Maximizing Pots in Limit

[Tuff Luck]

I recently started playing a lot of limit over at empire although I usually don't as I prefer to play sit n gos and other tourneys. I'm up about $20, but it seems that every pot I win, it's so small compared to many of the other pots I don't take part in or lose. Most pots I win are like $4-6 at a .5/1 table when the averages always seem to be around the 8-10 area.. I'm thinking it's maybe because I'm pushing my good hands so hard that no one ever sees a showdown with me. I don't know, but that's my style. I like to make people pay for their cards. I don't like to slow play my cards unless I have a really good hand in which case I do slow play them for possible check raises etc, but this doesn't happen all too often. I guess a win is a win, but I'd love to be able to win more each time. Any advice?

[Aequitas58]

Are you playing extremely tight? If that's the case, your opponents will think twice when you begin pounding a hand. Ya know? You can't sit there and fold for three obits, and then come out raising like a champ without altering people as to the power of your hand. Just food for thought. I'm sure you're playing more than Aces and Kings.

I would say you are on the right track. It's better to win the smaller pot then have someone draw out on you. Because you're playing check-raising games, which involve free cards. I think at these limits, especially online, you have to get your money in the hand when you have the goods, after all - they call it no-foldem holdem for a reason.

Just something else to think about: never underestimate your type of table. Is it a loose free for all? Tighten up. Is it tight? Call and raise a few more hands. This can work at your advantage because you are always able to drastically switch gears to throw people off.

There is where multitabling can be dangerous - having to account for 4 different types of play at your 4 different tables.

G'luck.

[2Tone]

I think you are doing just the right thing. There was another post in another thread about keeping in mind the size of the pot in relation to the limit. A $6 pot at 50/1 is great -- if you can make consistently make $6 an hour at one of these tables, you are exceeding all but the most ambitious win targets.

Huge pots happen as a result of two things -- a fluke of the cards giving two (or more) players monster hands (quads beating an Ace-high flush, for example) or someone hitting after chasing something they shouldn't have been. The first one there's nothing you can do about, and the fewer of the second you are involved in the better.

[Tuff Luck]

Thanks guys. Stuff to think about.

[Gutzz]

It's good to play every primetime hand you have hard. I find that slowplaying on .5/1 is just silly and I think every player who slowplays 2 pair or sets vs my tptk... lol they win at best 1 bet from me, but if I check call river they get squat .

Try throwing in a few more drawing hands into your starting hand requirements (for multihanded pots)... often if you hit your draw, the other players won't notice and will pay you off 3 or 4 BB more .

Cheers,

Gutzz

[2Tone]

... decreased profit.

This is of course a matter of style of play. And if you are willing to muck it if you get most of the way there and pot odds don't justify seeing to the river, this might be fine. But the profit I eek out at these tables comes from players who throw in more drawing hands, then don't hit, while I'm busy pounding away at my (admittedly rare) premium hands.

[Aequitas58]

Agree w/ that, because most of the time, you won't go 4 to the flush or straight. Although, at a full table, in late position, you can play 78s or 89s and still be "playing correctly." [Depends largely on what happened preflop so far, too.]

[Tuff Luck]

Yea, I agree with you too, 2Tone. I think I'd rather be up against draw hands than playing them, but I will play some in late position. (depends on the table, my image, whatever other preflop action theres been)

[drewjax]

All good advise. Do you guys bet/raise alot on semibluffs in limit? i.e. if you call with ATs, and it come Kxx w/2 to your suit, or you flop 2nd pr. with a belly buster. Do you bet out alot with these, try a check-raise etc? Or do you simply try to see turn cheaply then make a determination on the strenth of your hand, pot odds etc. Of course it depends on alot of factors, but in general what is your opinion on this. BTW, Aeq. I'm not asking if you should call 3 players down to river with sucker end of straight dreaw etc. lol Be nice!!

[Aequitas58]

I know man ... I'm not trying to be mean.

[Gutzz]

Well I dunno what you guys thought when I suggested throwing in some drawing hands... But I hope you didn't think I was telling him to drastically increase his flop percentage? I think my exact words were 'throw in a few drawing hands'.

If you loosen up too much you'll be bleeding your profits away, agreed. But if you don't include some good drawing hands under ideal conditions (where many are seeing the flop), then you're missing out on some huge profits...

The low limit tables are filled with people who overplay weak hands and will just help push up your profit when you're on the draw .

Position's always important, but on a loose passive table it might be good to occasionally limp in with a drawing hand like JTs UTG or UTG+1. It really depends on the table.

Anywho, another minor benefit to playing a little looser PF, is it'll be harder for players to peg you on any hands. Which'll perhaps give you more money on your premium hands? . Ok this's probably just an excuse to player looser cause I doubt most of the players are even paying attention .

Cheers,

Gutzz

[jdiana86]

Yea, I agree you should mix up your play if you are playing ultra-tight. It will give you a looser image even thought you will also be upping your profit by winning more pots because you will outplay your opponents after the flop(hopefully) and getting more action when you really are playing the premium cards. I also find the variance less when playing short-handed limit because the new players have less of an advantage to "opening up their starting hand selection" because you will also loosen up a little bit while they will probably play the same way they do 10-handed. I'm not really a limit player but just thought I'd throw in my .02 cents. Good Luck

[eddo31]

loosen it up a little bit here and there.

it sounds like the other players are just realizing that you play fairly tight, and that when you push a hand you have the goods.

know that for the purposes of rake it is best to win fewer pots and have them be monsters, but it isnt always the worst thing to win a bunch of small pots. that can add up to very profitable sessions as well.