02-11-05, LearnTexasHoldem:
Positional Raiser
Top 3 Beginner Rooms
Is this type of player common?
Do you have any suggestions as to how to play against this type of player?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Answer: Good question, thanks for sending it in. Number one rule in poker is that you need to adjust your play based on your opponent's play. For example, if I know that a person will bet everytime I check to them, I can't give them quite as much credit as someone else who might bet only if they have something. The problem you defined above is that you can't limp in cheaply with bad hands because this guy keeps raising with position.
The question you'll need to answer is how loose are his preflop raises when he does this? Is he going to try to bully you around with just a weak Ace like A5? Or does he only raise hands with pairs or two cards over Ten? The answer to that question will help you better play against him. First off, you will have to stop limping in with garbage -- I reserve that play for passive cash games. I usually don't limp in with weak hands in no limit holdem tournaments since every chip counts (unless it is a drawing hand and there is already money in the pot).
What I would do against his guy is to first of all fold all the junk hands in early position (that includes suited connectors that don't do well in heads up battles). Next, I would start setting traps for this guy. I might limp in next time with a big pair and then when he religiously raises behind me, I'll put a big raise out. You might even want to use that play with hands like 88, 99, TT, AQ, KQ, etc. How loose you do this to him depends on how often he is raising in the back. Fight fire with fire.
This strategy won't work if you get in there with weak hands because you intend on going toe-to-toe. What you are doing is taking away his best tool: betting. By check raising preflop you are taking the initiative and forcing him to catch a hand he feels comfortable calling with. Next, this isn't a play you'll do often since if he is a good player, chances are that he will catch on quickly and stop putting in raises with weak hands.
I think this will be good for your play to have him at the tables. It is going to take your game to the next level. Lastly, try to learn from him. Why is it so hard to play against someone who does this, even if you know that they are doing it too much? Position is very important in no limit holdem and coupled with an aggressive shrewd bettor, it can be enough to overcome even a substantial weakness in hand strength.
Try using some of this strategy in your game. You don't need to do it everytime, just every now and then. The less often you try it, the more often it will work.
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