Poker Strategy

I found an interesting short read on poker strategy at http://www.holdempoker.com/poker-strategy. I liked it because it mentioned the different types of players and a couple of ways to key in to their weakness, inherent in their playing strategy and their strengths. think when you sit down at a table, and if you don't have some sort of Sharkscope or Holdem Manager to help you select a table, the first couple of rounds you have to key into your opponents. Sometimes I'll make notes on what styles each player is playing.

For the purposes of this post, I want to focus on one type of player. If I have an inclination that one player will fold to a certain size bet when repopped on the flop, I note that, and later when I need to create a stealing opportunity, I'm going after them. Even better, is there are players that will often call when repopped preflop and the fold post flop to any bet. I love these kinds of passive fish.

In tournament poker if you focus your two bets into them, preferably in position, you won't steal the blinds, you'll steal the blinds and whatever they call to see the flop. All you have to do is win two out of three for this move to be profitable. Against this type of player your c-bets will often be very successful. In cash texas hold 'em poker they can be just as lucrative. Even better, this pseudo-call stations will often call your flop bet and then fold to your aggression on the turn.

Course, I find if they can call your turn bet this particular type of player has hit his hand. Some players you want to fire a third barrel against, I find this passive fish isn't one of them. Still, you'll find that even firing two barrels will be profitable against him if you can isolate. You win 2 out of 3 and once every three hands, you are winning the preflop amounts, and your post flop bets. Can be lucrative.

The rest of the table isn't blind so you'll probably get a passenger or two down the line when you try and isolate. Now you'll have to be selective with your agression as usually these passengers have recognized you are picking on an opponent and raising light and c-betting empty. Next time we'll focus how to handle those players in a three way pot.