Post by Randy C on Sept 16, 2006 12:31:40 GMT -4
I like to stay out of the action in early rounds of tourneys. I do this for a couple of reasons. First, I am unarmed; I have little to no information yet on the players I am up against. Second, I don't want anyone to learn my strategy...and if I'm not playing any or many hands, no one can put me on anything yet. I like to call that "Flying under the radar."
In the early rounds, many loose players jump in head first and try to get lucky with a few good pots, but in those early rounds the blinds are so low that you won't make much at all. You might get lucky enough to get some guy to go all in, buthow much can you really make from a decent player. What you are able to gain from the early round is far outweighed by the amount of information that you give away.
A few years ago, I was at a live game at Foxwoods Casino, and I was in an early round of a tourney. My first hand was AKs, and I bet pretty heavy at it. One of the more experienced pplayer's at the table was named "Pat" and he was an old timer...and a VERY good poker player. I caught my K on the flop, and made a great bet. Low and behold, Pat goes over the top of me with half of his stack...I was scared! So, like an idiot, I folded...and Pat turns up 72os. Many players at the table chuckled at my inexperience, but I gave away much more info on that hand than I wanted to. I basically told everyone at that table that I would fold to a big bet, and that I was inexperienced. All In one hand.
Pat came over to me later, and he said, "Buck up kid, you just learned a valuable lesson in poker..." I said, "Oh yea, what's that?" He said, "the game doesn't start until the 5th level." I was astonished! I had always thought that poker was a race to the finsih, but it really isn't...It's more about patience and survival.
If you want respect from old timers at a poker table...Play patiently. Don't rush things. It will come to you if you sit back and wait for the right cards at the right moment. Fly under the radar and watch and learn about others in the game, and you will benefit far more than you could ever imagine!
All In,
Randy C -
In the early rounds, many loose players jump in head first and try to get lucky with a few good pots, but in those early rounds the blinds are so low that you won't make much at all. You might get lucky enough to get some guy to go all in, buthow much can you really make from a decent player. What you are able to gain from the early round is far outweighed by the amount of information that you give away.
A few years ago, I was at a live game at Foxwoods Casino, and I was in an early round of a tourney. My first hand was AKs, and I bet pretty heavy at it. One of the more experienced pplayer's at the table was named "Pat" and he was an old timer...and a VERY good poker player. I caught my K on the flop, and made a great bet. Low and behold, Pat goes over the top of me with half of his stack...I was scared! So, like an idiot, I folded...and Pat turns up 72os. Many players at the table chuckled at my inexperience, but I gave away much more info on that hand than I wanted to. I basically told everyone at that table that I would fold to a big bet, and that I was inexperienced. All In one hand.
Pat came over to me later, and he said, "Buck up kid, you just learned a valuable lesson in poker..." I said, "Oh yea, what's that?" He said, "the game doesn't start until the 5th level." I was astonished! I had always thought that poker was a race to the finsih, but it really isn't...It's more about patience and survival.
If you want respect from old timers at a poker table...Play patiently. Don't rush things. It will come to you if you sit back and wait for the right cards at the right moment. Fly under the radar and watch and learn about others in the game, and you will benefit far more than you could ever imagine!
All In,
Randy C -