Poker Perambulation

Well, the Blogger event on P* is gone and the bad beat stories and runner-runner silliness is slowly wending its way to the Blogger's archive. Recently I've read three blogs that add some perspective – if that is possible – to our MTT endevors.

Instant Tragedy posted a hand history and I commented on it. That set the stage for this post.

Mojo gives us an AK tale that worked out in his recent B&M successes.

My buddy Glenda talks about respect.

All of this is interlocking. They are similar crime scenes and now CSI shows up to assemble the puzzle.

People play for a huge variety of reasons. Winning is often ancillary. Mojo is into tournament bridge and it is as cutthroat an environment as a WSOP event. It is also a game played over Martinis and finger foods. Objectives and play will vary to say the least.

We talk about our A-game along with level III moves. It is sexy. We test people for fun or use a upper level move on a fellow that's been eating a pizza, drinking a brew, and watching Dancing with the Stars. Our blocking bet or post-oak bluff goes right over his head. And, early in a tournament that's your typical opponent.

Now I've been on the wrong side of the plays outlined. They've been for a variety of reasons. Among the better is a read you think solid. But, the flaw often isn't in the read or watching the runner-runner hit him. It is in the style you've accepted or has been forced on you.

Most people – especially early – want to play big pot poker. Daniel Negreanu his a proponent of small pot poker. He has post after post about it. It is a solid concept; but, it is easily influenced.

The very last tournament I played sent me walking when I decided to play big pot. Part was due to stack and card history but it was my choice. I had AQs. He had A3. The hand was won with a 7 high straight. The blame here is – when honesty prevails – on both sides. I had solid reason for my preflop play and it was accurate to a high degree. Under other circumstances, it was easily a poor move.

When we move or are forced to move our game into the other player's strength/luck, we have to accept the results. NL engenders or at least makes possible what will happen. As good players – maybe only in our minds – we should seek to control the environment. That goes from tough to impossible. We have to be the one's to walk away from hands instead of tables.

Now the other side of that coin is holding something near the nuts. That's the joy. Early in 'my career' I was frustrated by the big pot players aggressive game. Now I look at all of it as an advantage. I try to lurk in the weeds as a seeming, intimidated player. All his bluffs had worked but he didn't realize I wasn't crippled – just waiting. That is lovely when it works while as often or more it doesn't. But, that's the game.

It is a fun game. That's my approach to it. That even that bluffing idiots approach though. That helps me stay on a relatively even keel.

ADDENDUM:

I've really taken a shine to a 2.20 tournament that goes off several times a day at Full Tilt.

It is a double-stack cashout. The cashout is the attractive part. You start with 3000 chips and $1 goes to the cashout pot and the other to the regular one. So, when you start, cashing out would only bring you $1. But, as the game progresses the value of the starting stack amount goes higher. I've cashed several times when it is down to less than 200 from a starting field of say 800. Cashing at that point with a decent stack can get you final table money.

There is a cashout button that you can mouse over that will tell you just what a full cashout will return. You have that or a partial cashout option. It gives one a great degree of flexibility.

Related posts:

1. Land of the Free