Hold'em tournament

[Tuzio]

I am playing in a home game tonight and want some holdem advice. Got any?

 

[cirrhosis]

Holdem?

This isn't perverted, is it?

 

[TheChort]

you've got to be a little more specific than that.
But the best advice i can give is never slow play. If you've got a good hand, go in hard to scare away the little guys. The only time you're allowed to slow play is when you have the best possible hand and nothing that comes down could cause someone else to have a better hand than you (that's called the "nut").

 

[walla]

slow play and chase to the river. whenever you fold, demand to see what cards would have come up. complain at least every 3 hands that you haven't won in 3+ hands.

 

[Epic Fail]

limit or no limit?

limit: play tight

no limit: bet accordingly to the pot, bet at least half pot size if you have a good hand and there is a draw

 

[Tuzio]

Originally posted by: TheChort
you've got to be a little more specific than that.
But the best advice i can give is never slow play. If you've got a good hand, go in hard to scare away the little guys. The only time you're allowed to slow play is when you have the best possible hand and nothing that comes down could cause someone else to have a better hand than you (that's called the "nut").

Good advice, thanks. I hate slow play as it has burned me in the past.

 

[Tuzio]

Originally posted by: yamadakun
limit or no limit?

limit: play tight

no limit: bet accordingly to the pot, bet at least half pot size if you have a good hand and there is a draw

Thanks, I am a bit of a newbie so that should come in handy for the half-pot bets

 

[walla]

Originally posted by: TheChort
you've got to be a little more specific than that.
But the best advice i can give is never slow play. If you've got a good hand, go in hard to scare away the little guys. The only time you're allowed to slow play is when you have the best possible hand and nothing that comes down could cause someone else to have a better hand than you (that's called the "nut").

i would say slow playing is better when there is fewer people. if you are slow playing against 5+ people, letting 5 hands draw to beat you...it can backfire quite severely.

but if you are down to 1 or 2 other hands...sometimes you let them draw even if you don't have the best possible hand. it also depends on the types of people you play against.

but i definitely think there is a time and place for slowplay.

 

[TheChort]

Originally posted by: walla

Originally posted by: TheChort
you've got to be a little more specific than that.
But the best advice i can give is never slow play. If you've got a good hand, go in hard to scare away the little guys. The only time you're allowed to slow play is when you have the best possible hand and nothing that comes down could cause someone else to have a better hand than you (that's called the "nut").

i would say slow playing is better when there is fewer people. if you are slow playing against 5+ people, letting 5 hands draw to beat you...it can backfire quite severely.

but if you are down to 1 or 2 other hands...sometimes you let them draw even if you don't have the best possible hand. it also depends on the types of people you play against.

but i definitely think there is a time and place for slowplay.

agreed.
I suppose i have been burned the most when i slow played on a big table. But when things come down to a couple people, it's like a whole new game.

 

[Tuzio]

I also want to try to re-raise some people to 'test' the strength of their hands. Any ideas if this is a good idea or not?

 

[walla]

Originally posted by: Tuzio
I also want to try to re-raise some people to 'test' the strength of their hands. Any ideas if this is a good idea or not?

if you can afford it. i usually play against the type of people who will re-re-raise you, no matter what they have. aggressive, head-strong players.

of course...if you have pocket A's and this is all pre-flop...re-raise until there isn't any re-raising left.

 

[Epic Fail]

also depending on the structure of the tournament, if blinds/antes go up sharply as play goes on, play a lot more hands in the beginning, especially drawing hands and play aggressive if you hit. you won't win a lot, but you will be investing the small money to have a very loose image and can bust someone out if you make the nut

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

As others have said come in strong pre-flop with good pocket cards, there's nothing worse than losing to a small straight when you started with QQ in your hand. That, and mind your tells.

 

[deftron]

Put at least five Aces up your sleeve

 

[shilala]

Patience, confidence, and a half decent hand helps.
Check and raise if you're on the button with a good hand and the other wangs are coming out aggressively. It'll put them on their heels when you take half their money.