4 replies to this topic

[wannabe]

I would like to get everyone's input on playin short handed limit games. I myself used to play these tight and by sklansky's theories, however I'm learning a new approach to the style, that I find intriguing. Lately, I have been raising a lot of pots, creating an image that i'm a little reckless. Now after this, I can both steal alot of pots, cuz I was the initial bettor, a weak player will fold on a flop if they miss. Next, this eventually causes people to play like ass postflop, creating call stations on me. They literally call all my hands w/ next to nothing, and I become very rich. It's an interesting idea I have been toying w/, and it seems to be working well. Every now and then though, you get a really bad beat, cuz someone thinks your bluffing, and catches something, but all in all, I think loose aggressive, with good postflop play is the way to go, tell me what you all think. BTW, over the past 3 days @ 3/6, 5 handed play, I'm up over a 800. Not bad for me.

[MrConceit]

wannabe said:

I would like to get everyone's input on playin short handed limit games. I myself used to play these tight and by sklansky's theories, however I'm learning a new approach to the style, that I find intriguing. Lately, I have been raising a lot of pots, creating an image that i'm a little reckless. Now after this, I can both steal alot of pots, cuz I was the initial bettor, a weak player will fold on a flop if they miss. Next, this eventually causes people to play like ass postflop, creating call stations on me. They literally call all my hands w/ next to nothing, and I become very rich. It's an interesting idea I have been toying w/, and it seems to be working well. Every now and then though, you get a really bad beat, cuz someone thinks your bluffing, and catches something, but all in all, I think loose aggressive, with good postflop play is the way to go, tell me what you all think. BTW, over the past 3 days @ 3/6, 5 handed play, I'm up over a 800. Not bad for me.

The style you talk about that you're trying is just about the best style for shorthanded play. But Sklansky doesn't say to play tight in shorthanded play. Quite the opposite. Have you read any of his sections/chapters on shorthanded play? He points out that you can't let people run over you and you have to be playing and raising a lot of hands.Shorthanded play should be the best potential moneymaker, but beware of the potential swings. That's inherent in playing a lot of marginal hands, even though so is everybody else (unless they're letting you steal the blinds continually). But if they're letting you run over them, hah, you have the best of ALL worlds.

[paragonpoker]

It seems like you're doing exactly what you're supposed to do. You need to change up your game to adapt to the shorthanded play. Tight play does not always do the trick in your situation. You need to "shift gears" and change it up so your opponents will always be on edge. Keeps em guessing...

[wannabe]

Thanks for the replies, and no I hadn't read that section of Sklansky's book. Maybe I need a refresher, but yes, I find the swings can be much greater than ten handed play. However, it is so much easier to take advantage of other player's weaknesses. Worst problem I've had so far is running into a bad player who is on a rush. Man, the river can be lethal in that situation.

[dynamic1]

I play 10/20 5 handed on paradise... The ultra aggressive play works extremely well for this type of game. The wings can be fairly extreme though. I play a very very aggressive style, which lets me pick up many pots that I probably shouldn't..plus..when you get caught with rags..people play at you more and that can definitely lead to increasing your bankroll. After playing this for awhile its getting ral hard to go back to a full ring game.