02-23-05, LearnTexasHoldem:
Doyle Brunson's Super System
Josh
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Answer: It's been a while since I've look through that book so if you want to send in specific questions then I can answer them better. If my memory serves me well -- which it probably doesn't -- I think Doyle's book on no limit spoke of an aggressive tricky style where you keep your opponents off balance. I remember him writing something about having to gamble to do well at no limit holdem.
I also remember hearing Dolye say later that he has had to adjust his style somewhat now because so many people have read the book and are using the same style. In poker, often times the best defense or counter strategy is to do the exact opposite of what the other player is doing.
For example, the worst player for a hyper aggressive player is a calling station player because the best tool for winning the aggressive player had was to bet; I see that happen a lot, you'll get one bad player at the table and someone keeps trying to push them around and he/she just calls down with bottom pair and wins. Then the good player complains but doesn't adjust. So if your buddies are trying to force you out of pots too much, you need to open up your game more.
Remember a bet is relative. A bet from one player may mean something completely different compared to another player's. Buddy A may bet everyhand if you check to him. Buddy B may only bet if he has something. Buddy A may never bluff if you bet into him, while Buddy B may try to bluff too much. Adjust your looseness to the player. When you start calling their bets more and standing your ground, you will lose some hands.
Don't let the losses frustrate you though because you don't have to be right everytime. Another thing to do would be to set traps for them. Call with a middle pocket pair and then check raise a large amount on the flop if you only have one overcard -- to use Dolye's words, "put them to the test" more often early on in the hand. I would also watch their play and see if you can learn anything from them. Just because you lose one day doesn't mean everything is a loss, you could have learned some valuable lessons that will make you a stronger player.
Lastly, there is a fork in how I would play against them and it comes down to how they play post flop. If the people are aggressive post flop and call you if you make a stand, then I would just wait them out for a big hand like AK or AA and make them pay. If on the other hand they fold if you check raise them trying to set a trap, then make that move more and also tighten up some. See the difference is how you are going to make the most money without risking too much.
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