I know that none of you guys so far were hating me for complex situational replies here, but i just got reamed a bit on another thread for doing just that. (Giving a reply which was conditional on a lot of factors, and the other fellow was reaming me for giving replies at level 5, when OP is level 1, so he said anyhow)

Situational adjustments is what makes poker truly a skill, otherwise it would be like studying the blackjack basic strategy and everyone would play close to perfect.

In before Racist Ban/

Very good thread, also this is hilarious

It think the problem is that most people don't understand why to put people on ranges. It seems that people tend to start with some wide range, and then keep it when all the evidence suggests that the hands he could have are far fewer. Harrington does a good job of going through the analysis of narrowing a range in HOC.

Take a simple case of where you have a big pair in EP, get called by the BTN and on a T742r board it goes Cbet/call, bet/raise. Yes, the villain started off with a range of pocket pairs, SC, or some broadway. However, he's got TT, 77, 44 or 22 now. Leveling yourself by saying you still beat most of his initial range is bad.

I agree that by the river, you should have the villain on just a couple of hands or even one hand. One reason I don't get upset by IWTSTH.

I second the Bart Hanson podcasts from DC, I have learned alot with his analysis and the guests he has.

Thanks all for the replies so far.

First off - I agree my opening sounded a bit general, but the points made here have been well noted.

I play situational poker all the time, and the whole hand ranges thing really isn't part of my game. I have a good idea of whats going on in hands, but do it in ways slightly different than is described here.

In terms of my search for "automatic lines" to hands, was referring to Wa/Wb situations mainly, where I have a tendency to personally make bad decisions - this is not a good part of my game. I will check the Microstakes forum as was suggested.


Boom! Great last sentence there.

Pushing edges and FE - while not necessarily incorrect, pushin around calling station types isn't a great idea.


Your right Percula, but this is a weak spot for me - certain times I get confused, and rather than continue to make bad decision in these spots, I would like to replace that with "here is what I should be doing abc-wise". At least until I get better in these situations.



Exactly, like the thinking here.

I understand where you are coming from, been there done that too.

The best way to approach it is from specific examples. Start posting hands where you find yourself in confusing situations and see what comes of it. With any luck we will be able to help you start to the find the course.