6 replies to this topic

[Adam]

Lemme preface this with this: I'm a decent player. I fold my fair share of A-10's preflop and top pair on the flops. (just basic info)Okay, now that that's out of the way, here's my problem:I primarily play in two cardrooms. One being Parker's Casino in Seattle and the other being Slo Pitch + Pub while I'm at college. My limit is 4-8. Parker's is a really nice, well run cardroom, with good people and good action. The Pitch is more of a bar than a cardroom, with a few solid players and others that will call raises with A-3 and gutshots for 2 bets cold on the turn. It seems like they just have seen poker on TV one day and decided to give poker a try... again... and again... At Parker's, I cash out a winner majority of the time whereas at Slo Pitch... once. There have been some bad beats at the Pitch, but I hate complaining about beats and don't like to hear anyone else's either.So my questions are: Why am I hardly a winner at the Pitch but do well at Parker's? Does the environment play a big factor? The Pitch just seems dirtier whereas at Parker's it seems like you could eat off the floor. (Okay, I exaggerated a little :-) ) Is it because when I'm at college I don't really have a curfew or anything to worry about? I just don't get it... If anyone has two cents on the issue, I'd love to get it, and hopefully I'll get enough cents to make up for all of the money I've lost at Slo Pitch + Pub.

[ddudley]

Sounds like you are having trouble beating the loose games? If so, you probably need to read "Small Stakes Hold 'Em" by Miller, Sklansky & Malmuth. It also sounds like you may be making too many "big laydowns" they will show you that this is bad, bad, bad in a loose game like you describe.Just know that loose games are tough when you take a lot of bad beats. But, remember these are the same people who will pay you off big time when you win a hand. You gotta hold it together when your AA gets whacked by J-4 off when you raised preflop and the idiot calls you and flops 2 pair. Keep playing tight-agressive and punish them when you get the cards.

[Smasharoo]

Why am I hardly a winner at the Pitch but do well at Parker's?Probably because you're folding AT and top pair on the flop in loose games...

[Adam]

Maybe those weren't the best of examples, but what I was trying to say by that was basically I know when to fold and have the capibility of folding a good hand, most of the time, at least. Also, if I have good pot odds, I'll be in the pot.As for preflop, it all depends on who did what, cuz there are .some tight players there.

[Smasharoo]

The vast majority of people who have trouble in loose games, who lose to a lot of bad beats, fold wayyyy too many winning hands.Folding a good hand in a big pot is almost allways a msitake.You also could just have been unlucky.

[agali5]

That seems to be my problem...when you are a disciplined player and play at 2/2 limit (which is all they have in FLA) folding never seems to be an option at these tables. How do I overcome that? I hardly ever win at those levels. Should I loosen up my starting requirements? Play more hands further than I typically would? Or...not play B&M games?

[JimmyWellington]

If you're having trouble with this, you have to read Small Stakes Hold Em. I don't have my copy with me, but it's really good. There's a lot of concepts that are taking me a little while to fully understand, but it's very good. In the beginning, they go over starting hands for loose games. Definitely give the book a shot. I think you'll be happy.