February 2009
Looking at the Blindstealing Poker Maneuver
27/02/09 16:13 Filed in: Poker Strategy | Poker-Tips
Coming out on top in poker often requires some fairly nasty maneuvers. One of the best (and most profitable) of these is a strategy commonly referred to as a blindstealing play. Here are some basic details on how to pull off the steps necessary for a blindsteal.
Blindstealing involves a late position player’s ability to capitalize on a competitor’s need to post blinds and is especially effective later in a game when blinds becoming increasingly expensive. The idea is simple: blindstealing involves playing on the diminished capital of an opponent who has already been forced to invest chips in a hand through posting a blind.
The hand should be raised even before the flop and can still be performed with relatively weak cards. Blind posting competitors will be more likely to fold due to the inherent pressure created by already having been made to spend money, creating a situation where it’s possible to extract a bit of their bankroll before they back off from not wanting to lose even more money in a single round.
It’s fairly apparent but still worth noting that performing a blindsteal play is a poor idea early in a game when blinds are still inexpensive enough not to make a significant difference in a competitor’s actions. If the blinds aren’t large enough to create the appropriate level of pressure then the maneuver won’t be effective.
The blindsteals maneuver may be ruthless but it’s also an intelligent method of knocking out (even temporarily) weak competition while gaining a few extra chips for your bankroll.
This post is brought to you from the Findabet.co.uk Poker Blog. If you are reading this on a blog other than Findabet.co.uk then the content has been stolen - Poker Tips and Poker Providers
Blindstealing involves a late position player’s ability to capitalize on a competitor’s need to post blinds and is especially effective later in a game when blinds becoming increasingly expensive. The idea is simple: blindstealing involves playing on the diminished capital of an opponent who has already been forced to invest chips in a hand through posting a blind.
The hand should be raised even before the flop and can still be performed with relatively weak cards. Blind posting competitors will be more likely to fold due to the inherent pressure created by already having been made to spend money, creating a situation where it’s possible to extract a bit of their bankroll before they back off from not wanting to lose even more money in a single round.
It’s fairly apparent but still worth noting that performing a blindsteal play is a poor idea early in a game when blinds are still inexpensive enough not to make a significant difference in a competitor’s actions. If the blinds aren’t large enough to create the appropriate level of pressure then the maneuver won’t be effective.
The blindsteals maneuver may be ruthless but it’s also an intelligent method of knocking out (even temporarily) weak competition while gaining a few extra chips for your bankroll.
This post is brought to you from the Findabet.co.uk Poker Blog. If you are reading this on a blog other than Findabet.co.uk then the content has been stolen - Poker Tips and Poker Providers
A Handful of Poker Tells: Part Four of Four
23/02/09 19:43 Filed in: Poker Strategy | Poker-Tips
This is the fourth part of a four part mini series on Poker Tells. The first part can be found here. The second part can be found here.The third part can be found here.
Our last look at tells is focused on picking up on deliberate poker tells that can be found through the actions of a player who is bluffing on weak hands. While players with weak hands attempt to stay under the radar and keep the pot as low as possible they may exhibit certain behaviour that can be turned to your advantage.
Staring is one of the easiest giveaways you can hope to find in a bluffing situation. An opponent who attempts intimidation through a persistent stare is most likely trying to unnerve you or others and actually holds a weak set of cards.
Threatening with poker chips is another deliberate tell that can greatly help in informing your decisions. A competitor that reaches to place his or her poker chips during an opponent’s turn is most likely making an intimidation attempt and is bluffing with a weak hand. The same is true for a competitor who rushes the last moments of their competitor’s turn in an attempt to force their action or make a premature claim of the pot (a move that tries to show that they are just acting slightly ahead of their “inevitable” win).
Inexperienced poker players will be the safest bet for waging any serious money within these situations. It may not be wise to risk too much of your bankroll on bluffing tells unless you’re quite sure that what you’re noticing is clear enough to place money on. Remember the importance of caution in trying to exert pressure on a bluffing player.
This post is brought to you from the Findabet.co.uk Poker Blog. If you are reading this on a blog other than Findabet.co.uk then the content has been stolen - Poker Tips and Poker Providers
Our last look at tells is focused on picking up on deliberate poker tells that can be found through the actions of a player who is bluffing on weak hands. While players with weak hands attempt to stay under the radar and keep the pot as low as possible they may exhibit certain behaviour that can be turned to your advantage.
Staring is one of the easiest giveaways you can hope to find in a bluffing situation. An opponent who attempts intimidation through a persistent stare is most likely trying to unnerve you or others and actually holds a weak set of cards.
Threatening with poker chips is another deliberate tell that can greatly help in informing your decisions. A competitor that reaches to place his or her poker chips during an opponent’s turn is most likely making an intimidation attempt and is bluffing with a weak hand. The same is true for a competitor who rushes the last moments of their competitor’s turn in an attempt to force their action or make a premature claim of the pot (a move that tries to show that they are just acting slightly ahead of their “inevitable” win).
Inexperienced poker players will be the safest bet for waging any serious money within these situations. It may not be wise to risk too much of your bankroll on bluffing tells unless you’re quite sure that what you’re noticing is clear enough to place money on. Remember the importance of caution in trying to exert pressure on a bluffing player.
This post is brought to you from the Findabet.co.uk Poker Blog. If you are reading this on a blog other than Findabet.co.uk then the content has been stolen - Poker Tips and Poker Providers
A Handful of Poker Tells: Part Three of Four
23/02/09 06:32 Filed in: Poker Strategy | Poker-Tips
This is the third part of a four part mini series on Poker Tells. The first part can be found here. The second part can be found here.
Now that we’ve looked at a number of typical signs of unconscious poker tells its worth getting into deliberate poker tells and what they can tell you about your opponent’s hand.
Deliberate poker tells are those behaviours that a poker player puts on consciously in an effort to conceal their true expressions and attitude toward a given situation. Although they can be more difficult to spot than unconscious tells, a keen eye and the ability to pick up on uncharacteristic displays can help a great deal in spotting their presence in a competitor.
One of the easiest deliberate poker tells to spot is when a player is feigning weakness to hide a strong hand. Exaggerated sighs or persistent brooding throughout a hand will usually be the easiest way to pick up on someone attempting this. It is most easily spotted when you notice large pauses between calling or betting action as this is something that is meant to simulate indecision about playing the hand. Competitors with strong cards will exhibit tells that are meant to sweeten the pot as much as possible so it’s important to always be on the look-out for them in order to hang onto your chips.
Weak poker hands and pure bluffs are much harder to spot and are thus a lot riskier to pull off. The next article will detail how to pick up on deliberate tells in this type of situation.
This post is brought to you from the Findabet.co.uk Poker Blog. If you are reading this on a blog other than Findabet.co.uk then the content has been stolen - Poker Tips and Poker Providers
Now that we’ve looked at a number of typical signs of unconscious poker tells its worth getting into deliberate poker tells and what they can tell you about your opponent’s hand.
Deliberate poker tells are those behaviours that a poker player puts on consciously in an effort to conceal their true expressions and attitude toward a given situation. Although they can be more difficult to spot than unconscious tells, a keen eye and the ability to pick up on uncharacteristic displays can help a great deal in spotting their presence in a competitor.
One of the easiest deliberate poker tells to spot is when a player is feigning weakness to hide a strong hand. Exaggerated sighs or persistent brooding throughout a hand will usually be the easiest way to pick up on someone attempting this. It is most easily spotted when you notice large pauses between calling or betting action as this is something that is meant to simulate indecision about playing the hand. Competitors with strong cards will exhibit tells that are meant to sweeten the pot as much as possible so it’s important to always be on the look-out for them in order to hang onto your chips.
Weak poker hands and pure bluffs are much harder to spot and are thus a lot riskier to pull off. The next article will detail how to pick up on deliberate tells in this type of situation.
This post is brought to you from the Findabet.co.uk Poker Blog. If you are reading this on a blog other than Findabet.co.uk then the content has been stolen - Poker Tips and Poker Providers
A Handful of Poker Tells: Part Two of Four
17/02/09 10:50 Filed in: Poker Strategy | Poker-Tips
This is the second part of a four part mini series on Poker Tells. The first part can be found here.
In the first half of our look at poker tells we examined a handful of unconscious tells and what they can reveal about your opponents hand. Here we will examine a few more in order to provide you with a better list of tells to watch out for.
The calling-reflex is one of the major patterns to try to spot. A competitor who is obviously attempting to remain calm and inconspicuous is usually bluffing and if their body/facial language doesn’t betray them then watch for any tics when they’re calling a bet.
Card watching can tell a good player a lot about their opponent as well. If a competitor glances quickly at their pocket and then puts it down right after every newly deal it’s quite likely that they’re holding a strong set of cards. Frequent glancing after every development on the river is a sure sign of an incomplete hand. In the same vein, a player who is protecting their cards from view without frequent reference usually means a strong pocket is present.
Chip placement is also a great place to pick up a few hints about your opponents. If they try to conceal any emotion while placing their bets then it’s likely that they’re trying to hide any emotion and probably have a good hand. Over-exaggerated behaviour usually means the opposite and is meant to hide the existence of a weak hand.
This post is brought to you from the Findabet.co.uk Poker Blog. If you are reading this on a blog other than Findabet.co.uk then the content has been stolen - Poker Tips and Poker Providers
In the first half of our look at poker tells we examined a handful of unconscious tells and what they can reveal about your opponents hand. Here we will examine a few more in order to provide you with a better list of tells to watch out for.
The calling-reflex is one of the major patterns to try to spot. A competitor who is obviously attempting to remain calm and inconspicuous is usually bluffing and if their body/facial language doesn’t betray them then watch for any tics when they’re calling a bet.
Card watching can tell a good player a lot about their opponent as well. If a competitor glances quickly at their pocket and then puts it down right after every newly deal it’s quite likely that they’re holding a strong set of cards. Frequent glancing after every development on the river is a sure sign of an incomplete hand. In the same vein, a player who is protecting their cards from view without frequent reference usually means a strong pocket is present.
Chip placement is also a great place to pick up a few hints about your opponents. If they try to conceal any emotion while placing their bets then it’s likely that they’re trying to hide any emotion and probably have a good hand. Over-exaggerated behaviour usually means the opposite and is meant to hide the existence of a weak hand.
This post is brought to you from the Findabet.co.uk Poker Blog. If you are reading this on a blog other than Findabet.co.uk then the content has been stolen - Poker Tips and Poker Providers
A Handful of Poker Tells: Part One of Four
17/02/09 08:19 Filed in: Poker Strategy | Poker-Tips
This is the first part of a four part mini series on Poker Tells.
The best way to look at poker tells is within two distinct categories: unconscious and deliberate tells. Being able to understand the difference between these signs can be of great importance for serious poker players and is well worth studying for use in face-to-face games. The first half of our examination of poker tells will focus on typical examples of unconscious tells.
Unconscious tells are the type that you’re most likely to notice in an amateur game where the table is comprised of competitors who have not yet trained themselves to properly conceal these signs. They’re categorized by the player’s lack of control over the noted behaviour and occur without deliberate intention.
Nervousness is often thought of as a sign of a weak hand when in fact the opposite is true. A competitor that seems wary is most likely adopting the behaviour as a way to conceal a strong hand and, luckily, fake nerves are often easy to spot.
Another easily noticeable unconscious tell is found in an opponent’s posture. Players with a strong poker hand are more likely to sit forward or tense their shoulders because they are concentrating on how to best utilize their pocket. A relaxed competitor is more likely to be holding weak cards and will sit back in their seat or display dropped, hanging shoulders due to their psychological resignation for the duration of the hand.
This post is brought to you from the Findabet.co.uk Poker Blog. If you are reading this on a blog other than Findabet.co.uk then the content has been stolen - Poker Tips and Poker Providers
The best way to look at poker tells is within two distinct categories: unconscious and deliberate tells. Being able to understand the difference between these signs can be of great importance for serious poker players and is well worth studying for use in face-to-face games. The first half of our examination of poker tells will focus on typical examples of unconscious tells.
Unconscious tells are the type that you’re most likely to notice in an amateur game where the table is comprised of competitors who have not yet trained themselves to properly conceal these signs. They’re categorized by the player’s lack of control over the noted behaviour and occur without deliberate intention.
Nervousness is often thought of as a sign of a weak hand when in fact the opposite is true. A competitor that seems wary is most likely adopting the behaviour as a way to conceal a strong hand and, luckily, fake nerves are often easy to spot.
Another easily noticeable unconscious tell is found in an opponent’s posture. Players with a strong poker hand are more likely to sit forward or tense their shoulders because they are concentrating on how to best utilize their pocket. A relaxed competitor is more likely to be holding weak cards and will sit back in their seat or display dropped, hanging shoulders due to their psychological resignation for the duration of the hand.
This post is brought to you from the Findabet.co.uk Poker Blog. If you are reading this on a blog other than Findabet.co.uk then the content has been stolen - Poker Tips and Poker Providers
Choosing Between Successive or Sets of Poker Sit and Goes
14/02/09 16:25 Filed in: Poker Strategy | Sit and Go
Poker Sit and Go tournaments can be a great way to keep active while working on increasing your Poker bankroll. One of the biggest questions for frequent SNG players concerns the decision on whether or not to play successive or sets of tournaments. Here are a few tips to help you decide for yourself.
If you’re the type of poker player who works best in a busy environment then successive SNGs may be the best option for your style. Successive SNGs involve beginning multiple events and immediately opening a new game as soon as any of the active ones are finished. They demand a constant level of attention and a competitor who is able to adjust from late to early game strategies at all times.
Sets of games are better for players who require concentration on one series at a time. They’re easier in a certain sense, in that they demand a style of play which is akin to a sprint when compared to the marathon of successive gaming. Sets also allow for the ability to gauge a series of SNGs as a whole, providing ample time to review your previous play and bankroll status before moving into further tournaments.
It’s important to remain flexible with your preferred method of play. If you’re determined to play successively then a smart player will still know to let a game close if they’re having an off day or bleeding chips in some of their open SNGs. The decision is personal and depends heavily on circumstance but novice to average players would do well to stick with SNG sets. More advanced skill levels may fare well in successive SNGs but preference and playing style should still be taken into consideration.
This post is brought to you from the Findabet.co.uk Poker Blog. If you are reading this on a blog other than Findabet.co.uk then the content has been stolen - Poker Tips and Poker Providers
If you’re the type of poker player who works best in a busy environment then successive SNGs may be the best option for your style. Successive SNGs involve beginning multiple events and immediately opening a new game as soon as any of the active ones are finished. They demand a constant level of attention and a competitor who is able to adjust from late to early game strategies at all times.
Sets of games are better for players who require concentration on one series at a time. They’re easier in a certain sense, in that they demand a style of play which is akin to a sprint when compared to the marathon of successive gaming. Sets also allow for the ability to gauge a series of SNGs as a whole, providing ample time to review your previous play and bankroll status before moving into further tournaments.
It’s important to remain flexible with your preferred method of play. If you’re determined to play successively then a smart player will still know to let a game close if they’re having an off day or bleeding chips in some of their open SNGs. The decision is personal and depends heavily on circumstance but novice to average players would do well to stick with SNG sets. More advanced skill levels may fare well in successive SNGs but preference and playing style should still be taken into consideration.
This post is brought to you from the Findabet.co.uk Poker Blog. If you are reading this on a blog other than Findabet.co.uk then the content has been stolen - Poker Tips and Poker Providers
Understanding Poker Bet Sizing: Part Two
11/02/09 12:50 Filed in: Poker Strategy
This is the second post on Pot Sizing. The First Post can be found here.
There are several determining factors that should also be taken into consideration before putting down poker chips on a bet. In the previous article we covered the necessary distinction between strategic and bankroll increasing betting but it’s also important to note some general table features significant toward either method.
The most important table elements worthy of serious consideration include the size of the pot, the number of opponents left in the game and the development of your hand. If any one of these features is weak then it can make an enormous difference on how large your bets should be scaled.
A large number of competitors can make rewarding bets increasingly difficult. Bet sizing should be considered in direct comparison to how many players are still left. In a showdown situation or a table with few others still active a sizable bet can be misguided. Fewer opponents are easier to read and thus easier to manipulate by pushing in with an intimidating bet.
Pot size cannot be underestimated either. Winning a larger pot falls into the bankroll increasing category of play and should be considered strategically. If you’re in a game for nothing more than the prestige of a win then large bets should mostly be avoided (unless used in on perfect hands or predictable opponents) as they can often serve as pot stimulators rather than tools for winning.
Hand development is significant in a very obvious manner. Any good poker player knows that bluffing too often with large bets will only yield frequent bad beats. Bet sizing should always be made relative to the strength of your hand in relation to dealt cards.
There are several determining factors that should also be taken into consideration before putting down poker chips on a bet. In the previous article we covered the necessary distinction between strategic and bankroll increasing betting but it’s also important to note some general table features significant toward either method.
The most important table elements worthy of serious consideration include the size of the pot, the number of opponents left in the game and the development of your hand. If any one of these features is weak then it can make an enormous difference on how large your bets should be scaled.
A large number of competitors can make rewarding bets increasingly difficult. Bet sizing should be considered in direct comparison to how many players are still left. In a showdown situation or a table with few others still active a sizable bet can be misguided. Fewer opponents are easier to read and thus easier to manipulate by pushing in with an intimidating bet.
Pot size cannot be underestimated either. Winning a larger pot falls into the bankroll increasing category of play and should be considered strategically. If you’re in a game for nothing more than the prestige of a win then large bets should mostly be avoided (unless used in on perfect hands or predictable opponents) as they can often serve as pot stimulators rather than tools for winning.
Hand development is significant in a very obvious manner. Any good poker player knows that bluffing too often with large bets will only yield frequent bad beats. Bet sizing should always be made relative to the strength of your hand in relation to dealt cards.
