It can be very frustrating to lose pots to weak opponents who are making silly mistakes, but are getting lucky. This can be a deep frustration for players that are serious about improving their own game, but is an unavoidable part of playing poker, and something you have to learn to deal with.
You SHOULD have the advantage over a new or weak opponent if you're a solid player who has put in the study and practice to hone your game, but all the study in the world can't help you when you raise with the best of it, and get called by a donkey who sucks out on his two-outer.
Let's come to terms with this, horrible bad beats are going to happen to you and they are usually at the hands of these types players. Now obviously, they did not invest in training time like you did and as a result have a very different view of poker than you do. They will not be playing in a fashion that can make any sense to you. At least you figured out that they don't recognize what they're doing, and that's truly all you require to start getting their money. It's best to try and avoid these players unless you have a quality hand that you can value that against them. There are definitely strategies to use against these players while not putting your own stack at high chance against them.
Pot size management. It's critical to not let the size of the pot run away from you until you know you have the strongest hand, or even the nuts. Weak players will play any two cards so you won't be able to estimate what they will have, which leaves the burden on you to make sure you are ahead before your chips goes in. That's when you make the suckers pay, otherwise don't get involved in big pots with players who can beat you holding 83 offsuit.
Don't play the hand. This will be more challenging because you will frequently have a better starting hand than your stupid opponent, and folding is always tough. However this is going to keep you out of guessing games and preserve your stack for a more profitable spot.
Add the patience factor to your game. When you do this, he will certainly give it back to you - but wait, it may NOT in fact be him, but another loser just like him. That is why you want players like this at your table so you can use your skills against them.
Table position. You don't want to get caught in front of these players with "potential" hands. Your blinds will get burned away and cause you to make irriational plays because of a dwindling, discouraging game. See low-priced flops against slow maniacal players.
Avoid bluffing. Poker half-wits cannot comprehend that they may not have the greatest hand, no matter how bad the board texture is against them. Do not, I repeat do not try to bluff players who do not figure the strength of their hand.
Trap. The only time you should play a big pot against losers is if you are short stacked in a tournament and think you are way ahead, or you have the best possible hand - trapping them for all of their money. This is why it's better to play versus weak players in no limit hold'em - they will be happy to give you a lot of money in a very narrow situation.
Losing pots to clueless players can be aggravating, but the fact is you DO KNOW they are losers even if they are ahead right now. If they don't give it back soon, they will give it back eventually, all you have to do is wait for your place.
Visit www.bonus-code-poker.net for the biggest exclusive bonus codes online. If you want to improve your game check out the articles, videos and reviews at best online poker sites.
Tuesday 30 March 2010
Sunday 28 March 2010
Rush Poker - How To Beat The Rush Poker Format
Rush Poker is a fast and furious poker format, unique to Full Tilt Poker. This new high speed game is a lot of fun, and is attracting loads of gamblers and recreational players to the exclusive Rush Poker games at Full Tilt.
The game is currently Texas Holdem and Omaha and currently only small stakes, although I'm sure more formats will be added shortly. You can chose to play 6 or 9 handed, and the game is made so fast and exciting because once you fold you're taken to a new table. No more folding preflop and having to wait while the others play the hand, just hit fold and move on. There's even a quick fold button so you can fold before the action reaches you, meaning it's possible to play over 500 hands per hour!
In terms of strategy, playing rush poker is very different from your average ring game. First of all, you get virtually no chance to read your opponents preflop so your decision making is based more on your hole cards. Secondly, players will much low ranking hands quickly so you'll know that post flop most players will have high hole cards (or maybe a low pair, suited connectors or Ax) which means if you have something like 77 in the hole and hit trips on the flop, you'll probably get paid off big time! Just be careful not to let the big blind see the flop for free, so raise rather than limp in. Tight is right - but stay aggressive!
On the flop you should stay aggressive. Players will expect you to have a reasonable hand, so make large raises to make them assume you have the nuts. Never slow play a big hand, because your opponents have no idea what style of player you are, and you want to win as many chips as you can when you do have the best hand.
Rush poker is not only a lot of fun, but can be very profitable too. You'll refine yorru strategy over time, but these tactics outlined here should give you a great start. And the best thing about playing rush is, when you're playing 300 or more hands per hour you'll be learning and building up that experience fast, not to mention your rakeback!
The game is currently Texas Holdem and Omaha and currently only small stakes, although I'm sure more formats will be added shortly. You can chose to play 6 or 9 handed, and the game is made so fast and exciting because once you fold you're taken to a new table. No more folding preflop and having to wait while the others play the hand, just hit fold and move on. There's even a quick fold button so you can fold before the action reaches you, meaning it's possible to play over 500 hands per hour!
In terms of strategy, playing rush poker is very different from your average ring game. First of all, you get virtually no chance to read your opponents preflop so your decision making is based more on your hole cards. Secondly, players will much low ranking hands quickly so you'll know that post flop most players will have high hole cards (or maybe a low pair, suited connectors or Ax) which means if you have something like 77 in the hole and hit trips on the flop, you'll probably get paid off big time! Just be careful not to let the big blind see the flop for free, so raise rather than limp in. Tight is right - but stay aggressive!
On the flop you should stay aggressive. Players will expect you to have a reasonable hand, so make large raises to make them assume you have the nuts. Never slow play a big hand, because your opponents have no idea what style of player you are, and you want to win as many chips as you can when you do have the best hand.
Rush poker is not only a lot of fun, but can be very profitable too. You'll refine yorru strategy over time, but these tactics outlined here should give you a great start. And the best thing about playing rush is, when you're playing 300 or more hands per hour you'll be learning and building up that experience fast, not to mention your rakeback!
Increase your poker profits by manageing pot size
Beginners to poker think that your profits come from winning pots, but that's not strictly true. Your aim is to win sizable pots, and only lose small pots, and that means you have to become an expert on controlling pot size. Here's a quick guide on influencing the size of the pots you play...
Betting or raising in a hand is going to change the dynamics and pot size. It's imperative you remember this because a majority of the hands that you are involved in need to be small pots, not big ones. You are only looking to play deep pots when you have monster hands, and we all know how rare that can be.
So you need to take a close look at your actions during a hand and be able to comprehend what the result of checking, calling or raising might be. Even though you might have the best hand when you make a bet, that doesn't necessarily mean you're going to have the winner on the river. In order to manage pot size, you also need to understand the real strength of your hand based on what community cards are out there, and also the profile of your opponent.
Consider also if you are going to make a raise or re-raise, that the type of player you are playing actually has the experience to fold - when they really should be getting out. I've seen many players in online tournaments look at a moderate strength draw on the flop, and decide to just go for it. Of course, that's going to be a large pot and even though you're ahead, you will often get drawn out and find yourself losing a big hand, or even worse. The idea is to NOT let this happen, especially in the early tournament levels when there is no reason to play so risky.
When the pots are small, your opponents also tend to become easier to read because they are also thinking about what you may have. The simple reality of your opponent wanting to be in a hand gives more credence to a certain range of hole cards he may be playing. When your opponent also shows concern about the pot getting out of control you have more opportunity to turn a losing hand into a winner by making a bluff.
Now that leads to the most significant advantage of controlling the size of the pot, which is that you get to see all five cards on the board before you really decide what to do in terms of your hand strength and your opponent's propensity to make an error. Potential draws or paired boards exhibit themselves to dangerous spots but could either turn into big hand for you or help you slow down and save you some tournament chips.
It takes discipline and experience to effectively manage the size of the pots you play. You need the discipline to fold if the risks are too great, no matter what you're holding, and the experience to evaluate the board cards, and profile your opponents. Study, practice, and use this technique to win more tournaments while risking less. If you want to put your new skills to the next, head over to Bonus Code Poker and find poker bonus codes giving deposit bonuses up to 300%!
Betting or raising in a hand is going to change the dynamics and pot size. It's imperative you remember this because a majority of the hands that you are involved in need to be small pots, not big ones. You are only looking to play deep pots when you have monster hands, and we all know how rare that can be.
So you need to take a close look at your actions during a hand and be able to comprehend what the result of checking, calling or raising might be. Even though you might have the best hand when you make a bet, that doesn't necessarily mean you're going to have the winner on the river. In order to manage pot size, you also need to understand the real strength of your hand based on what community cards are out there, and also the profile of your opponent.
Consider also if you are going to make a raise or re-raise, that the type of player you are playing actually has the experience to fold - when they really should be getting out. I've seen many players in online tournaments look at a moderate strength draw on the flop, and decide to just go for it. Of course, that's going to be a large pot and even though you're ahead, you will often get drawn out and find yourself losing a big hand, or even worse. The idea is to NOT let this happen, especially in the early tournament levels when there is no reason to play so risky.
When the pots are small, your opponents also tend to become easier to read because they are also thinking about what you may have. The simple reality of your opponent wanting to be in a hand gives more credence to a certain range of hole cards he may be playing. When your opponent also shows concern about the pot getting out of control you have more opportunity to turn a losing hand into a winner by making a bluff.
Now that leads to the most significant advantage of controlling the size of the pot, which is that you get to see all five cards on the board before you really decide what to do in terms of your hand strength and your opponent's propensity to make an error. Potential draws or paired boards exhibit themselves to dangerous spots but could either turn into big hand for you or help you slow down and save you some tournament chips.
It takes discipline and experience to effectively manage the size of the pots you play. You need the discipline to fold if the risks are too great, no matter what you're holding, and the experience to evaluate the board cards, and profile your opponents. Study, practice, and use this technique to win more tournaments while risking less. If you want to put your new skills to the next, head over to Bonus Code Poker and find poker bonus codes giving deposit bonuses up to 300%!
Welcome To Poker Tips and Articles
Welcome to my blog about poker, how to play, and how to win! I'll be posting tips and articles about the game, tutorials on how to imnprove your own poker skills and strategies, and news from the big poker sites.
You'll find loads of poker related information here so take a few minutes to browse the site, and leave a comment if you have any feedback!
And in the words of Mike Sexton - may all your cards be live, and your pots be monsters!
You'll find loads of poker related information here so take a few minutes to browse the site, and leave a comment if you have any feedback!
And in the words of Mike Sexton - may all your cards be live, and your pots be monsters!
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