My thoughts: (on the bubble with pocket tens).
BernardDogs advice (what I should have been thinking):
This was some great advice that got me a lot more aggressive on the bubble and helped me money a lot higher in some MTTs.
The Art of Bluffing with a medium or small stack (My Question)
I know there has been so discussion on this in the past, but I would like to get some more thought on this matter. OK right now I'm playing 2/4 limit and get 4 hours of play every night. I want to make 2/BB an hour playing for a total of $32 a night. Say I sit and the deck hits me in the face the first orbit and I'm up $40-$60 right off the bat would you stay? Also if the table is one you fell your going to get sucked out a lot on, would you consider changing tables to a tighter table? I'm asking this cause I've seen a lot of profit get sucked out this last week after getting off to a good start. I've had many nights where I've got off to a hot start and kept on rolling the rest of the night too, but I would also like to protect a little better some nights. Thoughts please...
Hope some of this helps you I know it has me!
- For me it was too big of a gamble to risk missing the money. The blinds are going to knock someone out before you. I think you've gotten off the Bubble have force 9 other players behind you to out play you. In some MTT you're not playing for first, just take as much as you can and have some profit to show for your efforts. Plus playing as a team I would think so of the lower level wins would help play back some of the buy-ins. If the team was behind you in this play them don't be upset. I would have waited for the money, and then once in the money gamble some.
BernardDogs advice (what I should have been thinking):
- Often, we need mid-level money at least to break even. If Carnagex and I are rebuying, we may often need the final table I simply don't play an MTT to finish in the first round of the money. I'll take the coinflips on the bubble with the hopes of plowing through a stack shorter than me. If I miss, then I stay agressive with a few all-ins ... hoping that conservative bubble players will give me the blinds until I get some more breathing room. You just won't hit the big money in an MTT without taking the coin flip opportunities. Your other option is hoping that the cards are running incredibly well and the deck is hitting you smack dab in the forehead. That happens RARELY, so you've got to put your self in front of the deck sometimes and hope it doesn't dodge you.
This was some great advice that got me a lot more aggressive on the bubble and helped me money a lot higher in some MTTs.
The Art of Bluffing with a medium or small stack (My Question)
- I've got no problem bluffing some when I've got a big stack late in a MTT, but with an average stack or small stack I have a harder time picking up the pots with a bluff. I find that if I don't get some good cards late in a tourney I'm going to get eaten up by the blinds and end up having to make a coin flip all in. What is the correct way to bluff when your not a big stack. I know don't go at the big stacks and postion is very important, but what are some other factors? Hands that you would bluff with? Hands to avoid bluffing with? What beat to make xBB? What to do when your bluff gets called preflop? These are just a few things I'd like to get cleared up, and any other advice on bluffing. Looking foward to learn how to bluff you!
- Roxy: Try bluffing at rags from the small blind, make a good bet works best with 3 or less people. Rags are always good to bluff at.
- BernardDogs: I never bluff, but I'll give this a shot. Betting the rag flop from the BB is a great play (reference, Roxy ... previous post). This is only adviseable when you get to see the flop for free and it really is unlikely to have landed for anyone else. Take caution though ... if the button limps rather than going for the steal, that's often a sign of wanting to keep you in with an overpair. Also take caution from an EP or MP limp, as it could mean a low PP that landed as a set. If I'm doing the rag flop bluff, they've GOT to by 9s and lower. It's REALLY funny to see the BB call a pre-flop raise (indicating a potential hand) and then revert to this move ... makes me laugh every time. You can also try representing strength on a REALLY tight table by raising UTG despite not having the cards. Don't do this as the short stack, as you'll want to bail should someone give you action and/or raise you. Don't be afraid to bail. Otherwise, it really is about keeping a SOLID read on your opponents, defending your blinds, and just picking the right spot to toss a nice 4xBB bet out there with the hopes of gathering the blinds. From MP on, ALWAYS consider what you'll do if you're first in so you can act in a manner that looks like you are appropriately confident. I hate to give up control of the hand if I'm bluffing. For example, if I'm defending my blind to a raise from the button that smells suspicious, I commit before the action gets to the button by deciding if I've got a defending hand or not. When the button raises, I instantly re-raise and then ALWAYS lead on the flop. This is once I've committed to the defend. Know when you've gotten to the point where you are bound to an all-in move. You want to use your all-in bluff before your all-in won't hurt to call. That's a start. But again ... I don't bluff much, so take this all with a shaker of salt.
- Rick James: Also, another thing that may work is bluffing when the board pairs on the flop. If board his JJ3. I will raise anyone who makes a small bet into this pot. If someone is betting minimum, more than likely they have nothing and want to pick up the pot. they will usually back down to a raise. Most players with the J will usually slowplay the hand. The UTG raise also works if the table is really tight and you have been playing pretty tight as well. if you get called though prepare to fold if flop doesnt hit you. Someone calling an UTG raise more than likely has you beat.
I know there has been so discussion on this in the past, but I would like to get some more thought on this matter. OK right now I'm playing 2/4 limit and get 4 hours of play every night. I want to make 2/BB an hour playing for a total of $32 a night. Say I sit and the deck hits me in the face the first orbit and I'm up $40-$60 right off the bat would you stay? Also if the table is one you fell your going to get sucked out a lot on, would you consider changing tables to a tighter table? I'm asking this cause I've seen a lot of profit get sucked out this last week after getting off to a good start. I've had many nights where I've got off to a hot start and kept on rolling the rest of the night too, but I would also like to protect a little better some nights. Thoughts please...
- torch: Like I've done (and someone did for me) in these conversations, I'll point you to this link: http://www.fullcontactpoker.com/cparticles_archives.php?id=00002 Which basically says that if you are in poker for the long run, play hours and not results. For you, that means play 4 hours a night. It doesn't matter, in the long run, when you play. It just matters that you play. Of course this assumes that you are playing your 'A' game. If you can't manage that, then you should quit no matter how long you've been at the table. The fact that you've dedicated yourself with those goals is great, because its good motivation and a good way to track your progress. However the standard you should set is playing 4 hours a night, and the goal becomes the $36. Hold yourself to those hours, play your best, and it will likely come to that 2BB/hour.
Hope some of this helps you I know it has me!