At some point, there was a very hand before the other one which I raised on the button to $20 with A-J. I got three callers for it, thus making it a multi-way pot nonetheless. Then, the flop came, Q-Q-3, as a result everybody checked to me. To have an unusual move, I bet something like $24. Afterwards, “LaBarca” called, and everybody else at the table folded.

As expected, the turn came and it was a K and so he checked. In an instant, I felt the weakness and trouble in him. I also felt he longed at that time to see me check and eventually have a cheap showdown.

Well, I thought he must have a PP of 6-6 through 9-9. It didn’t appear to me like he is thinking of his trip Q’s, that he’d get maximum value from them. I believed, there should be at least some pondering stuff.

Later on, we’re on the turn and weakness is in the air. So what do you expect? I of course released fire again. I stood up for my readings, for what I felt and for what I believe in.

So then I bet $40 and he called again though quite hesitant and indecisive. At that point, my instincts were still strong, that actually, he wanted a cheap showdown. But I resisted, most especially that I had the T for a straight and an A or a J for a probable winning pair back then.

Eventually, the river came a random blank and he checked again. I bet another $80 into the pot without any doubt. LaBarca hesitated but then he later on called again. After which, I expected to see a Q and hoped could have bet more on the river. Perhaps $120-$150.

After all this, what do you think does my opponent has turned over? A-8 off for no hand as well as no draw but Ace high! Of course, we divided the pot the Q’s and the K being all aboard. I don’t totally understand what happened, to be honest.

Then, the very next hand I’m dealt, A-4 of hearts in the cut off. I eventually limped behind another limper. The BB as well as the button limped too, while SB folded. Afterwards, we take the flop four handed. Well, it comes off properly, 8-6-3 all hearts.

Consequently, the first limper checked and I quickly bet $10. Quite unexpected, the button opted to call and the first limper re-raised to $20. For a while, I went blank but eventually I called. After that, the button re-raised again to $56 while the limper called. Well, I felt I was in a perfect spot then as the button has flopped a flush and the limper has either a set or two pair. However, I didn’t went all-in. Still, I was into for a one pair or a draw.

Then the turn comes a 9c, and so nothing has changed. I then checked as the limper checked. And then for $418, the button went all-in. For a second, the limper hesitated but later for about $300 called all-in.

I didn’t wasted my time, and opted to call. Then, there were the Ks. Eventually, the button showed Q-9 of hearts for a flush while the limper showed 3-3 for a set of 3′s.

Any comment on how I’ve played at that instance? Thanks!

Chase

Chase,

For that first hand, I don’t see how the pot was a chop. You had A-J with a Q-Q-3-K-random board. Your opponent had A-8. Unless that card on the river was a 3, you should have won due to your kicker.

Based on what you explained, it sounded like you had a fantastic read on your opponent. I will say again, that based on what you told me, that should have been a winning hand.

For the second hand, you were able to see a flop cheaply and then flopped a monster. You played the flop masterfully. You bet out and then were raised. You then slowed down with the nuts and called. You then checked to the aggressor and let him bet for you.

The fact that your opponent flopped a set of three’s and called ended up being an added bonus. Fortunately the board didn’t pair. Even if the board paired and you lost, you still played the hand excellent. You let the other players bet for you and as a result, took two stacks.

You can play a wide variety of starting hands in deep stack no limit as the implied odds are good. The post flop play is also more complex as drawing hands have tremendous upside and bluffing is treated as more useful tool than any other stuff.

On the other hand, in extreme short stack no limit, position is very vital as a hand such as ATo may be an allin hand after some limpers when eventually you are on the button, however, on the flip side, maybe an easy fold when under the gun. Depends on the situation. About suited connectors, well they will just be worthless as you will never hit your hand. Pocket pairs on the better side are valuable because of their value as pair and not because of set making capability and all.

Thus, I’m now wondering. In medium stack no limit games, what hands are playable?

For an instance, in 1/2 game with effective stacks of $100, I will call $10 raises heads up with medium and low pocket pairs to try if I could have a set. In the event, there are other callers in the hand, a slightly higher raise will be called. In contrary to a good player I will fold a PP to a raise particularly out of position. This is to avoid any placing of a hand at the table.

Say for an instance I have to fold the hands, but eventually in the later part, I will walk in if a cheap multi-way flop comes in.

Then, for example, I will fold my AK in a deep stack game on a K98 flop. Or otherwise raise to $10 preflop, get one caller, flop comes K98, then bet about $20 and eventually 90$ stack in will be pushed and so will end up irritated and mad.

What do you think, what are the adjustments I need to make with regards to my pre-flop raising, limping and raise-calling requirements in the kind of games aforementioned? By the way, do the hands like suited connectors go down in value because of lack of odds? And what’s your opinion, should I just call in late position freely? Or otherwise just maintain a level of tightness like no-set-no-bet?

About the marginal hands in such games, how should I play them? Typically, you will never long to bet your stack on a marginal hand like top pair in deep stack no limit. On the flip side, you can never wait for too long just to have your chips in the middle with top pair in a short stack game. But how about when everyone else has medium stacks, do you think, how will you adjust or adapt?

Then, how do you decide or act if someone is placing pressure above your head because of being tight or because of having a good hand?

Anyway, do you have some secret moves? Moves that you normally use when you are in position or the like. And in games where everyone overvalues hands, should you semi-bluff particularly with your primary draws? Or otherwise when you have implied odds just opt to call?

I know I’ve asked so many questions, but please bear with me. I need guidance and clarity. I assure you your help will be much appreciated.

Thank you.

Steven Jon

Steven,

A strategy that you may want to develop for medium stack play is one that Daniel Negreanu likes to use and that is the “small ball” strategy. You want to try and keep the pots small preflop and see a lot of flops. This is a somewhat looser strategy and similar to the deep stack poker strategy that you use, but it does permit for large pots when a semi marginal hand flops big.

Suited connectors are the types of hands that work well in small ball. The odds don’t really change that drastically between medium and big stack poker. If you are a medium stack and stack a player or two, then you yourself have a big stack. See my point?

I would tighten up slightly in the games. I would shy away from the lower end of suited connectors and stay away from unsuited aces under A-9 unless you can get in for the blinds.

You need to develop your bluffing and semi-bluffing skills in any game you play. Semi-bluffs in games where people overvalue their hands can lead to huge profits.

There is a set of DVD’s by Rolf Slootboom regarding playing No Limit Holdem cash games. He covers strategies in various games. I would recommend that you pick up a copy.

I considered the small blind having lost about 9 buy-ins bets around half the pot, therefore I immediately opted to call. Same thing with my friend, he opted to call while everyone else at the table folded.

Turn came and brought a Jd. Then, small blind went all-in with the shortest stack. Afterwards, we all agreed to play pre-flop though I considered some stuff for a while.

Later on, I had 2 pair, KK88 and J kicker with a possibility to have a flush draw eventually. Thinking of this, I longed for him to fold if I would call the all in of the small blind.

I did call at the later part. Then, the last guy opted to call. Well, at that instance, I thought I’m in big trouble and the river has nothing good to offer. But still with hope, I opted to bet the remainder of my stack. As I’ve expected, he opted to call my all-in and flips, only to unveil 7h8s. Surprisingly, small blind turned out to be Kh10h.

Well, he won the biggest pot and of course I was distressed and degraded afterwards. Now as I look back to what happened, I’m in doubt. I don’t know if I played properly and strategically. Any comment or corrections as to how I played that night?

Thank you. Any comment or correction will be much appreciated!

Dylan

Dylan,

You got to see the flop for free, so that is a plus. While you did flop two pair, you kicker was never really that good. I honestly would have a very hard time calling bets on the flop with no kicker. When the short stack moved all in, you couldn’t have figured to be ahead of him due to a weak kicker.

Yes you had a flush draw, on the turn, but when the river came a blank you pushed hoping to make him fold. I see your logic, but the downside to this is that if he called you, you were beat, and you were.

Personally, I would have folded on the flop.

In your opinion, do you think it is wise to go all-in or call all-in with all my stack? Or just fold and patiently wait for a better hand to come instead?

Well, I hate calling all-in preflop and certainly I prefer to wait for the flop, then afterwards make a decision based on the result. Any advice please?

Thank you.

All the best,
Toffee

Toffee,

If I am facing an all-in bet preflop, I am calling with K-K. There is only one hand that is ahead preflop, and if your opponent has A-A, then bless them. There are very few times that I would ever consider folding K-K preflop to a raise or an all-in bet.

Moving all-in depends on several factors including how big the other player’s stack is, what the chances are that they will fold, and what I have seen them show down. Chances are I am going to push the hand pretty hard preflop.

In regards to calling all-in preflop, I understand your concern but when you have a big hand preflop, you need to push your advantages and try to take advantage of big hands when you get them. Yes, you will be outdrawn and lose on occasion, but the same is true if you held aces.

I’m just curious, can you share to me what NL games do you typically play? I hope you don’t mind if I ask. By the way, how does the game change compared to lower limit games?

I want to find out how higher limit players think about the game in general. In our place, higher limits implies anything beyond $2.5-$5 NL. Any idea?

In advance, thank you.

Lance

Lance,

While I can play NL cash games, I still prefer NL tournaments over cash games. However, I do play more Limit Poker than NL in relation to cash games. The main difference in Limit as opposed to NL is that in NL the object is to win a players stack of chips.

In Limit poker, you object is to win pots and bet. Due to the structure, one or two winning NL hands can make up for an entire night of losses. If you have 3 or 4 losing hours in a Limit session, you will finish the night a loser unless you put in a long session.

Obviously the higher limit NL players love their games. For most the game is their livelihood and how they make their money. With higher limit games, bluffing and reading opponents becomes a requirement as opposed to a luxury.

Also, be prepared for wild swings in your bankroll due to the limit changes. You may have to drop back to lower limits if you do not do well.

I’m curious if how do players in a 6-handed high-stake online game look to exploit weak play. I have no idea.

By the way, is there any difference between actual value bet and scared bet on different streets? And how much limping is permitted?

Also, do you have an idea about the various ways people proceed in continuation betting situations both in and out of position, whether or not there is the lead? And from out of position, how important is the ability to play till the end?

Thank you.
Regards,
Devon

Devon,

1. High stakes player exploit weak play with aggression mostly. They also exploit weak play with playing a wide array of hands and punishing their players when they connect with a flop.
2. The difference between the bets depends on how your read your opponent. This will depend on what you see them show down, their betting patterns, and how they perceive their opponents.
3. From what I have witnessed, not a lot of limping occurs. A player can try, but usually there is a raise.
4. Most players will do some type of continuation bet on the flop if they were the aggressor. An exception would be if they were the aggressor and then they were reraised. They may then relinquish this bet on the flop.
5. Don’t worry too much about playing to the end. You need to focus on being able to make proper decisions on each street. If that means folding along the way, then fold. If it means staying till the end, then stay.

I don’t have much idea about 6-handed high-stakes online games. Let’s say in a particular 6-handed high-stakes online game, how frequent does a call in position slow down a lead bettor, or other way around, post flop?

Do the players have to anticipate more bluffs along the way? How about big pots with weak hands, how common are they? And by the way, is check-raising the turn without a super strong hand common at tables? I’m after of the answer as I believe the turn is the most crucial street that will mostly likely affect any player’s over-all game.

Thank you.

Dylan

Dylan,

1. Slowing down a bettor with a call in position will depends on a couple factors. First, how aggressive of a player are they? What is the texture of the flop? What do you put them on for a hand?
2. Big pots with weaker hands are more common than at a ring game, but a lot depends on the makeup of the table. With a six handed table, you must widen your range of hands to be competitive.
3. The frequency of players check-raising without a hand depends on again on the makeup of the table. It is more common than ring games of course, but also depends on the players read of their opponent etc.

In my case, I love to play small ball poker being the aggressor usually. Oftentimes, I use position and table image to let others feel I am in the pot and that I always run after to taking the pots from their advantage.

Generally, I’m not a big, expert bluffer. However, I make sure that I’m open most of the time and bet a lot in small pots all for my big hands.

What do you think, how will my playing style translate to bigger games? Do I have to expect that other players will block my style along the way by calling me in position or re-raising me more often? Any idea?

Thanks!

Caleb

Caleb,

Players will tend to play pretty much as you stated. They will use position more, reraise you more, and even try to force you to play large pot poker. Some players will actually sit and try and match wits with you in small ball.

If you are planning to play at the larger limits, you need to work on your ability to bluff, and you need to work on your ability to read other players. While I am sure that you do quite well at that, the largest games have the best players and these skills will become more important.

For an instance, I’m UTG with AQs and raised to $9. Then, folded to button who re-raised to 25$, blinds folded. I decided to call later on because of some hands that were checked down by a certain player.

Then assume that pot was $55 and flop J35 rainbow. As a strategy, I checked to the raiser and he placed a bet of $50. Then I tried to put him on a steal, AK, or a pocket pair below Jacks. And then I called and pot $155.

Eventually, the turn was a blank and then both of us checked. At some point, I stayed with my initial reading of a big Ace or otherwise medium pocket pair.

The river came and it was another Jack. Fortunately, at the last half hour, I’ won 2 big hands that paved the way for my winnings of over $700. Thinking that I had much and that he would never call with AK or pocket 10′s, I placed a bet of $125. But to my surprise, he had KK then so he took the pot home.

Any comment about how I played?

Kyle

Kyle,

You only had A-Q. I can perhaps see calling the preflop raise hoping to hit the flop, but when you missed and he bet out, it is really time to let the hand go.

I am actually quite surprised that your opponent did not bet the turn if it came a blank. I doubt he put you on J-J.

When the jack hit the river, I think that you bet a little too much. Something that may have worked to make him fold would have been about a 25 to 40% of the pot bet. This would have looked like a value bet for A-J. There is a good chance that he might call anyway due to pot odds, but it would have been a little more effective.

It sounds like your read was slightly off on this hand however. You should have folded on the flop.

My question has something to do with one of my no limit games where the buy-in is $4,000 and the blinds 10/20. By the way, I’ve got 3,500.

In that particular game, everyone had folded to me. Quite surprised, I picked up Ad 5s when I was in the button. I actually thought of stealing the blinds then so I brought it to 80.

Eventually, both small and big blind called and the flop came 5c 5d 7d. SB and BB checked it to me. Then, I bet around $140, half the pot. After which, SB folded but then BB raised me up to 380$. At some point, I thought if he got 77 he wouldn’t have raised at all, so I assumed he was just holding a weak 5 or something most probably.

Then, hoping to take things slowly, I called. Afterwards, the turn came and it was 9d, therefore at the board then was 5c 5d 7d 9d. There was a possibility for a straight and flush, however, I got Ad and trips so I have no choice but to fold.

BB then placed a bet of 700$. I was afraid for a straight I guess so I called again. Eventually, river Qc and BB went all in for all my money, got more or less 2.200$ then and 4.800$ in the pot.

For some time spent for thinking and all, a fold was made. Well, I thought he has a flush or straight, maybe even 57 or 77. But then, to my surprise he showed 44.
What do you think, did I play just right? The slow play strategy I guess was not a mistake but still I’m not so sure about it. Any advice?

Thanks,
Jack

Jack,

You actually did not slow play the flop. You bet half the pot. He then raised. At this point, I personally think you should have popped him back. If you really thought that he had a weak five, why not raise again. He would have likely pushed all in right there if he did have a weak five. If he was on a straight or flush draw, then you need to make him pay to draw out on you. If by some chance he had pocket sevens and flopped a miracle against you, then say nice hand and buy back in.

On the turn, you picked up a flush draw to go with your set. Lets say you were behind to a straight as you claim. Even so, you have 18 outs at this point to outdraw him for a flush or a full house. If I didn’t reraise the flop, I would have raised the turn. There is a good chance he would have let the hand go at this point.

It sounds like to me you got scared on the flop. I think that if you reraised him on the flop, he would have folded right there.