Something was going awry with my blog code. Still not sure what the
problem was, but I think the culprit may have been the tagboard, so
I've eliminated it (wasn't getting much use anyway). The PJK
FORUM is available for PJK Discussions. In fact, Felicia's
given us an update on the password for the next PJK Sunday Tourney.
So use the darn thing, okay?
I spent a good portion of my afternoon browsing some other poker blogs that I haven't visited before (it was at work during a time which allowed me to do that, in between 'customers'). I found a site - Design by Fire which I know I've seen referred to elsewhere (don't remember where but no doubt here).
Mr. Herasimchuk has written a very thorough 'primer': Some Beginners Tips on Poker. Give it a read - even if you're a seasoned player, you might just be reminded of some things you've not been paying attention to lately - especially if you've been experiencing some bites out of your bankoll. It confirmed my own thinking and the lessons I've learned at the tables in the past year, as well as giving me a couple of more things to add to the arsenal.
Last week I moved up to the $2/$4 limit tables at Party. I made the move with far less of a bankroll than is wise, however, I was experiencing "table fog" and stalling at the $1/$2. In other words, I was getting bored grinding it out, and I was losing my edge and ability to focus. The move up woke me up. I relied on a strategy I've developed over the last couple of months designed to minimize my losses, first, and maximize the gains, second. In that order because the bankroll was very vulnerable and I needed to protect it.
Table selection, of course, is critical. When I'm trolling tables, my preference is to find a passive table with only one or two really loose players. I do not have the experience yet to take on a handful of maniacs at one time. I will make note of what my opponents consider playable opener's, what their action at the table is telling me, and whether they can be shaken loose from a hand.
I pay particular attention to post flop play. If there's a family pot, I will make note of who's checking, what their position is, what cards are in the flop, and who folds if there's a bet. This gives me an indication of the kind of cards they will play pre-flop. If I'm in late position - usually one off the button, I will make a stab at the pot for a steal raise if it's been checked around to me. I have found this to be a profitable move when the conditions are right.
I play straightforward, for the most part, saving "fancier" moves for those times when I know I can shake someone off a hand or I'm sure I've got the nuts. I rarely bluff - however, I've honed this side of my game a little sharper recently which has added to my 'EV.' Again, the conditions have to be right - a solid read on my opponents, the image I've established, position, timing, etc.
I despise giving a free card - but I love getting one. I keep check-raise moves at a minimum. With a table of bad players, I will make them pay to draw out on me. I do not chase - ever. If I'm on a draw - then it goes with out saying that the pot odds are critical to whether I pay for another card or not (side note: this is still a leaky area for me, but it's at a drip now when it had been a steady trickle). I throw away more suited hole cards - keeping only those that have somewhere to go if the flush isn't going to happen - I keep in mind it's 118:1 against flopping a flush and if I continually go after it with weak cards, I will see my stack get whittled away.
If I don't hit anything on the flop and am not on a decent draw, I fold. Now this is a no-brainer, but I am constantly amazed at players who will draw out to the river with high card only. It's made me wonder sometimes if I'm doing something wrong by not doing the same. But that notion quickly fades when I see them eventually bust out to nothing and are gone.
If the game starts to slip away from me, I batten down the hatches. I then am looking for premium openers and I play solid straightforward, no frills poker until I can gain control again. This is how I put the brakes on when my stack slides past my comfort level. I may open up Lou Kreiger's More Texas Hold Em Excellence to the back cover and keep it in front of me while I play (something that would probably get me laughed out of a B&M - an advantage of online play) and stick to his recommended starting requirements, which are fairly tight.
I've corrected many of the errors that were preventing me from making meaningful gains and causing deep slides. I've made a step up, not only in the stakes I'm playing, but in the level of my play. I will remain at the $2/$4 as long as I'm comfortable there - I know enough to drop down in limits if I'm getting thoroughly bruised or frustrated.
Bad beats don't bother me anymore - but I have to reiterate something from my last post - I am amazed at the numbers of truly awful players at the $2/$4 level. I almost feel sorry for them. They will join the table with $20 and have absolutely no leverage to play their hand. I'll sit down with my entire bankroll - at every limit. I like having the largest stack at the table.....
I like limit hold-em and have enough confidence now with my game to say I'm a good player - not great yet, but I'm on my way. Now I feel I can turn my attention to no-limit, starting at the penny tables, just as I did year ago with limit...stay tuned, and in the mean-time--
Keep those cards in the air!
