As seen by my half-tilty J2o post last night, there was no Thursday night cash game. We took an intentional break to get ready for the Labor Day weekend double stakes extravaganza next Thursday. That is correct- for one week only, we'll be switching from .50/$1 blinds to $1/$2 - just like the big kids play (lol). I expect nothing less than utter chaos next Thursday.
Tonight is the neighborhood $50 tourney, which I did well in last year (4 cashes), but nothing in 2009. This is a very good tourney for someone of my level - each month brings several new/bad players to supply chips to those who can take advantage - the mood of the room is relaxed and non-threatening - even the best players are for the most part friendly.
I am going into the game tonight with a few specific adjustments.
1) brought over from my cash game play - I am going to try and play a few more "implied odds" type hands in late position, early in the tourney. This game features plenty of ABC players who will limp with A9 and check when they miss the flop. I plan on betting behind the checkers and trying to take a few small pots. I may also hit the big/hidden straight or two pair, of course.
2) Slow down with AK/AQ/AJ early. Brought over my my online play and conversations with my study partner - I plan on playing these slower early in the night. A lost a big hunk of chips in this tourney one month to a limper who called my preflop raise, then hit his top pair with JT and would not go away as I tried to push him off the hand.
Note that #1 and #2 seem to conflict with each other. They do not really - both are related to playing smaller pots early in the tourney instead of big pots with top pair type hands. #2 is definitely going against my TAG playing style - playing 89o or KTo in late position will be something I'm not used to - I just have to remember that I can win pots with position and not worry so much about my cards.
3) watch the action! I am now in the habit on keeping my cards under their protector - not looking at them until it's my turn to act. Without the distraction of knowing my hand and coming up with a plan for playing it, I now need to focus better on the action before me, and see if I can start reading some players. Do they look nervous? Do they check their cards when 3 clubs hit the flop? Do they fold their limp if someone raises behind them? Real poker players can win money by getting reads on their opponents. I can occasionally do this when I concentrate very hard - I need to work on it until watching people play poker at my table becomes "muscle memory".
A full tourney report will come tomorrow.
7 months ago
2 comments:
"I am going to try and play a few more "implied odds" type hands in late position, early in the tourney. This game features plenty of ABC players who will limp with A9 and check when they miss the flop. I plan on betting behind the checkers and trying to take a few small pots."
Sometimes, it's good to check behind (on the flop), and then if they again check on the turn, bet out. That give you more credibility. Just a thought.
"3) watch the action! "
This is something I did on PAO a long time back and i think it really helped my game. I checked the option to keep my cards face down so i could watch the action without tuning out immediately by getting 72o or getting overly excited with AA.
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