2k Post - A Bit Overdue, But ******
12-28-2011
, 09:43 PM
So I was kinda wondering what to write for my 2k post. I don't think I'm the greatest poker player in the world, but I think I'm pretty solid at low limits. I feel like I was a losing player altogether up until the past few months when I really started studying hand analysis and older posts from users like El Diablo, Boosted J, etc... So I figured I'd make this thread a random assortment of some of my favorite threads, posts and general assessments.
*To start, the Well posts have helped me a TON, and I suggest any and all beginners read all of them. And don't just read them, but really try to understand what is being said, and then visualize applying them to yourself in given situations:
Phil Galfond (the best thread I've ever read on 2+2)
Jungleman
Brian Townsend
El Diablo
*I think this post changed my game more than any other single post I've ever read (Ansky posts are amazing, in general). Ansky's post is the second one down, but I suggest you read the original post as well, as it puts his into better context.
*This hand forced me to think a level deeper about poker. Generally speaking, it made me go from thinking, "you have a huge hand, go all-in!", to "okay, i need to think this through... the size of my hand should never cause me to strategize less about my play in a particular spot". Never turn your brain off. Even if a play seems obvious, really think about why it's correct. It's hard to break bad habits and tendencies if you are in cruise control while you do them.
*The 'way ahead/way behind' thought process, greatly cleaned up my checking/betting fundamentals. You never want to bet when worse hands will snap fold, and better hands will snap call/raise. When I was checked to with a mediocre hand, I'd ask myself, "which worse hands are calling a bet? are there enough second best hands calling a bet to justify making one?". If the answer is "no"... check. I would always repeat these questions until the thought process became second nature. (If a mod can find a thread on this concept, please Edit this parenthesized area with a link. Thanks!)
*Additionally, the concept of "turning hands into bluffs" was something I was unknowingly doing a few years ago. It doesn't matter how strong your hand is... if an opponent isn't holding a worse hand that can call, your hand is now turned into a bluff (that is trying to get other, bigger hands, to fold). This theory can be coupled with the "way ahead/way behind/which second best hands are calling?" theory above. Ex: If you have AhAd on a four spade board, and you're shoving the river, your hand is now a bluff (you're not betting it for value). Turning your hand into a bluff isn't always a terrible thing, obviously...but the whole concept relies heavily on your reading abilities and picking the optimal spots. Typically, beginner players have trouble differentiating when to bet or when to slow down, so they'll unknowingly, and poorly, bet hands for value in terribly unfavorable spots.
*This post (Ansky on DailyhandQuiz.com) taught me the importance of thin value-betting. It also taught me the below concept:
*Putting opponents on a range, and making plays based on how their range fits the board vs your hand/perceived range. Folds to a super tight nit in the cutoff who raises, I call on button with 44, blinds fold. Flop is 345 rainbow. I remember being so frightened of a A, 6, 2, or 7 falling on the turn and/or river...and if any of those cards did, I'd almost instantly shut down. Anywho, for discussion's sake, he checks flop, I bet (to get value out of pocket pairs, etc), he calls... turn is an A. So, the only legitimate holding I have to be scared of is anything consisting of a 2. But nit is never raising preflop with a 2. There is relatively nothing to fear about that card. 'Scary boards' are only scary if they match a hand that your opponents actions could represent. In other words, don't be scared of loaded boards unless you can put your opponent on a hand that legitimately matches with it.
*What is the most that they'll call... and what is the least I can bet to make them fold? I think, generally speaking, in big-value-bet and big-bluff situations, these questions are really one in the same. If you're shoving your big hands all in on the river, and betting 1/2 the pot with your bluffs on the river, obviously you will be exploited by most (decent playing) players. You have to put yourself in the shoes of your opponent, based on their play, personality, style, etc... and really find a betting threshold. "Does this bluff maximize fold equity (the % that your opponent folds), but at the same time, does it look like a bet that would maximize value if I had a big hand?"...Any good player will have trouble if you put them in these types of spots. The ability to really find this threshold in the heat of the moment takes time... at least it did for me (we'll call it the Betting G-spot...B-spot, I guess). Also, keep something in mind, if you're playing with a bunch of calling stations, obviously shoving your best hands and check/folding your missed draws/bluffs is optimal. Finding this 'spot' is all player and table dependent. The better the player, the more important it is to balance your bluffs/value bets.
*Accurately weighing the strength of your hand. Flop: 974rainbow, 74 is essentially the same hand as AA. They're beating the same hands, more or less. J42, 32 is essentially the same hand as AK. They're beating the same hands. Etc. Thinking of hands like this really helps put the strength of your hand into perspective.
Anywho, there's probably a load of other thoughts I have in my head that I just don't have the time or concentration to type up right now. Like I said, I'm not a professional or world class player by any means...so take this all with a grain of salt I guess. Just figured 2k posts gave me an excuse to give back what little bit I'm capable of giving back. I'll save the rest for 3 or 4k post
Also, feel free to use this thread to post your favorite links/"a-ha" moments. I'd love to learn/read about some other theories others have learned while reading these forums.
*To start, the Well posts have helped me a TON, and I suggest any and all beginners read all of them. And don't just read them, but really try to understand what is being said, and then visualize applying them to yourself in given situations:
Phil Galfond (the best thread I've ever read on 2+2)
Jungleman
Brian Townsend
El Diablo
*I think this post changed my game more than any other single post I've ever read (Ansky posts are amazing, in general). Ansky's post is the second one down, but I suggest you read the original post as well, as it puts his into better context.
*This hand forced me to think a level deeper about poker. Generally speaking, it made me go from thinking, "you have a huge hand, go all-in!", to "okay, i need to think this through... the size of my hand should never cause me to strategize less about my play in a particular spot". Never turn your brain off. Even if a play seems obvious, really think about why it's correct. It's hard to break bad habits and tendencies if you are in cruise control while you do them.
*The 'way ahead/way behind' thought process, greatly cleaned up my checking/betting fundamentals. You never want to bet when worse hands will snap fold, and better hands will snap call/raise. When I was checked to with a mediocre hand, I'd ask myself, "which worse hands are calling a bet? are there enough second best hands calling a bet to justify making one?". If the answer is "no"... check. I would always repeat these questions until the thought process became second nature. (If a mod can find a thread on this concept, please Edit this parenthesized area with a link. Thanks!)
*Additionally, the concept of "turning hands into bluffs" was something I was unknowingly doing a few years ago. It doesn't matter how strong your hand is... if an opponent isn't holding a worse hand that can call, your hand is now turned into a bluff (that is trying to get other, bigger hands, to fold). This theory can be coupled with the "way ahead/way behind/which second best hands are calling?" theory above. Ex: If you have AhAd on a four spade board, and you're shoving the river, your hand is now a bluff (you're not betting it for value). Turning your hand into a bluff isn't always a terrible thing, obviously...but the whole concept relies heavily on your reading abilities and picking the optimal spots. Typically, beginner players have trouble differentiating when to bet or when to slow down, so they'll unknowingly, and poorly, bet hands for value in terribly unfavorable spots.
*This post (Ansky on DailyhandQuiz.com) taught me the importance of thin value-betting. It also taught me the below concept:
*Putting opponents on a range, and making plays based on how their range fits the board vs your hand/perceived range. Folds to a super tight nit in the cutoff who raises, I call on button with 44, blinds fold. Flop is 345 rainbow. I remember being so frightened of a A, 6, 2, or 7 falling on the turn and/or river...and if any of those cards did, I'd almost instantly shut down. Anywho, for discussion's sake, he checks flop, I bet (to get value out of pocket pairs, etc), he calls... turn is an A. So, the only legitimate holding I have to be scared of is anything consisting of a 2. But nit is never raising preflop with a 2. There is relatively nothing to fear about that card. 'Scary boards' are only scary if they match a hand that your opponents actions could represent. In other words, don't be scared of loaded boards unless you can put your opponent on a hand that legitimately matches with it.
*What is the most that they'll call... and what is the least I can bet to make them fold? I think, generally speaking, in big-value-bet and big-bluff situations, these questions are really one in the same. If you're shoving your big hands all in on the river, and betting 1/2 the pot with your bluffs on the river, obviously you will be exploited by most (decent playing) players. You have to put yourself in the shoes of your opponent, based on their play, personality, style, etc... and really find a betting threshold. "Does this bluff maximize fold equity (the % that your opponent folds), but at the same time, does it look like a bet that would maximize value if I had a big hand?"...Any good player will have trouble if you put them in these types of spots. The ability to really find this threshold in the heat of the moment takes time... at least it did for me (we'll call it the Betting G-spot...B-spot, I guess). Also, keep something in mind, if you're playing with a bunch of calling stations, obviously shoving your best hands and check/folding your missed draws/bluffs is optimal. Finding this 'spot' is all player and table dependent. The better the player, the more important it is to balance your bluffs/value bets.
*Accurately weighing the strength of your hand. Flop: 974rainbow, 74 is essentially the same hand as AA. They're beating the same hands, more or less. J42, 32 is essentially the same hand as AK. They're beating the same hands. Etc. Thinking of hands like this really helps put the strength of your hand into perspective.
Anywho, there's probably a load of other thoughts I have in my head that I just don't have the time or concentration to type up right now. Like I said, I'm not a professional or world class player by any means...so take this all with a grain of salt I guess. Just figured 2k posts gave me an excuse to give back what little bit I'm capable of giving back. I'll save the rest for 3 or 4k post
Also, feel free to use this thread to post your favorite links/"a-ha" moments. I'd love to learn/read about some other theories others have learned while reading these forums.
Last edited by Ice_W0lf; 09-25-2013 at 11:05 PM.
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