Quote:
Originally Posted by snodog
I've read a lot of the tips for beginners etc and kind of have used the advice to set "my rules" that I try to play by. (play pairs, high cards only)
Mostly play tournies (freerolls - best finish of 17th),
I seem to keep losing to guys that are playing things like Q 4, or 7 2.
The worst aspect of it is that it tends to throw my concentration and I lose the "plot" for a few hands.
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If ya try to stick to Sklansky's Top 10, playing super tight in early going,.. you should do okay. It's not just playing these hands,.. but also how you play them, who you're in the pot with, how they perceive your play and of course what position you are at on the table,.. .also how your chipstack is in relation to the other's on the table.
I'm assuming freerolls or Mtt's here?? Makes a big difference what game you're playing,... also as mentioned already, depends as well on whether or not you're first one in in the hand. In many of the micro buy-ins and freerolls, you'll find many players entering into each pot (craziness). If large preflop raises aren't being respected, one must alter their play and then focus more on flop play. Lots of stuff to take into consideration BUT for sure if you're just playing your strong hands, you should do okay (ie. if you and your opponent both hit top
pr. on the flop, chances are for sure you'll have them outkicked).
One piece of freeroll advice (and micro buy-in),... you'll undoubtedly run into tons of loose calling stations. NEVER attempt to semi-bluff them off the pot on the flop with a strong drawing hand. Instead, just play your strong hands strongly,.. bet them for value and you'll often get paid off on every street.
Good Luck to you.
There's tons and tons of great strategy articles online,.... just keep trying to develop your own style and things should come around for you (patience my friend,.. patience).
Oh yah,.. one other note,.... play your strong hands aggressively,... don't play passively post-flop as you'll be giving your opponents odds to catch up to you (do not ever slowplay a good hand on the flop to a scarey board (potential dr's., etc.).
For sure you'll experience many losses to suckouts from terrible starting hands, but know that you got your money in with the best of it. Hopefully, if they've even been watching your play on the table and see that you've been showing down strong hands each time you've been in a hand,.. then they'll learn to respect your preflop raises and won't be calling with Q-4o, etc. (it will still happen though,... more craziness).
one last note,.. in most situations it's better to raise of fold then to call. If you feel you've got a hand that might be worth calling but not good enough to raise with,.... fold. Better off saving your chips and getting them in when you know you've got the best. Winning sometimes means just not losing.
And lastly (yah,.. I know,.. I did already say that, lol), if you've got ANY questions, just give me a PM and I will try to answer you.
Good Luck!!!