How to beat the tables in any casino...... |
|
Posted Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:44 am GMT by Mr_Inker
Hey all,
Ok, been playing/studying/practicing for about a year now and I take it serious. I play about 2 times a week in local games, here and there online and goto the casino in AC every other week. I am not looking to go pro or anything, but I want to be able to hit the casino and go home with more cash then I went in with. Thing is, I don't, at least not yet. I usually break even within 10 bucks, and sometimes take a small hit. My casino sessions usually run 10-12 hours apiece. I just got back last night from the Taj where we played a 5/10 table for 11 hours and I came out -$155. In anaylzing my game, I can't find that many mistakes, the only ones being knowing when to lay a hand down. I just couldn't make the $$.
So, how do you? My bankroll has me comfortably at 5/10, but I am considering trying the 10/20 and I play NL sparoticly. Something I was thinking of doing was changing tables 2-3-4 times in a session to find the right one, but last night only permitted me to change tables once and they both had the same results. I bought in for a rack of red and like I said, I consider myself a good player. I don't play crappy cards. At one point last night, I went through 3 dealers before I got decent cards to play with. Now that was extream, but I won't play crap "just to see a flop". Not one of the hands I layed down pre-flop hit wither so I was to totally acurate.
So, can anyone offer advice on how to fix my problem here. Any tips or stratigies on casino play? When you go, what do you do to make the cash? Are you always waiting for the cards, or do you also play the people? I find that when I do that, no matter how right I am on my read, some of these people just won't fold and catch their miracle on the river. I had a guy last night that loved his 6-2 s so much he called my set of kings to the river and hit a straight with only the 6!! When I asked why he did that (we were being friendly) he said he always plays 2 hearts. Go figure.
I want to make some cash here, no break even. I mean, after 10-11 hours of play at a 5/10, to only break even isn't as bad as losing a lot, but I want some gain here.
Any advice?
Thanks.
Did you know that participating in a poker forum can help you improve your own game? Be it by sharing experiences or simply asking for help, participation in a forum helps you focus and keep 'on topic' which will help you improve your game. You can learn from other players feedback and from their experiences. Why the THP poker forums? We offer one of the best managed texas holdem poker forums available, and the community within is far more friendly than those typicaly found on other sites. We've made a 'lurkers edition' of the poker forum available here on Holdem Poker Online, but we encourage all visitors to register and join in on the conversations on TexasHoldem-Poker.com
Posted Mon Oct 25, 2004 10:11 am GMT by MasterShake
Even with every edge, you're still gambling. People are going to go through cold spells and hot spells. Read and re-read all of your books. You're either running unusually cold or there is a hole in your game thay you just aren't seeing.
Posted Mon Oct 25, 2004 10:17 am GMT by Dave B
Are you getting paid off for you big hands?
Playing real tight is fine, and you will make money. Sometimes this isnt enough to cover the $5-$10/hour for dealer tips, drink tips, etc. So, you either need to step up to 10/20 and stay tight, or change your game.
I play 6/12, 8/16, 10/20 depending on where I am for live games. I play mostly premium hands and play aggressively. BUT, every 20 hands or so I will play a less than premium hand and be just as aggressive. A4, J10, 66, etc, in late position w/ no limpers I will raise and bet out the flop turn and river. Ideally, I will hit something and show a weak starting hand for a decent size pot. Either way, I think those hands get me many more callers when do hit AK or a set.
Something to think about. You want to have respect, just not so much where any bet takes down a pot.
Posted Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:15 pm GMT by Mr_Inker
In analyizing my game from this weekend, I played MOSTLY premium hands, throwing in one or two loose calls here and there. So, it keeps with what was said about getting respect but not to much not to get action. The one hand that paid me the most (about $110) was one I was thinking I shouldn't be chasing to the river (A-Js) with a 4 card flush and 4 card straight draw on the flop that gave nothing on the turn but paid nice onthe river when the straight hit and I busted the guys set of kings.
I don't know. I know I am consistent. I don't go on tilt, even when the straight I floped was beat on the river by a flush from a guy playing 6-2 of hearts. No matter how much I raised he called because he said he plays any hearts. I try to have fun, I try to liven up the table, but I always stay alert and consistent with good play.
I just haven't hit it yet. I have 87 hours logged in in AC this year, and I am down about $300 overall. I am sticking with it because I know I play a good game, but I am getting tired of not coming home a big winner yet.
Posted Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:28 pm GMT by Dave B
87 hours is a pretty good chunk, if you havent had success, then there may be something more too it.
The other thing that I do differently is rarely change tables. It takes me a good 2 hours to get a solid read on a new player. You need to know who to pick on, who to push against, who not to mess with. There have been many nights where I may a good amount and may only "beat" one or two players at the table.
Maybe mindgame can check in too on this-he plays a lot of live poker. But I have consistantly (once a week maybe for 5-8 hours/session) won 3 out of 4 trips. And when I lose, it is the cash I bring. When I win, it can be much more than that.
Posted Mon Oct 25, 2004 3:56 pm GMT by K-rug
The only advice I can give is from what I see a lot in AC. People playing their cards and not taking into account much else. This may or may not apply to you. But don't get blinded by your pocket K's. You really need to pay attention to everything. Seat postion, chip count, tells, all sort of things. It's hard to get the hang of but when you do it just sort of hits you and things change. A lot of people just play their cards at casinos. Especially these days. People see it on t.v. and think, "I can do that". Which is why there are a lot of chasers to the river in limit games unless you are playing high stakes. But even then...
Without some sort of hand history or examples it's going to be tough to give advice. Especially like meatwad said, you are gambling after all. Even taking into account everything that would normally lead or a correct decision 90% of the time. There is still that 10% you won't be right.
The other things is, don't dwell on hands. When you are also out of a hand, try to guess what people will do and what they have. It's amazing how much this can add to your game after a while.
Posted Mon Oct 25, 2004 5:37 pm GMT by howzit
Winning and breaking even is getting that final bet out of somebody who has second best hand and saving yourself that one big bet when you really think you're drawing thin.
Since you're not an action player and at 5-10 probably get dialed up anyway, learn how to save those bets and milk it when you think you've got the best.
good luck.
Posted Wed Oct 27, 2004 12:28 pm GMT by Woodman
IMHO you are playing too long. I have the same problem. I'm guessing that you usually are up a few hundred, but by the end of the night you are just breaking even. It's the hardest thing to do, but leaving on a hot streak will ensure success. Problem being, you never know it's over until it's too late.
Posted Thu Oct 28, 2004 9:23 pm GMT by Mr_Inker
Woodman,you might be right on that. It's just that I love playing. There is nothing I would enjoy more then to sit at a table all day and all night. What would you say is a good average time to be playing?
Posted Fri Oct 29, 2004 10:41 am GMT by MasterShake
| Mr_Inker wrote: | | Woodman,you might be right on that. It's just that I love playing. There is nothing I would enjoy more then to sit at a table all day and all night. What would you say is a good average time to be playing? |
That's going to be different for everyone. I'd say if you start to feel tired or haven't one a hand in an hour or more, you should at the very least take a break. Get up from the table, get a glass of water or something, grab a banana or a quick sandwich and evaluate in your mind if you think you can keep going.
As long as you aren't losing money, you are at least getting experience, which is almost as valuable in my opinion.
Posted Fri Oct 29, 2004 10:50 am GMT by Buffarino
| Mr_Inker wrote: | | Woodman,you might be right on that. It's just that I love playing. There is nothing I would enjoy more then to sit at a table all day and all night. What would you say is a good average time to be playing? |
As long as you're not tired and you're feeling good (and you can concentrate on poker and not the fight you just had with the gf/wife), then keep playing. Once you're tired, or not into the game, quit playing.
|
|
