Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Should You Slowplay Pocket Aces?
The Countdown to the WSOP continues....
"I lose all the time with pocket Aces. I should just muck them!"
-the whine of many poker players
When I hear players saying they lose all the time with pocket Aces, I know that these players are doing something wrong.
Maybe they are playing too tentative and giving free cards.
Maybe they don't know how to lay down Aces when they have four opponents, the flop is 9-10-J suited, and they get raised on the turn when the 8 hits.
Maybe they have been spooked by the the expression that you will either win a small pot with Aces, or lose a big pot.
I don't know what it is, but let's see if we can improve the value of pocket Aces when you get them.
Pocket Aces Pre-flop
You are not going to get this hand too often in a tournament. When you do get them you want to maximize their value.
If it is early in the event, you need to determine how opponents are dealing with limps and raises. If everyone folds to a raise, then you may want to limp. But, if there are a lot of players calling pre-flop, you don't want many opponents. You also need to assess your chip stack compared to the blinds and your opponents.
Examples:
If it is the start of the WSOP where everyone gets $4,500, you want to raise. Why? Because you know players are going to be getting the right implied odds to call your raise. You may as well try to limit the competition.
If it is online and the start of an event, you may have only $1,500 and the levels may be $25-$50. You can raise if players are calling raises. Or, you can limp and hope to get only one or two callers. The one thing you will find online is that players are getting more aggressive, which would make me lean towards raising.
If it is online and the middle of the event, let's say with $200-$400 blinds and you have only $3,000 in chips, while most of your opponents have 20 times the big blind. Here, consider a call. Why? You need chips to win. You may as well take a chance and try to double up. Sure you may be knocked out, but take the risk. A raise should be all-in, and you may not get any callers. And, a raise to $1,200 looks fishy. Play weak and hope to get lucky.
Aces on the Flop
Let's say you limp and get four callers. If the flop is coordinated you want to keep the pot size small. If you get a lot of raising and re-raising, consider a fold. Your trap didn't work.
If you raise pre-flop and get one or two callers, you need to make a continuation bet. If you get resistance, you will need to assess the situation and decide the best play.
Pro sometimes fold the winning hand. So don't be afraid to fold if you know or suspect your beat.
Again, you need to evaluate your opponents and how they play, their chips stacks, the betting action, and your own table image.
Conclusion
There is no right or wrong answer to whether you should slowplay pocket Aces. Sometimes I slowplay Aces and win a big pot, when a player calls with K-Q and the flop comes Queen high.
If you don't feel comfortable limping with Aces, don't do it. Just make sure you recognize the flop texture, the number of your opponents, and their and your own table images.
I love pocket Aces. I wish I was dealt pocket Aces every hand! I once was at the card club and was dealt pocket Aces five times in the space of 4 hours! That was huge. Four times I raised pre-flop and got no callers. The fifth time I re-raised an early position raise pre-flop--but my opponent folded. Oh well. I did end up taking down 2nd place at that event.
"I lose all the time with pocket Aces. I should just muck them!"
-the whine of many poker players
When I hear players saying they lose all the time with pocket Aces, I know that these players are doing something wrong.
Maybe they are playing too tentative and giving free cards.
Maybe they don't know how to lay down Aces when they have four opponents, the flop is 9-10-J suited, and they get raised on the turn when the 8 hits.
Maybe they have been spooked by the the expression that you will either win a small pot with Aces, or lose a big pot.
I don't know what it is, but let's see if we can improve the value of pocket Aces when you get them.
Pocket Aces Pre-flop
You are not going to get this hand too often in a tournament. When you do get them you want to maximize their value.
If it is early in the event, you need to determine how opponents are dealing with limps and raises. If everyone folds to a raise, then you may want to limp. But, if there are a lot of players calling pre-flop, you don't want many opponents. You also need to assess your chip stack compared to the blinds and your opponents.
Examples:
If it is the start of the WSOP where everyone gets $4,500, you want to raise. Why? Because you know players are going to be getting the right implied odds to call your raise. You may as well try to limit the competition.
If it is online and the start of an event, you may have only $1,500 and the levels may be $25-$50. You can raise if players are calling raises. Or, you can limp and hope to get only one or two callers. The one thing you will find online is that players are getting more aggressive, which would make me lean towards raising.
If it is online and the middle of the event, let's say with $200-$400 blinds and you have only $3,000 in chips, while most of your opponents have 20 times the big blind. Here, consider a call. Why? You need chips to win. You may as well take a chance and try to double up. Sure you may be knocked out, but take the risk. A raise should be all-in, and you may not get any callers. And, a raise to $1,200 looks fishy. Play weak and hope to get lucky.
Aces on the Flop
Let's say you limp and get four callers. If the flop is coordinated you want to keep the pot size small. If you get a lot of raising and re-raising, consider a fold. Your trap didn't work.
If you raise pre-flop and get one or two callers, you need to make a continuation bet. If you get resistance, you will need to assess the situation and decide the best play.
Pro sometimes fold the winning hand. So don't be afraid to fold if you know or suspect your beat.
Again, you need to evaluate your opponents and how they play, their chips stacks, the betting action, and your own table image.
Conclusion
There is no right or wrong answer to whether you should slowplay pocket Aces. Sometimes I slowplay Aces and win a big pot, when a player calls with K-Q and the flop comes Queen high.
If you don't feel comfortable limping with Aces, don't do it. Just make sure you recognize the flop texture, the number of your opponents, and their and your own table images.
I love pocket Aces. I wish I was dealt pocket Aces every hand! I once was at the card club and was dealt pocket Aces five times in the space of 4 hours! That was huge. Four times I raised pre-flop and got no callers. The fifth time I re-raised an early position raise pre-flop--but my opponent folded. Oh well. I did end up taking down 2nd place at that event.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Doh! Do you believe in ESP in poker?
Entered the $300 no limit event at the local card club.
200 entries.
After the first five rounds, I was not doing well. I was down to $2500 and the blinds were up to $200-$400 with a $50 ante.
On the cut-off a player raised preflop and I had an easy fold with 7-2. The raiser was called and the flop was A-K-4. Suddenly I had this feeling I was going to find a big Ace on the next hand, and be knocked out.
The next hand a player raised to $2,000 pre-flop. Sure enough I looked at my cards...A-Q! No! What to do? This raise meant he had a hand like pocket J's or 10's. I know it sounds nuts, but I just had this bad feeling...I folded!
That was the best hand I had seen today, and it was not easy to fold.
After more bad hands, I was two under the gun. I had 4-5 of hearts. I was about to fold when I had this feeling to play it. I moved all in and got called by an opponent who had A-J. I hit the straight on the turn and the flush on the river.
I was up to about $6,000. The same blinds. A tight player raised to $1,600, and the button called. I was in the SB and found pocket Q's! I moved all-in.
The first player thought for about one minute and folded. The player on the button had about $12,000 and couldn't decide. I waited and waited...and yes, I had this feeling that I would win the hand if he called unless he had pocket 10's. I don't know why I was having these thoughts or whatever they were...
He called, and turned over 10-10. I sighed because I knew it was over. The flop had the 10 and I was out..
Is this esp or just plain nonsense?
200 entries.
After the first five rounds, I was not doing well. I was down to $2500 and the blinds were up to $200-$400 with a $50 ante.
On the cut-off a player raised preflop and I had an easy fold with 7-2. The raiser was called and the flop was A-K-4. Suddenly I had this feeling I was going to find a big Ace on the next hand, and be knocked out.
The next hand a player raised to $2,000 pre-flop. Sure enough I looked at my cards...A-Q! No! What to do? This raise meant he had a hand like pocket J's or 10's. I know it sounds nuts, but I just had this bad feeling...I folded!
That was the best hand I had seen today, and it was not easy to fold.
After more bad hands, I was two under the gun. I had 4-5 of hearts. I was about to fold when I had this feeling to play it. I moved all in and got called by an opponent who had A-J. I hit the straight on the turn and the flush on the river.
I was up to about $6,000. The same blinds. A tight player raised to $1,600, and the button called. I was in the SB and found pocket Q's! I moved all-in.
The first player thought for about one minute and folded. The player on the button had about $12,000 and couldn't decide. I waited and waited...and yes, I had this feeling that I would win the hand if he called unless he had pocket 10's. I don't know why I was having these thoughts or whatever they were...
He called, and turned over 10-10. I sighed because I knew it was over. The flop had the 10 and I was out..
Is this esp or just plain nonsense?
Monday, October 6, 2008
7 For 7 On Amazon....but lost last 2 times played
All 7 Amazon reviews have been 5 out of 5 stars, and here are the top lines:
Best poker book released this year!!!, October 1, 2008
Unbelievably awesome, August 25, 2008
Full of sound advice and a lot of fun to read, August 1, 2008
Superb!, June 25, 2008
Outstanding!, July 3, 2008
Great Poker Book, July 2, 2008
Excellent tournament poker tips, May 24, 2008
I've played twice more at the club. And, one Sunday I built I decent chip stack. It got down to the last 3 tables but I lost every time I was all-in with either small or big advantage.
Today, I just played bad. Passive play. My number one weakness. These things happen for a reason.
Since I wrote the book, I've played only in 6 no limit tournaments. I finished in the final table in 3, and went out in the other 3 One of the final tables was a win.
Best poker book released this year!!!, October 1, 2008
Unbelievably awesome, August 25, 2008
Full of sound advice and a lot of fun to read, August 1, 2008
Superb!, June 25, 2008
Outstanding!, July 3, 2008
Great Poker Book, July 2, 2008
Excellent tournament poker tips, May 24, 2008
I've played twice more at the club. And, one Sunday I built I decent chip stack. It got down to the last 3 tables but I lost every time I was all-in with either small or big advantage.
Today, I just played bad. Passive play. My number one weakness. These things happen for a reason.
Since I wrote the book, I've played only in 6 no limit tournaments. I finished in the final table in 3, and went out in the other 3 One of the final tables was a win.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Won the Sunday local Poker Tournament
After over a month of inaction due to work, I headed to the Oaks Card Club Sunday event. Only 70 players entered the event.
Since I was rusty I reviewed my book "Tournament Poker: 101 Winning Moves." Hey, just 'cause I wrote it doesn't mean I recall everything.
I ended up winning $5,000.
Frankly, I really never had any hands until I got to the final table.
I was low on chips and had to risk it all with 4 tables left with A-9 against 2 players. I had to make this play given the situation. I figured I needed to hit my Ace to win, and I did.
It allowed me to get down to 2 tables. Where once again I was low on chips. The table was 7 handed and I moved all in with A-7, after a player raised. I knew I was behind, and it was a small bet for the initial raiser to call so once again I was playing the Ace. I hit the 7 and won against his 4-4.
When we got down to the final table, I finally got premium cards. Which allowed me to go on a small rush.
I also won a hand when I was in the big blind with just K high, against an all-in bet. I called since I was getting more than 3-1.
Since the blinds were big my wins got me to be the chip leader with 4 players left. I refused to chop since I was in front by a lot.
I lost a big hand with 3 players left. I called an all-in preflop bet from a player who had about $80k. I had twice that amount, and a big hand A-Q. He had K-7. He hit his 7.
Now he was in the lead. The player in 3rd place got knocked out, so now it was heads-up. But, I was down to 2-1.
I am a fairly good heads-up player so when he offered to give me a few dollars to end the match I said no thanks.
The second hand heads-up, he raised pre-flop and I called with about 1/3rd of my chips. I had 10-8 suited. The flop came 10 high. I checked. He moved all-in and I called. He was bluffing.
Now I was in the lead 2-1. I offered him a sweet deal to end the match, but he turned me down. His friends told him he was going to win.
Not gonna happen. The next hand, he limped on the button. I had J-3. The flop missed me, I checked and he checked. The turn missed me, I checked and he checked. The river missed me, and he bet a little more than half the pot. I had J high, and I didn't believe him. I called. He showed 10 high.
His friends couldn't believe I called.
I offered the same deal to end the match. But my opponent refused.
We split the next two hands, and on the last hand he moved all in. I had A-10 and called right away. He had nothing worthwhile. No one improved, and I won the $5,000 and the Oaks Card Room jacket.
I also had my picture taken holding my book, which they post for a week at the card room. Oh well...back to work.
Since I was rusty I reviewed my book "Tournament Poker: 101 Winning Moves." Hey, just 'cause I wrote it doesn't mean I recall everything.
I ended up winning $5,000.
Frankly, I really never had any hands until I got to the final table.
I was low on chips and had to risk it all with 4 tables left with A-9 against 2 players. I had to make this play given the situation. I figured I needed to hit my Ace to win, and I did.
It allowed me to get down to 2 tables. Where once again I was low on chips. The table was 7 handed and I moved all in with A-7, after a player raised. I knew I was behind, and it was a small bet for the initial raiser to call so once again I was playing the Ace. I hit the 7 and won against his 4-4.
When we got down to the final table, I finally got premium cards. Which allowed me to go on a small rush.
I also won a hand when I was in the big blind with just K high, against an all-in bet. I called since I was getting more than 3-1.
Since the blinds were big my wins got me to be the chip leader with 4 players left. I refused to chop since I was in front by a lot.
I lost a big hand with 3 players left. I called an all-in preflop bet from a player who had about $80k. I had twice that amount, and a big hand A-Q. He had K-7. He hit his 7.
Now he was in the lead. The player in 3rd place got knocked out, so now it was heads-up. But, I was down to 2-1.
I am a fairly good heads-up player so when he offered to give me a few dollars to end the match I said no thanks.
The second hand heads-up, he raised pre-flop and I called with about 1/3rd of my chips. I had 10-8 suited. The flop came 10 high. I checked. He moved all-in and I called. He was bluffing.
Now I was in the lead 2-1. I offered him a sweet deal to end the match, but he turned me down. His friends told him he was going to win.
Not gonna happen. The next hand, he limped on the button. I had J-3. The flop missed me, I checked and he checked. The turn missed me, I checked and he checked. The river missed me, and he bet a little more than half the pot. I had J high, and I didn't believe him. I called. He showed 10 high.
His friends couldn't believe I called.
I offered the same deal to end the match. But my opponent refused.
We split the next two hands, and on the last hand he moved all in. I had A-10 and called right away. He had nothing worthwhile. No one improved, and I won the $5,000 and the Oaks Card Room jacket.
I also had my picture taken holding my book, which they post for a week at the card room. Oh well...back to work.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Get a Free Poker Tournament Evaluation
I have posted a free poker evaluation to help you improve your no limit tournament game.
It is at www.apokerexpert.com/evaluation.html
There are 15 questions to answer. Unlike a poker quiz which just gives you the correct answer, the evaluation tells you what it means when you select a wrong answer. The poker evaluation will help in your approach to no limit tournaments and identify the leaks in your game.
Good luck.
It is at www.apokerexpert.com/evaluation.html
There are 15 questions to answer. Unlike a poker quiz which just gives you the correct answer, the evaluation tells you what it means when you select a wrong answer. The poker evaluation will help in your approach to no limit tournaments and identify the leaks in your game.
Good luck.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Poker and Olympic sport this year?
A guy from China download the ebook--maybe he's getting ready for the Olympics. Poker tournaments are an Olympic sport this year? I didn't even know China would allow access to gambling products.
Just think--maybe I can offer him a MLM deal on selling my books--how many billion people on the net in China?
Other stuff:
Amazon's real late on the "Search inside"feature. They are suppose to get it up in 6-8 weeks. Now we are into month 3. Doesn't help. Real bummer.
Finished 200 or so on the FT Sunday event. Tough way to get taken out with A-Q versus 10-9 offsuit. That loss crippled my stack.
Just think--maybe I can offer him a MLM deal on selling my books--how many billion people on the net in China?
Other stuff:
Amazon's real late on the "Search inside"feature. They are suppose to get it up in 6-8 weeks. Now we are into month 3. Doesn't help. Real bummer.
Finished 200 or so on the FT Sunday event. Tough way to get taken out with A-Q versus 10-9 offsuit. That loss crippled my stack.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
