05-25-05, LearnTexasHoldem:
Being A Weak Player
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1-2 and my weak play really gets worse the higher the limit is. If I play only .25-.50 I can usually win, but I really get bored winning $8 in 2 hours. So as of now the great player I thought I was realizes he is at best a break even player. Any advice for a weak player would be appreciated.
Answer: First of all, what is a weak player? I would define a weak player as someone who is very straightforward and easy to read. The weak player doesn't use deception and relies only on the merit of his/her own hand to win. Let me give an example to more clearly distinguish between a weak and tough player. If the opponent in a heads up hand was showing signs of not having much, the weak opponent might be thankful he/she could check the hand down, while the tough player would see this as an opportunity to take the pot away from the other player.
See, the tough/strong player plays not only his own cards, but also the cards of the opponents. This isn't to say that the tough player is a bluffing machine, everyone needs to have solid hands the majority of time in poker to win, but being able to push when the time is right is essential for being a successful player. I think your main problem now is that you are too predictable. In no limit holdem, the majority of the money isn't won with AA. To get AA to win a huge pot, you need someone else with another big pair preflop, and even then, you most likely aren't going to make a day out of just that one hand. No limit holdem is all about trapping.
If you can flesh out your knowledge of the game, you will be able to create more opportunities where you can trap your opponents for big pots. Again, deception is crucial for trapping, which in turn is needed to win big. If everyone knows you when you raise preflop you have a big hand, it makes it very easy for them to play well against you. What happens is you get called by someone who wants to take a stab at the flop in hopes that if they hit they can double through you.
I would suggest playing more hands. Every now and then take a shot at a pot, raise with something you don't normally raise with preflop, then see how the hand develops. Try to become a player that uses more betting and less calling to win. Don't be afraid to bet sometimes and get called and lose. Experiment now and use this as a learning experience before you move up to bigger games.
As for AK, you don't always have to play it (or any other) hand the same way each time. Sometimes limp with AK if you want, sometimes raise it, sometimes call another person's raise, etc. Mix it up. And for your other question, there is no set way to play AK after the flop or against someone else's preflop raise. If you miss the flop completely, your options are either to check and fold, take a stab at the pot and hope the opposition folds, or some other combination.
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