Stages Of A TAG

Posted on Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:27:54 AM

A couple of weeks back as of t!e date of t!is article" # did a $ideo for Stoxpoker now
CardRunners] Stages Of A TAG% &!e basic idea is t!at # t!ink 'ost pla(ers )o t!rou)! a
series of sta)es or reali*ations about no+li'it as t!e( i'pro$e t!eir )a'es fro' noob to &A,
and be(ond%
# t!ink t!ese sta)es are wort! t!inkin) about because t!e( can !elp (ou do a couple of t!in)s:
1% -eali*e about w!ere (ou stand in (our de$elop'ent, and t!erefore w!at concepts (ou
!a$e still to 'aster%
2% .nderstand !ow to identif( rou)!l( !ow (our opponents are t!inkin), w!at tactics t!e(
are well+defended a)ainst, and w!at tactics t!e( 'i)!t be $ulnerable to%
As # read !ands and tr( to )et into t!e !eads of '( opponents, # refer to an internal
conception of t!ese sta)es all t!e ti'e, and # t!ink it reall( !elps 'e in '( /uest to outle$el
'( opponents b( one%
0ere are t!e sta)es t!at # presented in t!e $ideo% #f (ou1d like to see t!e w!ole $ideo (ou1ll
need a 2to3poker 'e'bers!ip% #f (ou don1t !a$e one # t!ink it1s $er( wort! (our w!ile to si)n
up for a 'ont! and c!eck it out% #t1s not e3pensi$e, and t!ere1s 4ust an absolute ton of )reat
content now%
Stages of a TAG
1% 0r'', t!is 55s looks kinda )ood
2% # will ne$er pla( an(t!in) but t!ese 16 !ands under an( circu'stances
7% # need to fold postflop if # don1t !it a !and% And # need to fold to pressure if # don1t !a$e a
)reat !and%
4% Ma(be # can loosen up a little bit in position% # can pla( 'ore !ands because # know !ow to
fold t!e' postflop%
5% # need to bet '( )ood !ands !ard so # can )et $alue for t!e'%
&!is is basicall( t!e e$ol$ed sta)e of a 8nit9% &i)!t preflop, sli)!tl( looser in position, and
'ainl( puttin) in serious 'one( postflop onl( wit! stron) !ands% :its can 'ake 'one(, but
t!e( need to reall( 'ultitable !ard to )et an( kind of real traction%
;% # can se'ibluff decent draws postflop wit! essentiall( no added risk%
7% <+bettin) is 'uc! 'ore powerful if (ou follow it up so'eti'es wit! turn barrellin)%
6% # s!ould 7+bet 'ore !ands preflop for $alue%
9% # can now pla( a few 'ore !ands fro' all position because bluffin) 'akes bad !ands
profitable so'eti'es%
10% # need to ad4ust '( preflop )a'e to '( opponents% &!at 'eans not foldin) as 'uc! to
fre/uent 7+bettors, callin) 'ore on t!e button a)ainst li)!t openers%
11% # s!ould look for s'all pots t!at nobod( in particular see's to want and attack t!e'%
&!is is w!ere a lot of t!e &A, re)ulars in 'icrostakes fit in% &!is is also about w!ere 'ost of
w!at # write and produce picks up%
12% # need to ad4ust '( postflop pla( so'ew!at to '( opponents% &!at 'eans )ettin) it in wit!
stuff like top pair a)ainst bad or loose pla(ers%
17% # can 'ake 'one( b( stealin) 'ore preflop% # can steal 'ore loosel( fro' t!e button, and
# can 7+bet li)!t fro' t!e button and blinds%
14% # can also )et carried awa( and start openin) too 'an( !ands fro' all positions%
15% # can co'bat li)!t 7+bettors wit! li)!t 4+bets and li)!t 4+bettors wit! li)!t 5+bet s!o$es%
1;% =ouble barrellin) can be /uite effecti$e, and so'eti'es # s!ould resort to firin) t!ree
barrels%
17% # can take a))rodonks w!o bet e$er( flop off t!eir !ands wit! well+ti'ed raises and floats%
16% # s!ould seek out bad pla(ers and tr( to isolate t!e' to pla( as 'an( pots as possible
wit! t!e'%
19% Preflop !and $alues usuall( depend far 'ore on t!e situation t!an on t!e intrinsic $alue of
t!e cards%
20% &!e si*e of t!e pot deter'ines !ow a))ressi$e # need to pla( and !ow co''itted # a' to
t!e pot%
21% # s!ould look for lar)e pots t!at people see' to !a$e )i$en up on and s!o$e '( 'one( in%
22% # can $alue bet on t!e ri$er 'uc! li)!ter a)ainst bad pla(ers and e3pect to )et called b(
worse !ands%
&!is is about w!ere (ou need to be if (ou want to pla( online poker for a li$in) at t!e >1+>2
le$el or so% At t!is sta)e pla(ers usuall( $ar( fro' loose &A,s to ?A,s% @irtuall( e$er(t!in) #
write and produce is desi)ned to )et people fro' sta)e 11 to sta)e 22%
27% # need to focus on line balancin)% -eadin) !ands lets 'e find unbalanced lines in '( own
pla( and in '( opponents1 pla(%
24% &!rou)! ob$ser$ation # can deter'ine rou)!l( w!at le$el '( opponent pla(s at and out+
le$el t!e' b( one le$el
25% # can 'ake see'in)l( drastic ad4ust'ents to '( )a'e to e3ploit opponents pla(in) an
unbalanced strate)(%
And 'oreA
Stages Of A TAG Part 1
Posted on &ue :o$ 09, 2010 06:07:5; AM
A w!ile back # de$eloped a 'odel for pla(er de$elop'ent t!at # call Stages of Tag% # t!ink
'ost pla(ers )o t!rou)! a series of sta)es or reali*ations about no+li'it !old1e' as t!e(
i'pro$e t!eir )a'es fro' rank be)inners to decent ti)!t+a))ressi$e B&A,C pla(ers and
be(ond%
# t!ink t!ese sta)es are wort! t!inkin) about because t!e( can !elp (ou do a couple of t!in)s:
1% -eali*e appro3i'atel( w!ere (ou stand in (our de$elop'ent, and t!erefore w!at
concepts (ou !a$e still to 'aster%
2% .nderstand !ow to identif( rou)!l( !ow (our opponents are t!inkin), w!at tactics t!e(
are well+defended a)ainst, and w!at tactics t!e( 'i)!t be $ulnerable to%
As # read !ands and tr( to )et into t!e !eads of '( opponents, # refer to an internal
conception of t!ese sta)es, and # t!ink it !elps 'e in '( /uest sta( one step a!ead of '(
opponents%
#n t!is series of articles # will present '( 25 sta)es, be)innin) in t!is article wit! t!e first fi$e%
Stage 1. 0r'', t!is 55s looks kinda )ood%
-ank be)inners tend to focus on doin) one t!in): tr(in) to 'ake )ood !ands% &!e( want to
'ake strai)!ts, flus!es, and full !ouses% #t see's onl( natural t!at t!e( would focus on t!at%
,ood !ands win pots%
&!is focus leads be)inners to c!oose a preflop strate)( t!at e'p!asi*es suited and
connected !ands% &!e( 'a( not t!ink too clearl( about t!eir !and selection, but an(one w!o
pla(s for e$en a few 'inutes will notice t!at pla(ers pla( so'e !ands and fold ot!ers% Dn t!e
surface, )i$en t!e focus on 'akin) !ands, 5+5 suited t!en looks per!aps like a )ood !and to
pla(, w!ile 9+4 offsuit 'a( be a fold% A !and like 9+6 offsuit can 'ake a strai)!t, so it1s wort! a
)a'ble% &!is nai$e strate)( i)nores position, i)nores risk+reward considerations, and
ulti'atel( builds t!e foundation for a fatall( flawed strate)(% Pla(ers at t!is sta)e will
!e'orr!a)e 'one( until t!e( pro)ress%
Stage 2. # will ne$er pla( an(t!in) but t!ese 16 !ands under an( circu'stances%
&!e first i'pro$e'ent 'ost pla(ers 'ake after t!e( read a few 'a)a*ine articles and
per!aps a book or two is t!e( learn to pla( ti)!t% 5+5 suited reall( isn1t t!at )reat a !and
because it1s !ard to 'ake a flus!, and t!e kin) and fi$e b( t!e'sel$es don1t !a$e a lot of
$alue% &!e !ands wit! t!e 'ost $alue are t!e bi) pocket pairs and t!e bi) card !ands like A+5
and A+E%
&!e natural i'pulse after learnin) t!e benefits of pla(in) ti)!t is to beco'e ri)id about it%
&!ere are )ood !ands like E+E and bad !ands like &+6 suited% Pla(ers at t!is sta)e learn to
fold, fold, fold, until t!e( )et one of t!eir )ood !ands%
&!is c!an)e )oes a lon) wa( to plu) t!e 'one( leak fro' 2ta)e 1% Fut 'an( pla(ers at t!is
sta)e t!ink t!e( are 'uc! 'ore ad$anced t!an t!e( reall( are% Gust pla(in) ti)!t will not win
(ou 'one(% &!ere is 'uc! 'ore to t!e )a'e%
Stage 3. # need to fold postflop if # don1t !it a !and% And # need to fold to pressure if # don1t
!a$e a )reat !and%
After learnin) to pla( ti)!t preflop, pla(ers easil( take to t!e idea t!at t!e( s!ould also be ti)!t
postflop% Fit+or+fold is t!e na'e for t!is wa( of pla(in)% #f # fit t!e flop, #1ll keep pla(in)% #f not,
'( !and is wort!less and #1ll fold% A+5 is 4ust a drawin) !and, after all, and if it doesn1t catc!
an ace or kin) on t!e flop it1s basicall( wort!less%
&!is is an inte)ral sta)e in t!e de$elop'ent of a pla(er, but a)ain 'ost pla(ers at t!is sta)e
t!ink t!e( are 'ore ad$anced t!an t!e( are% :o one e$er won a pot b( foldin)% ?earnin) to
release !opeless !ands is a critical skill, but pla(ers at t!is sta)e often t!ink 'an( !ands are
!opeless w!en t!e( reall( aren1t% And, 'ore )enerall(, pla(ers at t!is sta)e are still t!inkin)
onl( about t!e stren)t! of t!eir own !ands% &!e( aren1t t!inkin) about w!at t!eir opponents
'a( !a$e% &!is li'itation 'akes it !ard to win consistentl(%
Stage 4. Ma(be # can loosen up a little bit in position% # can pla( 'ore !ands because # know
!ow to fold t!e' postflop%
Pla(ers at t!is sta)e 'ake t!e critical leap t!at t!e( can so'eti'es win pots wit!out an
ironclad 'onster !and% #n particular, t!e( learn t!at t!e( can use position to force opponents
to fold, to see c!eap cards, and to ot!erwise tilt t!e action in t!eir fa$or% Fecause of t!is, t!e(
reali*e t!at t!e( can pla( !ands like &+6 suited so'eti'es, pro$ided t!ere !asn1t been a lot of
preflop raisin) and t!e( will be in position%
&!is reali*ation is on point% Fut # often !ear pla(ers 4ustif( t!eir looser pla( b( sa(in), 8# know
!ow to fold if # 'iss t!e flop%9 &!is attitude is a t!rowback to t!e fit+or+fold 'indset of t!e 2ta)e
7 pla(er% A 'ain reason w!( !ands like &+6 suited are profitable on t!e button is because (ou
can steal pots wit! t!e' e$en w!en t!e( 'iss% #f (ou focus solel( on 'akin) a !and, (ou1ll
find t!at e$en a suited and connected !and like &+6 suited doesn1t 'ake a 'onster !and often
enou)! to turn a lar)e profit 4ust pla(in) to !it t!e flop%
Stage 5. # need to bet '( )ood !ands !ard so # can )et $alue for t!e'%
Fefore t!is sta)e, pla(ers tend to be focused on w!at not to do% =on1t pla( bad !ands% =on1t
pla( out of position% =on1t pa( so'eone off wit! a second+best !and% H!en t!e( !a$e a )ood
!and, t!e( will bet it, but t!e( won1t tr( to 'a3i'i*e its $alue%
# routinel( see newer pla(ers 'ake ane'ic bets of 20 percent of t!e pot or s'aller wit! bi)
!ands like sets and flus!es% At 2ta)e 5, pla(ers reali*e t!at bi) !ands deser$e bi) pots% Iou
don1t 'ake sets $er( often, so w!en (ou do, tr( to win a bi) one% Fuild a pot earl( wit! a nice+
si*ed flop bet and t!en keep bettin) to tr( to )et t!e stacks in t!e 'iddle%
At t!is sta)e, pla(ers can be considered solid 8nits9% &!e( are pla(in) ti)!t preflop, sli)!tl(
looser in position, and 'ainl( puttin) in serious 'one( postflop onl( wit! stron) !ands% :its
can 'ake decent 'one( in s'all stakes li$e )a'es, but to con/uer t!e tou)!er )a'es t!e(
need to e$ol$e furt!er% :e3t issue #1ll talk about t!e sta)es w!ere pla(ers add so'e basic
a))ression%
&!is article appeared in t!e Dctober ;, 2010 issue B@ol% 27, :o% 20C of Card Pa!er."
Stages Of A TAG Part 2
Posted on &ue :o$ 1;, 2010 06:06:77 AM
&!is series of articles describes a 'odel for pla(er de$elop'ent t!at # call Stages of Tag% #
t!ink 'ost pla(ers )o t!rou)! a series of sta)es or reali*ations about no+li'it !old1e' as t!e(
i'pro$e t!eir )a'es fro' rank be)inners to decent ti)!t+a))ressi$e B&A,C pla(ers and
be(ond%
#n total # !a$e identified 25 sta)es t!at # t!ink 'ost pla(ers )o t!rou)!, rou)!l( in order, as
t!e( i'pro$e% &!is article be)ins wit! 2ta)e ;%
Stage ". # can se'ibluff decent draws postflop wit! essentiall( no added risk%
Pla(ers t!at !a$en1t (et reac!ed 2ta)e ; # consider to be nits% &!e( take few real c!ances,
s!(in) awa( fro' 'akin) or callin) bi) bets wit!out !oldin) a near lock of a !and% At t!is
sta)e, !owe$er, pla(ers be)in to awaken to t!e fact t!at t!e( can beco'e 'ore dan)erous
pla(ers if t!e( are willin) to 'ake bi) bets so'eti'es wit! non+lock !ands%
&!e easiest !ands to 'ake t!ese bets wit! are )ood draws% For instance, sa( it1s a >50 pot
preflop% &!e preflop raiser bets >40 on a & 6 7 flop% Iou !a$e 5 E wit! >200
re'ainin)% An all+in raise !ere is a fairl( safe pla(% Fecause t!e 5 E will nearl( alwa(s
!a$e a nu'ber of outs if called, t!ere is a lar)e 'ar)in for error% #n ot!er words, it1s al'ost
i'possible for t!is !and to be in reall( bad trouble if called%
A))ressi$e pla(ers use opportunities like t!is to put pressure on t!eir opponents% #t 'akes
t!eir !ands !arder to read, and in t!e lon) ter' it wins 'ore 'one(%
Stage #. <ontinuation bettin) is 'uc! 'ore powerful if (ou follow it up so'eti'es wit! turn
barrellin)%
A continuation bet is a flop bet followin) a preflop raise% Man( newer pla(ers will correctl(
'ake continuation bets w!en t!e( raise preflop and 'iss t!e flop, but if t!e( )et called t!e(
will t!en nearl( auto'aticall( )i$e up on t!e !and% #n t!is sta)e, !owe$er, pla(ers learn t!at
t!ere are 'an( opportunities to steal pots e$en after bein) called on t!e flop% Dften a flop call
indicates a speculati$e !and suc! as a draw or a weak pair% #n t!ese cases, a solid turn
follow+up barrel will fre/uentl( win t!e pot%
?earnin) w!en to fire a turn barrel re/uires t!inkin) about an opponent1s preflop !and ran)e
as well as !ow t!ose !ands interact wit! t!e board% &!erefore, t!is is t!e first sta)e w!ere
pla(ers be)in to rel( on !and readin) to 'ake better decisions%
Stage $. # s!ould reraise 'ore !ands preflop for $alue%
:ew pla(ers t(picall( raise preflop wit! onl( t!eir stron)est !ands J bi) pairs and per!aps A+5
and A+E% &!is is particularl( true for pla(ers w!o !a$e learned enou)! about t!e )a'e to pla(
like nits% A pla(er at 2ta)e 6 reali*es t!at !is opponents li'p in wit! !ands 'uc! weaker t!an
t!e traditional raisin) !ands% H!en pla(ers are li'pin) in wit! !ands like 6+7 offsuit and A+7
offsuit, stron)er !ands like E+G suited and 6+6 'ake for )ood situational preflop raisin) !ands%
Stage %. # can now pla( a few 'ore !ands fro' all position because bluffin) 'akes bad
!ands profitable so'eti'es%
:its learn to pla( ti)!t, and it1s a st(le t!at is well+suited to t!eir no+nonsense postflop pla(% #f
(ou aren1t willin) to bluff $er( often, it1s difficult to 'ake speculati$e !ands turn a profit% &!ese
!ands don1t 'ake t!e near+locks t!at nits are lookin) for often enou)!% Makin) speculati$e
!ands profitable re/uires a )ood bluffin) sense% #f (ou don1t 'ake a bi) !and, (ou still )et a
c!ance to win t!e pot b( stealin) it%
#n 2ta)es ; and 7, pla(ers add two i'portant bluffs to t!eir arsenals: se'i+bluffs wit! drawin)
!ands and turn barrels a)ainst likel( weak flop callers% Dnce pla(ers learn to use t!ese bluffs
effecti$el(, t!e( can open up t!eir preflop )a'es a bit% Fecause t!e( can )enerate 'ore $alue
fro' weak !ands, t!e( can pla( speculati$e !ands preflop t!at are a bit 'ore likel( to 'iss
t!e flop or !it it weakl(% Df course, so'e pla(ers take t!is idea too far and be)in to flail wildl(
in e$er( pot% =on1t do t!at%
Stage 1&. # need to ad4ust '( preflop )a'e to '( opponents% &!at 'eans not foldin) as
'uc! to fre/uent reraisers and callin) 'ore on t!e button a)ainst li)!t openers%
&!is sta)e is particularl( crucial for online pla(ers% Dnline no+li'it )a'es are ultra+a))ressi$e,
and pla(ers are lookin) to steal as 'an( blinds and put on as 'uc! pressure wit! preflop
reraises as possible% &!e nit1s reaction to t!is a))ression is to fold 'ost !ands and wait for
solid $alues% Fut t!is strate)( is too cautious%
At 2ta)e 10, pla(ers construct !and ran)es for t!eir opponents% #f so'eone steals fre/uentl(
fro' t!e button, for instance, a pla(er at t!is sta)e will know w!at !ands !e is reasonabl(
likel( to be up a)ainst% &!en !e can defend !is blind wit! an arra( of !ands t!at pla( wit!out
disad$anta)e a)ainst t!is ran)e%
&!e sa'e principle applies w!en facin) preflop reraises% #n t!e old da(s, a preflop reraise
'eant a stron) !and% Fut in t!e ultra+a))ressi$e online )a'es of toda(, pla(ers reraise li)!t
as fre/uentl( as t!e( can )et awa( wit! it% ?earnin) to defend well a)ainst t!is onslau)!t is
critical%
At t!is sta)e, pla(ers can be)in to co'pete in t!e tou)! online 'icrostakes )a'es% &!e(
!a$e added basic a))ression to t!eir )a'es, winnin) e3tra pots and keepin) t!eir opponents
off balance% &!e(1$e also loosened up a bit preflop because t!e( know t!e( can turn a weak
!and into a winner wit! a cle$er bet% Finall(, t!e(1$e be)un to ad4ust to a))ressi$e opponents
w!o are tr(in) to steal as 'uc! as t!e( can )et awa( wit!% :e3t issue #1ll talk about 'ore
preflop ad4ust'ents pla(ers 'ake as t!e( beco'e 'ore sop!isticated%
Stages Of A TAG Part 3
Posted on &ue :o$ 27, 2010 06:12:7; AM
&!is series of articles describes a 'odel for pla(er de$elop'ent t!at # call Stages of Tag% #
t!ink 'ost pla(ers )o t!rou)! a series of sta)es or reali*ations about no+li'it !old1e' as t!e(
i'pro$e t!eir )a'es fro' rank be)inners to decent ti)!t+a))ressi$e B&A,C pla(ers and
be(ond%
#n total # !a$e identified 25 sta)es t!at # t!ink 'ost pla(ers )o t!rou)!, rou)!l( in order, as
t!e( i'pro$e% &!is article be)ins wit! 2ta)e 11%
Stage 11. # s!ould look for s'all pots t!at nobod( in particular see's to want and attack
t!e'%
.p t!rou)! 2ta)e 10, 'ost bluffin) !as fallen into one of two cate)ories% Kit!er (ou are
'akin) se'ibluffs wit! )ood drawin) !ands, or (ou are followin) up a preflop raise wit! flop
and turn barrels% Fut bluffin) situations also arise w!en (ou don1t !a$e a !and and (ou
!a$en1t (et s!own an( a))ression% 2pottin) and takin) ad$anta)e of t!ese situations in 2ta)e
11 will pad (our winrate%
For e3a'ple, sa( two pla(ers li'p, t!e s'all blind co'pletes, and (ou c!eck wit! tras! in t!e
bi) blind% &!e flop co'es & 4 4 % &!is is a flop few pla(ers are likel( to be interested in,
and it 'a( 'erit attackin)% Iou could toss out a s'all bet and see if it wins i''ediatel(% K$en
if (ou )et called, all is not necessaril( lost% A call is 'ore likel( to be a flus! draw, a ten, or an
uni'pro$ed pocket pair Bor ace+!i)!C t!an a four% Iou could tr( bettin) a)ain if t!e turn co'es
so'et!in) like t!e 5 , a card t!at da'a)es t!e $alue of 'ost of t!e possible callin) !ands
besides trips%
2'all pots ripe for stealin) arise fre/uentl(% A 2ta)e 11 pla(er re)ularl( takes s!ots at t!ese
pots and s!ows a stead( profit as a result%
Stage 12. # need to ad4ust '( postflop pla( so'ew!at to '( opponents% &!at 'eans )ettin) it
in wit! !ands like top pair a)ainst bad or loose pla(ers%
#n 2ta)e 7, pla(ers learned t!at top pair can be a $er( dan)erous !and to stack off wit!%
H!en 'ost co'petent pla(ers dri$e t!e bettin), cul'inatin) in an all+in, t!e( will t(picall(
!a$e 'ore t!an top pair% 2o earl( on pla(ers learn to relin/uis! top pair w!en t!e pressure
beco'es too stron)%
Fut i'portant e3ceptions e3ist to t!is rule, and at 2ta)e 12, pla(ers be)in to )et it in wit! 4ust
top pair in lucrati$e situations% Dne i'portant e3ception is w!en a particularl( bad or loose
pla(er is in t!e )a'e%
2a( a bad pla(er wit! >700 in a >2+>5 )a'e li'ps in, and (ou raise preflop to >25 wit! A E
% &!e bad pla(er calls, and t!e flop co'es E 9 2 % 2o'e pla(ers will call flop, turn,
and ri$er bets wit! a !and like E 7 % A)ainst t!is t(pe of pla(er, (ou s!ould bet t!ree ti'es
e$en if (ou don1t i'pro$e% Dt!er pla(ers will 'ake wild flop raises wit! !ands like E 7 or G
6 or ; 4 % A)ainst t!ese pla(ers, if t!e( raise (our flop bet, (ou s!ould si'pl( 'o$e
all+in wit! (our top pair%
Stage 13. # can 'ake 'one( b( stealin) 'ore preflop% # can steal 'ore loosel( fro' t!e
button, and # can 7+bet li)!t fro' t!e button and blinds%
Man( pla(ers !a$e trouble beatin) ti)!t )a'es% &!e( feel like t!e( ne$er )et action on t!eir
)ood !ands, and t!e )a'e be)ins to feel like a constant fi)!t to sta( a!ead of t!e blinds% A
2ta)e 17 pla(er reali*es t!at t!e first step to beatin) ti)!t )a'es is to steal t!e blinds
w!ene$er possible% #f e$er(one folds to a 2ta)e 17 pla(er on t!e button or in t!e s'all blind,
often !e can raise 50 percent or 'ore of !is !ands and e3pect to win t!e blinds often enou)!
to s!ow an auto'atic profit%
#n addition to stealin) blinds relentlessl( w!ene$er pla(ers are unwillin) to protect t!e', a
2ta)e 17 pla(er c!allen)es ot!ers w!o tr( to steal b( reraisin) possible blind steals wit! a
wide ran)e of !ands% For instance, if an a))ressi$e stealer opens for >7 on t!e button in a >1+
>2 )a'e, !e 'i)!t so'eti'es protect !is bi) blind wit! a reraise to >27 wit! a !and like & 7
%
Stage 14. # can also )et carried awa( and start openin) too 'an( !ands fro' all positions%
2ta)e 17 is a critical one for 'an( pla(ers% Dnce t!e( see t!at t!e( can win t!e blinds fro'
t!e button wit! !ands like 6 7 and E ; , t!e( be)in to c!an)e t!e wa( t!e( t!ink
about !and $alues% #f 6 7 can win on t!e button, w!( not also fro' two or t!ree off t!e
buttonL &!e proble' wit! t!is t!inkin), of course, is t!at wit! so 'an( pla(ers (et to act, too
often so'eone will wake up wit! a stron) !and% ?earnin) to steal wit! position fro' ti)!t
pla(ers doesn1t 'ean (ou s!ould )et carried awa( and loosen up fro' all positions% #f (ou
don1t !a$e position and a le)iti'ate c!ance to steal t!e blinds, pla( ti)!t like (ou learned to
do in 2ta)e 2%
Stage 15. # can co'bat li)!t 7+bettors wit! li)!t 4+bets and li)!t 4+bettors wit! li)!t 5+bet
s!o$es%
#n 2ta)e 17, pla(ers learn t!at t!e( can co'bat a))ressi$e blind stealers b( 7+bettin)
so'eti'es wit! 'odest, speculati$e !ands% #n 2ta)e 15, pla(ers learn t!at t!e( can attack
opponents 'akin) t!ese li)!t 7+bets b( 'akin) li)!t 4+bets% And, likewise, t!e( can attack a
possible li)!t 4+bet b( 'o$in) all+in wit! a 5+bet%
For instance, in a >1+>2 )a'e wit! >200 stacks, an a))ressi$e pla(er w!o raises 50 percent
of buttons 'akes it >; to )o wit! 5 6 % &!e bi) blind, also an a)ressi$e pla(er, 'akes it
>22 to )o wit! A 7 % &!is is a li)!t 7+bet 'ade wit! t!e !ope of winnin) t!e pot
i''ediatel(% &!e button suspects a li)!t 7+bet, !owe$er, so !e 4+bets to >52, a)ain !opin) to
win i''ediatel(% Finall(, t!e bi) blind, a)ain suspectin) a possible bluff, s!o$es all+in for
>200%
Iou can pla( for !undreds of !ours at a li$e table and ne$er see preflop a))ression like t!is%
Fut in a))ressi$e online ;+'a3 )a'es, t!is 7+betM4+betM5+bet )a'e pla(s a central role in
preflop strate)(% A 2ta)e 15 pla(er ac!ie$es co'petenc( in t!is )a'e wit!in a )a'e to
re'ain co'petiti$e wit! !is peers%
F( t!is ti'e, a pla(er !as t!e skills to win in nearl( an( no+li'it !old1e' )a'e in a li$e
cardroo', up to and includin) >5+>10 )a'es% &!is is also t!e sta)e w!ere pla(ers can !ope
to break+e$en or s!ow a sli)!t profit in tou)! online )a'es like >0%25+>0%50% :e3t issue #1ll
discuss t!e 2ta)es t!at a &A, 'ust )o t!rou)! to beco'e bi))er winners%
&!is article appeared in t!e :o$e'ber 7, 2010 issue B@ol% 27, :o% 22C of Card Pa!er%"
Stages Of A TAG Part 4
Posted on &ue :o$ 70, 2010 06:17:7; AM
A w!ile back # de$eloped a 'odel for pla(er de$elop'ent t!at # call Stages of Tag% # t!ink
'ost pla(ers )o t!rou)! a series of sta)es or reali*ations about no+li'it !old1e' as t!e(
i'pro$e t!eir )a'es fro' rank be)inners to decent ti)!t+a))ressi$e B&A,C pla(ers and
be(ond%
#n total # !a$e identified 25 sta)es t!at # t!ink 'ost pla(ers )o t!rou)!, rou)!l( in order, as
t!e( i'pro$e% &!is article be)ins wit! 2ta)e 1;%
Stage 1". =ouble barrellin) can be /uite effecti$e, and so'eti'es # s!ould resort to firin)
t!ree barrels%
2ta)e 7 pla(ers learned to 'ake continuation bets and so'eti'es also follow t!ose bets up
wit! turn barrels% After raisin) preflop, a flop continuation bet will fre/uentl( win t!e pot% And
e$en if (ou )et called, so'eti'es a stiff turn bet will succeed%
Fut before 2ta)e 1;, pla(ers t(picall( )i$e up if t!eir turn barrel )ets called% &!e( fi)ure t!at a
pla(er needs a fairl( )ood !and to call a turn bet, and t!e( don1t want to tr( to bluff out a )ood
!and% H!ile t!is reasonin) is often sound, so'eti'es a t!ird bi) bluff on t!e ri$er is t!e best
pla(%
&!is is particularl( true a)ainst pla(ers w!o li'it t!eir !and ran)e b( callin) on t!e turn% As a
si'ple e3a'ple, sa( a pla(er would al'ost alwa(s raise t!e flop or turn wit! two pair or
better, but 4ust call wit! one pair% A turn call would t!en indicate a )ood, but not )reat, !and% #t
could be so'et!in) like 5+E on a 5 G 6 7 board% A lar)e bet on t!e ri$er could be
enou)! to con$ince t!is pla(er finall( to )i$e up on top pair%
Stage 1#. # can take a))ressi$e donk bettors w!o bet 'an( flops off t!eir !ands wit! well+
ti'ed raises and floats%
#n 2ta)e 11, pla(ers learn to attack s'all pots t!at no one see's to want% 2o'e pla(ers take
t!is principle too far, !owe$er, and be)in to attack s'all pot after s'all pot wit! 'an( flop
bets% At 2ta)e 17, pla(ers can identif( t!is pattern of o$era))ression and counter it b( pla(in)
back at opportune ti'es% 2ta)e 17 pla(ers can resteal fro' a))ressi$e donk bettors eit!er b(
raisin) t!e flop or b( callin) on t!e flop wit! t!e intention of takin) t!e pot awa( on a later
street%
#n order to identif( )ood ti'es to pla( back, a 2ta)e 17 pla(er 'ust be fa'iliar wit! t!e likel(
!and ran)es !is opponent can !old and !ow well t!ose !ands connect wit! t!e board%
Stage 1$. # s!ould seek out bad pla(ers and tr( to isolate t!e' to pla( as 'an( pots as
possible wit! t!e'%
F( 2ta)e 16, a pla(er !as t!e basic tools to succeed at no+li'it% 0e pla(s ti)!t out of position%
0e opens up a bit in position, and opens up a lot w!en )i$en t!e c!ance to steal t!e blinds%
0e defends !i'self a)ainst a))ressi$e opponents b( ra'pin) up preflop a))resion% 0e pla(s
carefull( w!en opponents s!ow stren)t!, but !e attacks weakness after t!e flop% Finall(, !e
can identif( bad pla(ers a)ainst w!o' !e s!ould loosen up%
#n 2ta)e 16, a pla(er learns t!at !e can so'eti'es pla( 'uc! looser and 'ore a))ressi$el(
t!an nor'al w!en a weak pla(er !as entered t!e pot% #t is wron) to open t!e pot wit! a !and
like 6 7 fro' two off t!e button% &!e !and is si'pl( too weak for t!e position% Fut it can be
correct to raise a li'per wit! t!e sa'e !and in t!e sa'e position% #n an unopened pot, pla(in)
6 7 would be an atte'pted blind steal t!at will fail too often to be profitable% -aisin) a
li'per, !owe$er, is not a blind steal at all% #nstead, it1s an atte'pt to pla( a pot wit! so'eone
w!o will, o$er ti'e, )i$e t!eir 'one( awa(% &!e downside to pla(in) t!e weak !and is t!e
sa'e in bot! scenarios J pla(ers be!ind will wake up wit! stron) !ands and 'uscle (ou out
of t!e pot% Fut t!e upside is potentiall( 'uc! )reater a)ainst a li'per% #nstead of winnin) t!e
blinds, (ou can now win 'uc! 'ore fro' a bad pla(er% &!is difference can 'ake pla(in) bad
!ands wort! t!e risk%
At 2ta)e 16, a pla(er learns to e$aluate opponents and custo'i*e a preflop strate)( to
'a3i'i*e profit%
Stage 1%. Preflop !and $alues usuall( depend far 'ore on t!e situation t!an on t!e intrinsic
$alue of t!e cards%
:ai$e pla(ers 'i)!t rank preflop startin) !ands in a list fro' stron)est to weakest, wit! A+A
bein) t!e stron)est and 7+2 per!aps t!e weakest% A 2ta)e 19 pla(er reali*es t!at, apart fro'
t!e e3tre'el( stron) !ands like A+A and A+5, preflop !ands !a$e onl( 'odest intrinsic $alue%
#nstead, t!eir $alue is pri'aril( situational% &!is is a )enerali*ation of t!e principle pla(ers
learn in 2ta)e 16% &!at is, in so'e situations Bblind stealin) fro' two off t!e buttonC, 6 7 is
not wort! pla(in)% #n ot!er situations Bisolatin) a lous( pla(erC, it is%
0ands !a$e stren)t!s and weaknesses% A s'all pair like 7+7 can flop a set and win a !u)e
!and and so'eti'es can win in a c!eap s!owdown a)ainst one or two opponents% Fut
wit!out a set it1s a !and t!at doesn1t offer 'an( se'ibluffin) opportunities, and it1s usuall( too
weak to wit!stand an( bettin) pressure% A !and like A+7 is so'eti'es is likewise often too
weak to wit!stand bettin) pressure, and it can also win c!eap s!owdowns% Fut it offers card
blockin) $alue as it 'akes it !arder for an opponent to !old an ace in a !and like A+A or A+5%
2uited connectors create lots of se'ibluffin) opportunities, but t!e( stink in situations w!ere
bluffin) opportunities are likel( to be scarce%
A 2ta)e 19 pla(er e$alutes t!e stren)t!s and weaknesses of !ands, and !e also e$aluates
t!e situation and t!e sort of stren)t!s t!at are called for% =oes t!e situation re/uire
se'ibluffin) c!ancesL =oes it $alue card blockin)L #s 'akin) top pair likel( to be $aluableL
0e t!en 'atc!es up !ands to situations and decides !ow to proceed%
Stage 2&. &!e si*e of t!e pot deter'ines !ow a))ressi$e # need to pla( and !ow co''itted #
a' to t!e pot%
All poker decisions boil down to risk $ersus reward% &!e risk is w!at (ou could lose
proceedin) in a !and, and t!e reward is t!e pot (ou can win% &!e 2ta)e 20 pla(er reali*es
t!at all e$aluation of situational $alues depend on t!e pot si*e% #n )eneral, t!e bi))er t!e pot
t!e 'ore a))ressi$e and co''itted one needs to be% Fut, as alwa(s, t!e de$il is in t!e
details, and a 2ta)e 20 pla(er !as learned to incorporate (et anot!er i'portant $ariable into
!is decision+'akin)%
F( 2ta)e 20, a no+li'it pla(er is a tou)! co'petitor in 'ost )a'es% Fut t!ere are still fi$e
'ore 2ta)es of a &A,, and # will present t!ose final fi$e in t!e ne3t issue%
&!is article appeared in t!e :o$e'ber 17, 2010 issue B@ol% 27, :o% 27C of Card Pa!er%"
Stages Of A TAG Part 5
Posted on &ue =ec 07, 2010 06:22:07 AM
A w!ile back # de$eloped a 'odel for pla(er de$elop'ent t!at # call Stages of Tag% # t!ink
'ost pla(ers )o t!rou)! a series of sta)es or reali*ations about no+li'it !old1e' as t!e(
i'pro$e t!eir )a'es fro' rank be)inners to decent ti)!t+a))ressi$e B&A,C pla(ers and
be(ond%
#n total # !a$e identified 25 sta)es t!at # t!ink 'ost pla(ers )o t!rou)!, rou)!l( in order, as
t!e( i'pro$e% &!is article be)ins wit! 2ta)e 21%
Stage 21. # s!ould look for lar)e pots t!at people see' to !a$e )i$en up on and s!o$e '(
'one( in%
&!e learnin) cur$e for t!is sta)e is steep, but t!e pa(off is well wort! it% K$en t!ou)! lar)e
pots are t!e ones 'ost wort! fi)!tin) for, pla(ers )i$e up on t!e' all t!e ti'e% 2o'eti'es
t!e( called twice wit! a draw and 'issed% 2o'eti'es t!e( tried to pick up t!e pot wit! a turn
barrel and )ot called% 2o'eti'es t!e( called twice wit! a 'ediu' stren)t! pair wit! t!e
intention of foldin) to a bi) ri$er bet% &!ese are 4ust so'e of t!e 'ore co''on scenarios
w!ere a pla(er will build a lar)e pot wit! (ou, but be unwillin) to sta( wit! it until t!e end%
An( ti'e 2ta)e 21 pla(ers find t!e'sel$es in a lar)e pot, t!e( use t!eir !and readin) tools to
)au)e an opponent1s co''it'ent to t!e pot% An unt!reatenin) ri$er card can weaken enou)!
drawin) and 'ediu' stren)t! !ands to 'ake an all+in bluff profitable% An une3pected c!eck
can be reason b( itself to fire a bi) ri$er bet% 2ta)e 21 pla(ers know t!e si)ns of opponents
w!o 'a( !a$e )i$en up on t!e pot, and t!at 'akes t!e' $er( dan)erous%
Stage 22. # can $alue bet on t!e ri$er 'uc! li)!ter a)ainst bad pla(ers and e3pect to )et
called b( worse !ands%
Karl( on in t!eir de$elop'ent, pla(ers learn intuiti$el( t!at ran)es fre/uentl( beco'e
polari*ed on t!e ri$er% &!e !ands t!at !a$e weat!ered t!ree rounds of bettin) are often eit!er
stron) 'ade !ands or busted draws% Fettin) a 'ediu' stren)t! pair on t!e ri$er, t!erefore,
'akes little sense, because t!e busted draws won1t call, and stron) 'ade !ands will%
Fut t!is lo)ic doesn1t !old a)ainst 'an( weak pla(ers% &!eir ran)es aren1t as polari*ed on t!e
ri$er, because t!e( lin)er too lon) in !ands wit! 'ar)inal !ands% Dn a E+6+;+G+4 board, for
instance, a weak pla(er can still !old a !and like A+5 or 6+7 or A+; e$en after !ea$( flop and
turn bettin)% &!erefore, a)ainst suc! a pla(er, it can 'ake sense to bet a !and like A+G for
$alue on t!e ri$er% A 8t(pical9 pla(er would al'ost ne$er call wit! a worse !and, but bad
pla(ers will%
2ta)e 22 pla(ers !a$e a keenl( de$eloped sense of t!e !and ran)es t!e( can e3pect t!eir
opponents to !old% F( countin) t!e nu'ber of une3pected weak !ands in t!ese ran)es, t!e(
can find )ood ri$er $alue bets t!at ot!er pla(ers 'iss%
Stage 23. # need to focus on line balancin)% -eadin) !ands lets 'e find unbalanced lines in
'( own pla( and in '( opponents1 pla(%
?ine balancin) is t!e critical skill for a &A, pla(er w!o wants to pro)ress into tou)!er )a'es%
People pla( no+li'it in a s(ste'atic wa(, nearl( alwa(s callin) wit! t!is sort of !and in t!is
situation and nearl( alwa(s raisin) wit! t!at one% &!is si'ple s(ste'atic approac! creates
!undreds of unbalanced lines J situations w!ere t!e pla(er will al'ost ne$er !a$e a weak
!and or, oppositel(, a stron) one% .nbalanced lines betra( too 'uc! infor'ation t!at a stron)
opponent can use e3ploitati$el(%
2ta)e 27 pla(ers focus on line balancin), bot! in t!eir pla( and in t!eir opponents1% &!e( look
for situations w!ere t!eir opponents !a$e unbalanced lines and e3ploit t!e'% Gust as
i'portant, t!e( look inward, anal(*in) t!e patterns in t!eir own pla(% 2a( a 2ta)e 27 pla(er
notices t!at !e often calls twice wit! 'ediu' pairs onl( to fold to a ri$er bet% 0e would al'ost
ne$er pla( a le)iti'atel( stron) !and t!at wa(% 0is opponents could use t!is tendenc( a)ainst
!i', firin) ri$er bluffs and e3pectin) to )et plent( of folds% 2o !e ad4usts J !e balances t!e call
flop+call turn line J b( callin) twice wit! !ands !e also plans to call wit! on t!e ri$er% F(
balancin) t!is line, !e t!warts ri$er bluffs and denies criticial infor'ation to !is opponent%
Stage 24. &!rou)! ob$ser$ation # can deter'ine rou)!l( w!at le$el '( opponent pla(s at and
out+le$el t!e' b( one le$el%
2ta)e 24 pla(ers can e$aluate opponents /uickl(% &!e( watc! for pla(s t!eir opponents 'ake
J and look out for ones t!e( don1t 'ake% &!is infor'ation allows t!e' to )ain insi)!t into t!eir
opponents1 strate)ies and per'its t!e' to predict !ow opponents will react to a new situation%
Hit! t!is knowled)e, t!e( can sta( one step a!ead of t!eir opponents%
For e3a'ple, a 2ta)e 24 pla(er could watc! an opponent pla( for a w!ile and t!en co'e up
wit! a rou)! )uess for t!e sta)e nu'ber t!is opponent !as 'astered% 0e 'i)!t notice, for
instance, t!at a pla(er knows to raise 'ore !ands in position, but doesn1t know !ow to
co'bat a li)!t 7+bet wit! t!is weak late position !and ran)e% &!is would place t!e pla(er
so'ew!ere between a 2ta)e 17 and a 2ta)e 15 pla(er% 0e could t!erefore fairl( e3pect t!e
pla(er to !a$e 'astered 2ta)e 10 skills, but not 2ta)e 20 skills%
Stage 25. # can 'ake see'in)l( drastic ad4ust'ents to '( )a'e to e3ploit opponents pla(in)
an unbalanced strate)(%
Most pla(ers adopt a )eneral strate)( or 8st(le9 and 'ostl( stick to it% &!e( will 'ake 'odest
ad4ust'ents )i$en t!e situation, but t!e( don1t stra( too far out of t!eir co'fort *one% 2ta)e 25
pla(ers wil 'ake !u)e ad4ust'ents w!en t!e situation calls for it% &!ese are ad4ust'ents t!at
lesser pla(ers 'i)!t ne$er e$en t!ink of% Dr t!e( 'i)!t consider t!e', but rarel( !a$e t!e
confidence to pull t!e tri))er%
2ta)e 25 pla(ers still !a$e 'uc! to learn, but t!e( !a$e absorbed t!e funda'entals of t!e
'ain i'portant poker skills% Fro' t!ere it1s refine'ent% Findin) 'ore unbalanced lines in t!eir
own pla( and balancin) t!e'% 5nowin) w!at pla(ers to e3pose unbalanced lines to and w!at
pla(ers to pla( defensi$el( a)ainst% 2eekin) out 'ore and 'ore subtle wa(s to e3ploit
opponents% And so on% F( t!e ti'e (ou )et to t!is le$el, (ou can trul( call (ourself an e3pert
pla(er, and (ou will no doubt !a$e t!e winnin)s to pro$e it%
&!is article appeared in t!e =ece'ber 1, 2010 issue B@ol% 27, :o% 24C of Card Pa!er%"