New to Poker

Quote: bobbartop

I know some great players wear headphones and listen to music, but I've always thought it was stupid. There is A LOT to pay attention to in a poker game, things you're going to miss if you're wearing headphones. Besides being stupid, it even looks stupid.

I usually have 1 ear bud in. Sure there is a lot to pay attention to but I can listen to music and still pay attention.

Quote: GWAE

I usually have 1 ear bud in. Sure there is a lot to pay attention to but I can listen to music and still pay attention.

I could write a book on what you'll miss with that thing in your ear, but you may well be very successful anyway so I'm not going to debate it, especially since I don't know you. I'll sincerely wish you good luck, but I'm an old man now and I'm right. And don't walk on my lawn.

Quote: bobbartop

I thought the Normandie just closed. Or if not, it announced it was closing. I don't live there now, but it was my favorite card room for years. I played 1000s of hours there since the 70s, back when there was no such thing as Commerce or the Bike. It was family-run, friendly place, a lot of history. Started playing there when it was on Western Ave. I'm not sure but I thought I read that it was the first card room in California. The article said that crud-ball Larry Flynt was looking to buy it and modernize it and add a hotel. That would be a shame, it was fine as it was, in my opinion. But time changes, life goes on. I'll always have great memories of the Normandie.

Yes, it's still there and indeed Larry Flynt is taking over.

So I have a serious question. I've been playing No Limit Texas Hold'Em tournaments both live and online. I pretty much know which hole cards to play and which to fold. But here's the thing... I've been doing pretty well and often get down to being one of the final two at the table. But I'm not sure how to play at that point. Usually if there were still three people left I can fold when I'm on the button (if needed). But if I'm on the dealer button when it's just me and one other person and I've got the small blind I'm not sure what to do. Do I call the big blind no matter what cards I have or do I still play as I did earlier in the game when on the button and fold if I have lousy cards. I've been folding if I have not so good cards, especially unsuited low cards. But when I played live a couple people told me I should put up the money and call the big blind. Not sure what to do! I tried looking in my Texas Hold'Em for Dummies book for the answer but couldn't find it. Plus I'm a little frustrated cause the book talks a lot about how to play Limit and I just want to know how to win tournaments at this point.

Any suggestions? And any great tourney book suggestions would be great.

Quote: HotBlonde

So I have a serious question. I've been playing No Limit Texas Hold'Em tournaments both live and online. I pretty much know which hole cards to play and which to fold. But here's the thing... I've been doing pretty well and often get down to being one of the final two at the table. But I'm not sure how to play at that point. Usually if there were still three people left I can fold when I'm on the button (if needed). But if I'm on the dealer button when it's just me and one other person and I've got the small blind I'm not sure what to do. Do I call the big blind no matter what cards I have or do I still play as I did earlier in the game when on the button and fold if I have lousy cards. I've been folding if I have not so good cards, especially unsuited low cards. But when I played live a couple people told me I should put up the money and call the big blind. Not sure what to do! I tried looking in my Texas Hold'Em for Dummies book for the answer but couldn't find it. Plus I'm a little frustrated cause the book talks a lot about how to play Limit and I just want to know how to win tournaments at this point.

Any suggestions? And any great tourney book suggestions would be great.

You play the person and not the cards.

You shove or fold- if you are looking for more basic strategy

Aggression is absolutely the key when your heads up (two players)

When you're on the button you should be raising nearly every hand (players usually min raise, which is to make the smallest raise possible).

If your opponent folds, you win.

If they call, you can re-assess on the flop knowing that they have to act first. (in no limit texas holdem, position is the most important factor, to some extent, more than the cards)

If they re-raise you, you can fold all your bluffs, call your medium strength hands and re-re-raise your monster hands.

Its important that the first raise is always the same (min raise). When I say the same, I mean in terms of blinds, so if its 100/200 your min raise should be 400. This is the same as raising to 1000 when its 250/500. Never be tempted to raise a different amount, as it can broadcast the type of hand you have.

You said you fold on the button when 3 handed, this is a mistake. You should not raise every button like I suggest above. But you should remain aggressive. Its better to come 3rd trying to win than to fold your way to 2nd. Most single table games pay 50/30/20% for 1st/2nd/3rd. The difference between 2nd and 3rd is nothing compared to winning. If you wanted to practice this strategy I would suggest SNG's (sit n go's) that play 9 players and the book you need is colin moshmans sit n go strategy. Its pretty cheap ebook and some of the concepts there are super easy to start using straight away.

Good luck!

One thing you will need to learn is to re-value your starting hands according to how many players are at the table. Ace - Six off suit is a weak hand when playing with 9 players in early position, it is a very strong hand when playing heads up.

Quote: HeyMrDJ

Never be tempted to raise a different amount, as it can broadcast the type of hand you have.

Good post, good advice. Please allow me to add two more cents. Always doing anything is a pattern in itself. As an alternative or experiment, try mixing in a touch of variety. For instance, instead of always raising with a hand, try usually raising with that hand but limping when your pair consists of a spade and a red card. Or any suit or color composition you wish to employ. Going further, vary your play by suit or color composition only during the first 15 minutes of the hour. Possibilities limited only by your imagination. Doing something like this plays on your opponents' confusion, even if it is subconscious, even if they're not really paying attention.

Cool, thanks for the suggestions I'm still looking for a good book on tournament play if anyone knows of one.

Quote: bobbartop

Good post, good advice. Please allow me to add two more cents. Always doing anything is a pattern in itself. As an alternative or experiment, try mixing in a touch of variety. For instance, instead of always raising with a hand, try usually raising with that hand but limping when your pair consists of a spade and a red card. Or any suit or color composition you wish to employ. Going further, vary your play by suit or color composition only during the first 15 minutes of the hour. Possibilities limited only by your imagination. Doing something like this plays on your opponents' confusion, even if it is subconscious, even if they're not really paying attention.

I was going to say something like that well I have never played heads up and bet the same amount I think that's crazy, but then I thought about it, and if you are a beginner and your not sure what to bet it might be good advice.

Quote: AxelWolf

I was going to say something like that well I have never played heads up and bet the same amount I think that's crazy, but then I thought about it, and if you are a beginner and your not sure what to bet it might be good advice.

I agree with you. (as usual) A complete beginner is in an awkward situation. I would never advocate what I call sitting there "like a bump on a log", it is not a winning strategy against sophisticated players. But, for a complete beginner, playing tight is probably better than trying to get creative. You have to start somewhere. There's nothing like experience and only time will bring that.

Of all the gazillions of books out nowadays, I am still a very big advocate of Caro's "missions". His 12-Steps to Hold'em, or his 11-Steps to Stud, sends the student on different "missions" usually consisting of a couple hours of concentrating on some aspect of the game, and BURNING it into your brain. It's a great learning method.

Sadly, I have always been a Limit player and the poker world kind of left me behind with NL now being so popular. Of course, I can only blame myself for not adapting. I'm an old man now, still looking to put my initials up on the list for the lowball game.

Quote: bobbartop

Of all the gazillions of books out nowadays, I am still a very big advocate of Caro's "missions". His 12-Steps to Hold'em, or his 11-Steps to Stud, sends the student on different "missions" usually consisting of a couple hours of concentrating on some aspect of the game, and BURNING it into your brain. It's a great learning method.

I've heard his name a few times now and just looked him up on Amazon and will probably order some of his books. Thanks for the suggestion.

And I want to gloat (somewhat)... I played last night again in 3 tournaments, all with up to 25 players and I finished 3rd place then 5th place then 5th place. Not bad for a beginner! I was told I need to be more agressive when betting great hole cards pre-flop but I'm not so sure yet. Maybe that's the edge I need but I want to read up more from professionals rather than just taking random people's advice.

Quote: HotBlonde

I've heard his name a few times now and just looked him up on Amazon and will probably order some of his books. Thanks for the suggestion.

And I want to gloat (somewhat)... I played last night again in 3 tournaments, all with up to 25 players and I finished 3rd place then 5th place then 5th place. Not bad for a beginner! I was told I need to be more agressive when betting great hole cards pre-flop but I'm not so sure yet. Maybe that's the edge I need but I want to read up more from professionals rather than just taking random people's advice.

Congrats on your tournament finishes.

Someone told you to be more aggressive pre-flop. I'll only add that perhaps he/she should have told you to be more aggressive, SOMETIMES. In poker, there's something called "changing gears". And gears should usually be changed between 1st gear, and 3rd gear, and back to 1st. I know that may not mean much to you now, but recall what I'm saying later as you advance. Changing gears is very important and there are sophisticated reasons for why to do it and when to do it. Good luck.

For starters pull your laptop and search for the basics of the game. Second would be download an ebook (only if want to be a pro) on the internet and try to read it. For practicing online I would suggest to download an app on your smartphone. It's the best way to practice for free and you would be playing with real players not just bots.

I played poker seriously for several years, including a stretch specializing in Sit'n'Gos early on, and came out ahead. I'm not a fan of Caro's stuff. Someone suggested Ed Miller's book, which is reasonable. If you're playing tournaments, Kill Everyone is a somewhat technical, but very high quality book. There are also good training sites around. DuecesCracked was great. I haven't used it in years, but I guess it's still good.