POKER STRATEGY

June 2010

I’d rather be lucky than good, part II I’d rather be lucky than good, part II

By the time you read this, the WSOP 2010 will have started. Thousands of players will have flown in to Las Vegas from all continents in an attempt to immortalise themselves in the poker world. Around 50 of them will leave with a 2010 WSOP bracelet on their wrists. How many arrive thinking they will leave with one?

By the Book By the Book

Dear Dr Tom,


I recently played a guy in a NL Hold'em tourney and we both made it to the final table. My opponent was playing strictly “by the numbers” poker, calculating his pot odds and EV on every hand he played. Although he did well, eventually another player took him down by over-betting at every opportunity. How best do I take advantage of a player knowing he is playing tight and by the book? 


Harry,
Elstree

Your Call by Paul Jackson Your Call by Paul Jackson

It’s the UKIPT Coventry. Blinds are 100/200. I have a stack of about 20,000. I am in the big blind with J-9 off suit. A player limps under the gun and it is folded round to the small blind, who makes it up, and I check.

May 2010

Cash or tournaments? Cash or tournaments?

Dear Tom,


My friends and I like to play some poker occasionally, which works out nicely for me because none of them can really play. However, we only ever really play tournaments and I'd like to do a cash game. How can I convince them otherwise?


Philippe, London

Deeper Stacks, Shallower Pockets Deeper Stacks, Shallower Pockets

For the vast majority of poker players, going to Vegas to play in the World Series of Poker is unrealistic. Sure, Harrah’s may have dropped the price of the smallest buy-in to $1,000 last year, but when you’re a pub player, used to spending a tenner a night on poker, that’s a little out of your price range.

Grinding for Value Online Grinding for Value Online

By Paul Zimbler


You'll be amazed how many players are playing online at the wrong levels for either their skill level or their bankroll. You’ll see a lot of players at $2-5 and $5-10 who are simply giving it a shot. What does this mean? Well, I’ll tell you…

April 2010

Structural Dynamics Structural Dynamics

Over the past few years, live tournament structures have definitely got better. However, it’s not always obvious what the benefits are.

Tournaments can seriously damage your wealth by Paul Jackson Tournaments can seriously damage your wealth by Paul Jackson

As a recreational pursuit, tournament poker is a great option. For the professional player; however, only a deluded mug would see tournament play as a primary source income, using their own money at least. 

Three bet, c-bet? Three bet, c-bet?

Dear Dr Tom,


Say I 3-bet with A-K or A-Q, get called and completely miss the flop. It’s checked to me. Should I always c-bet?


Thanks,
Phill, Waterford

March 2010

Sloppy game selection Sloppy game selection

Dear Dr Tom,


I play low limit online ring games and generally just jump into any game going that befits my bankroll. Should I spend more practicing game selection and choosing an “optimum” game, and if so, what kind of thing should I be looking for?  


Thomas,
Galway