Play More Pots
In tournaments, I play lots of hands. I'll put my money in with all
kinds of connected cards, especially when in position. I might limp, I
might min-raise or raise a little more than the minimum, depending on
the circumstances. I'm looking to keep my table off balance so they
don't know where I'm coming from.
My overall goal is to pick up a lot of small pots without a lot of
resistance. I might raise in position and hope for a call from one of
the blinds. If I raise pre-flop with something like 6-7, I might miss
the flop entirely, but the raise puts me in control of the hand. On the
flop, I'll likely bet if checked to, even if I miss. That small bet on
the flop will usually win me a small, but helpful pot.
Of course, sometimes it won't work out. I'll bet and get check-raised
on occasions. But that's okay, because I actually don't lose much in
the hands that I have to surrender. Overall, I get to gradually add to
my chip stack by chopping at small pot after small pot.
The other major advantage to my style is that, occasionally, I will hit
a flop hard. If I do happen to flop a straight, it's difficult for
other players to put me on something like 5-7 or 6-8. If one of my
opponents also gets a piece of the flop, I'll get paid off in a big way.
By adding to my stack early, I have a real advantage over players who
play a cautious, tight game. The extra chips that I accumulate allow me
to survive some tough spots. So, if I happen to get involved in a race
with A-K or a pair of Tens, I can withstand a loss. An opponent who's
playing tight will likely be on the rail after losing a single race.
New players often ask me how they can learn to play more pots. I always
suggest that they drop down significantly in stakes and practice. If
you're playing $2-$4 no-limit, drop down to $.50-$1 - a level where
some losses won't hurt you.
Once you're at that table, try to play eight hands out of 10. Play
everything but 2-8 or 3-9 - hands that are entirely unconnected. When
you get yourself involved with this kind of frequency, you'll have to
concentrate more on your opponents than on your own cards. You'll have
to be on the lookout for opportunities to take down pots with
well-timed stabs. You'll also learn how to proceed in situations where
you flop a good, but dangerous hand.
By dropping down and playing a lot of hands, you're going to learn a
lot about poker. You're also going to have a lot of fun. Lord knows,
playing 50% of the hands is a whole lot more entertaining than sitting
around waiting for Aces.
If you look at the success that Gavin Smith, Daniel Negreanu and myself
have had over the last couple of years, you'll see that being active
can be an excellent way to score big in tournaments. It takes practice
to play this style, but it can lead to great results and be a lot of
fun.
Erick Lindgren,
Full Tilt Poker
Comments