Friday, December 21, 2012

More Quick Exercises – Part Four

OK, I gave you a day off.  You probably needed it, not being able to see your hole cards (see Exercise #3).  Maybe you spent some extra time on that exercise, or, maybe you took the day off from poker entirely…did some last minute shopping, watched the awkwardly named SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl, maybe actually did some work around the office or house.

Today’s exercise will be the last for 2012, as I want to get into bet sizing, and that will be a lengthy discussion…I think.  And with all the holidays coming up (Christmas, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, New Years, Capital One Bowl Week), it’s probably a good idea to keep your learning (and poker) on the back burner.  So just this one, a simple exercise, really.

Here it is – play in a Sit n Go, and target ONE (weak) player, and make him your “poker bitch” until you break/bust him.

This is the ultimate in “playing the player.”  Your opponent might not even know he’s being targeted.  All he’ll know is that whenever it seems like he has a hand, and he gets involved, you’re right there to raise, call, re-raise…you’re a constant threat and pain in the ass.

Now, obviously, you can’t just go off willy-nilly at someone.  Find a fairly timid player, one who you recognize as a calling station or a tight-passive.  You’ll always have a pretty good idea as to his holdings, so the first few times you fire at/back at him, you really don’t need to have much in the way of cards; in fact, the lousier the better in case he retaliates, and you can get away from the hand without too much damage if he hits his holdings.

But if it’s obvious that’s he’s a “fit or fold” player, and he doesn’t fit the flop, wail away.

Eventually he’ll get frustrated and look you up, which is when you push him (and at this point you should have the near nuts).  Then, once you’ve eliminated him, go after the next fish.  Lather, rinse, repeat.

That’s how you win tournaments, but you knew that.  Try this exercise in a 6-max, then a full-table SnG.  Have some fun with it (and yes, now you can look at your hole cards, but you don’t have to).

And let me wish you all a Happy Holidays (remember, there are lots of ‘em this time of year).  Be with family.  Hug your kids (especially this season).  And be ready to play some poker in 2013, provided the Mayans are wrong.Happy Holidays (hhh

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