Interesting Questions

Hello,

I know I’ve been a tight, aggressive player. But I also know that being tight and aggressive won’t really help at all. By being such kind of player, I know I can’t triple or quadruple my buy-in. Only those who are usually LAGs can get paid off big. What do you think, am I just playing too weak tight or what?

By the way, my real reason for dropping by is because of these questions:

1. At all positions, I played all pocket pairs and will call a raise whenever my opponent has stack size bigger than 10 times of his raise. Also, I raise with AK s/o, AQ s/o, and try to limp with AJ s/o, A10 s/o, and all Ax suited. Not to mention that I also limp with KQ s/o, and may be KJ suited as well as all suited connectors from J10 down to 54. Do you think I’m being too tight as a player?
2. Against a raise, I love to play small pocket pairs for if I hit my set, I’ll get off big. But one thing I notice is that suited connectors win over. For an instance, 78s vs KK is 21% again 79%, which 33 vs KK is only 19% vs 81%. In your opinion, should I just call a raise with any suited connectors? I am not sure about raising with any suited connectors because I know almost all suited connectors are net losers and the real big money makers are all pocket pairs.
3. Normally, when I’m dealt AA, KK or QQ, I feel my adrenalin rushing. But along with this is the worry that someone at the table might give me a bad beat or flop a set that eventually would cause me to lose big bucks. Do you have an idea on how can you be sure when to lay down your big pocket pairs? For an instance you get AA, flop 7 5 2 with two diamonds, and when you bet 2/3 pot, someone re-raise you twice or went all-in. What will you do next? Lay down your pairs? Do you think it’s the sign you are waiting for? Does it mean you should lay it down? But how about when they call your flop bet, and when you bet ½ or 2/3 pot at turn, they re-raise you all-in then?
4. I’m now wondering as it seemed to me that playing at full ring NL1000 like a tight “set miner” is still okay. Any idea or suggestion?
5. On a certain forum, I learned that once I can get to mid stakes like NL400+, the money would be very good. Any idea about this?

Thank you.

Loise

Loise,

1. In some ways you are playing tight and some too loose. I would stay away from suited connectors below 7-8 and add some face cards with 10’s to your hands such as Q-10 and K-10. The reason I say stay away from low suited connectors is that while sometimes you can win big with them, there are many times they will make a sucker end or a weaker flush and cost you more money when two players happen to hit.
2. Playing pairs on a raise can be profitable when you hit your set. Playing suited connectors are much more tricky. I would stick with calling a raise when you do choose to play suited connectors. The value in them is when they hit big and you can win a big pot. If you raise with them and miss, you are just giving away money.
3. For your first scenario with the aces, you will want to call them on the flop or put them all in. Chances are they are on a draw or trying to push you out. As far as knowing when to get out with a big pair, when you have an underpair such as kings or queens and an ace hits the flop, there are times that you will have fallen behind, especially if you raised preflop and was call or have multiple callers. Also, sometimes you will need to lay down a big pair when the board has straightened or flushed or even paired. Knowing when to lay down these hands depends a lot on what you put your opponent on and their style of play.
   The best thing to do is to try and thin down the field the best you can when you hold a big pair.
4. In the long term, a solid player will be a long term winner. To be really successful in NL, you usually have to open up your style of play a bit.
5. The potential amount of money is greater as players have more money on the table, but the success that you will have at a game is directly relative to your ability and the ability of your opponents. You should strive to play the game that is most profitable based on your style and your opponents. If that means playing at NL200, then play there.