07- 6-06, LearnTexasHoldem:
Loose Fixed Limit Games
Rich Boles
Top 3 Beginner Rooms
Answer:
That's a general question so I'll just try to give you a few concepts to think about. First of all, make no mistake, these games can be challenging and frustrating if you don't have the right approach. You are always happy to play in juicy games like this, but the problem is that most of the literature out there doesn't teach how to beat these games. What happens is you end up trying to play "perfect" poker and it doesn't work. You wait all day for AA only to get it snapped off. Online poker is tighter than offline poker -- by far. Most California limit holdem you'll find, from low limit up to 40/80 and above, will be like this, so it's good to learn. These games can be very profitable. So here are some things to think about, in no particular order:
My Fundamental Rule For Beating Holdem: How are you going to beat this game? What cards are you going to play? Where will you play them? What makes a good starting hand? These questions can all be answered in part by my underlying rule/concept for beating any holdem game -- limit, no limit, full table, heads up, etc -- which is: The value of a hand is based solely on the number of players seeing the flop.
What does that mean? Well, if it is a heads up game, my standards go way down, almost to nil hand strength to make a playable hand, because I'm against a player who is doing the same. A hand with an Ace in it is a monster; two cards over 9 is a power house; any pair is strong, etc. At a tight aggressive full table limit holdem game, I'm going to have to play tight too. I'm going to play hands that do well heads up because most of the pots are like that -- big cards. A hand like 87s won't play well because I won't get the odds to play it, while a hand like AT will go up in value. And I'll be especially careful when calling another player's preflop raise. To do that I'll need a great hand myself. In a game where there are lots of limpers preflop, hands that do well are those that play well in multi-way pots. Pretty basic right? You play hands that do well for the texture of the game and the texture of the game is defined by the number of players who usually take the flop, as well as how aggressive it is. You always will play AA and KK and AK, what changes is if you'll play more speculative hands.
Speculative Hands: A speculative hand is one that requires a big fat buffer of money to be worth playing. It is a hand that takes just the right table to play, otherwise you'll have a leak in your game. These hands require a big flop but when hit, will have a strong hand, unlike hands like AA and KK that usually only make one or two pair.
Small Pocket Pairs: These are good hands because around one in eight times you'll hit a set on the flop. When you hit a set, you'll have a very strong hand, one that you can raise on the turn. In these types of games it isn't unusual to get multiple callers on the turn with two bets. And it doesn't take many of those pots to end up having a solid win. Small pairs are TT and below for this game. Notice how in a bigger game where fewer players see the flop, middle pocket pairs are strong hands because you usually only have one opponent. In your game you'll have to play these to hit a set on the flop.
Suited Connectors: These are good hands, but not as good as the small pocket pairs. These would include hands from 98s down to 32s. What's good about these hands is they have a few ways of winning, straights or flushes. The problem with these hands is in loose games other players often times play hands like K2s and Q4s, and you can get flush over flush. Also I want to mention that with this type of hand, don't get too excited when you hit top pair. Say you have 98s and the flop is 9-5-3. You may win, most likely not though.
Middle Suited Cards: These are the ideal hands for multi-way pots. That isn't to say that you would prefer a hand like this over AA, it just means they are well suited for the game. These hands include two cards over 9 that are both suited and can make a straight, hands like: J9s, KTs, QTs, etc. You aren't really looking for one pair with them. You would prefer to have a draw of some sort with them where you can hit and then put in a raise on a big street against multiple callers.
Axs: This is a good hand for the game because you have the nut draw. I would prefer to have A5s and below because it can make a straight. Also, with this hand you can catch your kicker on the flop and if you catch and A on the turn, it is often very disguised.
Position/Notes: I don't place a lot of value on position in games like this. My thinking is that most pots will be played based on "the best hand wins," meaning that most pots will have a showdown. That means that you play hands based on their strength only -- chance of winning to the river. Position is always helpful, but when there is so much loose money going around, I don't think it matters nearly as much. Also, I think that it is reasonable to assume that if the last five pots have seen 4+ players limping in, that the next one will as well, so I'll play cards in early position that will do well for that many limpers too (in addition to my normal hands).
See I'm really looking to beat the players postflop, not preflop. You get in with some good hands and go from there. So for example, if I saw that the game was very loose and one limper came in, I would call with 33, J9s, QTs, A4s, etc. What about behind a raise? Well, again, if I know that 4+ players will call the two bets with me, then I will also call with hands that do well in multi-way pots. What you have to understand is that even if the guy has AA who opens for the raise, you aren't that far behind with QTs if there are another 4 players in with you. And because most of the money will go in after the flop, and because you are playing for big hands like straights and flushes, you won't pay as much when you lose. See most players when they play a hand like QT will get too fancy when they flop a T or Q on the flop. Now, one more thing I want to warn against is playing too many hands. Keep in the back of your mind how many hands you are playing.
Some days you'll get loads of suited connectors, others none. You don't have to play every one. If you aren't hitting well, just back off a bit and play a little tighter. It is important to reel your play in when things aren't going well. Tighten up if you are losing a lot. Play more hands when you are running well. The reason isn't because luck or anything like that. It is because when you are getting hammered, you'll end up playing way worse than you would if you were ahead that day. When you are losing you end up splashing around trying to win any pot you can, so limiting the amount of hands you play is helpful.
Aggression: Being overly aggressive against weak opponents can sometimes get you in trouble. Be careful about calling raises or raising someone else with only one pair on the big streets. Most weak players aren't raisers so when they do raise, you have to give them respect. (Remember how to fold a hand.) With that said though, it is important to also know how to raise on the turn to protect your hand. Instead of raising on the flop, where most players will still call, sometimes raise the turn so you can eliminate some of the competition.
You do this with hands like KK and AA to cut off some of the people trying to draw to two pair. (It is fine to play hands normally too by raising the flop.) Next, it is important to know how to play your drawing hands well to maximize the money you can make if you hit. Sometimes it is best to cap the betting on the flop, sometimes it is better to not raise so you can let in players behind you. It just depends. If I have the nut draw and there are 3+ players in, I'm fine with capping the flop betting with only the draw. Another concept that is important is how to build a pot. Every now and then in late position, put in a raise with a hand like JTs or A4s or even a small pocket pair. The reason is to build a pot in case you hit.
You can always check behind the players if they check to you. This brings me to my last point: It is incorrect to follow up bets on the flop and turn with hands that you missed, after you raised preflop, if you know that the players will call. Say you raise with AK or AQ and miss the flop (like always). Why bet into the 3 guys when you know they'll call? If a bet on the flop gets you a free card on the turn, then fine. Just never try to push a calling station off a hand. It is a mistake to semi-bluff into a player who you know will call.
Flop Play: See the turn more, if it will cost you only one bet. And I mean a LOT more. When 5 players see the flop for two bets there is a lot of money in the pot. A turn card can change everything. That one small bet is negligible. Often enough you'll hit a draw or two pair on the turn or trips on the turn. For example, say you have something ok like A7s and 6 players limp in. The flop misses you completely with Q-8-3. You have hearts and there is only one heart there. Because this flop isn't dangerous looking and because you can see it will cost you only one bet to see the turn, call. If you catch a heart on the turn you'll have a flush draw to the nuts, and still an Ace overcard. Players at that level often bet the flop and check the turn too, so you can often get free cards.
Who knows, it may get bet on the flop then checked on the turn and you'll win if an Ace hits on the river. Another example: Say in the big blind you have 44 and 6 players take the flop for two bets. The flop is K-5-2. If it only costs you one bet to see the turn, do it. This is the worst draw in holdem, but again unforeseen things can often happen.
You could hit the 4 on the turn making a huge pot, it could get checked around and you get free cards, etc. You could even hit an Ace on the turn and have it checked around because everyone is scared, only to hit your 4 or 3 on the river. Use this same strategy for gutshot draws, if you have one pair on the flop, etc. As long as there are bad players capable of paying you off on the expensive rounds if you hit, it is worthwhile too see that turn.
Turn Play: Regular solid/tight play here: With your draws, you'll want to continue on -- flush, openended straight draws. With the long shot draws if you don't hit and someone bets, you'll muck. The only extra advice I can give here is to give those weak players respect when they raise. Paying off a fish when they raise is a big no no.
River Play: Regular play here too. There is a good saying/concept that says something to the effect of, as the betting rounds increase, the real story is told. That means that you give much more respect to a river raise than one on the flop. River raises are serious business. You don't have to pay everything off. Watch the players and see what they raise with on different rounds and base your calling on that. Multiple raises are death though if you have one pair: one player raises and another reraises before it gets to you.
What's Normal: It can be frustrating as hell to play in these games. Take solace in the fact that it is perfectly normal to be in for two or three racks and still do well that day. Those swings are normal. In these games pots often exceed a rack each. Keep that in mind when you play and don't get discouraged. I remember many days at Commerce casino at the 40/80 when I would be in for 4 racks. Then the next day I would win it back. You just need to remember that the game is more profitable because of this, not less.
Bankroll: You need a solid bankroll for this so you don't get scared when you have a few losing days. I'm not going to harp on this.
Expectations: Expect to get your big hands cracked a lot. A hand like QQ seems like a Godsend, but against multiple players it is at best 20% to win. What helps me to keep my calm is to remind myself that I don't care where the wins come from, as long as I win. Crack my Aces all night if you like, as long as I'm winning with other cards. Most days you won't have everything hold up. It comes in surges. You'll have days where your big hands win; other days where your big hands get cracked but you hit some sets; other days you'll hit some flushes; other days you'll have wacky hands in the blinds make all your money; some days nothing will win.
Final Notes: Above all else, poker at this level is a math game. Deception isn't important. Tricky play isn't important. Psychology isn't important. What you are trying to do is play as many hands as you can to maximize your opportunities to exploit the opponents without completely degenerating to their level.
If you have done your homework, what you need to add to that is how to play in multi-way pots. Once you have this skill in your arsenal, the main challenge of poker is choosing the right style for the game and continually adjusting to that game -- tightening up or loosening up as necessary. When you'll make an error, it will be a small one for a small bet, while the opponents will be making huge errors for multiple bets. The best analogy of this style of play is a shotgun blast. Most of the buckshot will miss. You're fine with that because as long as some of the shot hits home, you'll make the kill. Same thing here: Your AA loses twice, your KK loses, your QQ loses, you missed a lot of flops, but you hit a set and two flushes and are up two racks.
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