OK, so its Sunday afternoon and I'm sitting here drinking a Pepsi (beer comes later ) and reading Sklansky's Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players. I must admit, he does introduce some radical ideas in the text.
In the section I am reading, he is making a lot of references to large multi-way pots...7+ players seeing the flop. This has sparked a question in my mind...
When you get to the level of 'advanced' play, whatever that means, what do you find the typical percentage of players seeing the flop is? For arguments sake, let's say 10/20 or higher at your local B&M.
The reason I bring this up (other than Dave's text sparking some thoughts) is partly due to the game I played in yesterday. Sorry guys, no bad beat stories (although I have a couple ). Anyway, it was a 5/10 game in a B&M which also spread $1-3, $2/4, and $3/6 (higher limits as well). I must say, I was appalled by some of the play I saw...60-70% consistently seeing the flop, one woman seeing 95-100% of the flops (no joke), raises from MP with 42(s), you get the idea. In all seriousness, I have played many $1-3 games tighter than this.
Here is what I am getting at. For those that play 10/20 and higher, do you see tables with 60-70% seeing the flop? I have asked similar questions on the forum before to the effect of 'When does advanced play start'. The responses were 'it depends' if I recall correctly although Z brought up some excellent points as usual. Z is the one who drilled it into my head that you need to adjust your play to the table/players no matter what the limit. Good point, but are a lot of large multi-way pots seen at higher limits? Just seems odd to me.
OK, going to go read some more and will most likely start a new thread or 2 on specific play. Later.
Well I don't know about B&M as I haven't got too much live experience, but online I'd suggest you gave 30-60 @ stars a go. That sure is a dry table most of the time.
The best live game I've played was a 3-6$ home game I played last night. Flop% was around 25% there.
But I still think that what you need is not better opponents - it's accepting the fact that you will win fewer but bigger pots when involved in a lose game. AA will lose as often as it wins in a very lose game. But it is nonetheless more profitable in a loose game then in a tight one.
Point well taken. I took your advice when first offered and started to really focus on the table/oppenents. I can honestly say that I am doing better since I started doing this. I only play one table, keep notes on just about everyone, try and classify someone within a few hands, and watch most of the hands played very closely. I think it makes a difference. I don't know how some people play 3 or 4 tables at a time and not give up this info.
As for the game yesterday, it was a winning session so I can't complain. But, I still like tighter games better. I really like the 2/4 game at UB. Usually about 35% seeing the flop and not too many people being too stupid. Its perfect for me, I get to play in a tight game and don't have to play 10/20 or higher which I am definitely not ready for online. But, I would have no problem playing 10/20 live in a B&M. That said, keep in mind I have never played Vegas in the middle of the day on a weekday when all the pros are out LOL.
