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FCP Poker Forum > Poker Strategy Forum > No Limit Texas Hold'em Cash Games
Doug
I have noticed that in recent tournaments (mainly MTT) that I make the biggest mistakes of my game when I am in the blind. The situation arises when I am holding cards such as K7, Q8, J6. Hands with big cards and small kickers basically. When I flop top pair I bet it - I don't think this is a mistake but then I am often raised by a loose player. Now when I fold here it feels like I'm throwing away the top pair and when I call i'm often beaten by AK,AQ,KJ - you get the picture as I don't expect a loose player to be playing with these, especially flat calling.
It may be because I am playing in very low skilled games such as freerolls but I am not a bad player like the people I am playing against but this situation seems to be the flaw in my game almost every time. I feel if I can sort out this problem the only way they can beat me is bad beats as these two situations have been pretty much the only way I have been eliminated from tournaments.
Any advice would be appreciated.
rgold79
QUOTE (Doug @ Tuesday, February 6th, 2007, 11:04 AM) *
I have noticed that in recent tournaments (mainly MTT) that I make the biggest mistakes of my game when I am in the blind. The situation arises when I am holding cards such as K7, Q8, J6. Hands with big cards and small kickers basically. When I flop top pair I bet it - I don't think this is a mistake but then I am often raised by a loose player. Now when I fold here it feels like I'm throwing away the top pair and when I call i'm often beaten by AK,AQ,KJ - you get the picture as I don't expect a loose player to be playing with these, especially flat calling.
It may be because I am playing in very low skilled games such as freerolls but I am not a bad player like the people I am playing against but this situation seems to be the flaw in my game almost every time. I feel if I can sort out this problem the only way they can beat me is bad beats as these two situations have been pretty much the only way I have been eliminated from tournaments.
Any advice would be appreciated.


I'm assuming you're talking about points in the tournament when the whole table has deep stacks and play is proceeding normally. If that's the case you have to learn to let these hands go cheaply. For starters you're out of position and all you've got is a hand like top pair, weak kicker. Especially when you're at a table of loose opponents and taking a flop six-handed you have to expect that someone else also hit the flop in some kind of way. Try a probe bet, keep the pot small, and be prepared to let the hand go if someone puts a lot of pressure on you. On the other hand, if stack sizes are volatile, that will play a greater role in how you read your opponent. But early in a tournament there's no shame in folding TP/WK and waiting for a better spot.
Sea Wasp
If you bet out with top pair no kicker and are raised that should be an easy fold for you unless you have evidence that the 'loose' player is capable of bluffing. Labelling someone 'loose' has nothing to do with whether or not their raises are bluffs because with top pair no kick thats really all you are beating. Check calling out of the blinds in these spots to keep the p[ots small OOP is also not a bad idea as you will get some value from bluffs and hands you beat to offset the times you are beaten.
The Czar
My thoughts are that you are having a problem with position. Your opponents are using your position against you. Like said earlier, I wouldn't hesitate to drop these hands. In HOH he talks about how people in blinds somethimes get married to that money they have to put out there. It might be that Super System theory of not leaving your babies out there, but just becuz you post a blind doesn't give you the right of way in the hand. If you are a better player, then play position against these guys and drop these mediocre hands. Just my thoughts.
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