Cash Game Play
4 things that affect the way you play poker
Thursday, September 27th, 2007 | Cash Game Play, General | No Comments
Every poker session you have is going to be unique. You’ll get in familiar situations, but how you react is going to rely on a lot of factors. Not all of them are related to poker.
Here is a list of 4 things that will affect the way you play before you even sit down.
1. Your mood
When you get to the casino to play poker, the mood you arrive in is important. Being relaxed with a clear mind is important for making proper decisions at the table. If you just had an argument and you are steaming, sitting down to play poker is likely a losing proposition.
2. How much time you have
When you are heading to the poker table, always try to arrive early enough so that you can play until you are ready to leave rather than being forced to leave because of the time on the clock. If you have only a limited amount of time you may be compelled to play mediocre hands in an effort to see action before it’s time to leave.
3. The stakes
Having a bankroll to match the stakes you are playing is important. Even though you may be perfectly comfortable with the skill level of the players at a certain level, if the limits are higher than your bankroll dictates, you may find yourself laying down a higher percentage of winning hands by playing too cautiously.
4. Your health
While you may not need to do any heavy lifting at the poker table, if you are battling a cold, you are going to have a harder time thinking clearly. You need to be clear and focused to play your A-game. If you aren’t feeling well, take the day off and rest up.
Keep this list in mind before you head to the casino. It could mean the difference between a winning and losing session.
Saving money from the small blind
Wednesday, August 8th, 2007 | Cash Game Play, Strategy | No Comments
One major leak I have been working on in my cash game is my play from the small blind. Checking out my stats in poker tracker, there is no seat where I have lost more money than the small blind. Completing the bet seems like such an automatic thing to do after it’s limped around to you. But the first thing you need to remember is that no matter what, you are going to be playing the rest of the hand from out of position. Why go in to a hand with a sub-par hand while out of position?
For the sake of example, let’s say you are dealt J/2 off suit in the small blind. 2 players limp in and now it’s up to you. Before throwing in that half a bet, here are a few things to consider:
- How much money have you wasted throwing in the half-bet when you are going to have to check-fold almost every possible flop?
- If you do hit a miracle flop like J/2/2, how big of a hand could your opponents have that would let them pay you off in a large pot?
- How confident are you going to be on a flop that comes Jack high?
Playing pots out of position is tough enough. Save your half bet for a better spot. Heck, on the very next hand you are going to be in the best position possible. Use those half bets you saved to win a bigger pot from the button or cut-off.