Need Clarity on Stack Sizes and Cash Game Strategies
In most readings, I noticed that no limit texas holdem is either about deep stack no limit or extreme short stack no limit, but if you’ll try to look at the majority of the lower to middle buy-in NL cash games, you will see couple of differences.
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.
