River Play
Goal: To get to the river without investing too high a percentage of your chips, unless you have a monster. People will lean to calling you on the river, so don't bluff as often as if you were playing a more traditional style of play.
The river is the time to get full value for your strong hands, avoid losing more chips, and induce bluffs from opponents who think you are weak.
River bluffs: In general, if someone calls on the turn, they will call on the river with almost any kind of hand.
Value bets and river bets: Need to have the same size bet on river.
Value bet: Key is to know the strength of your opponent's hand. The stronger your opponent's hand, the more you should bet. Also, consider how much pressure you are putting on your opponent.
Checking the River: You have a marginal or strong hand, but your opponent has a much better hand or missed his draw. Check the river.
When opponents see you checking a hand with a marginal hand on the river, they will also check more often--which means they will be missing their value bets.
Defensive Bets: A small river bet that minimizes your losses where you are uncertain whether you have the best hand, but you'll have to call your opponent's bet if he bets the river. This allows you to see the hand through for less, and it takes the big-bluff weapon away from your opponent.
Caution: Don't Make Bad River Calls.
Some players use pot odds to justify a call. This is wrong when you know you are beat.
Look for physical tells of your opponent to make a decision on the river.
Questions in deciding to make a value bet with a marginal hand:
1. Will your opponent call?
2. Is he capable of check-raising you on the river?
3. Will he check hands that have you beat?
4. Will he check-raise bluff on the river?
5. Is it worth it to bet? Do you really need the risk?
Bluffing:
Best target: smarter players who think they have you figured out.
Needing to read your opponent's hand correctly is most important aspect of a successful bluff. Next is bet size--it should look like you want your opponent to call.
From the book:Daniel Negreanu's Power Hold'em Strategy
Showing posts with label small ball strategy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label small ball strategy. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Poker Tells-Daniel Negreanu Small Ball Strategy: Part 5
Four Tells To Look For (Part of Turn Play):
1. Early Reachers
Some players reach for their chips prematurely. Give yourself a few extra seconds before making your play, and you may find out some free information. Of course, some players reach for chips to discourage you from betting.
2. Speed of Their Action
The time it takes an opponent to call a bet on the turn may reveal some patterns like
he is on a draw, or discouraging you to bet the river, or something else. You need to figure what the speed of the action is telling you.
3. Card Protectors
Identify a pattern based on whether where his card protect is being placed. For example, if he normally has the protector on the cards, and this time he doesn't, it may mean he isn't going to play. Again, you need to figure this out.
4. Quick Checkers
Quick checks on the turn may be that he is going to check-raise or he is on a draw. Again, each player is different so you need to figure it out.
Next: River Play
From the book: Daniel Negreanu's Power Hold'em Strategy
1. Early Reachers
Some players reach for their chips prematurely. Give yourself a few extra seconds before making your play, and you may find out some free information. Of course, some players reach for chips to discourage you from betting.
2. Speed of Their Action
The time it takes an opponent to call a bet on the turn may reveal some patterns like
he is on a draw, or discouraging you to bet the river, or something else. You need to figure what the speed of the action is telling you.
3. Card Protectors
Identify a pattern based on whether where his card protect is being placed. For example, if he normally has the protector on the cards, and this time he doesn't, it may mean he isn't going to play. Again, you need to figure this out.
4. Quick Checkers
Quick checks on the turn may be that he is going to check-raise or he is on a draw. Again, each player is different so you need to figure it out.
Next: River Play
From the book: Daniel Negreanu's Power Hold'em Strategy
Friday, March 20, 2009
Daniel Negreanu's Small Ball Strategy-Flop Play Part 3
Flop Play (for deep stack tournaments)
Pre-flop: 2 1/2 time's big blind raise
Flop: bet 50 to 80% of the pot
Avoid betting consistent amounts on flop: like lower range when bluffing and higher range when you have a strong hand
If you have nothing, and get check raised it's ok to fold. Sometimes you will have a hand and get paid off big.
Rule: Majority of bluffs in small pots, and have the best of it in big pots. And position is very important in small ball. When you have it, use it. When you don't, respect it.
When you flop a drawing hand:
Worst thing to do, is to bet yourself off a draw. Just don't be consistent--always check a drawing hand.
Key factor in decision:
1. Chip stack size. Semi-bluff all-in with a low stack.
Check a drawing hand if your opponent's raise will represent too large of your stack that you must fold.
2. Stage of the tournament:
Safer earlier on. When later and pots are big, want to win pot now.
Marginal Hands on Flop
It's ok to check. You don't want to play a big pot. Risk less money.
Losing The Minimum
If you get played back at, it's ok to be cautious with your hand unless your hand is strong or suspect your opponent is bluffing.
You want to avoid playing big pots that require a lot of guesswork.
Advice: Pros don't bluff as much as you think. They want to have the best of it in big pots. Pros win because opponents don't believe them.
Guidelines to Flop Play
When to bet:
1. When you miss flop, have position, and your flop bet will win because you think your opponent missed the flop.
2. Good hands that need protection. K-J and flop J-8-4
3. Monster draws to trap opponent
4. When you pick up a tell and feel your opponent will fold.
When to check:
1. A drawing hand and want to catch a card cheap.
2. Flops that pose little danger of outdrawing your hand.
3. Marginal hand on a dangerous flop--coordinated flops.
4. When you suspect opponent has caught a big hand on the flop.
Checking the flop keeps the pot small.
Raise the flop as a pure bluff where you feel opponent is weak and will fold.
Calling on the flop to steal the pot later
When you are in position, against one opponent, your hand is unimportant. What is important is the strength of your opponent's hand. You call on the flop, and take it down when your opponent checks the turn either because he is weak or the turn card looks to make your draw.
Appearing to Play Weak Poker
What you give up are free cards.
What you gain is trapping your opponent.
Overall: Small ball poker will keep you involved in lots of pots, but you want to win the pots you are suppose to win without taking any unnecessary risks.
Next: Turn Play
From the book: Daniel Negreanu's Power Hold'em Strategy
Pre-flop: 2 1/2 time's big blind raise
Flop: bet 50 to 80% of the pot
Avoid betting consistent amounts on flop: like lower range when bluffing and higher range when you have a strong hand
If you have nothing, and get check raised it's ok to fold. Sometimes you will have a hand and get paid off big.
Rule: Majority of bluffs in small pots, and have the best of it in big pots. And position is very important in small ball. When you have it, use it. When you don't, respect it.
When you flop a drawing hand:
Worst thing to do, is to bet yourself off a draw. Just don't be consistent--always check a drawing hand.
Key factor in decision:
1. Chip stack size. Semi-bluff all-in with a low stack.
Check a drawing hand if your opponent's raise will represent too large of your stack that you must fold.
2. Stage of the tournament:
Safer earlier on. When later and pots are big, want to win pot now.
Marginal Hands on Flop
It's ok to check. You don't want to play a big pot. Risk less money.
Losing The Minimum
If you get played back at, it's ok to be cautious with your hand unless your hand is strong or suspect your opponent is bluffing.
You want to avoid playing big pots that require a lot of guesswork.
Advice: Pros don't bluff as much as you think. They want to have the best of it in big pots. Pros win because opponents don't believe them.
Guidelines to Flop Play
When to bet:
1. When you miss flop, have position, and your flop bet will win because you think your opponent missed the flop.
2. Good hands that need protection. K-J and flop J-8-4
3. Monster draws to trap opponent
4. When you pick up a tell and feel your opponent will fold.
When to check:
1. A drawing hand and want to catch a card cheap.
2. Flops that pose little danger of outdrawing your hand.
3. Marginal hand on a dangerous flop--coordinated flops.
4. When you suspect opponent has caught a big hand on the flop.
Checking the flop keeps the pot small.
Raise the flop as a pure bluff where you feel opponent is weak and will fold.
Calling on the flop to steal the pot later
When you are in position, against one opponent, your hand is unimportant. What is important is the strength of your opponent's hand. You call on the flop, and take it down when your opponent checks the turn either because he is weak or the turn card looks to make your draw.
Appearing to Play Weak Poker
What you give up are free cards.
What you gain is trapping your opponent.
Overall: Small ball poker will keep you involved in lots of pots, but you want to win the pots you are suppose to win without taking any unnecessary risks.
Next: Turn Play
From the book: Daniel Negreanu's Power Hold'em Strategy
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Review of Daniel Negreanu's Small Ball Strategy: Starting Hands
Small Ball: For Deep Stack Events
A few poker players on Twitter asked me to help them better understand Small Ball Strategy for no limit tournaments. I've decided to summarize the key points based on Daniel's chapter in his book Power Hold'em Strategy. It's important to realize that this approach is for deep stack events.
Objectives:
Increase your stack size in no-limit tournaments without taking significant risks.
Battle for the blinds and antes
Play your oppponent's hand rather than focusing on the strength of your own hand.
Manage pot size--small hands, small pots. Big hands, win big pots.
Want to hit straights and flushes against top pair hands.
Starting Hands
Small ball=focus more on what your opponent doesn't have than the strength of the cards you do have.
Big pairs:
AA, KK-it's ok to go broke with these hands
QQ, JJ-you don't want to play many big pots because you are either way behind or slightly ahead. No need to re-raise, especially against an early position raiser.
Middle pairs:
77 to 1010-they are good hand for their implied value pre-flop rather than their pre-flop strength. Your goal-flop a set to win a big pot. Doesn't mean you fold, if you miss--depends on the action.
Small pairs:
22-66-play like middle pairs. Don't re-raise with these hands pre-flop.
A-K, A-Q:
Big trouble in deep stack events. You don't want to get all in pre-flop.
A-K-raise pre-flop, but doesn't play well after the flop.
A-K unsuited will win small pots, but usually a dog if lots of action.
Aces and Paints: A-J, A-10, K-Q, K-J, Q-J, J-10
These hands are much better when suited in deep stack events.
Unsuited one pair hands win you small pots usually, and can cost you big pots.
Also, these hands are second best to premium hands.
If someone raises in front of you, fold K-Q and A-J--unless they are suited.
K and Q rag suited:
Don't raise with them and only limp in multiway pots.
Will mostly make second best hands--and small ball approach avoids these kind of hands.
Suited connectors:
Ideal for small ball as the goal is to hit flush and straights against premium pairs.
Opponent won't be able to put you on a hand, and overplay their pair or overpair.
These hands are easy to get away from on flop.
And your reputation for playing small ball allows you to steal pots, example:
You Js-10s:
Flop: 5h-6s-7h
Can win if:
Opponent has A-K and checks flop.
Opponent bets, you call, and a 4 hits the turn.
And--best of all, when you do hit your straight, you can win a big pot.
Trash Hands:
Q-3, J-2, 9-4, 8-2
No value except when you are playing the situation where you are trying to win the pot with a re-raise before the flop. Just don't get careless after the flop. If you hit your hand, play a small pot.
Or raise when opponents in blinds are very tight and fold pre-flop or fold to a small flop bet when they miss.
Next: Betting
A few poker players on Twitter asked me to help them better understand Small Ball Strategy for no limit tournaments. I've decided to summarize the key points based on Daniel's chapter in his book Power Hold'em Strategy. It's important to realize that this approach is for deep stack events.
Objectives:
Increase your stack size in no-limit tournaments without taking significant risks.
Battle for the blinds and antes
Play your oppponent's hand rather than focusing on the strength of your own hand.
Manage pot size--small hands, small pots. Big hands, win big pots.
Want to hit straights and flushes against top pair hands.
Starting Hands
Small ball=focus more on what your opponent doesn't have than the strength of the cards you do have.
Big pairs:
AA, KK-it's ok to go broke with these hands
QQ, JJ-you don't want to play many big pots because you are either way behind or slightly ahead. No need to re-raise, especially against an early position raiser.
Middle pairs:
77 to 1010-they are good hand for their implied value pre-flop rather than their pre-flop strength. Your goal-flop a set to win a big pot. Doesn't mean you fold, if you miss--depends on the action.
Small pairs:
22-66-play like middle pairs. Don't re-raise with these hands pre-flop.
A-K, A-Q:
Big trouble in deep stack events. You don't want to get all in pre-flop.
A-K-raise pre-flop, but doesn't play well after the flop.
A-K unsuited will win small pots, but usually a dog if lots of action.
Aces and Paints: A-J, A-10, K-Q, K-J, Q-J, J-10
These hands are much better when suited in deep stack events.
Unsuited one pair hands win you small pots usually, and can cost you big pots.
Also, these hands are second best to premium hands.
If someone raises in front of you, fold K-Q and A-J--unless they are suited.
K and Q rag suited:
Don't raise with them and only limp in multiway pots.
Will mostly make second best hands--and small ball approach avoids these kind of hands.
Suited connectors:
Ideal for small ball as the goal is to hit flush and straights against premium pairs.
Opponent won't be able to put you on a hand, and overplay their pair or overpair.
These hands are easy to get away from on flop.
And your reputation for playing small ball allows you to steal pots, example:
You Js-10s:
Flop: 5h-6s-7h
Can win if:
Opponent has A-K and checks flop.
Opponent bets, you call, and a 4 hits the turn.
And--best of all, when you do hit your straight, you can win a big pot.
Trash Hands:
Q-3, J-2, 9-4, 8-2
No value except when you are playing the situation where you are trying to win the pot with a re-raise before the flop. Just don't get careless after the flop. If you hit your hand, play a small pot.
Or raise when opponents in blinds are very tight and fold pre-flop or fold to a small flop bet when they miss.
Next: Betting
Monday, March 16, 2009
Negreanu and Small Ball Strategy
Small Ball Strategy
I read the small ball strategy chapter in his Power Hold'em Strategy book and decided to use it in my Sunday NL tournaments for the past two months.
My overall conclusion: Small Ball Strategy Needs Lots of Chips To Work
His strategy simply does not work for my Sunday events since the chips are not deep enough and the rounds are not long enough. I've probably lost over $2,000 the past two months testing small ball.
The positives to the strategy is that it does allow you to play more hands, and hope to hit good to bust an opponent. It also helps you to understand the importance of implied odds, managing pot size and playing your opponent's hand from the flop.
However, it doesn't allow for eliminating opponents when you are raising 2 1/2 times the big blinds in these events. And, it also ends up being costly to be raising with suited connectors and players coming over the top, forcing you to fold.
Example:
Yesterday, first hand. I have J-9 suited. Each player starts with $2,500 and blinds at $25-$50. A player under the gun raises to $150. I call in a back position. The button calls. The small blind moves all in for $2,500. I have to fold, of course.
I'm not too happy to see the flop comes with J-9-9.
The player who moved all-in had A-K.
My Next Step
Learn from Daniel, but revert back to the Gus Hansen aggressive style of play. It is not only more fun and challenging for me, but it also enables me to be more feared at the table.
Daniel's style at the higher buy-in events work of course. However, I do believe that with fewer chips and fast blind increases it is simply a difficult way to add chips.
I have written a summary of Gus Hansen's playing style on this blog.
I read the small ball strategy chapter in his Power Hold'em Strategy book and decided to use it in my Sunday NL tournaments for the past two months.
My overall conclusion: Small Ball Strategy Needs Lots of Chips To Work
His strategy simply does not work for my Sunday events since the chips are not deep enough and the rounds are not long enough. I've probably lost over $2,000 the past two months testing small ball.
The positives to the strategy is that it does allow you to play more hands, and hope to hit good to bust an opponent. It also helps you to understand the importance of implied odds, managing pot size and playing your opponent's hand from the flop.
However, it doesn't allow for eliminating opponents when you are raising 2 1/2 times the big blinds in these events. And, it also ends up being costly to be raising with suited connectors and players coming over the top, forcing you to fold.
Example:
Yesterday, first hand. I have J-9 suited. Each player starts with $2,500 and blinds at $25-$50. A player under the gun raises to $150. I call in a back position. The button calls. The small blind moves all in for $2,500. I have to fold, of course.
I'm not too happy to see the flop comes with J-9-9.
The player who moved all-in had A-K.
My Next Step
Learn from Daniel, but revert back to the Gus Hansen aggressive style of play. It is not only more fun and challenging for me, but it also enables me to be more feared at the table.
Daniel's style at the higher buy-in events work of course. However, I do believe that with fewer chips and fast blind increases it is simply a difficult way to add chips.
I have written a summary of Gus Hansen's playing style on this blog.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The Gap Concept Leads To Small Ball in Poker
What is the Gap Concept?
The Gap Concept is the pre-flop notion that you need a stronger hand to enter a pot after a player in front of you has already raised. This was a fairly popular idea many years ago as players wanted to avoid confrontations where an opponent indicated strength before you acted; unless, of course, you found yourself with a premium starting hand.
The positive coming from this concept was that it made opponents think twice before entering a raised pot. It allowed stronger players to open raise with a wider range of starting hands and steal pots.
This happens today in events, but much less often than in the past. The reason is that players are better as they get so much experience playing online.
The Gap Concept Today: It's Dead
As opponents got smarter, the stronger players were faced with more action. Now when these players raised pre-flop they would get one or two callers. It put their flop skills to the test.
So today, you will see more limping into the pot than in the past. And you will find that more players want to be involved in hands and see the flop. After all, if online poker has taught us anything, it is that any two starting cards can win a pot.
In fact, in limit cash games you will find that more players look at a flop with a wide range of starting hands. And in no limit games, you will find that players will call pre-flop raises with a wider range of hands due to the implied odds (that is, if I call this small raise and get lucky on the flop, I can win all those chips my opponent has in his stack).
Small Ball Strategy
If you follow Daniel Negreanu in CardPlayer columns from the early days, you will notice how his game has changed over the years. Today, he is an advocate of a small ball strategy as he understands that:
1. You are battling for the blinds and antes
2. You need to accumulate chips to win a poker tournament
3. You want to eliminate as many opponents as possible pre-flop
4. You want to see the flop cheap--no limit hold'em is a flop game
5. You want to outplay your opponents by playing his hand
As a result, Daniel will often raise pre-flop 2 or 2 1/2 times the big blind. If he gets callers, he will see what happens with the flop. If he gets a raise, he is willing to call and see the flop. And, of course, if he gets everyone to fold he wins the blinds and antes.
The other advantages to his strategy is that by entering a lot of pots:
1. He has an opportunity to trap those times he finds a premium hand.
2. He can steal pots with bluffs on the turn. So, if the flop comes down somewhat coordinated (J-7-5), his opponent has to be concerned that Daniel has hands like 6-8 or 9-10 or 8-9, etc. The result is that when Daniel calls his opponent's flop bet, if a card to make a straight appears, what is his opponent going to do? Daniel can steal the pot or maybe he has the straight.
3. He steals a lot of pots uncontested because opponents are afraid of being outplayed.
Do you recall Daniel's That's Not Poker comment at the WSOP? His opponent did not want to get involved with Daniel so he raised Daniel all-in pre-flop.
Can you blame the guy?
Suggestion
Give small ball a try at your next tournament. To learn more about small ball strategy, pick up his new book "Power Hold'em Strategy." I just bought my copy!
The Gap Concept is the pre-flop notion that you need a stronger hand to enter a pot after a player in front of you has already raised. This was a fairly popular idea many years ago as players wanted to avoid confrontations where an opponent indicated strength before you acted; unless, of course, you found yourself with a premium starting hand.
The positive coming from this concept was that it made opponents think twice before entering a raised pot. It allowed stronger players to open raise with a wider range of starting hands and steal pots.
This happens today in events, but much less often than in the past. The reason is that players are better as they get so much experience playing online.
The Gap Concept Today: It's Dead
As opponents got smarter, the stronger players were faced with more action. Now when these players raised pre-flop they would get one or two callers. It put their flop skills to the test.
So today, you will see more limping into the pot than in the past. And you will find that more players want to be involved in hands and see the flop. After all, if online poker has taught us anything, it is that any two starting cards can win a pot.
In fact, in limit cash games you will find that more players look at a flop with a wide range of starting hands. And in no limit games, you will find that players will call pre-flop raises with a wider range of hands due to the implied odds (that is, if I call this small raise and get lucky on the flop, I can win all those chips my opponent has in his stack).
Small Ball Strategy
If you follow Daniel Negreanu in CardPlayer columns from the early days, you will notice how his game has changed over the years. Today, he is an advocate of a small ball strategy as he understands that:
1. You are battling for the blinds and antes
2. You need to accumulate chips to win a poker tournament
3. You want to eliminate as many opponents as possible pre-flop
4. You want to see the flop cheap--no limit hold'em is a flop game
5. You want to outplay your opponents by playing his hand
As a result, Daniel will often raise pre-flop 2 or 2 1/2 times the big blind. If he gets callers, he will see what happens with the flop. If he gets a raise, he is willing to call and see the flop. And, of course, if he gets everyone to fold he wins the blinds and antes.
The other advantages to his strategy is that by entering a lot of pots:
1. He has an opportunity to trap those times he finds a premium hand.
2. He can steal pots with bluffs on the turn. So, if the flop comes down somewhat coordinated (J-7-5), his opponent has to be concerned that Daniel has hands like 6-8 or 9-10 or 8-9, etc. The result is that when Daniel calls his opponent's flop bet, if a card to make a straight appears, what is his opponent going to do? Daniel can steal the pot or maybe he has the straight.
3. He steals a lot of pots uncontested because opponents are afraid of being outplayed.
Do you recall Daniel's That's Not Poker comment at the WSOP? His opponent did not want to get involved with Daniel so he raised Daniel all-in pre-flop.
Can you blame the guy?
Suggestion
Give small ball a try at your next tournament. To learn more about small ball strategy, pick up his new book "Power Hold'em Strategy." I just bought my copy!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
What is Poker Table Image and Why it's Important.
What is Table Image?
A player's table image refers to a style of play. One common way to describe a player's table image is by how often they play a hand.
For example, if a player has not entered a pot for a long time, you should think of that player's image as being tight. He is tight since he seems to have a very narrow range of playing hands.
If a player has entered every other pot, you should think of that player's image as being loose. It is loose since he can not be getting that many top starting hands; that is, he has a wide range of starting hands to enter a pot.
Another way to describe a player's table image is by the action they take when they do play a hand.
For example, if that tight player only enters the pot with a pre-flop raise, he can be described as both tight and aggressive. He is aggressive because he enters every pot with a pre-flop raise.
However, if that tight player only enters the pot by calling the big blind, he can be described as passive. He is passive because he is a caller.
Why is Table Image So Important?
Identify your opponent's table image.
Watching your opponents and identifying their table image is an important skill and will help you improve your game considerably.
For example, I was playing at a limit tournament and there was one player who almost never entered a hand. When he did enter a hand he showed down hands like pocket Aces, pocket Kings, pocket Queens, and A-K. This player clearly was super tight.
When we got down to the final two tables. He was still in the event. His playing style had not changed. He was staying super tight. On this one hand I was on the big blind, and after one player raised pre-flop, this super tight opponent re-raised. I looked down to find A-Q. In a limit tournament, it is not expensive to call and see a flop. However, I folded since I knew the tight player probably had me beat. His table image improved my decision making. Or, so I thought...
When the flop was Q-6-2, I was feeling uneasy. Did I fold top pair, top kicker? When the action went to the river, the tight player won with pocket Aces, while his opponent had A-Q. Phew!
If your opponent is loose and aggressive, it can make your decision making more difficult. In the recent WSOP Europe, Daniel Negreanu was playing his small ball strategy for a no limit event. Daniel was entering many pots with small pre-flop raises. On this one hand, he raised small pre-flop with 9-10 suited. His opponent re-raised Daniel's bet a large amount with A-Q; it was a 5 times Daniel's bet. Daniel called.
The flop was J-J-7. Daniel checked, as did his opponent. The turn was an 8. Bingo! Daniel checked his straight, and his opponent lost all his chips when he moved in on the turn. It is difficult to put a player on a hand if he plays a small ball strategy.
Sometimes players change their table image based on the stage of the event or their relative stack sizes. This could be because they are becoming more passive at the time of the bubble, wanting to get paid something. Others may simply be desperate for chips and they become more aggressive.
Figure out your own table image.
It is important to think about the table image you have created to your opponents. Are you aggressive, loose, passive, aggressive? Do you need to change your style of play so you are more unpredictable? Also, you may find that your table image may differ depending on your opponent.
For example, at a WSOP event, in the first hour I was getting an incredible run of premium hands. Opponents were getting frustrated by my pre-flop raises and continuation bets, especially since I never had to show my hands. My table broke up, and I went card dead. When this table broke up, I was moved next to a player from my original table.
On the first hand at this new table I was dealt pocket Kings. I raised. My opponent probably perceived me as loose, aggressive, since he moved all-in. I called. He turned over 6-4. I was very happy, until he flopped a 6 and rivered a 4. Doh!
Suggestion:
As a general rule, you want to play the opposite your table image. For example, if you are a tight passive player, and start entering a series of pots with pre-flop raises, your raises will get more respect from opponents. It allows you to steal more often and pick up blinds and antes.
If your opponent views you as a loose, aggressive player, your opponents are more likely to call you down or even raise your bets.
Identify your opponents table image and figure out the table image you are projecting. It will improve your game. It will improve your decision making. Sometimes you will find that while raising an aggressive opponent is a smart play, folding with the same hand may be the right move against a tight opponent.
A player's table image refers to a style of play. One common way to describe a player's table image is by how often they play a hand.
For example, if a player has not entered a pot for a long time, you should think of that player's image as being tight. He is tight since he seems to have a very narrow range of playing hands.
If a player has entered every other pot, you should think of that player's image as being loose. It is loose since he can not be getting that many top starting hands; that is, he has a wide range of starting hands to enter a pot.
Another way to describe a player's table image is by the action they take when they do play a hand.
For example, if that tight player only enters the pot with a pre-flop raise, he can be described as both tight and aggressive. He is aggressive because he enters every pot with a pre-flop raise.
However, if that tight player only enters the pot by calling the big blind, he can be described as passive. He is passive because he is a caller.
Why is Table Image So Important?
Identify your opponent's table image.
Watching your opponents and identifying their table image is an important skill and will help you improve your game considerably.
For example, I was playing at a limit tournament and there was one player who almost never entered a hand. When he did enter a hand he showed down hands like pocket Aces, pocket Kings, pocket Queens, and A-K. This player clearly was super tight.
When we got down to the final two tables. He was still in the event. His playing style had not changed. He was staying super tight. On this one hand I was on the big blind, and after one player raised pre-flop, this super tight opponent re-raised. I looked down to find A-Q. In a limit tournament, it is not expensive to call and see a flop. However, I folded since I knew the tight player probably had me beat. His table image improved my decision making. Or, so I thought...
When the flop was Q-6-2, I was feeling uneasy. Did I fold top pair, top kicker? When the action went to the river, the tight player won with pocket Aces, while his opponent had A-Q. Phew!
If your opponent is loose and aggressive, it can make your decision making more difficult. In the recent WSOP Europe, Daniel Negreanu was playing his small ball strategy for a no limit event. Daniel was entering many pots with small pre-flop raises. On this one hand, he raised small pre-flop with 9-10 suited. His opponent re-raised Daniel's bet a large amount with A-Q; it was a 5 times Daniel's bet. Daniel called.
The flop was J-J-7. Daniel checked, as did his opponent. The turn was an 8. Bingo! Daniel checked his straight, and his opponent lost all his chips when he moved in on the turn. It is difficult to put a player on a hand if he plays a small ball strategy.
Sometimes players change their table image based on the stage of the event or their relative stack sizes. This could be because they are becoming more passive at the time of the bubble, wanting to get paid something. Others may simply be desperate for chips and they become more aggressive.
Figure out your own table image.
It is important to think about the table image you have created to your opponents. Are you aggressive, loose, passive, aggressive? Do you need to change your style of play so you are more unpredictable? Also, you may find that your table image may differ depending on your opponent.
For example, at a WSOP event, in the first hour I was getting an incredible run of premium hands. Opponents were getting frustrated by my pre-flop raises and continuation bets, especially since I never had to show my hands. My table broke up, and I went card dead. When this table broke up, I was moved next to a player from my original table.
On the first hand at this new table I was dealt pocket Kings. I raised. My opponent probably perceived me as loose, aggressive, since he moved all-in. I called. He turned over 6-4. I was very happy, until he flopped a 6 and rivered a 4. Doh!
Suggestion:
As a general rule, you want to play the opposite your table image. For example, if you are a tight passive player, and start entering a series of pots with pre-flop raises, your raises will get more respect from opponents. It allows you to steal more often and pick up blinds and antes.
If your opponent views you as a loose, aggressive player, your opponents are more likely to call you down or even raise your bets.
Identify your opponents table image and figure out the table image you are projecting. It will improve your game. It will improve your decision making. Sometimes you will find that while raising an aggressive opponent is a smart play, folding with the same hand may be the right move against a tight opponent.
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