Posts Tagged ‘tournament player’
8. Do not routinely play hands with a 2, 3, or 4 in them. That's like playing with only one card, because you'll always get overcards. Again, think ahead.
9. Don't forget to gear it up a notch. Call when you might normally fold with that marginal hand. Raise when you would ordinarily just call. Reraise a little more liberally. Check-raise more often. Call more often on the river with what would be a weak or second-best hand in a full game.
10. Ask for a rake break and a single blind. If they say you can't play for the jackpot when the rake is reduced, tell them, "Great!" As you may recall from the chapter on jackpots, the odds are really against hitting the jackpot in a short-handed game. Why give a dollar per hand to the players in the full game who will hit the jackpot? A single blind helps you because it keeps you from having to play garbage hands as often.
11. Being able to play well in a short-handed game is a must-have skill if you're going to be a tournament player. If you're going to place high in a tournament, you'll eventually have to learn how to play when the table is short-handed, so it's worth developing this skill when you have the chance.
12. Before you play in any short-handed game, truthfully and honestly evaluate your short-handed skills. Compare them to those of your potential opponents.
13. Gaining skill at short-handed play will definitely help you in your usual full game. Many times almost everyone will fold in a full game. At that point it's as if you're playing short-handed, especially if you're in late position. Consider what you know about playing in late position, stealing the blinds and reading players.
If you decide to play in a short-handed game, it should usually be for one of two reasons:
1. You know you'll be one of the best players in the game, so you think you'll have a positive hourly rate.
2. You know that you won't one of the best players in the game, but the other players aren't that much better than you are, and you see this as a good opportunity to gain some experience without risking too much.
If you can't meet one of those two criteria, wait for a better chance to put your money in action. In either case, don't play unless you know what you're doing.
Practice playing in short-handed games according to the guidelines I've mentioned in this chapter. Keep separate records of your results in these games, and if possible, name the other players in your notes. This will help you more accurately evaluate your prospects when faced with future short-handed playing opportunities. Good luck.
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Tags: full game, poker, tournament player