I need a few explanations about some of things NEWBS do...

that make them suck. I consider myself a semi-newb who plays low-limit ring games (.50-1.00 and 1.00-2.00) and cheaper NL SnG's ($10-20$). I have played online for about 6 months, and have made about 800 dollars on my original 200 dollar investment...meaning I am a slightly better than break even player. I have read HoH, as well as parts of low limit hold'em (Sklansky, Miller), Theory of Poker, and parts of Super System. I find myself reading a chapter or two and then getting excited and going and playing. Anyways, there is a sticky on this board call Why you suck at Limit Hold'em. Most of those things I don't do. There are a few I think I do, and a few I don't understand (so I probabaly do those things too). If the author, or any experienced player could help me out, I would appreciate it. The ones I would like further clarification on (or really, just a full explanation):

1. You open the pot for a limp outside of UTG/UTG+1 at a full table.
Does this mean limping in UTG or UTG+1 is O.K., or it isn't. I was told this isn't a good idea because if you're cards are good enough to play UTG then they are good enough to raise. When would be the first position deemed acceptable to limp in? It's possible I am just not understanding the terminology.

2. You jam your draws without enough pot equity (callers) and/or with very little fold equity destroying your implied odds in the process.
An explanation on pot equity (I'm vaguely familiar....something to do with your chance of winning is your share of the pot), and fold equity, and how it destroys your implied odds is what I nead here...LOL.

3. You raise the flop "for a free card" too often and then proceed to semi-bluff the turn anyway.
When is it correct to raise for a free card and when isn't? Are there any guidelines to go by?

4. You under-estimate how much of your profit comes from players that suck worse than you and fail to seek them out.
What is the easiest way to recognize them, and how do you seek them out? Play more pots they are involved in?

5. You expect to beat the rake for a healthy rate in any live game smaller than 4/8
Is this to mean I shouldn't expect to win playing my low limits? Is my slightly better than breaking even the best I can hope to do?


Thanks to anyone who took the time to read the post, and much thanks to anyone who can help me out with my newbie questions...

1. It depends, a mid range PP is ok to limp from UTG. Even KQs or equally marginal hands. ATo might be ok for your table.

2. i'm not clear on anything equity, but I do know that if you're in a field with 2-3 players, an OESD is not worth jamming the pot.

3. Say you have an OESD or a flush draw in position and you know your opponent will check to you if you raise the flop. You raise the flop bet to make it 2SB (1BB) and proceed to check the turn if you miss. Essentially you're paying 1BB for 2 cards instead of having to pay 1.5BB if you just called the flop bet.

4. Don't sink to their level. When I sit down at any limit table, I mark all of the cold callers at the table and they are my prime targets.

5. Live games usually have rakes of 10%, anything less than 4/8 you're probably not maxing the rake therefore losing the full 10%. This does not apply online because online is 5% and has a better rake structure.

I hate to "bump" an unpopular topic, but if anyone could help me out with these things I'd appreciate it.....

4. You under-estimate how much of your profit comes from players that suck worse than you and fail to seek them out.
What is the easiest way to recognize them, and how do you seek them out? Play more pots they are involved in?

Get Poker Tracker. Sit down next to someone with 50% VPIP. Rinse. Repeat.

1) in a low limit ring game I like to limp with Axs with x>7. I also like to limp with small-medium pockets and get a bigger pot.

2) For a flush and OESD, you need 3 players to break even on every raise on the flop. For every player more than that you gain that extra bet everytime you hit. Since you are roughly 33% to win both with a full 8 or 9 outs, then one raise with 3 callers gives your 4-1 when all you really need is 3-1. That extra bet is as good as change in your pocket when you do hit. If you have less than that, usually check/calling is good; unless you have position of course, in which case you could buy yourself a free card...

3) Which brings me here. Raising for a free card is pretty usefull, especially if it works perfectly. If you haven't read this: http://texas-holdem-poker.flopturnri...ldem-poker.php Then go ahead and do so. In it I explain about free cards. I generally do it at the low limits with a couple overcards following a PFR (such as AK) and in position. If you get bet into on teh turn however, you should probably fold unless you have odds to call down, such as gutshot draw, etc.

4) Find tables with bad players. At my 15/30 game I'll see tables that have 8 rocks or tags sitting there and wonder what they are doing. Playing against good players will only make you lose, especially to the rake. Find a good couple tables with some nice donators, like serial cold-callers or hyper-aggressives and camp for some hands and build the pots. I usually try to isolate the bad player a lot and I like to get position on him, then its HU every time and let the best player win. More often than not my isolation tactics work, because even if I'm a 40/60 underdog he plays so bad that I still have an advantage.

5) Live games, if you aren't too experienced at, I wouldn't get to worried about. You will probably be feeding the rake at everything below 4/8, but if you don't have the BR to play higher then nothing you can do about it. Grind it out and you'll make money.

Some more tips: Please read the entire SSH book and even ToP if you want a good read. They covers these topics more in-debth and more than likely you will be a better player because of it.

Originally Posted by outphase

5. Live games usually have rakes of 10%, anything less than 4/8 you're probably not maxing the rake therefore losing the full 10%. This does not apply online because online is 5% and has a better rake structure.

10% up to $3-$4, +$1 jackpot drop + $1tip or something like that. Given that, I don't see how 2/4 and 3/6 live can possibly be worth anyone's time...

3. When you guys say in position for the free card don't you really mean out of position? If you're UTG with AK or a draw and you miss the flop, check around, let someone bet and then raise them? Or can you do this late with the same cards?

Say you're on the button and the guy before you raises. I'm only reraising with the over cards in position if I'm hoping to push the checkers out, keep the drawers off their odds, and hopefully getting a free card. If I'm on a nut flush or OESD I'm calling along with most of the other stations to keep everyone adding to the pot. Bad idea?

You wouldn't ever open the betting and then reraise with overcards would you? Heads up?

Originally Posted by Rubix13

3. When you guys say in position for the free card don't you really mean out of position? If you're UTG with AK or a draw and you miss the flop, check around, let someone bet and then raise them? Or can you do this late with the same cards?

Say you're on the button and the guy before you raises. I'm only reraising with the over cards in position if I'm hoping to push the checkers out, keep the drawers off their odds, and hopefully getting a free card. If I'm on a nut flush or OESD I'm calling along with most of the other stations to keep everyone adding to the pot. Bad idea?

You wouldn't ever open the betting and then reraise with overcards would you? Heads up?

I think you can find a reason to do almost anything HU