Grunch...

I think 3-betting and bluffing is a big source of profit, even at $1-$2. For example, when you spot "the live one" who keeps opening pre, pot after pot - that player is a great candidate for us 3-betting he or she light, especially in position. They'll tend to call super light and hope to hit a flop, which we all know - we don't flop well often. So, our 3-bet to isolate "the live one" gets us heads up, and a c-bet will typically win the money.

There are the times where they call hoping to hit the gutterball, and spike, but how often is that? Not often. IMO it's a profitable play.

Bluffing at $1-$2 is similar. It's a very profitable play given board texture, villain's range, and how deep the stacks are. For example - put yourself in the LAG V's spot - he might be laggy, but let's assume he's not a total fish. Just super sticky. He calls your flop bet with middle pair. Turn is a blank, and he calls your turn bet with middle pair. River beats the board (say an A), and you ship for pot or more. V is holding middle pair. How much of a fish would he or she have to be to call? I'd say the callers there are the outliers, and we can mark them for valuetown on subsequent hands when we have a hand.

This is it. 3 betting and bluffing can be done quite extensively at 1-2. 3 betting may be cut to zero when the table will never raise unless a big pair, but otherwise it is mandatory for optimal results. You want to win 30/hr at 1-2, you have to become adept at this. (unless you play a group of drunks every day)

If you don't have all or most of the white chips or if the dealer isn't constantly asking you to change up your whites, you aren't doing it right

1/2 is the same exact poker as every other buy in. If they are weak/tight, push em around. If they are loose aggressive, dial it back.

I know I'm playing well when I have all the white chips and people start complaining about me raising so much

People should ask about semi-bluffs in these topics.

Semi bluff is an underrated play, most level it as either good/bad value betting strategy. But semi bluffs are a great tool IMO.

Haha this is cool. Never really thought about that, but it's true. When you're sittin with $30+ in whites, that's about the time the table starts grumblin about your opens. Game on! hahaha

More than any other game, players at 1/2 NL hate to fold. They didn't drive to the casino tonight to play tight. They are here to gamble and maybe have a few beers. They view poker as any other form of gambling like blackjack or craps.

This does NOT mean that your should NEVER bluff however. Anytime you say NEVER or always in poker you can be exploitable by any observant decent player - even loosing players can notice obvious tendencies of regulars like never bluffing. Therefore, I think bluffing is necessary to some degree but you have to do it correctly and choose your spots. In general, I like doing it HU and in position. I don't like semi bluffs if I think the villian will call. I have a better chance to get paid off if I just call and hit. I also use bluffing in cbet situations on favorable dry board with hands like AK and AQ on favorable boards or other random hands like others mentioned. Occasionally I make a small bluffy bet on the turn and or river in a limped pot that I think might get called by better just so I can show a bluff too. Somtimes doing this can help loosen up the table the same way straddles can and you will notice others bluffing too. Its almost like its gives others the permission to bluff too. Finally don't tripple barrel. This is totally -EV.. Value bet to death but dont like 3 barrell with air. If they call big bets on the flop and turn they will call the river waaay too many times and you are burning 200bb plus. So be careful with bluffs and pick your spots and players but I can tell you bluffing is an important part of maximizng profit regardless of stakes. Sure sometimes you may never bluff in a session but it should still be part of the toolbox when necessary.

IMO, these are the two more important points.


Also,

- Play OP
- Do not get into trouble