Quote:
Originally Posted by Running Uphill
Bleh, utg raises to 12 I flat with KK next, 2 others call, flop KT2r, utg bets 30, I flat sb calls other guy folds, turn Qh putting flush draw out there, sb shoves for 80 utg folds I call, he has AJ. I think like how I played the hand, pre I 3 bet gives away my hand, flop is pretty dry and don't wanna shut the action down and pots big enough to get stacks in, turn is just unlucky
Fancy play syndrome (similar to your bluffs, but now with strong hands). Really no place for this at 1/2.
Since I don't know the table dynamics, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt preflop, but on that flop there is no excuse for not trying to get the money in the middle. Players will chase draws so you lose a lot of value by not raising the flop and of course there are cooler hands like villain has a King or a set and is never folding if you raise. BTW, I disagree that is a dry board. Two broadway cards and possible up and down straight draw is not a dry board IMO despite being a rainbow flop (especially because if the straight comes you are never folding, so just get the money in the middle now).
In general, to maximize your value at this level, just play your hands face up. In the games I play in I will 3-bet a hand like KK pre and players will call me down with bottom pair because they "put me on AK" You will make money playing your hands face up because villains have poor poker fundamentals, poor hand reading skills, and just suck in general. There is little to no room for thinking on levels here.
Also, you are relatively young so most players will think you are bluffing anyways (ie they will think you are an internet player playing on a higher level just trying to steal pots, but in fact you will just be playing solid poker because that is what beats this game).
Obv, if you play against a solid reg then you can trick it up some, but you should find at 1/2 that those are few and far between.