Quote:
Originally Posted by hamhamt
I hear things like that all of the time, but I don't really know how to feel about it. I will not be able to afford to play any buy-in game comfortably at $500 for at least 4 or 5 years, so the only way for me to enjoy playing is at the lower games.
Also, I've played in the lower live games where people are so bad that they will easily punt off a few buyins over the course of a few hours. I feel like with proper table selection, a decent win rate can be acheived.
Thoughts?
I have a few thoughts:
Since when I'm in LA, I only have a few hours to play at either Bike or Commerce. Thats because I'm always with my wife, she'll play limit for a little bit, then its time to go, etc. (her family is there in LA)( we're in Sacramento)
But- since I only have limited time, I will 1. Play at lower BI than when I'm in for a real 8-10 hour session, and 2. play much more LAG-y, since I need to more drive the action if I want to make anything. And thats not my normal TAG style. But I'm also there to have fun. Lots of fun- and thats why I'll call with 8-6 off to a 4BB raise in a four way pot, in a game up to like $120max
And THAT...is what you are looking at in LA a lot- a lot of people playing LAG-y kind of sub-optimally to their preferred strategy, or ability. Now, don't get me wrong. I've turned a $60 BI at Bike into $400 more than once. and I've cashed out at the 80/120 for over six racks many times. You get lucky, you run good, you **** out a couple- and thats the kind of player you are looking for at these lower BI games. NOT the local retired nit who's trying to hit a jackpot with his pocket 6's
In rooms that are smaller, in places that have few tables, its not going to happen like that. Everyone knows each other, there is no action, the LAG-y player gets no action unless he runs into QQ, KK or AA. In the two big rooms in LA, and sometimes even at HP, the good,, local-based low BI NL player can really do well over time, DESPITE the high cost of rake and tip.
My mantra when playing with you guys is NEVER limp into a pot in a NL game. (except SB, BB) caveat: if I do, it will be early, and I have a monster. Go ahead, put in that 4x raise. Please.
I guess my final thought is: a lot of poker writers will tell you to play a Contra-style of what ever table you are playing at. Most of the smaller NL games at Commerce and Bike, HP, can be nit-fests. (IMO, only) So, my style of playing them is a Contra-style to what they are. Sure, I raise a lot pre. I also make a lot of laydowns, usually on the turn, when I'm beat and when sub-optimal to continue. Thats poker. See y'all soon