Copyright 2006 Full
Tilt Poker
October 9, 2006
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Poker Lessons)
Poker Lesson: Play More Pots
Author: Erick Lindgren
In tournaments, I play lots of hands. I'll put my
money in with all kinds of connected cards, especially when in
position. I might limp, I might min-raise or raise a little more
than the minimum, depending on the circumstances. I'm looking
to keep my table off balance so they don't know where I'm coming
from.
My overall goal is to pick up a lot of small pots
without a lot of resistance. I might raise in position and hope
for a call from one of the blinds. If I raise pre-flop with something
like 6-7, I might miss the flop entirely, but the raise puts me
in control of the hand. On the flop, I'll likely bet if checked
to, even if I miss. That small bet on the flop will usually win
me a small, but helpful pot.
Of course, sometimes it won't work out. I'll bet
and get check-raised on occasions. But that's okay, because I
actually don't lose much in the hands that I have to surrender.
Overall, I get to gradually add to my chip stack by chopping at
small pot after small pot.
The other major advantage to my style is that, occasionally,
I will hit a flop hard. If I do happen to flop a straight, it's
difficult for other players to put me on something like 5-7 or
6-8. If one of my opponents also gets a piece of the flop, I'll
get paid off in a big way.
By adding to my stack early, I have a real advantage
over players who play a cautious, tight game. The extra chips
that I accumulate allow me to survive some tough spots. So, if
I happen to get involved in a race with A-K or a pair of Tens,
I can withstand a loss. An opponent who's playing tight will likely
be on the rail after losing a single race.
New players often ask me how they can learn to play
more pots. I always suggest that they drop down significantly
in stakes and practice. If you're playing $2-$4 no-limit, drop
down to $.50-$1 - a level where some losses won't hurt you.
Once you're at that table, try to play eight hands
out of 10. Play everything but 2-8 or 3-9 - hands that are entirely
unconnected. When you get yourself involved with this kind of
frequency, you'll have to concentrate more on your opponents than
on your own cards. You'll have to be on the lookout for opportunities
to take down pots with well-timed stabs. You'll also learn how
to proceed in situations where you flop a good, but dangerous
hand.
By dropping down and playing a lot of hands, you're
going to learn a lot about poker. You're also going to have a
lot of fun. Lord knows, playing 50% of the hands is a whole lot
more entertaining than sitting around waiting for Aces.
If you look at the success that Gavin Smith, Daniel
Negreanu and myself have had over the last couple of years, you'll
see that being active can be an excellent way to score big in
tournaments. It takes practice to play this style, but it can
lead to great results and be a lot of fun.
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