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.