Ring Game action has really jumped at Cakepoker here are some tips to improve your game at a ring table.
The key to table selection is having a good seat at a great table. Beware, there is such a thing as a bad seat at a great table.
Look at games with 6-8 players and a large pot size. I do this so I'm less likely to join a game that's already been filled, I get a choice of a couple seats at the table and games that are a little short handed punish the fast 'n loose players less harshly.
Before I join a game, I look at stacks and limpers (hard to squeeze blood from a stone.) If there are too many stacks under $12, it's not worth my time. In the first 2 hands I watch I want to see more than 2 limpers outside of the blinds or a fair raise with 2 callers. I want to play against players that take the adage "any hand can win" too far. I also look for betting that's a little wild. Generally, I only look at a hand or two before claiming a seat (I don't want to have my target fill up or loose the best seat!)
When taking a seat, ideally I want position on tall to moderate stacks and loose/aggressive players. I want to give position a short stack or a very tight player. No point in having position on someone that won't be playing many hands or doesn't have the chips to pay me off. Also having position on a somewhat manic player allows me to hide behind their bets and waste less money folding weak positions to them after betting/limping.
Generally, I post a newbie blind unless I'm 2 or fewer hands away from my big blind. I get right into the action, but am quick to leave if I don't like what I see. The first time around the table I'm looking at who's calling raises, who's weak, etc. I'll get a little more aggressive with pre-flop raises to feel out the table (well worth the $1.5 IMHO to raise a hand I might otherwise limp in with to get this information.)
Signs I'm at a the right table: * Multiple players limping in * Position on a loose and aggressive player * Players calling raises after trying to limp with weak hands * Players showing weak hands outside of the blinds (Ace-little off suit, unsuited connectors, etc.) * Outrageous raises on top quality hands (so I know when to fold.) * Players limping or only raising to $1 with top quality hands
It's probably time to find another table when: * 1 or fewer players limp a couple times in a series of 8-10 hands. Getting down to just the blinds is a very bad sign. * Maniac with position on me by 1 or 2 seats. Dealing with his (reprises can be trying and the check + call counter to that is a pain. Also, I'm less likely to be the last to act when I'm in late position, but don't have the button. * I can't pick out the weak players at the table * Many of the weak players go all-in on a single hand suicide pact, then several leave. * Multiple strong/tight players. Particularly filling seats left by weak players. * No one is calling my pre-flop raises with weak hands. If I can regularly take the blinds with a $2 pre-flop raise, I'm probably at the wrong table. * I have position on the short stacks.
By Bucnright @ FRT
Monday, February 12, 2007
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Masala Wins a seat to $1000 AP Challenge
Today i thought i would share some of my personal poker playing victories over the last two weeks. I am sharing these triumphs to prove that if you follow/pay attention to the advice that I have been giving you regarding playing Sit-n-gos, you will greatly increase you winning margins!
Over the last 2 weeks I have been playing at Paradise poker in their $3 - 10 man SNG tournys. I have played in 14 games and I have placed in the money in all 14 of them- Yeah!!! Now i am gonna say that the winning odds that I have achieved over these two weeks is rather unbelievable but what it is , is, what it is!!!
Normally I would expect to have at least a 60% winning ratio but my current winning average is 70% so, the 100% winning ratio I have had has been a very profitable 2 weeks! Please remember that this is SNG poker play in which I play a very straight forward and tight game, meaning I only play a hand that I am gonna win or I don't play.
In one of these games we were down to the last four players and I was low stack. As one of the players went all in and got called he asks me "Have you even played a hand yet?" I said, NOPE!
So, he goes all in and loses and bingo I'm in the money without ever even playing one damn poker hand!.......LOL I went on to place 2nd in that game and double my money!
Now, yesterday I played in the Absolute Poker Freerolls with around 1020 players. I am not really a freeroll player but i was bored so I played. I pretty much played minimal hands but the ones I did play I won. These tournaments only pay out to the last 18 players splitting a pot of $50. With the top 5 finishers gaining an entry To the $1000 AP Challenge tournament on that following Sunday. Anyway, I placed 2nd and won a seat to this Sundays game and $8 for placing 2nd.
All in all it has been a very good 2 weeks of poker for me! Play Tight and aggressive when you have the hand and you should start to win more often!
Cheers Mates............................Masala
Over the last 2 weeks I have been playing at Paradise poker in their $3 - 10 man SNG tournys. I have played in 14 games and I have placed in the money in all 14 of them- Yeah!!! Now i am gonna say that the winning odds that I have achieved over these two weeks is rather unbelievable but what it is , is, what it is!!!
Normally I would expect to have at least a 60% winning ratio but my current winning average is 70% so, the 100% winning ratio I have had has been a very profitable 2 weeks! Please remember that this is SNG poker play in which I play a very straight forward and tight game, meaning I only play a hand that I am gonna win or I don't play.
In one of these games we were down to the last four players and I was low stack. As one of the players went all in and got called he asks me "Have you even played a hand yet?" I said, NOPE!
So, he goes all in and loses and bingo I'm in the money without ever even playing one damn poker hand!.......LOL I went on to place 2nd in that game and double my money!
Now, yesterday I played in the Absolute Poker Freerolls with around 1020 players. I am not really a freeroll player but i was bored so I played. I pretty much played minimal hands but the ones I did play I won. These tournaments only pay out to the last 18 players splitting a pot of $50. With the top 5 finishers gaining an entry To the $1000 AP Challenge tournament on that following Sunday. Anyway, I placed 2nd and won a seat to this Sundays game and $8 for placing 2nd.
All in all it has been a very good 2 weeks of poker for me! Play Tight and aggressive when you have the hand and you should start to win more often!
Cheers Mates............................Masala
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Letter of Praise for TEAMNZ @PokerMatesNZ
G'day MatesEvery member must read this magnificent post praising TEAMNZ for a Great game. I must say That I for one was extremely humbled by this post from JMachelor. He has posted this in his forum. All i am gonna say is I am so proud of TEAMNZ even today i just can not believe how brilliantly all of you played! WOW JOHNNY what a post!!! Thanks mate .......................Masala
Post by Jmachelor at the LittleSlickPoker Forum
PokerMatesNz win the world championship trophy.
They came to the game as a team and we got spanked. I watched last night until the last LittleSlickPoker's member was put out. Last man standing for LittleSlickPoker was Mr30. He played a solid game. Congrats on you efforts. Great showing. Now i would like for a minute or two to explain what i saw. I watch within the first five minutes a group of players come together and play as a team. I watch players muck when their team members called. I watch 3 members call against their team members. All having good starting hands. I watch them check it out until one bet. They then just simply tossed their hands away. Playing as a solid group (TEAM). They practiced at playing as a team and never went over the top of a fellow member. The had a system and it worked. To be honest with you. I knew within 3 minutes pokermatesnz would win the re-match. the match reminded me of a good Rocky match. They only problem i seen was that we was out boxed. They come in as a team and took us out. One players at the time. Before the first 20 minutes was up. We had 4 players out and team NZ had all Ten members still left. They worked chips and was chip dumping when they could to smaller stacks in their group. No this isn't illegal. That was brilliant and well orchestrated. I'm a sitter and know these moves and plays. They used the timer to tell their members how strong of a hand they had. It was really a work of art. If you didn't watch the play. They gotcha. This was by far the best team work I've seen in years. Other then the two in house games pumping the newbies. We flat out got out boxed and played! Congrats to pokermatesNz Now i hear you already was it fair. Hell yes it was fair. Within minutes of the championship match. I got on the IM with masala and told him fantastic job. I could see my trophy leaving LittleSlickPoker. Not because we couldn't win it, but because we were not ready for such a committed team. Masala Giggled and said they have been practising. They have been working hard at TEAM play. I informed him that i haven't seen one bad move on his players. They were working in unison. They come to take the Trophy and we got caught with our pants down. If you would have just watch the game you would have seen a work of art! It was beautiful to watch. Not to watch as my players were tossed out one by one. Breaking down chip totals and maneuvering chips. Using the timer to acknowledge their hands and strength I can teach you this. But this is what some do in home games. Yes some would say that these acts are wrong. In a game yes i would pitch a fit. But you have got to relize the word "TEAM" means all ten are one. They achieved this with winning efforts. I could go on for ever about their play and the way they handled our team. I want the better TEAM won. Hands down. Now members lets pull or paints back up and work on the TEAM work for our members. I did ask for a re-match with Masala within the first 10 minutes of the tournament. No offence but i could see the dominate play. Not saying we have bad players by no means. Just absolutely no team work. That's what beat us. Plus no names but when 3 members put each other all in and then the one that manage to call from the other team called after 3 players went Allin wasn't good! Well with this being said. I think we all understand the out come of the game. I would like to say thanks to all those whom played on behalf of our family last night. Good job I'm lost for words right now. Kinda hard to think we got out played. But we did and I'm going to have retribution. Guaranteed. I will bring the trophy back. Mark my words. Jmachelor_________________I'm jmachelor and i say "Break a Chip!"
Post by Jmachelor at the LittleSlickPoker Forum
PokerMatesNz win the world championship trophy.
They came to the game as a team and we got spanked. I watched last night until the last LittleSlickPoker's member was put out. Last man standing for LittleSlickPoker was Mr30. He played a solid game. Congrats on you efforts. Great showing. Now i would like for a minute or two to explain what i saw. I watch within the first five minutes a group of players come together and play as a team. I watch players muck when their team members called. I watch 3 members call against their team members. All having good starting hands. I watch them check it out until one bet. They then just simply tossed their hands away. Playing as a solid group (TEAM). They practiced at playing as a team and never went over the top of a fellow member. The had a system and it worked. To be honest with you. I knew within 3 minutes pokermatesnz would win the re-match. the match reminded me of a good Rocky match. They only problem i seen was that we was out boxed. They come in as a team and took us out. One players at the time. Before the first 20 minutes was up. We had 4 players out and team NZ had all Ten members still left. They worked chips and was chip dumping when they could to smaller stacks in their group. No this isn't illegal. That was brilliant and well orchestrated. I'm a sitter and know these moves and plays. They used the timer to tell their members how strong of a hand they had. It was really a work of art. If you didn't watch the play. They gotcha. This was by far the best team work I've seen in years. Other then the two in house games pumping the newbies. We flat out got out boxed and played! Congrats to pokermatesNz Now i hear you already was it fair. Hell yes it was fair. Within minutes of the championship match. I got on the IM with masala and told him fantastic job. I could see my trophy leaving LittleSlickPoker. Not because we couldn't win it, but because we were not ready for such a committed team. Masala Giggled and said they have been practising. They have been working hard at TEAM play. I informed him that i haven't seen one bad move on his players. They were working in unison. They come to take the Trophy and we got caught with our pants down. If you would have just watch the game you would have seen a work of art! It was beautiful to watch. Not to watch as my players were tossed out one by one. Breaking down chip totals and maneuvering chips. Using the timer to acknowledge their hands and strength I can teach you this. But this is what some do in home games. Yes some would say that these acts are wrong. In a game yes i would pitch a fit. But you have got to relize the word "TEAM" means all ten are one. They achieved this with winning efforts. I could go on for ever about their play and the way they handled our team. I want the better TEAM won. Hands down. Now members lets pull or paints back up and work on the TEAM work for our members. I did ask for a re-match with Masala within the first 10 minutes of the tournament. No offence but i could see the dominate play. Not saying we have bad players by no means. Just absolutely no team work. That's what beat us. Plus no names but when 3 members put each other all in and then the one that manage to call from the other team called after 3 players went Allin wasn't good! Well with this being said. I think we all understand the out come of the game. I would like to say thanks to all those whom played on behalf of our family last night. Good job I'm lost for words right now. Kinda hard to think we got out played. But we did and I'm going to have retribution. Guaranteed. I will bring the trophy back. Mark my words. Jmachelor_________________I'm jmachelor and i say "Break a Chip!"
Sunday, January 28, 2007
The PokerMatesNZ "FORUM TROPHY CHALLENGE"
G'Day Mates
As an aside today, I thought I would tell everyone about my poker forums Poker team "TEAMNZ" and our major accomplishment today. I run a poker website in New Zealand and we have a Private Poker Team which challenges any forum anywhere in the world to try and take our Beloved Poker Trophy from us by playing in a 10 vs 10 man poker game. Whichever Fourm team the overall winning player belongs to, gets to take our Trophy to their forum for display!
3 weeks ago our team TEAMNZ, lost the Trophy for the first time ever, to LittleSlickPoker (Owner- JMachelor). Today was the rematch game and we came home victorious!! WOOHOO!
It was one of the greatest Team games you will ever have witnessed and I for one am extremely proud of my team as I am sure JMachelor is also.
The rules for this Trophy challenge can be found in this link Here:
And I have also provided a short blurb of Congratulations for the game here along with an image of our Trophy!!!
Congratulations to ASTINAGUY99 for bringing home our treasured "PokerMatesNZ TEAMNZ TROPHY" TEAMNZ Members who participated in this Trophy Forum Challenge were: astinaguy99, newzealand, showboat4, Bullywuss, bows, ssgarmy, seghill, iwiknz, bettym6263 & MyMasala. The Team from LittleSlickPoker put up a great fight but TEAMNZ played like a True Poker Team!!! While the Trophy is being engraved, come on in and find out how your forum can be the next Challengers.Well done mates, Masala is proud of all of you!!!
Cheers Mates.......................Masala
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Pushing The Advantage
You have all seen them: a player sitting at a table with 10 times as many chips as anyone else. The maximum a player can bring to the table is 5,000 dollars but this player has 50,000 dollars at the table, and they are swatting all players that sit down like flies.
Able to call any bet with ease they can afford to take more chances, and can play more searching bets to establish what the opponents have. They are also in a far better position to be selective about which hands to enter as the fear of having blinds bleed their stack is far less.
The psychological advantage is also huge when in this situation – players first check what you are doing before they make any decisions – as soon as the chip leader raises, the majority of their opponents fold because they are scared of a showdown that sees them all in and the chip leader easily match their bet.
Getting yourself in this situation is not easy, but when you do find yourself as the chip leader at a table, you should attempt to remain at the table as long as you can carry on pushing the advantage. Once you have five times the amount of chips as everyone else at the table, the climb up to 10 times as many chips will then be a lot quicker. As long as you stay at the table you will have the advantage and be able to dominate the play.
Cheers Mates.............................Masala
Able to call any bet with ease they can afford to take more chances, and can play more searching bets to establish what the opponents have. They are also in a far better position to be selective about which hands to enter as the fear of having blinds bleed their stack is far less.
The psychological advantage is also huge when in this situation – players first check what you are doing before they make any decisions – as soon as the chip leader raises, the majority of their opponents fold because they are scared of a showdown that sees them all in and the chip leader easily match their bet.
Getting yourself in this situation is not easy, but when you do find yourself as the chip leader at a table, you should attempt to remain at the table as long as you can carry on pushing the advantage. Once you have five times the amount of chips as everyone else at the table, the climb up to 10 times as many chips will then be a lot quicker. As long as you stay at the table you will have the advantage and be able to dominate the play.
Cheers Mates.............................Masala
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Why most people lose at Online Poker(Part3)
Reason #3: Not Playing At The Right Online Casinos
The third crucial mistake is thinking that every online casino is the same.
Let me say this as clearly as possible:
ALL CASINOS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL.
And here's why:
A big reason is because the PLAYERS are different from casino to casino... since the WAY each poker room attracts its players is different.
The ADVERTISING is different.
Some online casinos give huge bonuses... others do mass advertising targeted at "beginners"... others try to be "exclusive" for high-quality players.
And so on...
Get it?
Do you see how this could have a DRAMATIC IMPACT on how the GAMES will be different?
At one casino you may be playing against a bunch of fresh "newbies". But the same game type and same stakes at a DIFFERENT casino might be full of EXPERIENCED players.
This means you might consistently LOSE at $10 Sit and Go's at one card room... but WIN all the time at another.
Crazy, huh?
I've seen it happen all the time.
You may be LOSING at online poker right now... and the problem may not be your SKILLS.
It may be that you're simply playing in the WRONG PLACES!
So how do you know what the RIGHT places are exactly?
Just Stay Tuned Mates................Masala
The third crucial mistake is thinking that every online casino is the same.
Let me say this as clearly as possible:
ALL CASINOS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL.
And here's why:
A big reason is because the PLAYERS are different from casino to casino... since the WAY each poker room attracts its players is different.
The ADVERTISING is different.
Some online casinos give huge bonuses... others do mass advertising targeted at "beginners"... others try to be "exclusive" for high-quality players.
And so on...
Get it?
Do you see how this could have a DRAMATIC IMPACT on how the GAMES will be different?
At one casino you may be playing against a bunch of fresh "newbies". But the same game type and same stakes at a DIFFERENT casino might be full of EXPERIENCED players.
This means you might consistently LOSE at $10 Sit and Go's at one card room... but WIN all the time at another.
Crazy, huh?
I've seen it happen all the time.
You may be LOSING at online poker right now... and the problem may not be your SKILLS.
It may be that you're simply playing in the WRONG PLACES!
So how do you know what the RIGHT places are exactly?
Just Stay Tuned Mates................Masala
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Why most people lose at Online Poker(Part 2)
Reason #2: Choosing The Wrong Stakes
This is fairly straightforward. Most players UNDERSTAND that they shouldn't play a game that's too "high stakes" for them...
But what most players FAIL TO DO is adjust their "poker approach" ACCORDING to the stakes.
To put this in perspective, let's use baseball as an example.
Your strategy in a game with a bunch of 14-year olds would certainly be a lot different than if you were playing against the WHITE SOX, am I right?
Obviously you'd have to adjust your HITTING, since you'd be facing a more skilled pitcher. And you'd have to adjust your DEFENSE... since the hitters would be better.
And so on.
But these are just ADJUSTMENTS.
Now let me ask you: Would you have to change your FUNDAMENTAL STRATEGY to go from 14-year olds to the "pros"?
The answer is YES.
Because CORE PARTS of the game would be affected.
Not as many "runs" would be scored... the field would be much bigger... there would be nine innings instead of seven... and so on.
OK, so now let's relate this back to poker:
In low-stakes games, you can get away with certain things that you CANNOT get away with in high-stakes games...
You may be able to time all your bluffs when you're on the button in a low-stakes game, because not everyone is aware of your positioning.
You might be able to consistently buy pots when the flop comes rags, because no one has the guts to make a stand against you.
These are ADJUSTMENTS.
Your FUNDAMENTAL STRATEGY will be different too.
At some stakes, you'll be able to "play around" more with special traps, feeler bets, and bluffs.
At other stakes, there will be NO ROOM for these tactics since every pot will be CRUCIAL. (The blinds structure is also a big determinant in this.)
OK, so the point is things ARE NOT the same for each level of stakes.
There are clear and distinct differences between low-stakes, middle-stakes, and high-stakes... and therefore CLEAR STRATEGIC DIFFERENCES FOR WINNING.
Cheers.........Masala
This is fairly straightforward. Most players UNDERSTAND that they shouldn't play a game that's too "high stakes" for them...
But what most players FAIL TO DO is adjust their "poker approach" ACCORDING to the stakes.
To put this in perspective, let's use baseball as an example.
Your strategy in a game with a bunch of 14-year olds would certainly be a lot different than if you were playing against the WHITE SOX, am I right?
Obviously you'd have to adjust your HITTING, since you'd be facing a more skilled pitcher. And you'd have to adjust your DEFENSE... since the hitters would be better.
And so on.
But these are just ADJUSTMENTS.
Now let me ask you: Would you have to change your FUNDAMENTAL STRATEGY to go from 14-year olds to the "pros"?
The answer is YES.
Because CORE PARTS of the game would be affected.
Not as many "runs" would be scored... the field would be much bigger... there would be nine innings instead of seven... and so on.
OK, so now let's relate this back to poker:
In low-stakes games, you can get away with certain things that you CANNOT get away with in high-stakes games...
You may be able to time all your bluffs when you're on the button in a low-stakes game, because not everyone is aware of your positioning.
You might be able to consistently buy pots when the flop comes rags, because no one has the guts to make a stand against you.
These are ADJUSTMENTS.
Your FUNDAMENTAL STRATEGY will be different too.
At some stakes, you'll be able to "play around" more with special traps, feeler bets, and bluffs.
At other stakes, there will be NO ROOM for these tactics since every pot will be CRUCIAL. (The blinds structure is also a big determinant in this.)
OK, so the point is things ARE NOT the same for each level of stakes.
There are clear and distinct differences between low-stakes, middle-stakes, and high-stakes... and therefore CLEAR STRATEGIC DIFFERENCES FOR WINNING.
Cheers.........Masala
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