Learning from my analysis of Gus Hansen's Day 1 Play from his Aussie Millions victory!
1. Strategy: Be aggressive in tournament play. Play your position. Play your opponents. Be aware that an aggressive table image can get opponents to make big mistakes against you.
Tactics:
Cut-off is a good place to try to steal, but if get re-raised just fold.
Raise under the gun with K-Q offsuit.
Raise with a mediocre hand first in, when in late position.
Raise first in on the SB raise, even with suited connectors.
Look to steal on the button and cutoff.
Steal on the button with a standard sized raise (although this hand is worth a raise).
On button, raise more than the size of the pot to try to take down a pot with all limpers.
On paired flops, make a half pot sized bet against the blind limpers.
Raising with K-9 suited in early position is an acceptable move, especially when the table has shown a tendency to limp and fold to raises pre-flop.
If players are hesitant to enter pots--since they want to survive another day--you can also be more aggressive.
2. Strategy: Take small risks to win big pots.
Tactics:
Limp with pairs in early position.
Limp in with suited connectors in early rounds to risk few chips to win a big pot.
Limp in back position with suited connectors, and call a raise behind you if the pot odds are big enough (over 3 to 1).
Call a raise with pairs if the implied odds are favorable and you're taking little risk with your stack.
Calling a re-raise with medium pairs is an acceptable play given the implied odds.
Use a C-bet heads-up in position with more than half sized bet.
In BB, call a SB raise first in that gives you 2-1 odds with suited connectors.
Gus calls a lot of pre-flop raises in the BB with suited connectors given the implied odds.
3. Strategy: Avoid taking big risks with mediocre hands.
Tactics:
Fold if you may be drawing dead when three cards of the same suit flop and you have a mid-level card of that suit.
When hit a pair on flop, check raise to determine if you have best hand.
If c-bet gets called and turn is not a scare card, check your hand.
If someone makes a play at you heads-up before you can make your c-bet, analyze the upside and downside of calling the flop bet and evaluate your opponent's strength or weakness.
4. Strategy: Know the pot odds and your chances of winning.
Tactics:
Know your chance of winning given the bet size compared to the pot size, and then compare it to the number of cards you need to win compared to the number of the remaining cards. If actual odds are higher than the cards percentage, you should fold.
Call a raise HU if odds are right (over 3 to 1).
Call with suited connectors when the pot odds are right (2.5 to 1).
Calling a raise with a flush draw on the flop is a good play with over 4 to 1 odds. (1800 to win 7550)
You can stretch your calls when you have a huge chip stack if you think your
implied odds are excellent.
Don't give your opponent a free card on the flop if you know he will check a hand behind you like AK or AQ, and you have a big drawing hand.
5. Strategy: Avoid taking big risks with big but not premium hands against tight, early position raisers.
Tactics:
Just call A-J offsuit when there is an early position raise and one caller.
Don't risk everything when you only have 2nd pair, if an opponent bets out and you are going to have to guess if you are beat or not. Wait for a better opportunity.
Check the turn when you think you may be in trouble when middle card pairs or it completes flush draw. If opponent checks, than bet the river when a rag falls as a value bet--about half the pot.
6. Strategy: Look to surprise your opponents with an out-of-the normal play. Just realize it will be more difficult to play your hand since your opponent won't know the strength of your hand (you probably sent out a message you were weak and not strong).
Tactics:
Bet out rather than check when you hit the flush on the turn.
It's okay to mix up your game and check a hand you would raise with pre-flop and bet with on the flop.
7. Strategy: Make an over-sized bet on the turn when you know you are ahead and your opponent is drawing--you don't want to be drawn-out on the river.
Tactic:
If you put your opponent on a draw, make an over-sized bet to get him to fold on the turn (putting him all-in if necessary).
8. Strategy: Know when to bluff--especially when you know your opponent is weak. There are chips in the pot waiting for you to grab.
Tactics:
Bluff on river if opponent checks twice after you call his c-bet and scare cards come on turn and river.
When it is two checks to you, make a stab at the pot.
9. Strategy: Attack late position by re-raising with hands that are usually calling hands.
Tactics:
If you think your opponent is making a play on the button, raise with A-x. And make the raise about three times the button raise.
Attack late position raisers in the big blind with even K7 offsuit.
10. Strategy: Know your opponent stack sizes at all times as it can help you to size your bets--that is, to get your opponent to fold.
Tactic:
Put your opponent all-in on the flop when the flop is favorable and a call on a pot sized bet on the flop will naturally mean he must also be all-in on the turn.
11. Strategy: Slow-play the nuts on turn.
Tactic:
When you hit the nuts on the turn, check to allow your opponents to catch something or bluff the river.
12. Strategy: When you spot weakness, re-raise your opponent off his hand.
13. Strategy: Bet sizing: Bet your premium hands the same amount as your steals.
14. Strategy: Miscellaneous
Tactics:
Call if opponent is desperate for chips, you have a strong hand, and it won't cost you more than 20% of your stack.
When antes increase (especially a 4:1 ratio between SB and ante) be more aggressive. Also figure out the cost of a round when blinds and antes go up. The average stack compared to your stack.
Sometimes you will fold the best hand.
You don't always have to make a c-bet--especially if your opponent has been playing very tight. In general, Gus aims at making a c-bet about 80% of the time.
This is the winning strategy and tactics used by Gus Hansen. If you want to buy his book "Every Hand Revealed," please go to this page.
Showing posts with label poker strategies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poker strategies. Show all posts
Saturday, June 20, 2009
How Does Gus Hansen Do on Day 1? Hands 30-40.
Hand 30:
Blinds 300/600/75
Position: 1st
Hand Ah-Qs
Chips: 66.7k
Gus opens for 1850, and the short-stacked player moves in for 11000. Gus calls. His opponent has Ac-5c. He hits runner-runner 5's to win pot.
Learning:
Call if opponent is desperate for chips, you have a strong hand, and it won't cost you more than 20% of your stack. Frankly, I'm not sure what the learning is here.
Hand 31:
Blinds 300/600/75
Position: 2 off button
Hand Ac-Td
Chips: 54k
Gus opens for 1800, and button and BB calls. Flop is 10s-8d-3s. Gus bets 4800 into 6450 pot and button calls. 8s on the turn and Gus checks as does his opponent. The river is 6c and Gus wins after his 6300 bet is called on the river.
Learning:
Check the turn when you think you may be in trouble when middle card pairs or it completes flush draw. If opponent checks, than bet the river when a rag falls as a value bet--about half the pot.
Hand 32 and Hand 33 are just pre-flop raises that don't get called. Nothing new.
Hand 34:
Blinds 300/600/75
Position: BB
Hand 5c-7c
Chips: 71.3k
Gus calls the early position raisers bet of 1800. He misses the flop and folds when opponent bets.
Learning:
Gus calls a lot of pre-flop raises in the BB with suited connectors.
Hands 35, 36 and 37 are again pre-flop raises that don't get called. The only interesting thing is that Gus raised 2 off the button with 5-3 offsuit, and the reason is the learning below:
Learning:
When antes increase (especially a 4:1 ratio between SB and ante) be more aggressive. Also figure out the cost of a round when blinds and antes go up. The average stack compared to your stack.
If players are hesitant to enter pots--since they want to survive another day--you can also be more aggressive.
Hand 38:
Blinds 400/800/100
Position: 2 off the button
Hand Jc-3c
Chips: 73.4k
Gus raises to 2500 and gets called by the BB. The flop is Jh-8c-6s, and his opponent bets 6000. Gus folds top pair and his opponent shows pocket 10's.
Learning:
Sometimes you will fold the best hand.
If someone makes a play at you heads-up before you can make a c-bet, analyze the upside and downside of calling the flop bet and evaluate your opponent's strength or weakness.
Hand 39:
Blinds 400/800/100
Position: SB
Hand Th-9h
Chips: 69.6k
Gus calls a raise of 2400. The flop is 8h-7-h-5c. Gus leads out since he doesn't want to give a free card. Gus bets 5000 into the 8000 pot and wins. He notes that he is 43% against a set, 57% against an overpair, and 69% against an A8. He is willing to gamble with the hand.
Learning:
Don't give your opponent a free card if you know he will check a hand behind you like AK or AQ on the flop.
Hand 40:
Blinds 400/800/100
Position: 3rd
Hand Ah-Jh
Chips: 74.8k
Gus raises to 2600 and is called by the SB. The flop is Qs-8h-6s. The SB checks and Gus checks thinking his opponent has a big hand--he has played very tight.
The turn is Qc and Gus bets when his opponent checks. However, his opponent check raises and forces Gus to fold.
Learning:
You don't always have to make a c-bet--especially if your opponent has been playing very tight.
When it is two checks to you, make a stab at the pot.
This ended Day 1.
My previous posts show the learning from the other hands on Day 1. I will summarize to better understand Gus' play.
Blinds 300/600/75
Position: 1st
Hand Ah-Qs
Chips: 66.7k
Gus opens for 1850, and the short-stacked player moves in for 11000. Gus calls. His opponent has Ac-5c. He hits runner-runner 5's to win pot.
Learning:
Call if opponent is desperate for chips, you have a strong hand, and it won't cost you more than 20% of your stack. Frankly, I'm not sure what the learning is here.
Hand 31:
Blinds 300/600/75
Position: 2 off button
Hand Ac-Td
Chips: 54k
Gus opens for 1800, and button and BB calls. Flop is 10s-8d-3s. Gus bets 4800 into 6450 pot and button calls. 8s on the turn and Gus checks as does his opponent. The river is 6c and Gus wins after his 6300 bet is called on the river.
Learning:
Check the turn when you think you may be in trouble when middle card pairs or it completes flush draw. If opponent checks, than bet the river when a rag falls as a value bet--about half the pot.
Hand 32 and Hand 33 are just pre-flop raises that don't get called. Nothing new.
Hand 34:
Blinds 300/600/75
Position: BB
Hand 5c-7c
Chips: 71.3k
Gus calls the early position raisers bet of 1800. He misses the flop and folds when opponent bets.
Learning:
Gus calls a lot of pre-flop raises in the BB with suited connectors.
Hands 35, 36 and 37 are again pre-flop raises that don't get called. The only interesting thing is that Gus raised 2 off the button with 5-3 offsuit, and the reason is the learning below:
Learning:
When antes increase (especially a 4:1 ratio between SB and ante) be more aggressive. Also figure out the cost of a round when blinds and antes go up. The average stack compared to your stack.
If players are hesitant to enter pots--since they want to survive another day--you can also be more aggressive.
Hand 38:
Blinds 400/800/100
Position: 2 off the button
Hand Jc-3c
Chips: 73.4k
Gus raises to 2500 and gets called by the BB. The flop is Jh-8c-6s, and his opponent bets 6000. Gus folds top pair and his opponent shows pocket 10's.
Learning:
Sometimes you will fold the best hand.
If someone makes a play at you heads-up before you can make a c-bet, analyze the upside and downside of calling the flop bet and evaluate your opponent's strength or weakness.
Hand 39:
Blinds 400/800/100
Position: SB
Hand Th-9h
Chips: 69.6k
Gus calls a raise of 2400. The flop is 8h-7-h-5c. Gus leads out since he doesn't want to give a free card. Gus bets 5000 into the 8000 pot and wins. He notes that he is 43% against a set, 57% against an overpair, and 69% against an A8. He is willing to gamble with the hand.
Learning:
Don't give your opponent a free card if you know he will check a hand behind you like AK or AQ on the flop.
Hand 40:
Blinds 400/800/100
Position: 3rd
Hand Ah-Jh
Chips: 74.8k
Gus raises to 2600 and is called by the SB. The flop is Qs-8h-6s. The SB checks and Gus checks thinking his opponent has a big hand--he has played very tight.
The turn is Qc and Gus bets when his opponent checks. However, his opponent check raises and forces Gus to fold.
Learning:
You don't always have to make a c-bet--especially if your opponent has been playing very tight.
When it is two checks to you, make a stab at the pot.
This ended Day 1.
My previous posts show the learning from the other hands on Day 1. I will summarize to better understand Gus' play.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
More on Gus Hansen's Winning Plays: Hands 21-29
Hand 21:
Blinds 150/300/25
Position: 1st
Hand 5c-5h
Chips: 58.2k
Gus is first and limps. A player raises to 800 (he has 12000 in chips), and Gus calls. After Gus calls the c-bet of 1000 on the flop, the hands are checked down to the river with a board of 10c-10d-9h-As-Kd. His opponent wins with J-J.
Learning:
Limp with pairs in early position.
Call a raise with pairs if the implied odds are favorable and you're taking little risk with your stack.
Bluff on river if opponent checks twice after you call his c-bet and scare cards come on turn and river.
Hand 22:
Blinds 150/300/25
Position: BB
Hand Ac-8h
Chips: 55.7k
The button raises to 1200 and Gus re-raises to 4300. His opponent folds.
Learning:
If you think your opponent is making a play on the button, raise with A-x. And make the raise about three times the button raise.
Hand 23:
Blinds 150/300/25
Position: 2 off the button
Hand Ks-Qd
Chips: 58.1k
Gus raises to 1000, and the big blind calls (he has 6000 left). The flop is Jc-10s-2h. Gus wins the pot with a 6600 bet--which would put his opponent all-in.
Learning:
Put your opponent all-in on the flop when the flop is favorable and a call on a pot sized bet on the flop will naturally mean he must also be all-in on the turn.
Hand 24:
Blinds 200/400/50
Position: BB
Hand 5d-4c
Chips: 59.3k
Gus notes the importance of being more aggressive when antes are 25% of the SB.
Gus calls a raise to 1200 by an early position player, and one caller. He is betting 800 to win 3500 (over 4 to 1). The flop is 5c-4d-3d. It is checked around.
The turn is the 5s. Gus bets the nuts and everyone folds. Gus admits this was a bad play.
Learning:
When you hit the nuts on the turn, check to allow your opponents to catch something or bluff the river.
Hand 25:
Blinds 200/400/50
Position: BB
Hand Kc-7d
Chips: 61.5k
A player raises to 1300 on the cutoff and Gus re-raises to 4500 to win the pot.
Learning:
Attack late position raisers in the big blind with even K7 offsuit.
Hand 26:
Blinds 200/400/50
Position: Button
Hand 5c-4d
Chips: 63.1k
2 off the button a player raises to 1200. Gus senses weakness and raises to 4600. Everyone folds.
Learning:
When you spot weakness, re-raise your opponent off his hand.
Hand 27-29:
Gus raises first in on the button with Jc-7h to 1250, and wins.
Gus raises first in on the cutoff with As-3s to 1250, and wins.
Gus raises first in 3 off the button with Qd-Qc to 1250, and wins.
Learning:
Look to steal on the button and cutoff.
Bet your premium hands the same amount as your steals.
See the previous post for the learning from hands 1-20. I will summarize the learning after hand 40--or Day 1 for Gus.
Blinds 150/300/25
Position: 1st
Hand 5c-5h
Chips: 58.2k
Gus is first and limps. A player raises to 800 (he has 12000 in chips), and Gus calls. After Gus calls the c-bet of 1000 on the flop, the hands are checked down to the river with a board of 10c-10d-9h-As-Kd. His opponent wins with J-J.
Learning:
Limp with pairs in early position.
Call a raise with pairs if the implied odds are favorable and you're taking little risk with your stack.
Bluff on river if opponent checks twice after you call his c-bet and scare cards come on turn and river.
Hand 22:
Blinds 150/300/25
Position: BB
Hand Ac-8h
Chips: 55.7k
The button raises to 1200 and Gus re-raises to 4300. His opponent folds.
Learning:
If you think your opponent is making a play on the button, raise with A-x. And make the raise about three times the button raise.
Hand 23:
Blinds 150/300/25
Position: 2 off the button
Hand Ks-Qd
Chips: 58.1k
Gus raises to 1000, and the big blind calls (he has 6000 left). The flop is Jc-10s-2h. Gus wins the pot with a 6600 bet--which would put his opponent all-in.
Learning:
Put your opponent all-in on the flop when the flop is favorable and a call on a pot sized bet on the flop will naturally mean he must also be all-in on the turn.
Hand 24:
Blinds 200/400/50
Position: BB
Hand 5d-4c
Chips: 59.3k
Gus notes the importance of being more aggressive when antes are 25% of the SB.
Gus calls a raise to 1200 by an early position player, and one caller. He is betting 800 to win 3500 (over 4 to 1). The flop is 5c-4d-3d. It is checked around.
The turn is the 5s. Gus bets the nuts and everyone folds. Gus admits this was a bad play.
Learning:
When you hit the nuts on the turn, check to allow your opponents to catch something or bluff the river.
Hand 25:
Blinds 200/400/50
Position: BB
Hand Kc-7d
Chips: 61.5k
A player raises to 1300 on the cutoff and Gus re-raises to 4500 to win the pot.
Learning:
Attack late position raisers in the big blind with even K7 offsuit.
Hand 26:
Blinds 200/400/50
Position: Button
Hand 5c-4d
Chips: 63.1k
2 off the button a player raises to 1200. Gus senses weakness and raises to 4600. Everyone folds.
Learning:
When you spot weakness, re-raise your opponent off his hand.
Hand 27-29:
Gus raises first in on the button with Jc-7h to 1250, and wins.
Gus raises first in on the cutoff with As-3s to 1250, and wins.
Gus raises first in 3 off the button with Qd-Qc to 1250, and wins.
Learning:
Look to steal on the button and cutoff.
Bet your premium hands the same amount as your steals.
See the previous post for the learning from hands 1-20. I will summarize the learning after hand 40--or Day 1 for Gus.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Gus Hansen-winning playing style after 20 hands
Here is a review of hands 16-20, and the learning after 20 hands. I think we have an excellent portrait of Gus' winning playing style after just these hands. In addition, we start to get into the math that Gus uses to guide his decisions.
Hand 16:
Blinds 100/200/25
Position: Button
Hand Ad-6d
Chips: 26.1k
Gus is first and raises on the button to 600? Blinds fold.
Learning:
Steal on the button with a standard sized raise (although this hand is worth a raise).
Hand 17:
Blinds 100/200/25
Position: 2 off the button
Hand Jc-5c
Chips: 26.6k
Gus is first in and raises to 600. The button min raises to 1200, and Gus calls with great pot odds. Flop is Kc-9s-3c. Gus checks and opponent checks.
The turn is an 8c. Gus hit his flush. Gus bets out to 2000 and his opponent raises to 6000. His opponent either has KK or 99. Gus moves all-in for 19,375 and gets called. His opponent does have 99 for a set. River is a 4h. Gus doubles up.
Learning:
Bet out rather than check when you hit the flush on the turn.
Hand 18:
Blinds 150/300/25
Position: 2 off the button
Hand Kd-Qs
Chips: 53.2k
Player in early position limps, Gus limps (although he would normally raise), and blinds call as well. The flop is Kc-6h-2s.
Gus checks top pair after opponents check. Turn is 2h. BB bets to 500, limper raises to 2000 and only Gus calls. The river is a 3s.
Opponent bets 3000 into the 6000 pot, and Gus calls.
Learning:
It's okay to mix up your game and check a hand you would raise with pre-flop and bet with on the flop. But, realize, that your job of reading your opponents will be tougher since you sent out a message you were weak and not strong.
Hand 19:
Blinds 150/300/25
Position: 4th
Hand Ac-4c
Chips: 59.6k
Gus limps after under the gun limper. Blinds calls. Flop is 2h-5d-Kc. The limper bets 800 into 1425 pot.
Gus has a gut shot straight draw, backdoor flush draw, and Ace high. Since he has lots of chips he calls. Blinds fold. Turn is a Jc.
Opponent bets 2200, and has 7000 left. Gus has to call 2200 to win 5200 or a 30% winning chance. (Important: His winning chance is 2200 divided by the total of 2200+5200 or 7400.) Gus figures he has 10 outs of 44 remaining cards or 22.7%, meaning he should fold. But he calls given the implied odds.
The river is a 5h. Opponent bets and Gus folds.
Learning:
You can stretch your calls when you have a huge chip stack if you think your
implied odds are excellent.
Know your chance of winning given the bet size compared to the pot size, and then compare it to the number of cards you need to win compared to the umber of the remaining cards. If actual odds are higher than the cards percentage, you should fold.
Hand 20:
Blinds 150/300/25
Position: 2 off the button
Hand Jc-Tc
Chips: 55.7k
Gus opens for 1000 and only the BB calls. The flop is Jd-9d-8h. Gus bets 1200 and BB calls. The turn is a 4s.
There is 4800 in the pot and opponent has 12,000. If Gus bets 300 and his opponent calls, and the Kd hits on the river, Gus will have a tough decision. Gus does not like tough decisions. He puts his opponent on a draw and bets 13,000. His opponent folds.
Learning:
If you put your opponent on a draw, make an over-sized bet to get him to fold on the turn (putting him all-in).
Learning after 20 hands:
Limp in with suited connectors in early rounds to risk few chips to win a big pot.
Fold if you may be drawing dead when three cards of the same suit flop and you have a mid-level club.
First in on the SB raise.
Limp in back position with suited connectors, and call a raise behind you if the pot odds are big enough (over 3 to 1).
On paired flops, make a half pot sized bet against the blind limpers.
Raise with a mediocre hand first in, when in late position
Use a C-bet heads-up in position with more than half sized bet.
In BB call a SB raise first in that gives you 2-1 odds with suited connectors.
When hit a pair on flop, check raise to determine if you have best hand.
Raise from SB first in with suited connectors.
Call a raise HU if odds are right (over 3 to 1).
Just call A-J offsuit when there is an early position raise and one caller.
Raise under the gun with K-Q offsuit.
If c-bet gets called and turn is not a scare card, check your hand.
Call with suited connectors when the pot odds are right (2.5 to 1).
Cut-off is a good place to try to steal, but if get raised just fold.
On button, raise more than the size of the pot to try to take down a pot with all limpers.
Don't risk everything when you only have 2nd pair, if an opponent bets out and you are going to have to guess if you are beat or not. Wait for a better opportunity.
Raising with K-9 suited in early position is an acceptable move, especially when the table has shown a tendency to limp and fold to raises pre-flop.
Calling a raise with a flush draw on the flop is a good play with over 4 to 1 odds. (1800 to win 7550)
An aggressive table image can get opponents to make big mistakes against you.
Calling a re-raise with medium pairs is an acceptable play given the implied odds.
Steal on the button with a standard sized raise (although this hand is worth a raise).
Bet out rather than check when you hit the flush on the turn.
It's okay to mix up your game and check a hand you would raise with pre-flop and bet with on the flop. But, realize, that your job of reading your opponents will be tougher since you sent out a message you were weak and not strong.
You can stretch your calls when you have a huge chip stack if you think your
implied odds are excellent.
Know your chance of winning given the bet size compared to the pot size, and then compare it to the number of cards you need to win compared to the umber of the remaining cards. If actual odds are higher than the cards percentage, you should fold.
If you put your opponent on a draw, make an over-sized bet to get him to fold on the turn (putting him all-in).
Hand 16:
Blinds 100/200/25
Position: Button
Hand Ad-6d
Chips: 26.1k
Gus is first and raises on the button to 600? Blinds fold.
Learning:
Steal on the button with a standard sized raise (although this hand is worth a raise).
Hand 17:
Blinds 100/200/25
Position: 2 off the button
Hand Jc-5c
Chips: 26.6k
Gus is first in and raises to 600. The button min raises to 1200, and Gus calls with great pot odds. Flop is Kc-9s-3c. Gus checks and opponent checks.
The turn is an 8c. Gus hit his flush. Gus bets out to 2000 and his opponent raises to 6000. His opponent either has KK or 99. Gus moves all-in for 19,375 and gets called. His opponent does have 99 for a set. River is a 4h. Gus doubles up.
Learning:
Bet out rather than check when you hit the flush on the turn.
Hand 18:
Blinds 150/300/25
Position: 2 off the button
Hand Kd-Qs
Chips: 53.2k
Player in early position limps, Gus limps (although he would normally raise), and blinds call as well. The flop is Kc-6h-2s.
Gus checks top pair after opponents check. Turn is 2h. BB bets to 500, limper raises to 2000 and only Gus calls. The river is a 3s.
Opponent bets 3000 into the 6000 pot, and Gus calls.
Learning:
It's okay to mix up your game and check a hand you would raise with pre-flop and bet with on the flop. But, realize, that your job of reading your opponents will be tougher since you sent out a message you were weak and not strong.
Hand 19:
Blinds 150/300/25
Position: 4th
Hand Ac-4c
Chips: 59.6k
Gus limps after under the gun limper. Blinds calls. Flop is 2h-5d-Kc. The limper bets 800 into 1425 pot.
Gus has a gut shot straight draw, backdoor flush draw, and Ace high. Since he has lots of chips he calls. Blinds fold. Turn is a Jc.
Opponent bets 2200, and has 7000 left. Gus has to call 2200 to win 5200 or a 30% winning chance. (Important: His winning chance is 2200 divided by the total of 2200+5200 or 7400.) Gus figures he has 10 outs of 44 remaining cards or 22.7%, meaning he should fold. But he calls given the implied odds.
The river is a 5h. Opponent bets and Gus folds.
Learning:
You can stretch your calls when you have a huge chip stack if you think your
implied odds are excellent.
Know your chance of winning given the bet size compared to the pot size, and then compare it to the number of cards you need to win compared to the umber of the remaining cards. If actual odds are higher than the cards percentage, you should fold.
Hand 20:
Blinds 150/300/25
Position: 2 off the button
Hand Jc-Tc
Chips: 55.7k
Gus opens for 1000 and only the BB calls. The flop is Jd-9d-8h. Gus bets 1200 and BB calls. The turn is a 4s.
There is 4800 in the pot and opponent has 12,000. If Gus bets 300 and his opponent calls, and the Kd hits on the river, Gus will have a tough decision. Gus does not like tough decisions. He puts his opponent on a draw and bets 13,000. His opponent folds.
Learning:
If you put your opponent on a draw, make an over-sized bet to get him to fold on the turn (putting him all-in).
Learning after 20 hands:
Limp in with suited connectors in early rounds to risk few chips to win a big pot.
Fold if you may be drawing dead when three cards of the same suit flop and you have a mid-level club.
First in on the SB raise.
Limp in back position with suited connectors, and call a raise behind you if the pot odds are big enough (over 3 to 1).
On paired flops, make a half pot sized bet against the blind limpers.
Raise with a mediocre hand first in, when in late position
Use a C-bet heads-up in position with more than half sized bet.
In BB call a SB raise first in that gives you 2-1 odds with suited connectors.
When hit a pair on flop, check raise to determine if you have best hand.
Raise from SB first in with suited connectors.
Call a raise HU if odds are right (over 3 to 1).
Just call A-J offsuit when there is an early position raise and one caller.
Raise under the gun with K-Q offsuit.
If c-bet gets called and turn is not a scare card, check your hand.
Call with suited connectors when the pot odds are right (2.5 to 1).
Cut-off is a good place to try to steal, but if get raised just fold.
On button, raise more than the size of the pot to try to take down a pot with all limpers.
Don't risk everything when you only have 2nd pair, if an opponent bets out and you are going to have to guess if you are beat or not. Wait for a better opportunity.
Raising with K-9 suited in early position is an acceptable move, especially when the table has shown a tendency to limp and fold to raises pre-flop.
Calling a raise with a flush draw on the flop is a good play with over 4 to 1 odds. (1800 to win 7550)
An aggressive table image can get opponents to make big mistakes against you.
Calling a re-raise with medium pairs is an acceptable play given the implied odds.
Steal on the button with a standard sized raise (although this hand is worth a raise).
Bet out rather than check when you hit the flush on the turn.
It's okay to mix up your game and check a hand you would raise with pre-flop and bet with on the flop. But, realize, that your job of reading your opponents will be tougher since you sent out a message you were weak and not strong.
You can stretch your calls when you have a huge chip stack if you think your
implied odds are excellent.
Know your chance of winning given the bet size compared to the pot size, and then compare it to the number of cards you need to win compared to the umber of the remaining cards. If actual odds are higher than the cards percentage, you should fold.
If you put your opponent on a draw, make an over-sized bet to get him to fold on the turn (putting him all-in).
Friday, June 12, 2009
Strategy & Tactics for Winning a Poker Tournament: Play like Gus Hansen & Win Millions
I had an idea which could help your tournament poker results.
There are many great books on playing tournament poker. My favorites are from Harrington and Hansen, and of course, the only reference book of 101 winning moves--which is mine.
In marketing, we develop objectives, strategy and tactics for achieving business goals. When these work, we duplicate and adjust our plans accordingly.
Why not use the same approach for winning a poker tournament?
Play Like Gus
The only book that reveals how a poker champion plays the game is from Gus Hansen, Every Hand Revealed. I am going to analyze every hand in this book in order to develop a complete plan with the objective of winning a no limit poker tournament.
I don't know how well this will work, but it can't hurt. Don't be afraid that you don't play crazy like Gus Hansen, because after reading his book you'll realize he may be aggressive but he is not crazy...at least, not most of the time. Of course, if crazy means winning millions in poker tournaments, you should only wish to be that crazy!
It is true that Gus provides some analysis of his play at the end of the book. However, that does not offer enough insight to develop a Game Plan. In fact, at the end of the analysis of his play, I hope to provide a Winning Game Plan to Tournament Poker that is based on the Gus Hansen approach to tournament poker.
How will this work?
It is a major tournament, with an entry fee of $10,000. Unlike many events you enter, especially online, the blinds progress slowly so you have time to play poker. You get $20,000 in chips and there are 10 players at your table.
You haven't played the first round so your stack is down to 19.85K
Hand 1:
Blinds 50/100
Position: 4th
Hand: 7s-5s
Everybody folds, and Gus limps as do the blinds and one other player.
Flop: Qh-10s-3c.
Gus checks, a player bets and Gus folds.
This looks innocent enough, but we already learn the following:
Limp in with suited connectors in early rounds to risk few chips to win a big pot.
Developing Your Tournament Poker Game Plan
I will add new posts which will provide for a comprehensive approach to playing and winning a major poker tournament. The end result may be useful for the games you compete in or it may not. At the very least, you may discover a few strategies and tactics that you can add into your game.
Here goes...
There are many great books on playing tournament poker. My favorites are from Harrington and Hansen, and of course, the only reference book of 101 winning moves--which is mine.
In marketing, we develop objectives, strategy and tactics for achieving business goals. When these work, we duplicate and adjust our plans accordingly.
Why not use the same approach for winning a poker tournament?
Play Like Gus
The only book that reveals how a poker champion plays the game is from Gus Hansen, Every Hand Revealed. I am going to analyze every hand in this book in order to develop a complete plan with the objective of winning a no limit poker tournament.
I don't know how well this will work, but it can't hurt. Don't be afraid that you don't play crazy like Gus Hansen, because after reading his book you'll realize he may be aggressive but he is not crazy...at least, not most of the time. Of course, if crazy means winning millions in poker tournaments, you should only wish to be that crazy!
It is true that Gus provides some analysis of his play at the end of the book. However, that does not offer enough insight to develop a Game Plan. In fact, at the end of the analysis of his play, I hope to provide a Winning Game Plan to Tournament Poker that is based on the Gus Hansen approach to tournament poker.
How will this work?
It is a major tournament, with an entry fee of $10,000. Unlike many events you enter, especially online, the blinds progress slowly so you have time to play poker. You get $20,000 in chips and there are 10 players at your table.
You haven't played the first round so your stack is down to 19.85K
Hand 1:
Blinds 50/100
Position: 4th
Hand: 7s-5s
Everybody folds, and Gus limps as do the blinds and one other player.
Flop: Qh-10s-3c.
Gus checks, a player bets and Gus folds.
This looks innocent enough, but we already learn the following:
Limp in with suited connectors in early rounds to risk few chips to win a big pot.
Developing Your Tournament Poker Game Plan
I will add new posts which will provide for a comprehensive approach to playing and winning a major poker tournament. The end result may be useful for the games you compete in or it may not. At the very least, you may discover a few strategies and tactics that you can add into your game.
Here goes...
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Tournament Poker: A Checklist for your next event
The countdown continues...
Here are some guidelines to help you win your next tournament.
1. You need to get lucky to win.
2. You need to avoid getting unlucky to win.
3. Play the player and not your cards.
4. Pre-flop it is usually better to raise or re-raise
than to call.
5. Pocket Aces are the nuts pre-flop. If you can get your
opponents all-in when you hold Aces pre-flop do it.
6. A-K is not the nuts pre-flop. Raise and re-raise
pre-flop with A-K. But be careful not to play this drawing
hand as the nuts.
7. Look for a reason to play a hand, and not fold a hand.
8. Learn which opponents you can float based on their betting
tendencies.
9. Identify the table image of your opponents and play against them.
10. Identify what your opponent's think your table image is, and do the
opposite.
11. Play the flop, your opponents and not your cards.
12. Look to play steal flops.
1x. If you have superstitions, this number is missing.
14. Look to bluff on the turn when a scare card hits.
15. Take weak bets as weak hands on the flop, turn and river..so raise.
16. Get out of your comfort zone--loosen up your starting hands, look for
ways to win with a bet on the flop, and/or a bluff on the turn.
17. Don't hesitate to put your opponent all-in on the turn if you know you
are ahead, and your opponent is drawing.
18. While expected value is a fine cash game strategy, avoid it in tournament
play. Instead, try the concept of unexpected value.
19. Know your pot odds and your implied odds pre-flop.
20. If your pot odds of winning is better than the pot odds you are getting,
you should lean toward calling or raising. However, make sure you know
what it will cost you if you are wrong.
21. Being an aggressive player will be a better strategy than trying to
outplay all your opponents, all the time.
22. Some players make the wrong move at the right time. Don't let it get you
on tilt.
23. Making the right move at the wrong time can also put you on tilt. Don't
let it.
24. If you feel like you are on tilt, take a break away from the table.
25. You don't want to be eliminated with one Queen in your hand.
26. A ten on the flop is an invitation for action.
27. All cards lower than a 9 on the flop is an invitation for a bluff.
28. It is easier to play against one opponent than multiple opponents.
29. When the antes come into the game, look to make your raises larger
than the standard 3x raise.
30 Stealing antes and blinds is a key strategy to winning tournament play.
Here are some guidelines to help you win your next tournament.
1. You need to get lucky to win.
2. You need to avoid getting unlucky to win.
3. Play the player and not your cards.
4. Pre-flop it is usually better to raise or re-raise
than to call.
5. Pocket Aces are the nuts pre-flop. If you can get your
opponents all-in when you hold Aces pre-flop do it.
6. A-K is not the nuts pre-flop. Raise and re-raise
pre-flop with A-K. But be careful not to play this drawing
hand as the nuts.
7. Look for a reason to play a hand, and not fold a hand.
8. Learn which opponents you can float based on their betting
tendencies.
9. Identify the table image of your opponents and play against them.
10. Identify what your opponent's think your table image is, and do the
opposite.
11. Play the flop, your opponents and not your cards.
12. Look to play steal flops.
1x. If you have superstitions, this number is missing.
14. Look to bluff on the turn when a scare card hits.
15. Take weak bets as weak hands on the flop, turn and river..so raise.
16. Get out of your comfort zone--loosen up your starting hands, look for
ways to win with a bet on the flop, and/or a bluff on the turn.
17. Don't hesitate to put your opponent all-in on the turn if you know you
are ahead, and your opponent is drawing.
18. While expected value is a fine cash game strategy, avoid it in tournament
play. Instead, try the concept of unexpected value.
19. Know your pot odds and your implied odds pre-flop.
20. If your pot odds of winning is better than the pot odds you are getting,
you should lean toward calling or raising. However, make sure you know
what it will cost you if you are wrong.
21. Being an aggressive player will be a better strategy than trying to
outplay all your opponents, all the time.
22. Some players make the wrong move at the right time. Don't let it get you
on tilt.
23. Making the right move at the wrong time can also put you on tilt. Don't
let it.
24. If you feel like you are on tilt, take a break away from the table.
25. You don't want to be eliminated with one Queen in your hand.
26. A ten on the flop is an invitation for action.
27. All cards lower than a 9 on the flop is an invitation for a bluff.
28. It is easier to play against one opponent than multiple opponents.
29. When the antes come into the game, look to make your raises larger
than the standard 3x raise.
30 Stealing antes and blinds is a key strategy to winning tournament play.
Friday, February 27, 2009
36 Poker Why's To Improve Your Game
36 Poker Why's To Improve Your Game
I wrote this list to help everyone realize that it takes a lot of knowledge to become a winning tournament poker player. When you read each "why" statement, ask yourself if you agree or disagree, understand what it means, and/or if you need to learn more. Hey, if you need help, please ask. If it gets you thinking more about your game, that is a good thing. Perhaps this list will help you get out of your comfort zone so you can take your game up to the next level.
Of course, if I've missed anything, please let me know.
I have broken the list into categories: Overall Philosophy, Chips & Bets, Odds, Cards, and Players.
Overall Philosophy
1. Why the stage of the tournament matters
2. Why the blind levels matter
3. Why the time left in a round matters
4. Why playing tight early in a tournament is wrong
5. Why you may have to make the wrong play at the right time to win a tournament
6. Why being aggressive is the mindset of a winning tournament poker player
7. Why you have to get lucky to win a poker tournament
Chips & Bets
8. Why chip stacks matter
9. Why raising pre-flop first in the pot is usually right
10. Why managing the size of the pot is so important
11. Why linking the strength of your hand with the size of your pre-flop raise is so wrong
12. Why knowing a continuation bet is so important
13. Why knowing when to make or not make a continuation bet is so important
14. Why bet sizing is so important
15. Why moving all-in on the turn is so important
Odds
16. Why pot odds are so important
17. Why implied odds are even more important
Cards
18. Why suited connectors can win big pots
19. Why pocket pairs can win big pots
20. Why pocket Jacks are so difficult to play
21. Why always calling with A-K is wrong
22. Why always moving all in with A-K is wrong
23. Why always raising with pocket Aces pre-flop is wrong
24. Why adjusting the range of your starting hands based on the number of your opponents is so important
25. Why making tough lay-downs is a good move to learn
26. Why being able to identify that you are beat on the flop even though you have top pair is so important
27. Why it's important to learn how to read your opponent's hand
28. Why it's important to learn when are the best times to bluff
Players
29. Why betting patterns of your opponents are so important
30. Why your table image is so important
31. Why the table image of your opponents is so important
32. Why taking your opponent at his word when he "checks" is so important
33. Why knowing how many players are at your table is so important
34. Why knowing how many opponents you have on the flop, turn and river is so important
35. Why finding tells in your opponents is not that important to winning
36. Why knowing what to do after a bad beat in order to avoid going on tilt is so important
I wrote this list to help everyone realize that it takes a lot of knowledge to become a winning tournament poker player. When you read each "why" statement, ask yourself if you agree or disagree, understand what it means, and/or if you need to learn more. Hey, if you need help, please ask. If it gets you thinking more about your game, that is a good thing. Perhaps this list will help you get out of your comfort zone so you can take your game up to the next level.
Of course, if I've missed anything, please let me know.
I have broken the list into categories: Overall Philosophy, Chips & Bets, Odds, Cards, and Players.
Overall Philosophy
1. Why the stage of the tournament matters
2. Why the blind levels matter
3. Why the time left in a round matters
4. Why playing tight early in a tournament is wrong
5. Why you may have to make the wrong play at the right time to win a tournament
6. Why being aggressive is the mindset of a winning tournament poker player
7. Why you have to get lucky to win a poker tournament
Chips & Bets
8. Why chip stacks matter
9. Why raising pre-flop first in the pot is usually right
10. Why managing the size of the pot is so important
11. Why linking the strength of your hand with the size of your pre-flop raise is so wrong
12. Why knowing a continuation bet is so important
13. Why knowing when to make or not make a continuation bet is so important
14. Why bet sizing is so important
15. Why moving all-in on the turn is so important
Odds
16. Why pot odds are so important
17. Why implied odds are even more important
Cards
18. Why suited connectors can win big pots
19. Why pocket pairs can win big pots
20. Why pocket Jacks are so difficult to play
21. Why always calling with A-K is wrong
22. Why always moving all in with A-K is wrong
23. Why always raising with pocket Aces pre-flop is wrong
24. Why adjusting the range of your starting hands based on the number of your opponents is so important
25. Why making tough lay-downs is a good move to learn
26. Why being able to identify that you are beat on the flop even though you have top pair is so important
27. Why it's important to learn how to read your opponent's hand
28. Why it's important to learn when are the best times to bluff
Players
29. Why betting patterns of your opponents are so important
30. Why your table image is so important
31. Why the table image of your opponents is so important
32. Why taking your opponent at his word when he "checks" is so important
33. Why knowing how many players are at your table is so important
34. Why knowing how many opponents you have on the flop, turn and river is so important
35. Why finding tells in your opponents is not that important to winning
36. Why knowing what to do after a bad beat in order to avoid going on tilt is so important
Sunday, October 19, 2008
A New Web Site To Help Your Poker Game!
I put this new website together to help you improve your no limit tournament game.
The focus is on poker strategy with advice on how to play pre-flop, flop, bluffing, poker tells...and on and on.
Please check it out and let me know what you think.
The website is: Poker Strategy Today
The focus is on poker strategy with advice on how to play pre-flop, flop, bluffing, poker tells...and on and on.
Please check it out and let me know what you think.
The website is: Poker Strategy Today
Monday, October 13, 2008
12 Top Poker Tournament Strategies We Learn From Gus Hansen about Early Stages of Play
Gus Hansen’s new book “Every Hand Revealed” is one of my favorites books since he analyzes the hands from his winning the 2007 Aussie Millions Event.
After reviewing the book, I have identified 12 top poker tournament strategies from Gus Hansen’s book. It’s important to note that Gus plays in big stack events with long time periods before blinds increase. Your events may be give you fewer chips and less time in each round.
Overall, you can use these poker tournament strategies to help your own game or to simply beat Gus Hansen when you play against him.
A. Pre-Flop
1. He likes to limp and see flops. Gus doesn’t like to risk all his chips early in an event.
2. He takes early position pre-flop raises seriously and therefore is less likely to re-raise the player. Early position is the first three positions after the big blind.
3. He will call pre-flop raises often in the big blind with speculative hands when the pot odds are 2-1 or better. Speculative hands are drawing hands like 5-4 suited.
4. He is willing to raise pre-flop with K-x suited if he is first in the pot and in late position.
5. He looks to raise pre-flop on the button, cut-off or power positions.
6. He will re-raise pre-flop on the cut-off or the button with a hand as weak as K-7 offsuit if he thinks the raiser is weak; especially if that raiser is seated right next to him in a back position.
B. Flop
7. He doesn’t always make a continuation bet on the flop. He will check with awful flops for him; that is, for example a coordinated flop where the flop totally misses his hand.
8. He tries to avoid being outdrawn by putting the other player all-in on the flop or the turn when the pot size dictates it’s the best play.
9. He will fold top pair on the flop when he gets bet into on the flop; although he prefers not to fold if he was the pre-flop raiser.
C. Turn
10. He has no issue in folding his hand if someone check raises him on the turn.
D. Overall
11. He doesn’t call an all-in bet without the best hand. The exception is when the odds and the relative chip stack situation dictate a call.
12. He does not have FPS, or Fancy Play Syndrome, as he will move all-in when he knows he has the best hand.
I have posted more poker tournament strategies I learned from reading Gus Hansen on my website at Poker How Tos
After reviewing the book, I have identified 12 top poker tournament strategies from Gus Hansen’s book. It’s important to note that Gus plays in big stack events with long time periods before blinds increase. Your events may be give you fewer chips and less time in each round.
Overall, you can use these poker tournament strategies to help your own game or to simply beat Gus Hansen when you play against him.
A. Pre-Flop
1. He likes to limp and see flops. Gus doesn’t like to risk all his chips early in an event.
2. He takes early position pre-flop raises seriously and therefore is less likely to re-raise the player. Early position is the first three positions after the big blind.
3. He will call pre-flop raises often in the big blind with speculative hands when the pot odds are 2-1 or better. Speculative hands are drawing hands like 5-4 suited.
4. He is willing to raise pre-flop with K-x suited if he is first in the pot and in late position.
5. He looks to raise pre-flop on the button, cut-off or power positions.
6. He will re-raise pre-flop on the cut-off or the button with a hand as weak as K-7 offsuit if he thinks the raiser is weak; especially if that raiser is seated right next to him in a back position.
B. Flop
7. He doesn’t always make a continuation bet on the flop. He will check with awful flops for him; that is, for example a coordinated flop where the flop totally misses his hand.
8. He tries to avoid being outdrawn by putting the other player all-in on the flop or the turn when the pot size dictates it’s the best play.
9. He will fold top pair on the flop when he gets bet into on the flop; although he prefers not to fold if he was the pre-flop raiser.
C. Turn
10. He has no issue in folding his hand if someone check raises him on the turn.
D. Overall
11. He doesn’t call an all-in bet without the best hand. The exception is when the odds and the relative chip stack situation dictate a call.
12. He does not have FPS, or Fancy Play Syndrome, as he will move all-in when he knows he has the best hand.
I have posted more poker tournament strategies I learned from reading Gus Hansen on my website at Poker How Tos
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