Note that these are supposed to be general ideas rather than specific 'how-to's', so hopefully they are generally correct even though we might all be able to think of specific situations where another line may be better. Also note that these are NOT in order of importance.
DO'S
1) Play very tight early in the tourney (Levels 1-3) and even tighter in early position
Starting hand requirements can be found in any poker book but suffice to say if you are playing hands like ATo UTG or QTs in the cut off early in the tourney you are playing too loose. Similarly, you are probably playing too loose if you are limping hands like A2-A9o early in the tourney.
2) Loosen up as blinds increase and as the game gets shorthanded, particularly in position when it is folded to you
Blind stealing is key once blinds hit 75/150 at Poker Stars or 100/200 at Party Poker. Never open limp at 50/100 and above.
3) Be aggressive
If you are going to play a hand, you should be raising preflop most of the time (e.g. if blinds are 100/200, you pick QJo in the SB, it’s folded to you, the BB has been playing tight, don’t just complete, RAISE!). The only times I limp preflop are early in the tourney with pocket pairs (playing for set value) or suited connectors in position and preferably with multiple limpers in front.
4) Early in the tourney, limp (and call raises) with low-medium pocket pairs (say up to 99/TT) for set value
You have implied odds to play for set value on the flop with pocket pairs provided that the amount you need to call is 1/15 or less of the total chips you can win. Note that this is determined by the smaller of either your stack or your opp’s stack. Eg. you pick up 33 UTG+1 at 10/20 blinds, open limp for 20 chips, button raises to 100, then CALL the raise as you have implied odds to play for a set. However, if you don’t hit a set on the flop, then NO SET = NO BET
5) Raise preflop 3x BB plus 1x BB for each limper with your big hands
(e.g. KK) At Poker Stars level 1 and 2 add an extra 1x BB to try to thin the field.
6) Push or fold preflop when your stack is <10x BB
Standard raising is usually bad when you have <10x BB.
7) Bet your strong hands
Don’t slowplay! If you hit a set or two pair on the flop, in general don't check/call (e.g.if you have 55, everybody limps, you limp from the button and the flop comes A85, bet bet bet! You will get paid off by a villain who limped with A3).
8) Make sure that your bubble/shorthanded play is good and that you make +EV pushes/folds/calls
In particular there are situations when it is often +EV to push with any two cards (eg. it’s folded to you in the SB and either your stack or the BB’s stack is <10x BB). This is much harder than it sounds, particularly in the heat of battle.
9) Realise there is a big, huge, ginormous difference between pushing all-in and calling all-in
When you push all-in you add to the strength of your cards the chance that the other player will fold, when you call all-in you must be able to show down the best hand to win.
10) Generally bet between 25% and 100% of the pot at any stage
- An example of where I would bet 25% of the pot is if I flopped a set with an A on the flop against an aggressive player who raised preflop, in which case I’m hoping to push when he raises me on the flop.
- An example where I would bet 50% of the pot on the flop is if I raised preflop, got called, missed the flop, my opponent checks, and I knew he/she was weak/tight.
- An example of where I would bet 100% of the pot is if I raised preflop with QQ, got two callers and the flop came Td9d 2s
11) Realise that at low buyins TPTK is often the best hand on the flop even when opps lead into you after you have raised preflop
For example blinds 50/100, you raise to 275 on the button with AQs, BB calls, flop comes Q83 rainbow, opp leads for 300 – push all in! The times when your opponents flip QT and you stack them far outweigh the times when they have a set or two pair.
12) Realise that low buyin players LOVE to play A-rag
Blinds 25/50, you're on the button with KK, 4 players limp in front of you, you raise to 350, get 3 callers, flop comes A94, SHUT DOWN, there is a very high likelihood that somebody has an ace and you are well behind drawing to 2 outs. Conversely you can take advantage of this on an A high flop if you have AK or a pocket pair which hits a set, you are very likely to get paid off by one of villains playing Ax.
13) Find a partner with whom to trade HHs for review
Some of the biggest improvements I have made have come about because I have had another player review my hand histories and give me feedback. Sometimes you have leaks that you miss but become bleeding obvious once someone else highlights them. Just remember to take the feedback on board!
14) Realise that bad, horrible, appalling, one-outer beats do happen...
...and that the best way to console yourself is to be sure that you got your money in as a favourite - if you did, there is nothing else you can do, you effectively won. Your AA will be cracked by rubbish like QTs 19.5% of the time when your preflop push is called BUT the other 80.5% of the time you double up/take opp's whole stack. The question to ask yourself is "would I have played differently?" and if the answer is "no", then be happy whatever the results might be.
15) Remember that poker is a long term game
Long term means thousands, not hundreds of SNGs. Do realise that even the best players suffer streaks of 10+ SNGs out of the money and 30+ buyin downswings. Stick to your game and you will win money in the end.
Originally posted on www.flopturnriver.com |
