Yet again I take another side road and think I've found my ''best'' game.
Well that may just be wishful thinking but at least I'm making regular cashes and have managed to buy all my Christmas presents on the strength of recent results.
The game is Omaha Hi/Lo.
I read SuperSystem II which has a great article about Hi/Lo.
The one singular point that had such a dramatic effect on my results was that you should not be playing hands that are devoid of an ace.
Any, and every, other hand will be a long term loser...so why play them at all?
Just play the hands that are long term winners...those containing aces.
The full explanation can be found in Doyle's superb book but, believe me, it's beautiful!
The chapter goes on to explain why the 9 should be avoided at all costs...it is so seldom held in the winning hands!
anyway...
I have taken a shine to Limit MTTs as the structure lends itself to a TAG policy much better than Pot Limit and the ''variance'' becomes much less dangerous.
So I am trying, very some may say, to play only Limit Hi/Lo games...or at least trying to only pay for Limit Hi/Lo games.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Poker Tips
This is primarily aimed at me. (But if anybody else can benefit from something in here then great!)
Things that I must remember to do...generally random notes from reading / playing in order to iron out mistakes from my game!
In Omaha...avoid the habit of ''risking it'' with two sets of suited cards. If they are otherwise unconnected then you will be throwing away lots of chips.
On the river do not bet if the only hand that can call has you beat.
There is no such thing as pot-committed. If you know you are beaten then save those last few chips for later.
In Omaha, if the big raiser has AA and the board is rainbow raggy but you have two pair...get those bloody chips in. (i.e. potraiser preflop also potraises post flop...massive odds on that he has AA)
Try to play to the nuts...but remember: Less opponents means less chance of the nuts being out.
My favourite hand?....9 10 J Q with some suited.
Players do not three bet bluff on the final table. (Well they will now against me!!!)
A minimum or 1/2 pot raise is a very effective bluff...and easy to get away from too.
Omaha. AAxx is fine to shove if you know you can get heads-up.
Play aggressively when heads-up...passive players get eaten alive. LAG not TAG.
Don't play danglers unless short handed.
Show aggression on any bubble...but at least give yourself a chance!
Remember that when three handed your hand is over 3 times as strong as when full-tabled.
If a few limp it round to your blind...stick some bloody chips in!
Don't give away free cards...rather give your opponent the option of folding.
Take notes!!!
Things that I must remember to do...generally random notes from reading / playing in order to iron out mistakes from my game!
In Omaha...avoid the habit of ''risking it'' with two sets of suited cards. If they are otherwise unconnected then you will be throwing away lots of chips.
On the river do not bet if the only hand that can call has you beat.
There is no such thing as pot-committed. If you know you are beaten then save those last few chips for later.
In Omaha, if the big raiser has AA and the board is rainbow raggy but you have two pair...get those bloody chips in. (i.e. potraiser preflop also potraises post flop...massive odds on that he has AA)
Try to play to the nuts...but remember: Less opponents means less chance of the nuts being out.
My favourite hand?....9 10 J Q with some suited.
Players do not three bet bluff on the final table. (Well they will now against me!!!)
A minimum or 1/2 pot raise is a very effective bluff...and easy to get away from too.
Omaha. AAxx is fine to shove if you know you can get heads-up.
Play aggressively when heads-up...passive players get eaten alive. LAG not TAG.
Don't play danglers unless short handed.
Show aggression on any bubble...but at least give yourself a chance!
Remember that when three handed your hand is over 3 times as strong as when full-tabled.
If a few limp it round to your blind...stick some bloody chips in!
Don't give away free cards...rather give your opponent the option of folding.
Take notes!!!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Poker ramblings...
After 5 years of messing about playing every game I can the time has come to start taking it seriously. My bank transactions to and from sites shows a small profit over the years.
Add in a $6000 trip to Manilla, a computer games console and a variety of other prizes (rather than cash)...then I guess I am well in front...but not by as far as I feel I should be.
We all feel we can be pro poker players (if you don't then maybe you're reading the wrong blog) but do we have the drive to get us up there?
No!
As in life in general we become complacent...reach a certain level and then dig a trench and defend our position...moving neither forwards nor backwards...or, in other words, we stagnate, become stale and will never realise our potential.
Over the last year I have been reading lots of Omaha strategy guides and I really love playing this game...and I reckon this is definitely my strongest game.
But what do I do when I sit down with 3 hours to spare for a session?
There are no imminent Omaha games so I play a couple of Texas games to pass the time.
Or a 5 card draw or Razz to try something different for a change.
Next thing I've missed the start of the one Omaha game and lost half my bank in the process!
Idiot!
Did Ali ever have a wrestling bout while waiting for a boxing fight?
Did Bjorn Borg play squash while awaiting Wimbledon?
Did Michael Jackson get married in between...erm, oh damn yes he did!...scrap that one then!
Do Metallica lay down a dance single between albums?
Of course not!
So I have decided that I am an Omaha player (not hi/lo !!!)...and Omaha is what I will play.
I know I can make a steady profit from Omaha games so why the hell should I be playing so much Texas where the margins are becoming incredibly tight and so much harder to dominate.
OK
Ramblings over...for the moment.
ps...I will continue to play PL tournaments and other games with added value as I do enjoy them and the general added value, even in Texas Hold 'em, still makes them a viable proposition.
Add in a $6000 trip to Manilla, a computer games console and a variety of other prizes (rather than cash)...then I guess I am well in front...but not by as far as I feel I should be.
We all feel we can be pro poker players (if you don't then maybe you're reading the wrong blog) but do we have the drive to get us up there?
No!
As in life in general we become complacent...reach a certain level and then dig a trench and defend our position...moving neither forwards nor backwards...or, in other words, we stagnate, become stale and will never realise our potential.
Over the last year I have been reading lots of Omaha strategy guides and I really love playing this game...and I reckon this is definitely my strongest game.
But what do I do when I sit down with 3 hours to spare for a session?
There are no imminent Omaha games so I play a couple of Texas games to pass the time.
Or a 5 card draw or Razz to try something different for a change.
Next thing I've missed the start of the one Omaha game and lost half my bank in the process!
Idiot!
Did Ali ever have a wrestling bout while waiting for a boxing fight?
Did Bjorn Borg play squash while awaiting Wimbledon?
Did Michael Jackson get married in between...erm, oh damn yes he did!...scrap that one then!
Do Metallica lay down a dance single between albums?
Of course not!
So I have decided that I am an Omaha player (not hi/lo !!!)...and Omaha is what I will play.
I know I can make a steady profit from Omaha games so why the hell should I be playing so much Texas where the margins are becoming incredibly tight and so much harder to dominate.
OK
Ramblings over...for the moment.
ps...I will continue to play PL tournaments and other games with added value as I do enjoy them and the general added value, even in Texas Hold 'em, still makes them a viable proposition.
Latest Update
Well I have not updated since last year.
Had a trip to Manila for the APT courtesy of a 32Red freeroll, however that is documented on Punter's Lounge and 32Red blog so I'm not going to re-hash the details on here.
However I have had a bit of a think as to where my future lies regarding poker and will soon post up my personal statement of intent soon.
...maybe my first intention should be to regularly update my blog!
Had a trip to Manila for the APT courtesy of a 32Red freeroll, however that is documented on Punter's Lounge and 32Red blog so I'm not going to re-hash the details on here.
However I have had a bit of a think as to where my future lies regarding poker and will soon post up my personal statement of intent soon.
...maybe my first intention should be to regularly update my blog!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
