In a prior Poker Player article, "In Play," I noted the importance of getting cards in play if you want to win at poker. True, you may lose. Yet, if you never get the cards in play, you'll spend most of your time watching others play the game-watching others win pots and perhaps whining that you never get a playable hand. You deserve a "Poor baby!" and the boredom that you have wished upon yourself. Sure, it's not good to play any cards just to get the cards into action. Yet, the next question is, "When is it the best time to put the ball in play?"
Just as nothing happens in games like baseball unless the ball is put into play; so too, spending time popping up easy flies to catch is not putting the ball into optimum play. Some players in poker will only put the cards into play if they have high odds to win. Others will play any two cards and end up seldom getting on base. Yet, as I mentioned in the prior article, both extremes have their liabilities. Tight players who only swing at fast balls well inside the strike zone will get few hits and fewer home runs. Batters who stretch and hit the outside pitches will do a lot better-and more often. After all, most pitches are off center. The same is true in poker. Most hands are less than perfect. When pocket high pairs are dealt, they are often beaten by two small pair. So, what's the point? Playing too tight or too loose is not when to put the cards in action. Rather, when to put cards into action have to do with two things: position and opponents.
The question becomes what position is the best to play less than perfect hole cards? Most experienced Hold 'em players will say that there are four positions where gambling with poor "soccer hands" (Big cards with small kickers) is doable. It's the first two positions (the Blinds) and the last two positions (to the right and on the button). Why? Well, in the blinds when everyone is limping in, you have a good excuse for playing such soccer hands. You might get lucky and if the flop doesn't help, you can fold without losing that much. It's the price of gambling. When you are the last to act, you have the advantage of knowing how other players are doing. In they all limp in, your high one hole card might end up the top pair. If so, and if everyone checks to you on the button, chances are you have the best hand. So, position will determine when you play with less than perfect hole cards. Of course, if you are in the blinds or in late position and you have a monster pair of hole cards, your chances of surprising the rest of the players is high. It's a surprise because most experienced players already know that late position players or the blinds are playing with poor "soccer hands."
Of course, the next important consideration is determining who your opponents are. Weak hands will work with players who also play weak hands. With players who only play quality hole cards, for you to play poor soccer hands becomes less of a choice. It's important to evaluate all the players to your left. For example, if you have a King and six (unsuited), you might be tempted to play it if everyone to your left is an average player. However, if you have a player who only plays quality hole cards, you are likely to lose when poker changes to soccer. The bigger kicker will win and cost you in the end.
by Jim McKenna filed under Strategy [Originally appeared in the December 25, 2006 issue of Poker Player]
Just as nothing happens in games like baseball unless the ball is put into play; so too, spending time popping up easy flies to catch is not putting the ball into optimum play. Some players in poker will only put the cards into play if they have high odds to win. Others will play any two cards and end up seldom getting on base. Yet, as I mentioned in the prior article, both extremes have their liabilities. Tight players who only swing at fast balls well inside the strike zone will get few hits and fewer home runs. Batters who stretch and hit the outside pitches will do a lot better-and more often. After all, most pitches are off center. The same is true in poker. Most hands are less than perfect. When pocket high pairs are dealt, they are often beaten by two small pair. So, what's the point? Playing too tight or too loose is not when to put the cards in action. Rather, when to put cards into action have to do with two things: position and opponents.
The question becomes what position is the best to play less than perfect hole cards? Most experienced Hold 'em players will say that there are four positions where gambling with poor "soccer hands" (Big cards with small kickers) is doable. It's the first two positions (the Blinds) and the last two positions (to the right and on the button). Why? Well, in the blinds when everyone is limping in, you have a good excuse for playing such soccer hands. You might get lucky and if the flop doesn't help, you can fold without losing that much. It's the price of gambling. When you are the last to act, you have the advantage of knowing how other players are doing. In they all limp in, your high one hole card might end up the top pair. If so, and if everyone checks to you on the button, chances are you have the best hand. So, position will determine when you play with less than perfect hole cards. Of course, if you are in the blinds or in late position and you have a monster pair of hole cards, your chances of surprising the rest of the players is high. It's a surprise because most experienced players already know that late position players or the blinds are playing with poor "soccer hands."
Of course, the next important consideration is determining who your opponents are. Weak hands will work with players who also play weak hands. With players who only play quality hole cards, for you to play poor soccer hands becomes less of a choice. It's important to evaluate all the players to your left. For example, if you have a King and six (unsuited), you might be tempted to play it if everyone to your left is an average player. However, if you have a player who only plays quality hole cards, you are likely to lose when poker changes to soccer. The bigger kicker will win and cost you in the end.
by Jim McKenna filed under Strategy [Originally appeared in the December 25, 2006 issue of Poker Player]