standard vs. more tricky play at micro stakes

More and more I am starting to think that doing anything other than totally standard does not work at micro stakes. I feel like every time I put on a move that should work, they call me down with utter shit, and it happens to be that there shit is better than my shit. The most annoying thing is that I am not 100% confident that I know exactly how to play totally standard. Does anyone have any input or advice to learn to become a more standard player?

Don't bluff and don't fire second barrels. Value bet.

Originally Posted by NLHE lahooozaher

Don't bluff and don't fire second barrels. Value bet.

Echoed.

Also, realise why standard is standard.

I think will the only thing you should be working on is not finding spots to bluff, when you bluff calling stations overall it just helps them beat you. Rather look for places to add an extra value bet, there are a lot of them.

And yes in general your right the best lines tend to be bet/bet/bet/raise/bet/raise/bet, really at any level.

Originally Posted by will641

More and more I am starting to think that doing anything other than totally standard does not work at micro stakes. I feel like every time I put on a move that should work, they call me down with utter shit, and it happens to be that there shit is better than my shit. The most annoying thing is that I am not 100% confident that I know exactly how to play totally standard. Does anyone have any input or advice to learn to become a more standard player?

I think this is a bit true, but I think you are also not thinking hard enough about their hand and what lines in what situation will make them fold. Bluff a lot less of course if they are calling stations and value bet, but it's also possible your lines that should work might look bluffy. Post some of your bluffs so we can see.

It's not about being tricky. It's about reading your opponents. If they call too much bet more. If you want to be tricky check your stronger hands and hope they catch 3rd pair. If they fold too much bet more, especially on scare cards.

It used to be everyone called to much always. Now there are a mixutre of different kinds of bad players.

here is a bluff.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (6 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

MP ($51.15)
CO ($145.70)
Hero ($48.30)
SB ($32.45)
BB ($60.70)
UTG ($63.70)

Preflop: Hero is Button with 3, 4.
3 folds, Hero raises to $2, SB calls $1.75, 1 fold.

Flop: ($4.50) Q, T, 8 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $3, SB calls $3.

Turn: ($10.50) 2 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $7, SB calls $7.

River: ($24.50) 9 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $36.3 (All-In), SB folds.

Final Pot: $-11.80

Play value-poker against those bozos, not pressure-poker. Pressure poker (second barrels, floating, sick river bluffs ISF style) are not against usual microstakes morons because their inability to read hands and making laydowns. Folding missed draw b y them on river is _not_ a "laydown".

Bet/fold decent hands on river. Value-bet decent top pairs. Something like 1/3 pot, depending on potsize of course.

Try to get two streets of value with weaker hands like JJ on Qxx or AQ on KQx. Bet/fold-check/fold-bet/fold line with second pairs, middle pairs top kicker etc. to get value from crappier hands.

Tighten up with c-bets.

REALLY tighten up with second barrels

Your third barrel bluffs should be almost non-existent. If you get fold, it'll be most likely from missed draws because no one on micros is folding top pair to big bet EVER.

Don't squeeze with air. It's not worth it, they won't fold their ATs but they will stack off for 100BB to KK on Ten high board.

About this 3d 4d hand:

When you play against a bunch of Jamie Golds, consider cutting off bully plays like this. Have some high card power, especially against loose half-buys.

Flop bet: as played, g00t.

Turn: against loosie, take the card. Second barrel looks more interesting when it's nit vs nit and you're OOP.

River: well, I dunno, I got burned a lot by trying to bluff off TP, but here it looks he is on some missed draw and is willing to muck it. If he folds missed draws (and doesn't c/r river) but calls any bet with a pair+, then even $8 will make it. But if he folds everything but Jack to push, then push is probably more +EV.