20 replies to this topic

[Jennings7]

I finally decided to vent about something that has annoyed me for some time. Why is it "cool" to like other games besides hold em' now. It seems like every article I read about poker is saying "it was a breathe of fresh air to play something other than hold em." Or, "the wsop is becoming the world series of hold 'em." Or, "Yesterday, I jumped into a 10-20 mixed game, even though I'm not that great at any of these." Now, I'm not ripping on people who like multiple games, because I certainly play games other than hold em', but comon people. Your letting high limit pros influence you when they say things like, "you simply can't be the best player unless you play all the games." Whatever happened to being the best player you can be at your best game. Since when did it become cool to have the be the best at every game. You simply cannot be on top of your game at every different game at the same time. It's damn near impossible. Playing mixed games is -EV most of the time because its extremely hard to change gears from one game to the next. It's not about being the best in poker, its about winning the most amount of money you have the potential to win. Trying to play 15 different games for money in the same day is just unrealistic, unless you have a 20 mil bankroll and money rolling in for various endorsements.

[Marc-O]

good post.. I do agree though with all the articles pointing out that concepts from other games help in your overall poker mindset and decision making.

[GrindingAway]

As more people play poker and people become more proficient at Holdem sharks would rather us play games we're less proficient at .... only makes sense that higher limit players are proponents of people tryin' new games ... the old , come on in buddy , were playin' all of your best games line ... Any news on how California Holdem' progressed ? - 11s & 12s no suits added to the deck

[doox]

Specializing might be better for your bankroll, but getting better at other games can help your hold'em game. Playing limit poker helped my 7 card stud game. Playing stud helped my hold'em game by making me better at reading peoples' hands. Playing limit helped me learn how to protect my hand in no-limit better.Personally, playing a different game is the same breath of fresh air for me, since the same game over and over can become a grind. Even if it isn't as much of a money-earner for me, it's more fun. I find a good mix of entertainment and making money is important to keep me playing my best.

[aucu]

In the óld days, oh say 6 years ago we did play all the games but followed the action to holdem.There was a day when Razz was the only game in town and eventually there was a rebelion agains it.It´s kind of like the ¨Disco Sucks¨ thing. You want to be differed but in the end Disco really was sucking.

[GrinderMJ]

I don't have any problem with people who play mixed games, I simply prefer Hold'em and can't make the most money from that. So I stick to hold em

[offset]

The only "cool" game to play is hold 'em. Poker is dieing and becoming strictly hold 'em. The pros are unhappy that poker is now just hold 'em, and games that are often more fun to play are no longer offereed in many formats. If it were "cool" to play the other games this problem would not exist. It is a problem because playing one game over and over can get monotonously boring and will lead to poker dieing out. The best poker player is the one that consistently wins the most money. Thus, the best poker player is the best 4000/ 8000 mixed game player because those players win the most money. As you alluded to, it takes a lot of skill to switch between multiple games. Those that can are the best at poker.

[Jennings7]

Yeah, I'm not saying playing other games isn't good. I play Hold em' the most regularly but also play omaha and razz. Playing other games DOES help your overall poker games. I am just saying that it annoys me (just my opinion) that it seems like people are trying to play mixed games and games that are out of their poker ability just because pros say its what you "need" to do. Basically, it seems like a fad to play mixed games right now is all I'm saying. People sit down at a table and want everyone to look at them and think, "wow that guy must be really good. He knows how to play all those various games well enough to sit down in that game. When in reality, a lot of people aren't good enough to sit down in a mixed game and do well.

[Marc-O]

Jennings7, on Monday, May 29th, 2006, 11:10 AM, said:

Yeah, I'm not saying playing other games isn't good. I play Hold em' the most regularly but also play omaha and razz. Playing other games DOES help your overall poker games. I am just saying that it annoys me (just my opinion) that it seems like people are trying to play mixed games and games that are out of their poker ability just because pros say its what you "need" to do. Basically, it seems like a fad to play mixed games right now is all I'm saying. People sit down at a table and want everyone to look at them and think, "wow that guy must be really good. He knows how to play all those various games well enough to sit down in that game. When in reality, a lot of people aren't good enough to sit down in a mixed game and do well.

In reality, alot of people who sit down at limit and no limit hold em are no good either.

[offset]

Jennings7, on Monday, May 29th, 2006, 12:10 PM, said:

Yeah, I'm not saying playing other games isn't good. I play Hold em' the most regularly but also play omaha and razz. Playing other games DOES help your overall poker games. I am just saying that it annoys me (just my opinion) that it seems like people are trying to play mixed games and games that are out of their poker ability just because pros say its what you "need" to do. Basically, it seems like a fad to play mixed games right now is all I'm saying. People sit down at a table and want everyone to look at them and think, "wow that guy must be really good. He knows how to play all those various games well enough to sit down in that game. When in reality, a lot of people aren't good enough to sit down in a mixed game and do well.

So you're jealous? That's more of a rhetorical question.

[erac22]

aucu, on Monday, May 29th, 2006, 11:03 AM, said:

In the óld days, oh say 6 years ago we did play all the games but followed the action to holdem.There was a day when Razz was the only game in town and eventually there was a rebelion agains it.It´s kind of like the ¨Disco Sucks¨ thing. You want to be differed but in the end Disco really was sucking.

Hahahahahaha, this made me laugh out loud. nh

[No_Neck]

playing other games has really helped my holdem game...

[MJINK3]

No_Neck, on Monday, May 29th, 2006, 2:22 PM, said:

playing other games has really helped my holdem game...

I agree. Why just last night we played sheets with a $50 max burn and it has helped my holdem oodles.

[Yoda]

Jennings7, on Monday, May 29th, 2006, 2:47 PM, said:

Playing mixed games is -EV most of the time because its extremely hard to change gears from one game to the next.

Ridiculous statement. Did you even think this one through? The entire table has to change gears, not just you! It's only +/- EV relative to how good you are vs. how good your opponents are. If you are better at playing mixed games then they are, it is +EV. Simple.

[bengy3]

Jennings7, on Monday, May 29th, 2006, 11:10 AM, said:

Yeah, I'm not saying playing other games isn't good. I play Hold em' the most regularly but also play omaha and razz. Playing other games DOES help your overall poker games. I am just saying that it annoys me (just my opinion) that it seems like people are trying to play mixed games and games that are out of their poker ability just because pros say its what you "need" to do. Basically, it seems like a fad to play mixed games right now is all I'm saying. People sit down at a table and want everyone to look at them and think, "wow that guy must be really good. He knows how to play all those various games well enough to sit down in that game. When in reality, a lot of people aren't good enough to sit down in a mixed game and do well.

So, Hold'em is not a fad and mixed games are? Really?

[Jerry_Lundegaard]

To me, when DN says you "need" to play in the mixed game, hes saying that to really call yourself a poker great you need to be successfull in all forms. I dont think that winning the most money qualifies you as the best poker player. Joe HAchim is tha all time money winner in tournaments -- is he the best?So if Im goning to pull a Phil Hellmuth and call myself the greatest of all time, I better show up at that high stakes mixed game to prove it -- even if ive won more than anybody at the table.

[Yoda]

Jerry_Lundegaard, on Monday, May 29th, 2006, 4:12 PM, said:

Daniel Negreanu is tha all time money winner in tournaments -- is he the best?

FYPHachem is 2nd.

[Jerry_Lundegaard]

Yoda, on Monday, May 29th, 2006, 12:21 PM, said:

FYPHachem is 2nd.

Card player has Hachim listed as first. Just check Hendon Mob and it says DN is first. Not sure who to believe.

[GWCGWC]

I'm pretty good at 9-Ball.I can hold my own at a snooker table.I've lost more money playing one pocket than any other pool game I've ever played. It's just fun to change it up sometimes and one pocket has definatly helped my other games.

[timwakefield]

I am the all-time king of No-Peekee. I just wish they had that shit online, I would DESTROY.