how to improve my game (poker - hold em)

OpenToSuggestions

OpenToSuggestions

OpenToSuggestions

Soldato
Joined
5 Aug 2006
Posts
11,423
Location
Derbyshire
I play online poker for fun, and overall I win slightly more than I lose, but even though my game has improved massively in just a week.
I tend to play hold em NL and I know what hands are good and bad.

Any general pointers?? Any books anyone recommend?
 
Do you play cash or sit and go?

Edit

I guess that doesn't really matter.

- Patience is key. Don't start playing **** hands because you're being dealt rubbish. You may hit that full house with 2-7 on the flop but in the long run you're going to be down
- Complement bad play. Yes it is annoying when some fool hits the nuts from a retarded chase but it happens. Congratulate him on his excellent play and hope he continues with it.
- Don't play when you're drunk (for high amounts anyway) or tired
- Automatic hand analysis tools are very handy; I can hook you up if you like ;)
- Always bet into timid players to try steal small pots; it does add up :) Be cautious of aggressive players but have some balls or you'll get played for a mug.
- Never chase; play by pot odds and good judgement.
- Watch the game even if you aren't playing a hand. You need to know how players react in certain situations so you can exploit their weaknesses.

The most important tip; don't bet with more than you can afford to lose :)

I'll add some more as they come to mind.
 
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For no limit tornements you should read - Harrington on Hold 'em volumes 1/2/3 - you need a basic poker knowledge to get the best out them

Another more general book I found useful was Killer Poker Online 2 by John Vorhaus - good genral book on all typres on NL online games and also helps you with getting the right poker mindset
 
david sklanskys theory of poker will open a whole new meaning to the game, its very boring and very in depth but will make you think of the game as more than just 2 hole cards.
 
Doyle Bronson's book is pretty good. I haven't read any other poker books to compare with though.

I updated my first post by the way :)

mglover070588 said:
I tend to not be v.good at cash tables (no idea why tbh!)
Click to expand...

I'm the same :/ I usually do well on sit and go games though. Previous OcUK poker champ :) (unless another tournament went on and I missed it).
 
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what type of game does matter first and foremost. Cash games and Tournaments differ completely. Cash games your chips are an exact match e.g real value. Tournament chips are totally different (1500 starting chips with £30 for first place...) with increasing blinds.

Read Harrington on Hold'em, get all the volumes as they will teach you the basics. Work your way from there.

Work up to Sklanksy's, but nothing improves you that learning the basics then playing a lot of solid poker.

Experiment with your alternate style e.g if you are naturally quite tight, open up and play loose for really low stakes. Experiment.

Forgot to mention, learn the maths behind the game. Understanding EV will benefit you if you are playing cash games.
 
Doyle brunson super system is very interesting read. Its basically professional poker players bible.

Do you play high stake STT?
 
I've read slanksy and a few other poker books.

I'd say a very important part of poker is adapting to the type of players your playin against. Watch how they play a few hands, get a feel for how loose/tight they are. There's been times where iv joined a loose table, played very tight and snug, and hardly lost a hand i played in due to my table image. I cashed out for a nice ammount then :P

Also if you play omaha it often loosens up your holdem play. I've just started to realize that!
 
Start at low stakes (you probably are already), once you start winning consistantly at that level then move up to the next set of blinds. The more you play your game will just get better with experiance, read some strategy books like the ones mentioned in this thread as you go along as well.

Speaking of holdem I had a bad cooler while playing last night, I flopped a set of queens but my opponent made quad 9s on the river and stacked me. That's almost as bad as it gets :(.
 
I was playing a low stakes MTT, went all in with the best hand three times (against short stocks), and lost all three, even when I was a clear favourite on all of them.

E.g, my AK got busted by 7 2 offsuit,
Queens for busted by 7's
My A10 Sutied, was busted by A2...

Awful run of luck.
 
Just a little update. Ive bought Harrington on hold em vol1 and it is indeed a game of so much more than just two cards. It is an easy to understand book but it is not a how-to-play-poker guide, however remembering everything is hard as there is a lot to remember!
 
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