11-26-04, LearnTexasHoldem:
Having Hard Time In Home Tourneys
I am doing poorly in neighbor's home game .
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For $30 or $40 you receive $100 dollars in chips .
Blind structure is 2/4 4/8 8/16 16/32 24/48 32/64 when is is heads up. Game size is 7-9 sometimes 6 . Blinds change after each go round . Usually, 3 or 4 games per session Game is No-Limit Money to First Place and Second Place.
I guess players are average to below average. Very little pre-flop raising ( I find this common in the casinos as well ) . Pre-flop raises must be in intervals of big blind. Betting and raising from flop on is any amount to all-in . There isn't that much raising from flop on but those raises tend to be all-in . Betting in general from flop on is probably typical of a home game. Small amounts ($5) or something like $30 for bluffs and nut draws or made hands.
I do not believe I read the players that well. I have tried to improve this but I find it difficult . Even when I have the proper read I will do the wrong thing . I have tried loosing up but playing suited connectors and K7 unsuited all nite can be tedious . Forget pocket pairs. I have gone whole sessions not seeing pocket pairs . In the last 5 sessions, I have finished second once per session which is still a losing nite. (each session being 3 or 4 games)
I plan to take some time off from the game and play again in 2 or 3 weeks . Quite frankly, if I had a home PC I would search for other games in my area. I prefer the casino where I can play limit hold-em with strangers but I am about 150 miles from Atlantic City so I do not go that often all though a friend of mine has promised we would go once every two months . I did read your column on home game strategy. The column is very good . Any further ideas to help me ?
Answer: For me to give you advice, I would need to know more of where your skill is relative to theirs. Are you better than they are? Are you around the same? Playing in passive games with weak players can be frustrating if you are used to games where the opponents are more skilled and aggressive. That may not be your case.
If I were playing in your game the first question that I would base my strategy on would be if the players call a lot or are they just really tight after the flop. What I'm looking for is if it is worth while to come in with weaker hands preflop in hopes to trap them and get all their chips. If they are willing to call with all their chips with relatively weak hands (like just AA on the flop), then I would play more cards.
I wouldn't get too fancy with them and play very aggressively because often times the signals they give back to me aren't clear as they would be if I was playing with someone who was more skilled. What I mean by that is often times if I bet and don't get raised I have a pretty good idea where I am at because I know how the other guy plays. If the player is really bad, it is hard to feel really comfortable about putting them on a specific hand.
They might call down with top two pair just as likely as calling down with middle pair. So if they play passively and call big bets later with weak hands, then play more hands preflop and try to trap them with something like two pair, a straight, trips, etc. Just be careful that you aren't the one getting trapped. On the other hand if they are playing tight after the flop, you'll need to get more money in preflop to make them pay. If their style is to just play lots of hands and fold on the flop if they miss, then make sure you raise enough preflop to limit the competition to one or two other people.
For example, let's say you are dealt TT on the button and everyone (as usual) has just limped in. The worst thing you can do is just limp in as well and not raise. I would suggest you raise enough to make sure you get it down to either one or two players or everyone folding. Don't fear being trapped by someone else preflop (like someone reraising all-in). If someone does do that you can assess the situation and easily fold if you think you aren't the favorite to win.
One thing I can't stress enough in no limit holdem is that you don't want to be on the receiving end of the action -- the caller. You want to be the bettor.If you aren't the bettor, there is probably good reason. Lastly, position matters a lot in any game.
In these weak games, I would at least double the big blind on most hands I came in with in late position after a lot of other people just called. The reason is that you are building the pot and situating yourself nicely for the rest of the hand. If the flop comes back in your favor, you get more money. If you miss, you might get a free card.
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