Quote:
Originally Posted by DougL
Don't forget seat selection in this. If you're in the bad seat at an OK table, you're still in a bad spot. If there is a lot of turn over in your games, you should be able to change seats in a reasonable amount of time. If everyone there is glued to a chair, table change and take your chances.
In general, loose passive players are big donators. The big pot theory is fine; usually you get mounds of chips in the middle from bad play. OTOH, if all the good players are flocking to the action game, I'd prefer to sit with a table full of people who play loose passive PF and turn in to weak tight players post flop. Chances are, the "main game" is very profitable; however, 3 great LAGTAGs abusing 4 decent LAGs might not be as profitable as you think.
I want a table where people are making mistakes. If my first table isn't pretty good, I'd take breaks and scout the other tables. Being a regular is a huge leg up. Sometimes the dealer or the floor will help you out. Some regulars will tell you what the good games are. Being a nice human being helps here; angry jerk doesn't get good help.
Whatever you do, don't get mad at a bunch of decent players because you took some beats. Thinking, "I know this is a tough table, but I can beat these guys" and trying to grind back to breakeven is -EV. If they're only making small mistakes (or no mistakes), you're only going to win money via luck. If you want to play vs. the best to learn to play better, fine. Otherwise, if you're mad/stuck make an honest assessment; if there aren't people giving money away, find a new table. Get on the list early. You can always say "no thank you" when you come up.
Doug.. if you please...
*bump* this has probably been kicked to death. My issue is that I like to play 6/12 and the casino has only 2 tables and one is force move to the main table (10 Players). I can do well on both tables *sometimes* but the feeder table is usually easier. It depends, of course, on the line up.
So, I do not have a table choice unless I play 3/6 (5 tables). The choice is to play or not to play e.g. when to start/quit. That has been discussed as well. Knowing when you are up against a line-up that is tough you need to exit for the day. You can quit the feeder when called to force move and play 3/6 or NL for and hour and get back on the feeder. That is a workable strategy - a player did that on Saturday. Sunday I was up $400 so I decided not to move to the main table - the best players usually end up on that table with about 2-3 bad/loose players.
My real question is evaluating the line-up. How do I know that I am better than x-number of players - obv if I get the cards I can beat almost anyone. Further, if almost all hands are going to SD does it matter much if you are way better or not? You have to have the cards.
Loose game 6-9 to the flop - raise > 50%.
Semi-bluffing is not very effective since low-fold equity (rare but I can run a pure bluff if I tell a good story - 67s BB)
iso-raise does not work well very often
Check-raise and value betting is +EV
Having the odds to chase is +EV
Catching cards is priceless
Getting the right seat is +EV but hard to get since they do not leave often.
I'm reading Carson again and SSHE again...
Reading players/hands
Selecting seats
Table selection/Quiting
Getting away from losing hands
Getting value on the end
Carson has a section under
player stereotypes -
Targeting Players (kind of table selection) more than 7 players better than you then skip the table -
you are not the favorite and the 2 that are worse than you will give you money but the other 7 will take it from you.
Carson's book was written several years ago but still seems revelent.
Of course, one strategy is to play 3/6 - the drop ($4+$1 tip) is the same but the players are easier and the possible win is lower (better to win $5/hr than lose $4/hr) - but, the gateway to 15/30 is via 6/12. Just avoid the main table if it looks tough; play 3/6 or leave? Duh, get better!
So, how do you know you are better than x-number of players?
Signs that you are better / worse?
1 - Use Tommy A's Reciprocality Approach. Switch the hands and see who won more or lose less?
2 - Loose player and floats flop (calling station).
3 - Players making mistakes, fold too much or call too much, raise too much.
This is too long
Your guidelines above are great but in my case I do not have a table choice as mentioned (change casinos).
Thanks in advance (yes, like a bad penny I will just not go away).