POKER STRATEGY

April 2009

Die, Shortstack! Die!! Part 1 Die, Shortstack! Die!! Part 1

There’s a growing section of the poker community deliberately buying in for the minimum as a moneymaking strategy. Playing against these types requires special attention, says Alex Rousso

March 2009

Always the bridesmaid? Always the bridesmaid?

Dear Tom,


I’ve been doing well playing online sit-n-gos and regularly getting in the top three, or, to be more specific, the top two.

Small blind v big blind Small blind v big blind

Dear Dr. Tom,


I always seem to get myself in a fix during tournaments in small blind/big blind confrontations. I never believe my opponent has anything, even when he’s re-raising me.

February 2009

The Myth of Tournament Winnings The Myth of Tournament Winnings

When player profiles first started appearing on Ladbrokes’ poker forum I was fascinated by them. Because I was playing mostly online, I was starved of information about my opponents. I remember how depressed I was at the vast numbers of players who would report, offhand, about how they had won the $100k guaranteed a couple of times. I would coo at how good these players must be, and was green with envy about how matter-of-fact it all seemed to them.

Should I call when I’m beat? Should I call when I’m beat?

Dear Dr. Tom,


I picked up pocket fours in middle position in an aggressive 5/5 No Limit Hold 'em game. I called a $20 raise and three players behind me also called the raise.

January 2009

Are we really ALL a bunch of losers? Are we really ALL a bunch of losers?

While perusing the shiny new Bluff Europe Forum last week, I came across a quote that got me thinking about one of the common misconceptions in poker. The quote, admittedly a throwaway comment, was that 99% of poker players are losers overall. Whether or not anyone really believes the figure is that high, it reminded me that most people vastly overestimate the percentage.

Big stack’s dilemma Big stack’s dilemma

Dear Dr Tom,

I’m on the bubble in a live a tournament and I’m one of the chip leaders with a stack of about 190k. It’s late and we’re playing down to the money – the rest of us will come back tomorrow to play for the title.

December 2008

Action Jackson on Making Thin Calls Action Jackson on Making Thin Calls

I haven’t played a whole lot of live poker recently and so it was nice to get to the relatively local Broadway Casino in Five Ways, Birmingham, for their festival. Unfortunately, due to other significant competitions taking place in Dublin and Teeside, the turnouts were not as high as usual but then that made it easier for me to get a decent result and I’m not greedy.

The Poker Clinic with Dr. Tom - Playing The Big One? The Poker Clinic with Dr. Tom - Playing The Big One?

Dear Dr Tom,

I consider myself a solid tournament player, but I realise I still have a lot to learn – I’m a small winner playing $5 and $10 sit-n-gos. I recently satellited into a major Sunday tournament, worth $215. Now, I suspect I will be torn apart in this tournament – it has a large field and is filled to the brim with online pros.

November 2008

The Poker Clinic with Dr Tom - Don The Poker Clinic with Dr Tom - Don't Mix Your Drinks with Poker

Dear Dr Tom,

Everyone I speak to says never play drunk, but I seem to play better when I’ve had a few pints. What’s the deal with that?

Jon,
Brighton