A testimonial for my Razz Poker book...

from a player on Full Tilt:

"I love it. It's simple and the live plays are great. I love the point system, its a gem." -vincentca2004

I played at the $10-$20 game...it actually is better than the $8-$16 since the antes are the same, and you get better odds. Of course, the results helped as after 90 minutes, I won $500.

The first two hands I had were (A-2) 3 and I lost, so I was down $100 real fast.

Things improved, even though I no longer had those great wheel draw starting hands. I had to make some tough calls on 5th and 6th street, but they paid off.

The Full Tilt Software Wanted Me...

To Lose from the Start.

Sometimes I get a feeling...which is either a winning one, or a bad feeling. From the beginning, I had the bad one...like the software was going to punish me...and it did.

First, entered the $75 Event...lost all 4 times it was heads up...too big a hole to get out..and went out early.

Second, went to a $5-$10 cash game and it was not nice at all....it was one of those 7-6 versus 7-5 type of situations....Lost $100

Finally, went to the $8-$16 game...I played two hands in an hour and lost. My favorite:

Board K-Q-9-7-10-9...the K brings it in. It is folded to me...I'm the 7 and I raise. The second 9 calls.

Heads-up on the flop:
Me: (5-8) 7
Opponent (x-x) 9

4th street:
Me: (5-8) 7-3
Opponent (x-x) 9-10

I bet figuring he'd fold...no he calls.

5th street:
Me: (5-8) 7-3-3
Opponent (x-x) 9-10-7

He checks and I bet. He raises and I re-raise. He calls.
He has a made 10 low, I have an 8-7 draw...I am the favorite even with his draw....plus I also can outdraw him.

6th street:
Me: (5-8) 7-3-3-A
Opponent (x-x) 9-10-7-6

He bets! I raise. He calls. I have a made 8 against his made 9, and no doubt a good draw.

So, what does he have?

Opponent (2-4) 9-10-7-6. This means he needs an Ace, 3 or 5 to be sure he wins the pot. Well, that gives him 9 outs or 18%.

The river I hit paint and he gets his 5.

Not a fun way to go...

It was just not going to happen tonight...left after another $190 loss.

Total loss tonight...-$265. Tough to give that money from last night back. But, it happens...

Razz versus No Limit poker

If only every night went this smooth! I played for an hour and won $310.

Every hand I played fell into place....again, my one loss was starting with 3 cards to a bike and my opponent caught up on the river.

Actually, when it was only three players we were talking about Razz and how to play. Also, there was a question about odds...so it was a simulation I had run. One player had a made J and the other player had an 8 draw...the player with the J decided to gamble even though he was behind....and lost.

It turns out he thought it was like 48/52...but actually he was 40/60.

The one thing about Razz is that there are a lot fewer bad beats than in NL...even though players get more frustrated in Razz. I think it's the illusion of control...in NL you feel you can control your outcome more by outsmarting your opponent.

The reality is that every kind of limit game--not just Razz--constrains creativity. After all an opponent just has to call one more bet.

NL is more fun since it gives players more of a rush--especially since you can risk all your money.

Still, I believe Razz is an easier game to win money at than NL...The level of skill at NL is so evenly distributed among players, while that's not the case at Razz...

Oh, I just heard from a friend on Brickin' the Nuts, that FT has a $75 buy-in game on Tuesday nights...so I'll have to check that out. There's a rumor that a site may even test pot limit Razz...interesting.

A Day of Tilt!

I missed the time for the PS $1 million tourney by 3 hours...mixed up the starting times...by the time I got to the event, I was on the BB and all-in. So, I got to see myself get knocked out...that was fun.

I went to play in the $8-$16 cash game, and had the best run of starting hands ever! All 3 cards to a wheel maybe 6 out of the first 10 hands...and I lost 4 of them! Unreal...I got angry and made some really dumb plays....TILT!

I was down almost $220, when I won some back, so I was only down $120.

I decided to move to the $24 buy-in tourney....but got knocked out when my first 4 cards was a 6 low and my opponent called me down showing a pair of Aces. He hit a wheel on the river to knock me out.

Bad day...I think the software was fooling with my head...it won and I lost $150.

Won Razz Poker Tourney-only a $24 buy-in

Won $500 for the night...

Started at the $5-$10 cash game. One player kept raising me heads up when I had the lead on 3rd, so it was capped all the time, and on 4th, and it was capped again, and then slowed down and just called when I was still ahead on 5th. But, he hit two perfect cards to beat me not just the first time but also the second time.

Called me an idiot...which was funny.

The third time he did it, he lost and right away left the game.

The table broke-up, and I went to another table...and I lost against a player who was calling my raises with a K, Q, and J...I lost every time, when he caught up and won on the river.

It was very mean going...I was down -$170.

I entered the $24 Razz event...92 players...This was a much better structure than the $10 buy-in event, as you have more chips and more time.

I only had to get lucky once, since the players were making mistakes. When it got down to the final table I had 30% of the total chips. When it was down to 3 players, I was in the lead. And, then the player to my left kept calling my raises with a Q and J--and would win by catching better cards. It was funny because when I was stealing, he folded, and when I had a good low he was calling with picture cards and beating me.

Soon I was in 3rd place...finally I started to win back the chips and I knocked out the other player.

Heads-up I had a 60/40 lead, but lost 2 big pots, and was now down 25/75. This player kept lucking out against me...hey, it happens.

I started to come back a little. And,then this player made a mistake when on 5th, he had an 8 low draw against my 9 made hand. He is of the mistaken belief that he was ahead--he was not, as I showed in my book. So, when he re-raised me, I raised again..this time he just called. Even though he improved to a 10 low, there was so much money in the pot, he called on the river and lost.

I had retaken the lead--albeit a slight one.

On the last hand, I slow-played a hand on 5th, when I was re-raised and just called --even though I knew I had the lead. On 6th street, I check raised..and was called. On the river my 6-5 low became a wheel...game over! Game took longer than I thought.

Earlier tonight in the cash game, I got criticized for re-raising on 4th or 5th street to try to narrow the number of players from either 3 or 4 players...again, this is the correct play since it increases your chance of winning substantially by being heads-up.

Of course, it does backfire when the player in the lead doesn't raise to force out the other player. Oh well...

Not enough Razz players Friday night...

Only 2 short handed tables at the $5-$10 level...so I figured I'd play at a $10 Razz tourney. I had 15 minutes until the event began, so I went to the $5-$10 game and lost one big hand when my opponent caught up on the river...it happens...The table lost a few players so we were down to 4 players...with a few minutes to go, the only game with at least 6 players was the $15-$30 game...ante'd a few times but nothing to play and no time to identify player types......After never getting out of the starting gate at the tourney...I tried again.

I looked to play Razz again...I found 6 players at the $5-$10 game...and after a few hands everyone left except for me and two other players. Bummer...I decided to leave as well.

Total loss of $82.

Insight #1: Razz Poker and Procter & Gamble

Since I won't have time to play tonight..Here is Insight #1...

When I worked with P&G, one of the first things I learned was the importance of consumer habits when it came to marketing. P&G spends millions and millions of dollars on studies to research our habits. If you understand people's habits, you have taken the first step in being successful in marketing. The fact is that people don't change their habits unless there is an overwhelming reason to do so.

If you need proof, look at technology. The older you are, the more ingrained you are in your habits, and the less likely you are to try something new. The younger you are, the more likely you are to be willing to try a new tech-item because you are still developing your habits. For example, how long did it take you to get your parents to try email? (These are generalizations, of course, but they are directionally fact.)

People feel uncomfortable when you try to get them to change a habit. For example, if you brush your teeth holding the brush with your right hand, it would feel a little strange if you tried to use your left hand instead. But, what if I told you that your teeth would be healthier? Would you become a lefty? At first, yes, but you're habit is so ingrained you'll be back to a right handed brusher before you know it.

The same is true for Razz poker. Players have habits. If you observe the players around you, you will witness certain habits of players. At the most basic level, here are some common player types, their habits and how to take advantage of these habits with your starting hand:

a) The ABC player: Knows that he should only start with three cards to an eight. Habit: When he believes he is ahead, he will raise. When he thinks he may be raised from a player yet to act, he will call. When he doesn't have the goods, he folds. (Sound familiar?)

Opportunities:
When he raises, you know where he is at--three cards to an 8 low. This will make it very easy to play your hand.
When he calls, you know he has the same type of hand, but he is aware of possible lower starting hands behind him. In fact, if he has played a hand for a while, he may even be calling with a hidden 9 card for his starting low.

If you and this ABC player are the only ones with low cards on the board, raise when you are first in the hand, regardless of your hole cards. You are betting that he does not have three cards to an 8.

When he calls, and you do have a good hand, you should raise and try to get heads-up.
This is a player who you can figure out quickly since his play is on auto-pilot.

Vary your play when it looks like you are always making the same play against this opponent: The next time, only raise when you have at least one low card in the hole. You don't want to be seen as being predictable.


b) The Aggressive player: Knows he can win more pots by raising and betting, than waiting for the three cards to an eight.
Habit: Raising when first in a hand with any low card showing.

Opportunities:
This is the type of player you will win lots of money against long term.
When he raises with a low card showing, and you have a lower card showing, re-raise and try to get heads up.
When he raises with a low card showing, and you have a higher low card showing (8 or lower), re-raise and try to get heads up.
When he raises since he has the 2nd low card remaining before the bring-in bettor, and you have the other low card, re-raise.

The reason you are making these re-raises and not calling is because you want to be heads-up and you know that if you get a better card on 4th street, you will often win with a bet. And, it gives you pot odds to call a bet when you are behind on 4th street...to see what happens on 5th street.

Vary your play: Since this player is aggressive, you want to have the edge most of the time, so only re-raise when you have at least one low card in the hole. You should avoid calling this player, unless it is to vary your play, and not be seen as bashing this opponent.

c) The Cautious player: Wants to make sure he has the best starting hand, before he raises.
Habit: Raises only when he knows he has the best starting hand. Otherwise, he will limp.

Opportunities:
You will rarely win a big pot against the cautious player, but you can win more pots, and also avoid losing big pots.
When he raises, and you have a good starting hand, just call.
When he calls, and you have a good starting hand, raise to get heads up.
Play straight-forward Razz poker against the cautious player. Remember if he checks, you must bet.

If you just identify these three types of players and figure out their habits, you will go from a poker player to a winning Razz poker player.