Posted Thu Jun 24, 2004 4:26 pm GMT by hebrigger
Hello all,
This is officially my first post here. I am very new to the game of holde’m. However, I have been very busy reading as much as I can, and I love this forum. The guys that answer most of the questions are absolutely amazing; Dave_B, GENO, nicthestick, ballbp, Always_Bored…you guys are truly amazing…Now enough kissing ass. I play once a week with a few beginners. I try to put the things I have read into play, but I am having the hardest time. The guys I play with are very loose. I calculate odds, try to read tell, and try and utilize strategies like check-raises and all this great stuff that you guys talk about. I understand that when playing in loose games most of that stuff goes out the door. The guys I play with seem like they just have one gear, the “whim” gear. They re-raise with low pairs, call all the way to the river with nothing all the time. I do alright and I am defintly getting better, but I find it very hard to win consistently even though I feel like I am the better player (naturally). Can you guys share any advice of how to play in loose games? Any tricks of the trade will be greatly appreciated? Thank you.
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Posted Thu Jun 24, 2004 4:33 pm GMT by Ninja
Well, the thing to do is only play premium hands. This means AK, AQ, AJ, A10, KQ, maybe KJ, K10, QJ, Q10, J10. If they are suited, it adds to the value. Also, play pocket pairs 7 or above. If you hit top pair, two pair, or a set, raise and re-raise. Play as aggressive as they are, but only with the good cards.
Good luck :D
Posted Thu Jun 24, 2004 4:42 pm GMT by hebrigger
Thanks for the speedy reply. Normally, I am very aggressive and I like to bluff a lot. Now, being that we I play with the same guys, they pretty much figured it out and I tend to get called a lot. Since I am aware of that, and based on advice in this forum, I have been trying to mix up my game. If I wait for the strong hand to play, wouldn't they pick that up after a couple of hands? Especially because I would be throwing a lot of hands away waiting for the good hand, the high pair, suited connector etc...? Also, what if you are stuck in a game when all you are dealt are feet not hands? Is patience my best bet?
Posted Thu Jun 24, 2004 4:44 pm GMT by MasterShake
You'd be surprised how often a tight player can get away with a big pot against loose players.
Posted Fri Jun 25, 2004 2:58 am GMT by Sh1rp
I know exactly how loose players react to a tight table image. When you hit a big hand and start betting and raising, they're gonna call you out of sheer curiosity. "I wanna see what he's got."
Posted Sat Jun 26, 2004 2:25 am GMT by boden12
I disagree with ninja in this case. But maily it's because you can play premium hands all day long in any game. That's easy. It's the other mediocre hands that can make you the extra pots. What good is KK when people will call with *ANY* ace--people will call A3o to a raise in any position in most of the loose games I've seen.
In loose games you can play lots of hands. This means any suited ace, any suited K, any pocket pair, etc. Position is important too, but I've found table placement (where the maniacs are, where the tight people are) is more important in loose games than regular tables. This is because in loose games there's usually always about 1-2 maniacs who will raise with just about anything. Now there's tons of decent hands you'd love to limp in with in a loose game (78o, J9o, A9o) which can flop big but usually don't. They're almost always worth a call, but depending on how you handle the maniac (like him to your left or right) it can change the hands you play.
Just watch the hands that people do play and know peole will call to the river on weak flush draws (Q and often J high) and so on.
| hebrigger wrote: | | Thanks for the speedy reply. Normally, I am very aggressive and I like to bluff a lot. Now, being that we I play with the same guys, they pretty much figured it out and I tend to get called a lot. Since I am aware of that, and based on advice in this forum, I have been trying to mix up my game. If I wait for the strong hand to play, wouldn't they pick that up after a couple of hands? Especially because I would be throwing a lot of hands away waiting for the good hand, the high pair, suited connector etc...? Also, what if you are stuck in a game when all you are dealt are feet not hands? Is patience my best bet? |
Posted Sat Jun 26, 2004 3:54 am GMT by Carson Cashman
If you really think these guys have you pegged as a bluffer, milk that image. Here's an idea:
Early on in a session, make a bluff with some terrible cards. Raise the pot early with junk and take a swing or two at the pot. I'm not suggesting making a three-bet but just a good bluff at some point. If you win the pot, show your bluff. If it gets to a showdown and you're beat, don't muck. The point is, let it be known that you're once again the bluffer. You can even rub it in a little if you'd like. Nothing obnoxious, but slightly cocky will do.
Once this is done, DO NOT BLUFF. I don't know if you're playing limit or no limit. If its limit, you shouldn't really be bluffing anyways. People often have the pot odds to call you anyways, so its much less likely to be correct to bluff in a limit game than a no limit game. Many players' biggest mistake is bluffing too much.
So, now that you've perpetuated this image of yourself as a bluffer, revert to tight aggressive play. Wait for the big hands and hold on. Your little acting move early in the session will come back and pay interest. Be prepared to get raised and reraised when you're holding the nuts. You'll eventually pick up a monster pot when you should have just picked up a decent pot under normal circumstances.
Keep mental notes of the other players. If anyone is foolish enough to show you their cards when they fold, tuck that information away. If players are calling you down with junk, you're right on track with your strategy. If you notice players showing you big laydowns, it may be time for another little acting job. Just remember to "budget" this move if you decide to do it again. You want to spend at most three or tops four big bets if you do this. Don't get carried away.
Good luck, I hope that helps. This is one of my favorite moves with a loose table. Let them think you're one of them. Wolf in sheeps clothing. 
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