknow exactlywherewestandinthehandanditmakesplayingfuture streetsuncertainandconfusing.Iftheopponenthasanacewithout aheartwecanalsobluffhim.Also,afteracheckraisewecouldgeta freeturncardeventhoughwereoutofposition.
Example 3
$25/$50HU,IraiseonthebuttonwithAKoandmyopponentcalls whichhedoesoften,wehave$5kstacks.Theflopis3510,he checks.Normallyalwayscontinuationbettingacehighhereisaleak becausepeoplecansimplycallwithbetterorfoldworsehandsbuta fewfactorsincombinationmadeitabetagainstthisplayer.Hecalls theflopquiteoften,soitcouldbeavaluebetagainstaweakaceor someweirdhandhewantstofloatwith.Alsoheispassive,soifI betheprobablywontcheckraisetheflopandIcangettoseetwo morecardsifIwantbycheckingbehindontheturn,andIcan choosethebetsize.Andfinallyhecallstheflopalotbutisweakon theturnandhasfoldedtomanycontinuationbets,soiftheturn cardisscaryIcankeepbluffing.Inthehandhecalled,theturnwas aQ,andhefoldedtomyturnbet.
Example 4
$5/$10sixhanded,twolimpersandheroraisesto$55withAA, onelimpercalls.Theflopis9J8(herodoesnthaveA).villain checkstohero.Whatplandoeshehavehere,whatsortofpotdoes hewant?Ontheflophemostcertainlywantsasmallone.Theprob
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lemisifthevillainhasapieceofthisboardheissomewherearound evenmoneytobeatAAontheflopandifhehasabigpieceofthe boardthenhecrushesthehero,sothereisntalotofvalueinbetting thisflop. Soiftheopponenthasnothingouractiondoesntmatterbecausehe onlyhasafewoutstooutdrawouracesandsupposingheisnta betterplayerthanus,heprobablywontbeabletobluffusout.Soif webetandhehasnothing,hellfoldandifwecheckandhehas nothingwelljustwinthehandonalaterstreetandouraction doesntmatter.Andiftheopponenthasaverystronghandthen checkingisgoodbecausewearentputtingmoneyintothepot againstit. Thereasonwhythishandissotrickyandwhycheckinghasvalueis iftheopponenthasastrongdraw.Iftheopponenthasastrong drawhecanraiseusasasemibluffontheflopandwellhaveto foldbecauseonthisboardthevillainwouldntgoallinwithnoth ing.Sowegainalotmoreequitybywaitingfortheturntoseeifour acesarestillgood,andwecanseewhathisactionisbecausewe haveposition. Ifyouweretheopponentandhadmiddlesethereyouprobable wanttoleadoutanddothebettingyourself,sinceatop pair/overpairhandwillusuallycheckbehindhere,orbetwiththe intentionoffoldingtoaraise.Valuebettingtoppairisdubiouson thisboardbecausehandsworsethantoppaircantcallveryoften butifthepotstayssmalltoppairhasabetterchanceofbeingthe besthand.Ofcourse,thisisallhighlysituationaldependingonthe waythegameisplayingandtheopponentbutthisillustratesthe wayyoushouldbethinkingabouthands.
Example 5
$25/$50HU,opponenthas$7,500andIcover.IhaveA6oandraise to$150,hecalls.Theflopis468,hechecks,Ibet$225andhe checkraisesto$525.Imnotsureexactlywhatsgoingonatthis
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pointbutImalotbetterthentheopponentwithpositionandcan outplayhim,andalsoheisnotanitandtheresagoodchancehe doesnthaveabighandsoIcall.Theturnisthe2,hebets$475into the$1,350potandhisbetsizegivesthegameawayaswhenhebets smallheisweaksoIraiseto$1,900andtakethepotdown.
Heads-up matches
Finallyherearecompletehandhistoriesandcommentaryfromthree headsupmatches.Acoupleofnoteshere.YoullseethatIdont playperfectlyandIllmakenoattempttohideitnoonedoes. Evenwhensomeoneisplayingtheirbestpokertheyarestillmaking alotofsuboptimalplays,whichispartofthebeautyofthegame thefactthateveryonealwaysplaysbadincomparisontotheper fectgamemeansthatthereisalwaysroomtoplaybetterandearn moremoney. Itsimpossibletoanalyzepokerhandsandcometodefiniteconclu sionsaboutwhatwasagoodplay,whatwasabadplay,andbyhow muchwasitgoodorbad.Thevalueofthissectionisnotsomuchin thefinaljudgmentsImakeandthecorrespondinggoodorbadplays thatoccurbutinseeingallthefactorsthatenterintoadecision. Thenyoucantakealltheconceptsinvolvedandstartweighing themintoyourowndecisionsandovertime,withmuchstudyand repetition,yourjudgmentwillimprove. Anotherpointisthateveryoneplaysdifferently.Itisanotherbeauti fulpartofHUpokerthatitallowsforpeopletoplayinextremely differentwaysandstillbeskilledandwinmoney.Forthisreason alsoitsimportanttofocusnotsomuchonthespecificsofthelinesI takebutonthethoughtprocessesandideasbehindwhatishappen ing.
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Heads-up match #1, $25/50, $5,000 starting stacks
Hand 1
Iopenonthebuttonto$150with87,theopponentreraisesto $450.Itsthefirsthandandhereraisedwhichmakesmesuspicious sofarbasedonthefactsthatheislooseandaggressive.However, evenwiththatbeingsoitsabitsuspecttoputin10%ofmystack preflopwithlowcards,eveniftheyaresuitedconnectors.Toputin somuchpreflopwegenerallywanthighcards,andofcoursehope fullysuitedand/orconnectedones.However,Ifeltlikegamblinga bitandsincethedecisioniscloseitreallydoesntmattertoomuch onewayortheother.IfIcallitwillleadtoaloosergamblinggame withbigpotsandhighervariance,andifIfolditwillbeasmaller potgamewithlessvariance. IcallandtheflopcomesAJ8andheleadsout$900,andIfold. JustbecauseIhaveapairdoesntmeanIneedtogowithit.Here raisedprefloprepresentinghighcards,thentheflopcomeswith highcardsandhecontinuestorepresenthisgoodhandbybetting thepotontheflop.IbelievehimandevenifIdidntitwouldbea lotofmoneytocommitinaveryprecariousposition,sotheflopfold isstraightforward.
Hand 2
Opponentonbuttonfolds.Thisisprettycommonpointaboutgame tempoactually.Afterwinningabigpotlikethattheopponentwill foldpreflopthenexthandmoreoftenthantheywouldnormally.
Hand 3
Iraise79oto$150,hecalls.FlopisJQ8,hechecksandIcheck.
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Iwanttowaitfortheturntogainmoreinformationbeforeriskinga bluff.AlsoifhecallsitslikelyIhavenoovercardsandjustagutshot drawtohitatenwhichhasnoimpliedoddsbecauseitssoobvious. Alsoitsabadboardtexturetobluffbecauseiftheopponenthasa handtheresahigherchancethennormalitsadecenthandwith outs.ForinstanceonamorenormallookingboardlikeKJ6ifthe opponenthad67itsjustbottompair,butintheactualhandifthe opponenthasbottompairwithsomethinglike89or810healso hasagutshotdrawandcancontinuemorereadily.Similarlycom parehowJ10worksonbothboards.Ifwebluffedthefloponthe KJ6boardhellcall,thensaytheturnisatwo.Ifwebetagainhell probablyfoldevenifhessuspiciouswerebluffingasitshardfor himtocallbecausehehasnoouts.HoweverontheQJ8boardif webettheflopandhecallsthentheturnisatwoandwebetagain andhessuspicious,itsaloteasierforhimtocallbecausehehas outs.Sotheboardtexturetakesawaysomeofouroptions. Theturncomesthe7,hechecks.Nowitsnotworthittobluff.Be forewepairedthesevensabetwouldmakesensetomakehimfold acehigh,kinghigh,andpairsbelowsevens.Nowifwebluffwe havetomakehimfoldhandsbetterthanapairofsevenstobeworth it.Andtheonlyhandoutofthosehedfoldisprobablyapairof eights.Sowecheckandalsogiveourselvesachancetoimproveour hand.Riveristhe5andheleadsout$50.Atthispointifweraise himourhanddoesnotrepresentanything.Wecheckedtheflopand turnshowingweaknessandtherivercarddoesntchangetheboard. Sothewaytointerpretit,isoneoftwothings.Eitherastupidbet thatmakesnosensewithacehighorsomerandomhandinwhich casesimplycallingisthebestcourseofaction.Orasamadehand thatknowsweareweakandistryingtoextract$50ofvalueand mightevenhopeweraiseasabluff,becauseheknowsweareweak andwillcalltheraise.Icalled,hehadKJ.
Hand 4
Heraisesto$150,wecallwithQ10o.Thisisagoodhandtomixit
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upandreraisebecausewehavetworelativelyhighcardstopair, andalsocantakeitdownpreflop;however,itfeelslikethisisthe typeofopponentwhowillcallalot.Ifhellcallthereraisealotthis playlosesalotofitsvalue.TheflopisAQ7,Icheckandhe checks.Turnis3,Icheckandhechecks.Ifyoufelttheneedtoput moneyintothepotonthefloporturnsimplyaskyourselfwhatwill itaccomplish?Whathandsishegoingtocall,andwhatwillhefold, andhowdoesthathelpyou?TherivercomestheK,andifthecard wasaragmyplanhadbeentovaluebetbecausehecheckedtwice sohedoesnthaveanace.Nowthekingscareshimifhehasaworse handsohewontcall,andalsohecouldhaveveryeasilyhitthat king.Checkcheck,hehas88.
Hand 5
Iraiseto$150withK10o,hefolds.
Hand 6
Hefolds.
Hand 7
Iraiseto$150withA10o,hefolds.ThisisthesortofopponentIlike. Ifhekeepsthisupitssoeasytoplayversushim.Hishandrangeis smaller,hespredictable.Iwontneedtoforceanythingpostflop becauseIcanmakeaneasyprofitpreflopagainsthim.
Hand 8
Heminraisesto$100;againthisweirdplayreinforcesmybeliefthat startedtogrowfromthelasthand.Thisisapoorplaypreflop whichiseasyformetoplayagainstasheisntputtingmuchpres sureonmewithaminraise.Hecanmakeupforitwithbetterpost
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flopplaybutitsagoodsignforme.IcallwithA8o.Flopis 35K,checkcheck.Turnis7,checkcheck.Maybeabetisgood herebutitsearlyoninthegame,Idonthavemuchofareadonthe opponentanddontknowwhathisflopcheckmeanssoIlltakeit slowandcheck.RiveristheQ,againabethereisprobablygood butImadeamistakeandlettheinertiatakeoverfromtheturn.I checkedtheturnsoitseasytochecktheriver,too,itsalsoparticu larlyeasytochecksinceourhandhasalittlebitofshowdownvalue whichallowsustobelazy.Thisshowshowyouhavetoalwaysbe alertandthisisveryimportantasaplayer.Hecheckedbehindand wonwith22.
Hand 9
IraisewithJ9oandhefolds.
Hand 10
Hefolds.Lookinggoodforme.
Hand 11
Iraiseto$150withAKo,hecalls.Hehasfoldedalotpreflopsoits sometimestemptingtolimpandtraphim.Butlimpingdoesntbuild abigpot;AKhasthepotentialtowinabigpotsoevenifhefoldsa lotpreflopwehavetoriskittotryandachievethepotentialofAK here.Theflopis910Q,heleadsout$50.Notsurewhatthis means,butIthinkitsweak.IfIcallandheleadsoutontheturnon aragthenthingsgetawkwardtoplay.Hereaftera$50bethes probablynotgoingtothreebetmesoIdontneedtoworryabout missingmydrawingchances.AbigpartofthereasonIraisehereis thatifhecalls,Iwillcheckbehindontheturnandtakeanothercard forfree.Hefoldedtothepotraise.
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Hand 12
Opponentfolds.Atthispointhesplayingbad.Firstofallitsvery unlikelyhehasnthadahandgoodenoughtoraisepreflop.And secondlyevenifallofhishandsare26o(whichtheyarent),hecan stillraiseashecanusehispositionandhisgrowingimageasatight playertodothat.
Hand 13
IraiseA6o,hefolds.
Hand 14
Opponentraisesto$150,Ihave810o.Itssoeasytoplayagainst himthereisnoneedtomixitupforstrategicreasonswithahand like810ooutofpositionsoIfolded.
Hand 15
82o,Ifold.RaisingisprobablyprofitableherebutIveraisedevery handsofarandhekeepsfolding.Ilikethewayhesplaying,which istightandbad,anddontwanttochangeitbyraisingeveryhand. SoIfoldmarginallyprofitablehandsthatcouldraiselikehere.
Hand 16
Heraisesto$150,Ifold72o.
Hand 17
Iraise45shefolds.
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Hand 18
HelimpsandIcheckwithK8,althoughinalllikelihoodifIraised to$250herehewouldprobablyfoldsothatisvalidtoconsider.The flopisAAK.Icheckandhechecks.Turnisthe7,andhere perhapsabetwouldbegood,becausehedoesntappeartobluffand semibluffmuch.Theriveristhe9,andagainhedoesntseemlike ablufferorevenanaggressivevaluebettor,sohereIbetout$50and hefolded.
Hand 19
Ihave8Qoandraiseto$150,hecalls.Flopis245,hechecks,I check.Turnisthe6,hechecks.Abetherebymeiskindofsuspi ciousbecausewhatamIrepresenting,astraight?FirstofallIneed tohaveraisedpreflopandhaveexactlythatcardinmyhandto makeastraight.ButalsoIprobablywouldhavebettheflopifIhad thethreeasasemibluff,whichallmakesaturnbetratheroddby me.Butasstatedaboveheappearstoplayprettystraightforwardly, andhedoesntseemtohandreadandplaysuspiciously,soIgo aheadandbet$300andhefolds.
Hand 20
Helimps,IcheckwithA3o.Theflopis7A6.Icheckedtheflop, whichisthestandardplayherebecausetheBBdidntcommitany moneytothepotpreflopsoIhaveacompletelyrandomhand whichissupposedlybadanddoesntcontainanace.AsSBhe limpedandismorelikelytohaveanace,andthusrepresentanace. Thatiswhycheckingisthestandardplay;however,asstatedthis opponentiseithertoolazyoruncreativetorepresenthandssoin thiscasebettingtheflopandtryingtogetvaluewhenhehasalower pairorevenwhenhedoessomethingweirdliketryandfloatme with810or59wouldbeokay. ButinthehandIchecked,hebet$100andIcalled.Theturnisthe8,
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Icheckandhebets$300.Givenhowlittleaggressionhehasshown sofarandgiventhefactthatIhavenoredraws,andthatevenifhe doesnthavemebeathemostlikelyissemibluffingwithredraws, andgiventhatitwasunraisedpreflopthisisaprettyeasyfold. Originallyourplanwastotraphim,butthatchanged.Itsatough roadtowalkbecauseonceweshowweaknessitsimportantnotto getbluffedoutbecausethatsexactlywhatwetriedtoinducethe opponenttodo.Butontheotherhandbytrappingwithaweak handwemightjustbetrappingourselves.VersusanopponentIre spectedIdprobablycallhimdownandfollowthroughwiththe plan,notgivingmyselfachancetooutguessmyselfandbeout played.Butversusabadplayerlikethisopponent,Iamconfidentin myabilitytoreadhishandsandnotafraidofoutguessingmyself.
Hand 21
48o.InretrospectperhapsthisisaraisebymebutIfoldedinthe game.Hehadjustwontheprevioushand,andoftenwhenpeople winahandtheyloosenupabitwiththeirextramoneyandconfi denceandforthatreasonIfolded.
Hand 22
3-9,heraises,Ifold.Noteweveplayed22handsalreadyand therehasntbeenabigpotthatisthewaygamesgosometimes. Dontforcebigpots,patienceandprecisionisthekey.
Hand 23
102o,Ifoldedandinretrospectthisisalmostcertainlyamistake givenhowmuchhefoldstomypreflopraisesandhowstraight forwardlyheplayspostflop.Thisisanexampleoftheopponent havingthemomentumanditgettingmeoffbalanceandplayingde fensively.
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Hand 24
Opponentlimps,IcheckwithQ-3.Notebeforehewentthrougha cyclewherehefoldedafewhandsinarow,andnowhelikesto limpthisisprobablybecausehehaswonafewpotsinarowand hasthemomentum.HUpokerisverymuchagameofhavingmo mentumandthepsychologicaladvantage.Theflopis7JK,we bothcheck.Turnisthe4,Icheckandhechecks.Riveristhe5,I checkandhechecksandwinswith56.Thefactthathechecksbe hindontheturnwithahandthathasnoshowdownvaluebutis greatforbuildingapotortakingthepotdownthereisevidencehe ispassive,andevidenceheisabadplayer.
Hand 25
2-9,Ilimpandhechecks.Theflopis5J5,hechecksandIbet $100.AgainstatrickyopponentIdbemorelikelytobet$200be causethebiggerbetsizeismorelikelytodeterhimfromfloatingor raisingmewithwackyhands(whichhedbecorrecttodo),however thisopponentdoesntseemybetsizeandtheboardandthinkwhat hecandotome.Heseeshehasnohand,andsimplythatIplaceda betandfolds.
Hand 26
Hefolds.
Hand 27
IhaveA-4andraiseto$150,hecalls.TheflopisA69and thisissometimesagoodspottotrap,theideabeingthatifIbetnow Illforcehimoutwhenhehasweakerhandsandbuildthepotwhen hehasabetterhandthanme.AndifhehasagoodhandIshould justcheckandwaituntilIhitmyhandandbuildthepotthen.How ever,againstthistypeofplayerwhoisntgoingtogowildifIhita
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flushandhehasalesserhand,andwhoisntgoingtogettooag gressivewhenIshowsignsofweaknessontheflop,itsbetterjustto betstraightout.Ibetalittlelessthanthepot,$235,togivehimroom tostayintherewithweakerhands,buthefolds.
Hand 28
Helimps,Iraiseto$150withQ-J.Heseemsprettystraightfor wardpostflopsoitsokaytoraiseoutofposition.QJoisabetter handthanwhathehassoitsaraiseforvalue.TheflopisA97,I checkandhebets$300.Ifiguredhewouldhaveraisedpreflopifhe hadanaceinhishand,thusthatmakeshisbetabluffprobably.SoI raisedhimto$1,200.However,givenhisreluctancetomakebluffs beforethisIshouldhavegivenhimcreditforahandthatIwasun abletoputhimon,justbecausehedoesntseemtobluff.Hecalled. Theturnisthe3.NowthisisaninterestingtimetobetforsureasI thinkhegivesmerespect,soifhehasapairofaceshewillfold them.However,ifhehasapairofacesandaspadethenhellproba blycall.Thepotis$1,500,soifIbetsay$1,300andhecallsthenthe potbecomes$4,000andhewillhave$3,000leftandsowillI.So giventhepotsizeandstacksizesitbecomesquitenaturalforhimto raisemeallinwhichwillscaremeorfold,andlesslikelyforhimto simplycall.Thischangesmyplayfromasemibluff(withmyJ)to abluff,whichmightbeokaybutisatoughdecision.Icheckedand sodidhe.Theriveristhe2andtheactionIprobablywantvs.this opponentischeckcheckandIwintheshowdown,whichiswhat happened.Heshowed86o.
Hand 29
Opponentnowhas$3,750andIcover.IhaveKKandraiseto$150, hecalls.Flopis852.AtthetimeIwashopinghewastilting fromthelasthandandwouldoverplayhishandifhehadsome thinghereandbetout$300whenhecheckedtome,buthefolded.
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Tobeconsideredisthatheprobablyhastwoovercards,soIcould givehimafreecardtotraphim.However,thathasdisadvantagesas hehastohitasixoutertotraphimselfandthenweonlyhavetwo streetstobuildapot.IfIbettheflopandhedecidestooverplayhis handthenhiswholestackisgone,whichiswhatIwashopingfor andtherightthingtodohere.Herethegamebrokeup.
Heads-up match #2, $25/50 vs. maniac, $5,000 starting stacks
Hand 1
Iraiseto$150withA-5,opponentcalls.Flopis9J10,he checksandIcheck.Itseasyforhimtohaveahand.Turnisthe9, checkcheck.RiveristheAandhebets$300.Heappearstobe happywithhishandandhecouldverywellhavecheckedagood handonthefloporturntotrapme.Butitshardtoputhimona specifichandthatbeatsmeandimportantlyifhehasapairofaces tohaveabetterkickerheneedsAKorAQ,whichhedreraisepre flopwithallotherpairsofaceswesplitthepot.Icall,hehasJQ. Hisriverbetsimplymakesnosense.SoatthispointIwillbeplay ingundertheassumptionhesbad.
Hand 2
K-8,opponentraisesto$150,Icall.TheflopisK85;sincehe appearstobecrazythereisnoneedtotaketheleadawayfromhim, especiallysinceIdominatetheboard.Icheck,hechecks.Turnisthe 5,abadcardasitcouldmakehimabetterhand,decreasesthe strengthofmine,andmostimportantofall,doesntimprovehis hand.Icheck,hechecks.Riveristhe2,Ibet$300,hefolded.
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Hand 3
Q-2,Iraiseto$150.Itsamarginalhandbutitsthebeginningof thegameandIwanttoestablishmyselfasaggressiveandtakethe leadinthegame.Hecalls,flopis648.HereIfiguredsinceit lookslikeheisthetypeofopponentwhocallseverythingpreflop, heprobablydoesnthaveagoodhandhere.AndeventhoughI donthaveanythinghewouldntbeabletostandabet.SoIbet$300 buthecalled.Iguessthatwasamistakeasheappearstobethetype ofopponentwhonotonlycallseverythingpreflopbutthenisalso crazypostflop. TheturncomestheA.ThenIfiguredthatifheiscrazypreflop andontheflopthatmeanshestillprobablydoesnthaveahand,the boardisscaryandtheturnisascarecard.SoIwillgoaheadand playmoreaggressivelythanhimtomusclehimoutofthehandand hereIbetpotfor$900.Itsquitepossiblefortwoopponentstobe looseandaggressiveandskilled,andthensomeprettywackyhands canhappenquitefrequently.Itinvolvesalotofaggression,bluffing, semibluffingandclosedecisions.ThatswhatIwasforcingmyself intohere,althoughitturnsouttheopponentisnotskilledsostrate gicallyIdidntneedtoforcethesetoughhighvariancedecisions.He islooseandaggressivebutnotsoskilledsoIcanjustwait.Inthe handheraisedmeto$1,800andwonthepot.
Hand 4
Heraisesto$150,IfoldK2o.
Hand 5
Iraise$150with22,hefolds.
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Hand 6
Heraisesto$150,Ireraiseto$450withAQo.Thisisastandardre raiseforvaluebecausemyhandisfarbetterthanhisrangeofhands. Theflopis8K2,Ibet$700becausesinceheappearstobe wackyitwillbetoughtotryandshowdownacehighandwinthe hand,andsoIwanttobetandenditrightaway.Hewouldtryand stealitfrommeatsomepointifIcheckedandthenifIwantedto fighthimforitIdhavetoputinsignificantlymorethan$700to fightforthepot.Hecalls. Theturnisthe6,Icheckandhechecks.Sincehedidntraisethe floporbettheturn,thereisaprettydecentchancehedoesnthavea king.Butthecombinationofthefactthathemighthaveaking,and thathemightcallariverbluffevenwithoutakingmakesmyplan tocheckdownandlosethepot.Therivercomesaqueen.Itsclose andIwanttobetbutgiventhatweveonlyplayedsixhandssofar myreaddoesntseemstrongenoughtojustifymakingsuchathin valuebet.Thepotisprettybigbynow;Ireraisedpreflopandbet theflopandhecalledthat,soifImgoingtobettheriveritsgoing tobeasizeablebetandifImwrongquitecostly.Icheckedandhe checkedbehind89s.
Hand 7
Ifold52o.
Hand 8
Heraisesto$150,IcallwithJ9o.TheflopisA23,Icheckand hebets$300.Hestooaggressiveformetositbackandwaitaround, andthisisagoodspot.Myreadisthatheraisesalotpreflop,so theresaquitegoodchancehedoesnthaveanaceinhishand.And hewillneedanacetocontinuevs.meifIraise.SoIamplayingthe mathhereandraisehimto$1,000,hefolds.
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Hand 9
IraiseQ3sandhereraisespot,Ifold.
Hand 10
Heraisesto$150,IcallwithQ9o.Ithinkheislooseandasuspi cioustypewhowillfloatmewhenIbetwithweakhandssoIlead outintohimontheflopof10109for$300andhecalls.Thisis allpartoftheplanandIamhappyasmyhandisreasonablystrong andheisloosesoamediumstrengthhandisprettygood. Theturnisthe2andImprettysuremyhandisbestsoIbet$700 heretogetvalueandprotectmyhand,hecalls.Thisisaboutthepot sizeIwanttowinwiththisstrengthofhand,aswithapotanybig gerandIllhavetoworrythathesbeentrappingme.Theriveris the5,Icheckandhebets$550.Giventhepotsizeitwillbetoughto foldhere,especiallygiventhefirsthandwhereheshowshemakes betsthatjustdontmakesense.Icallandhehas108.Thereisnoth ingtobeunhappyabouthereitwasasetup.Heisanuttyplayer andhegotaverygoodhandvs.mygoodhand,soitsinevitable thatImgoingtolosemoney.Infacteventhoughhewonthehand ImprettyhappyasIcouldhaveeasilylostmore.Heshouldhave betmoreontheriver,andtheboardisdrawheavyonstraightsand flushessothefactthathewasntaggressivewithhisgoodhandis promising.RatherthanbeingupsetaboutlosingthepotIamexcited abouttherestofthismatch.
Hand 11
Iopento$150withJ6oandhecalls.Theideaisthatsinceheplays badpreflop,Iwanttobuildthepotandtakeadvantageofmyposi tion,andinmyjudgmentheplayssobadthatevenraisingwithJ6o isprofitable.Hecalls,theflopis9Q10,hecheckcallsmy$300 bet.Theturnisthe4,hechecksandIbet$900.Mylogicisagain thathecallssomuchhecouldeasilybeweakandfold,andevenif
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hecallsitsokaybecauseIprobablyhaveagoodnumberofoutsand vs.aplayerlikethisthereareimpliedoddseventhoughthedrawis obvious.Alsoitallowsmetomaintainandbuildaquiteaggressive imagewheninactualityitdoesntcostmemuch. Hecalls,theriveristhe2.Thisisareasonablespottobluffagain. ThefactorstoconsiderarethatheisprobablyweakandIcouldeas ilyhavehadastronghandthewholeway,butontheotherhandhe isloose.Itsaclosedecision,andIhavetobepreparedfordecisions likethiswhenIplaythewayIdidontheflopandturn.Inthehand IcheckedandhecheckedbehindwithQ7o.Itsunclearwhathe wouldhavedonehadIbet.
Hand 12
Heopensto$150andIfoldJ7o.HeishappytoplayeverypotI openoutofposition,soIllfocusonthosepotsandjusttryandplay inpositionasmuchasIcan.
Hand 13
Iopento$150withA10oandhecalls.TheflopisA9J,he checksandIbet$300obviouslyversusthisopponentIwillnot traporslowplay.Hecheckraisesto$600andImnotsurewhat thatmeansexactlybutIfeelprettygoodaboutmyhand.Theturnis the8andhechecks.Timetomakeadecisionhereheisbadbutis hesobadthatifIgetallmymoneyinhereIamhappy?Idontthink so,andsinceIhaveagooddrawitwouldbebadtobettheturnand havetofold.Alsobycheckingandbeingdeceptivethereisadefinite chanceitcouldtrapthisplayerforvalueontheriverwhereasonthe turnhedfold.SoIoptedtocheckbehind.TheriveristheQ,he checksIbet$1,050andhecalledwithA3.Againhisplayissobad andweirdthatitsunclearwhetherIshouldhavebettheturnbe causehessobadorifhejustmadethebadplaybecausehegotcon fusedbytheturnaction.
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Hand 14
Hisstackis$6,000nowandIcover.Heraisesto$150,Icallwith 6-5.Theflopis982,Ileadout$300intohimbecauseId ratherkeepthefloptoonebetthantwo.IfIcheckagainstthisop ponentthereisagoodchancehenotonlybetsbuthecallsmy checkraise,whichputsmeinanawkwardpositionfortheturn,soI trytooptoutofthatbyleadingintohim,andtheresagoodchance hellcallbutmyhandissostrongIdontlosemuchequity,and sinceImbuildingthepotitsnotbadatall. Theturncomesthe9,hereIcheckedjustbecauseIdidntwantto putmoremoneyin.HoweverIdidnthaveaplan,andifIhadtaken thetimetothinkoutwhatmyplanwasIwouldhaveseenthathad hebetIdhavetocall,andtheresadecentchancehellbethere.Thus itmakesmoresensetojustmakethebetmyself(andcontrolthebet size),andalsotogainsomefoldequity.Thedisadvantageisthathe couldraise,whichwouldbequitebad.AndinthegamethatswhyI didntbetIwasafraidhehada9andwouldraise.Inretrospect withmorethoughtthisfearseemsunfoundedbasedonhowhe playedhispreviously.Earlieronwhenhehadtriptensonthe10109 boardhecalledmetwicewithoutraisingme.Incontrastwhenhehad toppaironthefloptheA3vs.myA10handheraisedtheflop.Both thosefactorsleadtotheideathatIneednotbeafraidofaturnraise. Icheckedandhecheckedbehind,whichwasnice.Theriveristhe 10andnowIhaveadecisiontomake.Thetimingonwhenhe checkedbehindontheturnmademethinkhehadan8.Thetenisa perfectscarecardbecausetheexactsortofhandspeopleleadouton the982boardaresemibluffslike10Q,10Jor107.SoIbetout $750andhecalledwithA8.Thefactthathewouldcalltheremeans myreadonhimandmyplaywasbad,especiallyconsideringmy readthathecouldhavehadahandlike10Qhimself,andthusdefi nitelycallmyriverbluff.Therearetwopartstoreadingaperson firstthereisreadingwhathandtheyhave,andnextwhattheyare likelytodowithit.MyabilitytoreadhimforA8isuselessifIcant thenreadthathesgoingtocallmewhenIbluff.
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Hand 15
Iraiseto$150withQ4s,hereraisespotandIfold.Againstsomeone likehimIwanttowaituntilIgetabetterhandtomakeastandbe causenotonlywillIbecallingthepreflopraise,ifIwanttogoto showdownthereisagoodchanceIllneedtoinvestafairbitmore. Alsoitappearsasiftherewillbeplentyofchancestoplayreraised potswithhimpreflop.
Hand 16
Heraisesto$150andIfoldJ-2.Notethepowerofaggression.He keepsraisingandreraisingmeanditworksbecausethisisHUand peopledontgetgoodhandsoftenHU.Alsonotethathisstrategyof callingmybetsalothasworkedforthesamereason.Itcanbehard toplayagainstsomeonewhoraisesandcallsalotbecauseplaying HUyoudontoftengethands.
Hand 17
Henowhas$7,500andIhave$5,000.Iraiseto$150with9-7,he calls.Theflopis1083,hecheckcallsa$250bet.TurnistheJ, hecheckcalls$750.Riveristhe9andhechecks.Well,hecould haveaqueen,aseven,twopairorasetandthereisnowayof knowing.Onthebasisthatheisbadandlikestocallwithbadhands, andalsoonthebasisthathecannotbluffmeherebecauseitsso riskyandperhapsrecklessforhim,Iwentaheadandmadeathin andaggressivevaluebetof$1,750,whichhepromptlyproceededto minraiseandIfolded.
Hand 18
Henowhas$10,000andIofcourseimmediatelyreloadmystackto $5,000.Heopensto$150andIcallwith9-J.Theflopis242,it goescheckcheck.Turnisthe3andwithmytwoovercardoutsand
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flushoutsIleadout$250,hecalls.SincehedidntbettheflopIthink heisfloatingmewithaweakhandontheturn.Therivercomesthe 6,whichisascarycardforweakhandsandovercards.Notehow mucheasierthiswouldbeifmyopponentwasapredictabletight opponentbutheisnt,hesalooseunpredictableonewhogivesus toughdecisions,likeshouldwebluffhere? The6seemedlikesuchagoodcardtodoso,soIbet$625,andhe calledwith6-Q.Soitturnsoutmyreadwasrighthehadsome weirdovercardhandnotagoodmadehand,andhewouldhave foldedbuthejusthappenedtohittherivercard,whichwasimpos sibleformetoknow.ThiswasanokaylineandIjustgotunlucky. Youshouldbeevaluatingallthehandstoseewhoisoutplaying whoandifyoushouldkeepplayingsomeone,ifyoushouldquitthe gamebecausetheyareoutplayingyou,oriftheyarebadbuttheir stylesomehowmatchesupwellagainstyouandyoujustneedto adjust.
Hand 19
Iopento$150withJ-2,hereraisesto$450,Ifold.Nowitsobvi ouslytimetoreallystartadjustingmypreflopplay,andthisper hapsshouldhavebeenobvioustomethelasttimehereraisedme butIwillbegintheadjustmentnow.Pokerisagameofadjustments toopponentsifIhadadjustedbeforethishandandrealizedI neededtotightenuppreflopandlimpandfoldmoreagainstthis opponentthenIwouldhavesavedmyself$150.
Hand 20
Heopensto$150andIfoldK-2.Thisisstandard,nowmyplanis totightenupandjustwaitforgoodhandspreflopandgetvalue postflop.
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Hand 21
Iopento$150withAQo,hecalls.Flopis833,hechecksandI bet$250becausemyhandisprobablybest,andthisopponentisbad enoughtocallmewithworse.Hecalls,theturnis8,checkcheck. Theriveris7andheleadsout$550.Givenmyreadandthoughts ontheflop,andalsothattheboardtextureisextremelydry,its quitehardforhimtohavehitthatflopsoIthinktheresagood chancemyhandisbestandthathecalledthefloptorepresenta handlateron.SoIcall,hehas6-9.
Hand 22
Hehas$11,000andIhave$5,700now.Heopensto$150andIre raiseto$450withAA;hefolds.
Hand 23
Iopento$150with78oandhecalls.Theflopis10610,he checksandeventhoughIhavealotofoutshecallssomuchthatI cantreallyprofitablybethere.Theturnisthe8,hechecks,and nowmyhandisalmostsurelygoodsoIbetpotforvalueandhe calls.Theriveristhe5,agoodcardinmyopinionasIstillthink myhandisgoodsoIbetasmuchasIthinkhellcallwhichis$700 andhecallswith63s.
Hand 24
Heopensto$150,Ifold710.Mystrategyistoplayhandsinposi tion.
Hand 25
Iopento$150with8-4,hecalls.Theflopis6K2,hechecks
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andIwanttobuildthepotormakehimfoldsoIbet$300andhe calls.Therearetworeasonstobluffherethecombinationsofhim foldingenoughtimestomakeitprofitableandthetimesIoutdraw himandtheimpliedodds.Thedifferencebetweenthisandhand23 isthattheimpliedoddsarebetter(Imcomfortableplayingabigger potwithaflushthenapairofeights)andIhavemoreouts. Heminraisesto$600notreallysurewhathehas,butitscommit tingtoomuchwithaflushdrawandnoovercardtoreraisehimand getitallinsoIcallandtheturnisthe8,hebets$650.AfterIcall therewillbeabout$3,100inthepot.Semibluffingisapossibility here.Ioptedforlessvariance,wantedtohitmyhandfirstandthen getthemoneyinlater,whichispossiblevs.badplayers,plusmy handcouldverywellbegoodsoIcalled.Theriveristhe9he checksandIcheck.Heshows10Qandlosses.
Hand 26
Ifold24o.
Hand 27
Hand 28
Ifold47o;normallyIliketoraisealotpreflop,regardlessofmy handstrength.AndnormallyIcananddo,butagainstthisoppo nentIneedtoadjustandfoldmore.
Hand 29
Heraisesto$150,IfoldK2o.Icanaffordtoplayweaktightpre flopandgiveupequitybecausepostfloptheopponentplayssobad andgivessomuchawaythere.
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Hand 30
Ilimpwith48o.Hechecks,theflopis1092,hechecks,Icheck. Turnisthe6,hebets$100andIfold.
Hand 31
Heraisesto$150,Ihave7-7.Reraisingisapossibilityforvalue andtomixitupbutheissolooseitwillbeproblematictoplaypost flop.SoIcall,theflopis266.Atthispointmyhandisprobably good,andhecallsalotsoIleadoutfor$250.Hecalls,theturnisthe J,thereisnoreasontothinkthejackhithim,andnoreasonto thinkhehadahandasstrongasaflushdrawsoIbetagainfor$600, hecalls.Theriveristhe8.Ihaveaflush,butevenagainsthimthis flushistoolowtovaluebet.Icheckandhebets$850.Thepotis $2,000.Itlookslikeavaluebetbutgivenhishistoryofmakingbets thatmakenosenseitsacallbecauseofthepotodds.Hehas2-K andwins.Inretrospectthereisntmuchtoregretthough.Weput $1,000inwhenweweresignificantlyahead,thenhegotlucky
Hand 32
Iraiseto$150withQ-J,hecalls,theflopis922.Hechecks,I check.Theturnisthe9,hebetsout$300itsnotclearwhathehas butwheneverIbetandraisehelikestocallsoIlljustwaituntilI haveahandandnotbluffhimhere.
Hand 33
Heraisesto$150,IcallwithA2o.TheflopisK33,Icheckhe bets$300.AgainwilljustwaituntilIgetahandbecausehelikesto paythemoff.Ifold.
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Hand 34
Iraisethebuttonto$150with89,hecalls.TheflopisQ96, hechecksandnormallyIllcheckbehindherewithsecondpairfor deceptionbecausegenerallyonlybetterhandscallandworsehands foldorraisemeoutofthepot.However,giventheopponentsten dencytocall,Ivaluebet$250andheraisedto$750.Hecouldbe semibluffingbutevenifheishehassomanyouts(withahandlike 10K)thatitsnotworthittocall.Ifold.
Hand 35
Heraisesto$150,Ifold4-7.
Hand 36
Iraiseto$150withQJandhecalls.TheflopisA8A,check check.Theturnisthe5,heleadsout$300andIfold.Basicallywe aregettingacolddeckhere,andthereisnothingtodobutwaitit outandloseaslittleaswecan.
Hand 37
Heraisesto$150andIhaveKQo.Ireraiseto$450forvalueandto mixituptodisguisemybetterhands.Hefolds.Hesfoldedthetwo timesIhavereraisedhimpreflop,soIshouldstartreraisinghim moretotakeadvantageofhisweaknessthere.
Hand 38
Iraiseto$150with98o,hecalls.Flopis267,andheleadsout intomefor$300.Imnotsurewhatthatmeanswithhim.SoIlltake astandardlinehereandraisehim.Callinghimisalsoreasonable.I raiseto$1,000,theideabeingthatIvemadethedecisionIam
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happytogoallinvs.himwithmytwoovercardsandopenended straightdraw.Probablywhatwillhappenishewillcallorfold.And ifhecallsthenIcantakeafreecardontheturn. Hecalls,theturnis2,hechecks,Icheck.Theriveris2,hebets $1,300andImissedmydraw,andthereisnoreasontothinkIcan makeaplayhere,andfold.Againweplayedfinebutjustdidnthit.
Hand 39
Heraisesto$150;Ifold3-Q.
Hand 40
Iopento$150withK-7;hecalls.TheflopisK6Q,Ihavetop pairandwilljustvaluebetvs.thisopponent.Hefolds,unfortu nately.SomeopponentsaresolidandifyoubetwithK7thereyou wouldntevenwantalotofaction,butagainstthisopponentwebet withtheintentionofgettingaction.
Hand 41
Ifold46o.
Hand 42
Heraisesto$150;Ihave98o,andnormallyIdcallcauseitsdecent butstrategicallythereisnoreason.HecallsallmybetswhenImon thebuttonsoIcanjustwaitandonlyplaythosehandsandmybest handsOOP. Afterthisheleaves.Whathappenedhereisthattheopponentwas bad,buthisstylewasquitedifferentfrommostpeopleandhap penedtomatchupwellagainsthowweplayed.Ittooktoolongto
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adjust,andwealsomadesomeimpreciseplaysandwereunlucky.If hestayedforeverthatwouldbegreat,butalashedidnotandthus wefinisheddownover$5,000tohim.
Heads-up match #3, $25/50, $5,000 starting stacks
Hand 1
Heopensto$150,Ifold69o.
Hand 2
IraiseA5oto$150,hefolds.
Hand 3
Heopensto$150,Ifold69oagain.
Hand 4
Iraise68oto$150,hecalls.TheflopisAQ5,hechecksandI bet$250.Acheckisreasonable,too,especiallygiventheboardas opposedtoifitwasA35whereitslesslikelyhehaspairedup.Its alsopossiblehelljustfoldhispairimmediately.Hecalledinthe game.Turnisthe9;Ijusthaveagutshotdraw,whichisntmany outstosemibluffwith,atthispointIhaveprettymuchgivenupon winningthepot.RivercomesaJandheleadsout$425,andgivenI havenoreaditisquiteriskytotryandbluffraisehimsoIfold.
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Hand 5
Heraisesto$150,Icallwith8Q,astandardcall.Theflopis A102,Icheck,hebets$300andIfold.
Hand 6
IraiseJ3oto$150andhefolds.
Hand 7
Heraisesto$150andIfold92o.
Hand 8
IraiseK5oto$150,hefolds.
Hand 9
Heraises2-8to$150andIfold.Ivebeenplayingprettytightso farsoIamlookingtotakeadvantageofthatsoonbyreraisinghim preflopasabluff.
Hand 10
IraiseQ10sto$150,hefolds.
Hand 11
Heraisesto$150;Ifold94o.Iamtemptedtoraisebutthishandis justtooweak,especiallyagainstanunknown.
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Hand 12
Ilimpwith86o,hechecks.Flopis29K,hechecksandIbet$75 asIwouldonanyflophecheckedtome.Hefolds.
Hand 13
Hefolds.
Hand 14
Iopento$150withK3o,hecalls.Flopis1034,hechecksandI check.IfIbetandhecallsmeIwillnotbehappyandifhefoldsit wonthelpmetoomuchsoIchecktoseehowthingsgo.Theturnis the2,heleadsout$300.Thisisagoodboardforhimtosemibluff withacehigh,sincehehasthegutshotdraw,whichgiveshimfour additionalouts.SinceIcheckedtheflopIthinkhecouldbebluffing orsemibluffingsoIcall.Theriveristhe8,heleadsout$425.On theturnImadeadecisionthatIwasprobablyahead,butonthe riverIhavenoinformation,andhisbetfeltlikehewasvaluebetting soIfolded.
Hand 15
Hefolds.
Hand 16
Ifold38o.
Hand 17
Heraisesto$150andIcallwith109,whichisstandard.This handdeservestobeplayedHU.Areraiseasabluffistobeconsid
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eredbutheswonallthepotssofarandwhenpeoplearewinning theycanloosenupwiththeirextramoneyandalsoplaybetter,so thatisabadtimetobereraisebluffingoutofpositionwithamar ginalhand.Theflopis23K,Icheckandhechecks.Theturnis the4;thisisabadcardtobluffbecauseifhehasacehighhecan callnow.Iftheturnwasthe7thentocallwithacehighhewould havetothinkhesbestagoodamountofthetime.Nowhecanthink thathehasthebesthandalittlebitofthetimeandtheothertimes thathecanoutdrawme.SoIcheck,hechecks.Theriveristhe7, ImnotsurewhathehasnowIthinkitcouldbenothingbutinthis situationIdontreallyneedtoriskalottobluff.Ifhehasanypairat allhemightcallafullpotbetbecausewecheckedalltheprevious streets.Ifhehasahighcardhewillprobablyfoldtome,andfoldto anybetatall.Abigbetisntnecessaryvs.himifhejusthasajack high,queenhigh,andmaybeacehigh.SoIbet$50,hefolded.
Hand 18
Iraiseto$150with106o,hecalls.TheflopisJK6,hechecks, andIchecktoo.IfhecallsImprobablybeat.Theturncomesthe3. Heleadsout$200;thisbetcouldbeanysortofmadehand,hishand rangeiswidehere.Sincehishandrangeiswideandnotstrongthis isagoodopportunitytobluffraisehim.Therearealsodrawsonthis board,soafewthingscouldhappenhere.Hecouldcallmewitha strongmadehand,likeapairofkings.Hecouldfoldaweakermade handlikeapairofjacks.Orhecouldcallmewithastraightorflush draw.Ifhecallsmewithadrawthatisgoodbecausehedoesnt havepotoddshethinkshehasimpliedoddsbuthereallydoesnt becausewearentgivinghimanymoreaction.Theproblemwith thisplayarisesinacoupleofcasesfirstwhenwemisjudgedhis handrangeandhehasastronghandalotofthetimeorwhenhe callsuswithaweakmadehandalotofthetime.Inthiscasehe folded.
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Hand 19
Heraisesto$150andIhaveK10andreraiseto$500.Raisingto $500hereinitselfisprobablyabreakevenplaymoreorless,butI wanttoensurethathegivesmeactionwhenIreraisewithagood hand.ThereasonIraisedto$500andnot$450isIwantedtotryand gethimtofold,buthecalls(whichisntreallytoobad).Theflopis 10Q4,Icheckandhechecks. Theturnisthe5,itseemslikemyhandisbestandthereareafair numberofcardsthatarebadformeanine,ajack,oranace.Not onlythatbutontheflopifIcheckedandhebettheresadecent chanceIdjustfold.However,ontheturnsincehecheckedbehind ontheflopthereismoredoubtinmymind(andfewerstreetsto buildapotandforcemeout)soIamwillingtoputabetintothepot. Ihavetodecidewhatisbetter,tocheckcallortobetandgetcalled. Bettingandgettingcalledisabetterwaytogetmoneyintothepot soIdo.Hecalls,theriveristheA. Thisisaninterestingspottobetbecauseafterhecallstheturnthere isafairchancehehasapairofqueens.ItcouldbeAQinwhichcase heiscallingmybet,butitcouldalsobeQKorQJorevenQ9,in whichcasehefolds.EvenifhehasahandlikeAJthatwaspeeling thefloplightlybecausehethoughthemightbeahead,andevenif hewasnthecouldoutdrawme,hewillhaveahardtimecalling. HellhaveahardtimecallingbecauseIllbetclosetothepotat about$2,300,andalsobecauseafterIreraisedpreflopandbetsobig onsuchahighcoordinatedboardthatisshowingalotofstrength, anditscompletelyconsistentandbelievable.IntheendthoughI decidednottobluffbecausemyhandcouldbegoodnow,andifit isntmybluffismainlytomakehimfoldapairofqueens However,afterfurtherconsiderationabetisbestbecausethereis littledownsidesincehishandrangeissowideandweak.Hecould haveapocketpairJJorbelowtensthatcantcallmybetor wouldntbeabletobluffme.Hecanhaveastraightdraworflush drawandifhehadtheflushdrawwithacehighthereisverylittle chancehecancallmybettheonlythinghehasthatisgoodisthe
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KJbutthatisjustonehand.A4andA5whichwouldgivehim twopairheprobablyfoldsprefloporontheturn.AQgivesus troublebuttherearefewerhandcombinationsofAQthanthereare ofQK,andwecanalsocombineQKandQJtogiveusalotmore combosofpairsofqueenshecouldhavethatwillfoldtheriverin steadofcall. AfterIcheckedhebet$825,apparentlyasmallvaluebetfroma smallmadehandlikeAK,AJorAxwithaflushdraw.Itcouldbe abighandmakingasmallbettobetrickyandgainvaluebutaswe alreadyestablishedfromhandreadingitshardforhimtohavetwo pair.Itsprobablynotapairofqueensgoingforathinvaluebet,as ittakesaspecialkindofplayertomakesuchanaggressivevaluebet andtheyarenottoocommon.Hecouldalsohavesomerandom handthatisimpossibletoputhimon.Giventhatweregettingsuch goodpotoddsof3/1acallisjustified.Althoughgivenhishand rangesitmakessensetocheckraiseallinbecausealikelyhandfor himtohaveisabarepairofkings,andgiventhescaryboardand ourreraisepreflopandturnbet,itwouldlookstrong.However,I endedupfoldingbecauseIhadvagueworriesabouthimvaluebet tingapairofqueens,andifthatstrueitwidenshishandrange significantlyandmakesitafold.Butafterthinkingthingsthrough itsclearheisntbettingaqueensoIshouldhaveatleastcalled.He showed76s.
Hand 20
Itsimportantnowtotiltaslittleaspossible.Hemightthinkweare tiltingsoweshouldtakeadvantageofthatbymakingthinnervalue bets.Alsothefactthathewouldunderbetblufftheriverthereand showabluffisabadplayanditmademeloserespectfortheoppo nentsoIwilladjustaccordingly.IhaveKJoandraiseto$150,he calls.FlopisK10Q,hecheckfoldswhenIbet$300,myhand wasprettygoodsoIwantedvalue.
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Hand 21
Hefolds.Sometimespeopleloosenupafterwinningbecausethey haveabigstackanddontrealizethevalueofthemoneyanymore sincethereissomuch,andsometimestheytightenuptoprotect theirwinnings.Thisisanindicationheistighteningupbutwewill learnmoresoon.
Hand 22
Iraiseto$150withK6o,hecalls.Theflopis85J;hechecksand Icheck.Theturnisthe4;hechecksandIcheck.Theriveristhe9, hebets$175,kindofsuspiciousbutImnotsure,andwithoutaread bluffsarebadsoIfold.
Hand 23
Helimps,Icheckwith4-9;theflopisA45;Icheckfoldtohis $100.JustbecauseIhitsomethingdoesntmeanIneedtocontinue itsaweakmadehandwithnotmanyouts(ifImbehind),andIm outofposition.
Hand 24
Iraiseto$150with86o,hefolds.
Hand 25
Hand 26
Ifold42o.
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Hand 27
Hefolds.
Hand 28
Iraise4-9to$150,hecalls.TheflopisA10Q,hechecksand hecheckedsofastitfeltlikehewasjusthurryingtogettothenext handbecausehehadnothing,soIbet$250,hefolded.
Hand 29
Hand 30
Iraiseto$150withQ-7,hecalls.Theflopis2102,hechecks andIcheck.SinceIveraisedpreflopafairamountIthinkhewill besuspiciousofmeonaboardlike2210sinceitissouncoordi nateditsunlikelyIhit.Theturnisthe6,heleadsout$300andI fold,notmuchIcandothere.
Hand 31
Heraisesto$150andIfoldJ3o.
Hand 32
Nowhehas$7,000andIhave$5,000.Iraiseto$150with4-5and hefolds.
Hand 33
Heraisesto$150andIhave104oandfold.Itsabouttimetoreraise himagaintomixitupbutweneedsomesemblanceofahand.
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Hand 34
Iraise86oto$150,hefolds.
Hand 35
Hefolds.
Hand 36
Ifold4-10.Itwouldbequiteeasytoraiseherewiththemindset ofImheretowinmoney.ButImplayingtosimplyplaythe gameofpokerandplaythegameasbestIcan.Sometimeswhen playingthegameasbestIcanIhavetolosemoney,asifImgetting badcardsIcantforcemyselftowinmoneyitdoesntworklike that.Ijusthavetokeepplayingmybestandbeproudofthat,andas aresultmoneywillcome.
Hand 37
Hefolds.
Hand 38
Iraise4-9to$150.ThewayIliketobreakpeopledownisbyap plyingpressuretothem,annoyingthem,andforcingthemtofight backanddosomething.Hecalls,theflopis57Q,hechecksand Icheck.Theturnisthe10,hebets$300andIfold.Thatisokay;if heisgoingtobetalltheturnsafterIchecktheflopIcanadjust.
Hand 39
Hefolds.
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Hand 40
Ifold29o.
Hand 41
Heraisesto$150,Ihave1010.Callingisreasonableandsoisraising, butIchoosetoraisebecauseIalmostcertainlyhavethebesthand, andsincehecalledmebeforewhenIreraised,Ithoughthedcall again.Hefolded.
Hand 42
Iraiseto$150withQ8o,hefolds.
Hand 43
Heraisesto$150,Ireraiseto$450with99.Ireraisedbecausemy handisalmostcertainlybetterthanhishand.AlsobecauseIamnot afraidofplayingthispersonoutofpositionwithatrickyhandlike 99.Hecalls,theflopcomesKQQ,Icheckandhechecks.There isnotmuchformetoaccomplishwithabet.Theturnisthe7,I checkandhechecks,againthereisnotmuchformetodowithabet. TheriveristheA,Icheckhechecksandmucks67s.Notehowvs. agoodplayerwewouldhavelostthispot(andalsohowourreraise preflopwouldhavecreatedproblemsforuspostflop)butagainst himwewonmoneyandhadnoproblems.Thatshouldmakeus happytobeinthisgame.Thishandisagoodexampleofwherewe justwon$450notbecauseofhowthecardshappenedtofall,butbe causeweplaybetterthanouropponentandweearnedthe$450. NowwehavegoodmomentumwhichmeansIwillplaybetterand hewillplayworse.
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Hand 44
Iraiseto$150withA8o,hecalls.TheflopisQK3,weboth check.Theturnisthe10andheleadsout$200.Hekeepsleading outwhenIcheckbehindtheflopandhecantalwayshaveagood hand,alsohebetlessherethannormalwhichcouldbeweakness, andalsowehaveouts,soIchoseheretosemibluffraisepotto$900. Hefolded.
Hand 45
Hand 46
Ilimpwith25s,heraisesto$150andsinceIhavethemomentum andamplayingwellandhavepositionIcallifitwasntsuitedI wouldfold.Theflopis2J3,hebets$300.Ihaveposition,apair andamnotconvincedthathehasanythingsoIcallthe$300.The turnisthe5andheleadsout$450.Wehavetwopairwhich,HU,is quiteastronghand,butstillhebetjust$450andwebothhave $5,000leftsoifwearegoingtogetitallinthatisalotmore,and alsoourtwopairisalowtwopair.Wehavetodecideifweare happytogetitallinhere.Giventhathedoesntseemtobetoo skilledanopponent,andthatitsalittlehardtoputhimonabetter hand,itwouldbeokaytogetallin.Alsoourhandisquitevulner able,soIraisedto$1,700andhefolded.
Hand 47
Hefolds.
Hand 48
Iraiseto$150with810,hefolds.Ihave$7,000andhehas$5,000.
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Hand 49
Hefolds.
Hand 50
Iopento$150with5Qo,hereraisesto$450andIfold.
Hand 51
Heraisesto$150.IfoldK9(whichIwouldntnormallydobutmy computercrashed!).
Hand 52
Hefolds.
Hand 53
Ifold32o.
Hand 54
Heraisesto$150,Ifold36s.HUbigcardsaregoodandsmallsuited cardsdonthavethatmuchvalue.PlayingHUabadstrategyisto callpreflopwithspeculativehands,hopetheyhit,andhopeyouget alotofmoneyintothepotwhentheydohitbecausemostofthe timetheywonthitandyouwilljusthavetofoldandloseyourpre flopinvestment.InHUholdemifyouaregoingtoloosenuppre flopyouhavetoalsoloosenuppostflopandfightformorepots.
Hand 55
Iraiseto$150with86s,hefolds.
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Hand 56
Heraisesto$150.Ifold107.
Hand 57
Iraiseto$150withQ6,hereraisesto$450,Ifold.Ivebeenopening alotpreflopsohislasttworeraisesofmeweregoodskillfulad justmentsbyhim,whichcostmesomemoney.
Hand 58
Hefolds.
Hand 59
Ifold52o.
Hand 60
Heraisedto$150,andIcalledwith79.Icheckandhebets$300 onaboardof955.NormallyIwouldcallbecauseitsnotthat strongahandbutsincetheboardwassodryIthoughtaraisemight bedeceptiveandlooklikeabluff.InretrospectIprobablyjust wantedtomixitupandbuildabigpotbecauseIwasboredfromall theinaction.Hecalled,whichwasmyplan,butreallyitisasuspect plan.Mystandardlineofcallingisgoodforareason,andtheresa reasonwhyIalmostalwaysdoitinsteadofraising.Thereasonis thatmyhandisntthatgoodandoncehecallsmeIcantbetoo happy. Theturncomesthe5,Icheckandhebets$525.Myhandisde centlystrongandwiththosepotoddsacallisquitereasonable.He couldhaveapairofnines,somewackyblufforalowpocketpair protectinghishandandgoingforafreeshowdownontheriver.I
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called,theriveristheQ,Icheckandhebets$2,400.Giventheinac tioninthegamesofar,andthefactthatImstilldown$500,Ireally wantedtocalltowinapotandtoseeashowdownandalmostdid. Fortunately,however,Itooksometimetothinkitthrough.He calledmyflopbetandthenmadeasmallvaluebetontheturnthen betbigontheriver.Thatisbasicallyhimshowingstrength,andmy handisquitemediocre.Itsquitepossiblehehasapocketpairabove nines,andevenpossiblehehasquadfivesbecausetheflopwasnt 555,soitsmorelikelyhehasa5inhishand.Alsohisturnbet makessensewithafivebecausehishandissostrongheistryingto getanyactionhecan,unafraidofanycardsthatcome.Ifoldedand hewonthepot.
Hand 61
Iraiseto$150withK2o,hecalls.TheflopisKK3,hecheck foldstoa$250bet.Checkingisreasonable,too.Notethatwedont flipacointorandomizethedecisionsowebecomeunreadable andunexploitablebytheopponent.Sincewearebetterthanthe opponentweoutthinkhimandkeepaddinginpiecesofinforma tionandanalysisuntilwecandecidewhichisabetterplayinthis specifichand.
Hand 62
Hefolds.
Hand 63
Ifold103o.
Hand 64
Heraisesto$150,Icallwith22.TheflopisAQ4,Icheck,he
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checks.TheturnistheJ,Icheck,hebets$300,Ifold.Theboardis socoordinatedandmyhandissoweakthisisaneasyfold.
Hand 65
Iraiseto$150withJ9o,hecalls.Theflopis2A10,hechecks,I bet$300,hefolds.Itsgoodtocontinuationbetbluffsomeofthe time.
Hand 66
IhaveQ-10,heraisesto$150andIreraiseto$475,hefolds.Its okayifhefoldsorcallsanditsalsoanokayplayformetoflatcall.I reraisedherebecauseheplaysbadly,soIdratherheplayedbadly withmeinabigreraisedpotthaninasmallpotsoIcanwinmore moneyfaster.
Hand 67
Iraiseto$150withQ7o,hefolds.
Hand 68
Hefolds.NowIhave$6,700andhehas$5,300.
Hand 69
Ifold28o.
Hand 70
Hefolds.
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Hand 71
Ifold93o.
Hand 72
Hefolds.
Hand 73
IlimpwithA-9tomixitup.Hewaslosingandwehadjust playedalotofsmallpotssoIthoughthemightgetfrustratedwhen Ilimpedandraiseme,andthenIcouldreraisehimwithposition. Hechecked.Theflopis108K,hechecks,Icheck.Theturnis theJ.Hebets$100,Ifold.
Hand 74
Hefolds.
Hand 75
IraiseAQoto$150,hefolds.
Hand 76
Heraisesto$150,Icallwith108itsnotthebesthandbutIha ventcalledmanyofhisraisessoheshouldgivemycallalittlere spect,whichwillgivemeroomtomanoeuvrepostflop.Theflopis 544,Icheck,hechecksbehind.TheturnistheJandthisismy opportunitytotryandtakeitafterhechecked,soIbet$275andhe calls.Maybehehitapairofjacksthatismostlikelyanditwillbe veryunlikelythatIcanpushhimoffitsoIprettymuchgiveupon thehandatthispoint.Theriveristhe2,Icheckfoldtohis$450bet.
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Hand 77
Iraise59to$150,hecalls.Theflopis46J,webothcheck. TheturnistheK,hechecks.HekeptbettingwhenIcheckedonthe flop,sonowhedoesntbetIinterpretitashimhavingnohandsoI bluff$300andhefolds.Unlesshehasapairofjacksorkingsits hardforhimtocallandgivenhishistoryofbettingoutontheturn somuchitseemslikehewouldleadoutwithkingsorjacks.
Hand 78
Hefolds.
Hand 79
Iwinwitharaiseto$150with9-2.
Hand 80
Hand 81
Ifold62o.
Hand 82
Hefolds.
Hand 83
Iraiseto$150withAK;hecalls.Theflopis7K7.Somepeople alwaysbethere,andasmallergroupofpeoplealwayscheckhere. Somepeoplemightsayflippingacointorandomizeisthebestthing
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todobutnoneofthemareright.Thebestplayerfirstofalladjuststo hisopponentandforsomeopponentsabetisbetterhere,andfor someacheckisbetter.Andtheyalsoadjusttohowthegamehas beenplayinglatelytomakethisdecision.Versusthisopponenta checkisprobablybettersinceheseemstobetoutontheturnso much.Ifanopponentdoesntbluffoftenitsbettertojustbetthe flopandtryandgetvalue.Someopponentsaresmartandifthey haveJ10andhitapairoftensontheturnwontlosealotofmoney becausetheywillseeourflopcheckforwhatitwas,atrap.Others willlosemoney.Thesearesomefactorstoconsiderinwhethertobet orcheckhere.Ibet,butthatwasanimpatientmistakeasIsaid sincehebetsoutontheturnsomuchthisisagoodspottocheck.
Hand 84
Hand 85
IfoldQ2o.
Hand 86
Heraisesto$150,Ifold56o.HesplayingokaypokerbutIcanout waithim.Alsoheplayedbadinouronebigpotearlieranditsonly amatteroftimebeforehedoesthesameagain.
Hand 87
Iraise5-9to$150,hecalls.TheflopisJ67,hechecks,Icheck. Theturnisthe9,hechecks,Icheck.Areasonnottobethereisbe causeourhandcouldbegoodandbecausewehavedrawsandifhe raisesusonthissortofdrawyboarditcouldbeasemibluff.How everthisopponentseemstobequitepassive.Becauseofthatfacta
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betshouldbeconsideredtogainvalueagainstworsemadehands anddrawsorcombinationsofthetwo,andtopreventhimbluffing meontheriver,andalsowethenhaveflexibilityinhowweplaythe riverifhecallsusandhasabetterhand.However,Ididntthink throughallthatandjustchecked,whichismystandardplay.The riveristhe3,heledout$300andIfolded.Thisisaclosedecision buthedoesnthaveahistoryofbluffingalotsoIfoldeditsimpor tanttoplayprecisepokerandsavethesesmalltomediumsized betswhenpossible.
Hand 88
Hefolded.
Hand 89
Ifold92o.
Hand 90
Hefolds.NowIhave$7,000andhehas$5,000.
Hand 91
Ifold43o.
Hand 92
Heraisesto$150,IcallwithK-5;thisisastandardcallasKxsisa decenthand.TheflopisK74;Icheck,hechecks.Theturnisthe 5;thisisagoodtimetocheck.Iwanttogetasmuchmoneyintothe potasIcanandafterIchecktwotimesitbecomesmoretempting forhimtobet.Theboardiskindofcoordinatedsohecanbetthe turnwithalotofmadehands,draws,andcombosofthemboth.
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AndwhenIcheckraisegiventhedrawynatureoftheboardhe wontknowwhetherIhaveamadehandoramsemibluffing. Icheck,hebet$300andIcheckraisedthepotto$1,200,whichhe called.Theriveristhe9,sonowitstimetobetasmuchasIthink hellcall,whichfeltlike$2,400.HecalledwithK9,andmadeabad playbycallingmyturncheckraise.Hegottrickedbymyplayand shouldhavejustfoldedasheseitherbehindorIhavealotofouts.
Hand 93
IfoldJ6o.NowIhave$8,200,hehas$3,200.
Hand 94
Heraisesto$150,Ifold10-3.
Hand 95
Ilimpwith5-7,Ithoughthemightbesteamingandmorelikelyto callmyraiseorreraisemeand57oisntagoodhandtodealwith thosepossibilities.Hechecked.Theflopis752,hebet$100.It feltlikehehadnothingsoIwantedtolethimhanghimselfandjust called.Raisingtheflopisthestandardplay,astherearestraightand flushdrawsthatbothoutdrawusandalsoruinouraction.Butthe reasonIjustcalledwasbecausehewasprobablysteamingandhad nothingandifhehadabsolutelynothingjustcallingistherightplay. TheturnistheQandhecheckfolds.
Hand 96
Heraisesto$150,IfoldQ4o.
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Hand 97
Iraise99to$150,hefolds.
Hand 98
Heraisesto$150,IfoldJ4o.
Hand 99
IraiseK10oto$150,hefolds.
Hand 100
Heraisesto$150,IhaveAA.Normallythisisareraisebutgiven thathehasraisedeveryhandsincelosingthebigpotandisappar entlytilting,heprobablydoesnothaveahandsoitsunclearwhat helldoagainstareraise(probablyfold).Alsosinceheistiltinghe willprobablycommittoomuchtoapotpostflopwithonepair handsortoppairhands.SoIjustcalled. TheflopisA910,Icheckandhechecks.Theturnisthe2andI leadout.Acheckraisemightbeaniceplayherebutitsprettyrisky thathellcheckbehindpairsoftensandninesthathemightcallmy betwith.Alsohedfoldthosetoacheckraise,whichisbad,sowe justbetout.HecallsandtheriveristheA.Fromhisperspective thisisamixedcarditmakesitlesslikelyweholdanacebutit doesmaketheflushwhichissomethingwecouldhavehad.Thereis nothingwecandoherebutbetandhopehecalls.Ibet$750andhe calledwithK10o,soclearlyheistilting.
Hand 101
Iopen10Joto$150,hereraisesmeto$450,andstrategicallythereis noreasontoforcemarginalsituationsnow.Heisplayingverybadly.
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Idontwanttolethimdoubleupandthenhewillstartplayingbet ter.Itsmuchbetterheretoplaytightandwaitforaclearwinning situation.Ifolded.
Hand 102
Hefolds.
Hand 103
Ifold52o.Nowhehas$2,000andIhave$10,000.
Hand 104
Hand 105
IraiseJQto$150,hefolds.
Hand 106
Hand 107
Iraise8-6to$150,hefolds.
Hand 108
Hefolds.
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Hand 109
Ifold46o.
Hand 110
Heraisesto$150,IcallwithA5o.Itsreasonabletofoldthishand preflop,buthereIcallsincehesplayingbad,andalsosinceheonly has40bigblindsthatwillmakeourdecisionseasierifwehittop pair.Icall,theflopis428,Icheck,hechecks.Theturnisthe3. Idontthinkhescalling,andifhehasnothingIwanttogivehim thechancetohitsomething,andifhehassomethingacheckraise linehereisnicetoofortryingtowinmoremoney.Hechecksbehind, theriveristhe3.Itdoesntseemlikehehasanythingtocallmybet. SoItriedtotraphimforabluffagain,orifhedidhavesomethingI cancheckraiseandhewillprobablycall,whichiskeytothisplay, sinceourcheckraiselookssosuspicious.Unfortunatelyhechecked behindwithacehigh.Thatisahandwemissedvalueinashe probablywascallingaturnbetwithhistwoovercardsandstraight outs,andalsohemighthaveevencalledtheriveronsuchadry boardwithacehigh.
Hand 111
Iraiseto$150with108o,hefolds.
Hand 112
Heraisesto$150,IcallwithQK.Itsreasonabletoraisebutifhe goesallin(whichisrelativelyeasyforhimbecauseofhisstacksize) thingsareawkwardforme.Alsovs.thisbadopponentalow varianceapproachisgoodsohedoesntgetachancetogetevenand playbetterorleave.TheflopisQ8J;thisisagoodsituationto winallofhisremaining$2,000.Ihaveagoodhand,goodenoughto goallinwithandtheboardiscoordinatedsohecanhavelesser
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hands.Therearealotofhandsherethatwillcheckbehindonthe floplikeapairofjacksoreights,orapairandagutshotstraight draw,oranovercardandgutshotstraightdrawsoIbetout$250 andhecalled. Theturnisthe6andthereisnowaytotraphimreally,althoughin awaywehavebybettingoutontheflopwhenheistiltingandalot ofthetimepeopleleadwithsemibluffs.Ifwecheckhereitmakesa lotofsenseforhimtocheckbehindwithallofthehandswewantto gainvalueagainstsowejusthavetobetoutagainandhavehim makeadecision.SoIbet$800andhewentallin,andIcalledobvi ously.HehadAJandlosthislastmoney.
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127 - Danny Ashman - Secrets of Short-Handed No Limit Holdem

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127 - Danny Ashman - Secrets of Short-Handed No Limit Holdem

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Free $50

Secrets of Professional Poker, volume 1

Advanced Limit-Holdem Strategy

How Good is Your Limit Hold em?

How Good is Your Pot-Limit Omaha?

How Good is Your Pot-Limit Holdem?

Holdem on the Come

Secrets of Professional Pot-Limit Omaha

Limit Holdem: Winning short-handed strategies

978-1-904468-37-0, 352pp, $24.95 / 14.99

Approaching the game

The Turn and River

Other concepts and hand histories

Poker is a still new game

Because its new people dont understand it

There is a lot of money in poker

Why this book will make you money

About this book

Approaching the Game

The keys to winning poker

Passion for the game

Approaching the Game

Why poker is hard to learn

Approaching the Game

Confidence and honesty

Approaching the Game

Why continual learning is important

Approaching the Game

Approaching the Game

Approaching the Game

fornowjustknowthatyouneedthementaldisciplinetofollowthe guidelinesyousetforyourself,inordertoallowyourselftoplaythe bestpokeryoucanforaslongyoucan.

youlearnandasasideeffectyoullplaybetterandwinmoremoney. Inpokeryoushouldalwayskeepthemindsetthatyouareattheta bleplayingpokertolearn,tobecomeevenbetterandtomoveupin stakesthisiscruciallyimportant.

youseethereasonyoumadeamistakeandcorrectittheninthefu turethanyourgamewillbenefit.Dontmakethemistakeworseby tiltingafterwards.

The seven deadly sins

The importance of not tilting

How to avoid tilting

Shorthanded vs. full table

Live vs. online

Expected Value (EV)

theyaretwocardsofthesamerank.Ifyouwriteoutthefourdiffer entcolorsforanygivencard,anddrawlinesbetweenthemrepre sentingallthecombinations,youwillseetherearesixcombinations. Howaboutasuitedconnector?Therearefourwaystomakeany givensuitedconnector(oneofeachsuit).

Putting it all together

Evaluating your opponents

willrealizethatandplayaccordingly.Aweakplayerwillseeascare cardandbescaredinsteadofactuallyhandreadingtoseeifhe shouldbescared.

Loose vs. tight

Aggressive vs. passive

Protecting your hand

Determining the best line

gainvalue.Hereitisntneededtopreventversusabluffbecausemy handisstrongenoughtocallafuturebetsoitdeprivesmeofafu turebluff.IfontheotherhandtheopponentispassivethenIdgo forabetforvalueandtoprotectmyhand.

The Turn and River

Considering future cards

The Turn and River

The Turn and River

Ev+ vs. Ev+++

The Turn and River

The Turn and River

The Turn and River

andhechecksIobviouslygoallin,andifhebetsallinitsatough foldthatImaynotmakeinthegamebutifIhadachancetothinkit throughIprobablywouldsincehesabadplayerandImightbe abletoreadwhathehassincewhenhebetsstronghenormallyhas somethingbig.

The Turn and River

The Turn and River

The Turn and River

The Turn and River

The Turn and River

Other Concepts and Hand Histories

Other Concepts and Hand Histories