specialisation or diversification

[AspiringPro 0]

Is it important to be good at all forms of poker or to specialise at one type? I like to dabble in omaha and omaha 8 or better and stud and limit hold'em. But really I can only consistently win at nl hold'em the game I started on. With the exception of limit hold'em. Stepping up to 2-4 NL is great value you just have to feel comfortable with the bets I suppose. I suppose one argument is you don't see many pros who can only play nl hold'em they diversify like negreanu showswith his challenge matches where he will play any game.etc Do you think its better to get good at one game or average at every game.

[AspiringPro 0]

not that negreanu is average at every game LOL

[pdaconq9 0]

Well, if you're trying to gain respect as one of the great all-around players, then yeah you need to be diverse. But if you're just trying to pay the bills, then whatever floats your boat.

[krup24 0]

How bout Good at ALL Games.

[DRskateNT 0]

I think playing all the games makes you a better poker player.... plus with so many people playing hold-em it seems to make sense to branch out into other areas. If you are a small stakes player going into the other games can be profitable... especially on PP. So many people accidentally get in the wrong game, or are trying it for fun and have no idea how to play. I recently started playing PL Omaha 8orB and I have had nice results so far. I also enjoy it because its fun to play something different, have to come up with new strategies and so forth. The thing I noticed about this game is that a bad Holdem player can win a lot more than you think. But IMO I think its harder to play the other games badly and still win.My advice if you want to branch out pick a game you like best, read the books (I suggest SS2 as a one stop shop) play the small stakes until you have a great understanding of the game and you can quickly recognize what your hand is, if its good.. so forth. Then if you don't like it try another game etc... and if not you always have good old hold-em waiting for you...

[lboarts 0]

I receive "lessons from the pros" in my email from full tilt.com. You can also read them by visiting thier website. One lesson by Howard Lederer is called "Specialize at your peril". Check it out, if you like.While I don't agree with everything HL sais in this article, you may find some useful information in it for you.

[AspiringPro 0]

yes ive got that HL article it's quite useful. I dunno ive played cash games omaha and stud but I sorta have idea but try to play so many hands PL omaha is the worst i can't comprehend flopping top set and still being scared. Less bluffing and slowplaying in both games also.

[dank773 0]

Long time reader on the forum, new to posting. This may be a dumb question, but can someone please tell me what "sw" means? I see it occasionally in some of the threads but couldn't figure it out.

[asorewinner 0]

sw ...dont know what the sw stands for but, its sarcasm...

[Royal_Tour 0]

Is it important to be good at all forms of poker or to specialise at one type?  I like to dabble in omaha and omaha 8 or better and stud and limit hold'em.  But really I can only consistently win at nl hold'em the game I started on.  With the exception of limit hold'em.  Stepping up to 2-4 NL is great value you just have to feel comfortable with the bets I suppose.  I suppose one argument is you don't see many pros who can only play nl hold'em they diversify like negreanu showswith his challenge matches where he will play any game.etc  Do you think its better to get good at one game or average at every game.

Dont think of it as average.. Get good at all games, even non-poker related games,Hell i dominate at Euchre (if u know what that is) And games like chess, just anything with some outthinking , strategy, yadda yadda..

[greatwhite 0]

It is important to be good at all of the games to be be a good poker player. Look at all of the great pros. They have bracelets in games other than hold'em. Actually Hellmuth may just have hold'em bracelets, but he plays in all of the games. All the great players play in mixed games. If you want to be known as the best poker player in the world play them all.

[budfox427 0]

sw ...dont know what the sw stands for but, its sarcasm...

sw= Sarcasm Warning

[Quagmire 0]

And just think of what a monster you'll be at your next home game. You'll be feared at NLHE, LHE, 7 Stud, PLO, Omaha 8/b, Stud 8/b, Pass the Trash, Screw Your Neighbor, Anaconda, No Peekie Baseball, Dr. Pepper, Acey Deucy, Good Bad & Ugly, Follow the Queen with Low Chicago, and Low In The Hole Roll Your Own.If you can't play all of those, you'll be the fish.

[LuckyMcCatcher 0]

And just think of what a monster you'll be at your next home game.  You'll be feared at NLHE, LHE, 7 Stud, PLO, Omaha 8/b, Stud 8/b, Pass the Trash, Screw Your Neighbor, Anaconda, No Peekie Baseball, Dr. Pepper, Acey Deucy, Good Bad & Ugly, Follow the Queen with Low Chicago, and Low In The Hole Roll Your Own.If you can't play all of those, you'll be the fish.

I've actually become quite a dominant Btween the Sheets player. I've been taking on all comers for the highest stakes imaginable for a few years now. I challeneged the players in the big game to some high stakes between the sheets and none seemed interested. Ted Forrest said he would play me if I gave him a spot though.

[CaneBrain 95]

yes ive got that HL article it's quite useful.  I dunno ive played cash games omaha and stud but I sorta have idea but try to play so many hands PL omaha is the worst i can't comprehend flopping top set and still being scared.  Less bluffing and slowplaying in both games also.

Yep, Omaha is annoying that way but it does teach you discipline.Earlier today I am in a PL Omaha HI 100 game on Empire.I am dealt 101077 in the SB. 4 limpers plus me and BB are in.Flop comes 7, 5, 2. I bet out the pot and get two callers. Turn is an A. I bet the pot....first called raises the pot....next guy folds. And I folded. Guy definitely had 43. (turns out he had 8,6,4,3....quite a draw!)Omaha is a biaaatch that way.

[JesseW316 0]

Omaha and O8 are great games if you know how to play them well. I am good at them because, to me, they require little thought. They are so simple because you look for good starting hands, see the flop, if you have the nuts or a draw to the nuts and you aren't afraid of the board, you stay in. If not, you fold. Most people don't get this and they try to bet with TPTK and ignorant OESD's.Some people think that every game is hold'em, just with different setups. I hate tv poker players.

[HtotheNootch 0]

Diversify your bonds censored!Diversify your games too.Holdem's got the most action online, but sometimes I get bored with it. I've also managed to kick a couple of downswings in the nuts by switching games. Sometimes you don't think you're playing bad, but you are, and switching games makes you think a little differently and you can get yourself right.

[LuckyMcCatcher 0]

Omaha and O8 are great games if you know how to play them well. I am good at them because, to me, they require little thought. They are so simple because you look for good starting hands, see the flop, if you have the nuts or a draw to the nuts and you aren't afraid of the board, you stay in. If not, you fold. Most people don't get this and they try to bet with TPTK and ignorant OESD's.Some people think that every game is hold'em, just with different setups. I hate tv poker players.

Wow you are so original. Good to see you go against the grain. BTW, how long ago did you start playing poker? Before the t.v. boom I assume, but when? Also I'm sure you must have played Omaha before you ever played Hold 'em or else you instinctively knew the differences between the two. Please let me know on both counts. TY

[Conditioner 0]

Is it important to be good at all forms of poker or to specialise at one type? I like to dabble in omaha and omaha 8 or better and stud and limit hold'em. But really I can only consistently win at nl hold'em the game I started on. With the exception of limit hold'em. Stepping up to 2-4 NL is great value you just have to feel comfortable with the bets I suppose. I suppose one argument is you don't see many pros who can only play nl hold'em they diversify like negreanu showswith his challenge matches where he will play any game.etc Do you think its better to get good at one game or average at every game.

Dont think of it as average.. Get good at all games, even non-poker related games,Hell i dominate at Euchre (if u know what that is) And games like chess, just anything with some outthinking , strategy, yadda yadda..

i call bullshit on this one

[lboarts 0]

I'm interested in diversifying my game to include these two as well. I'm already well versed in holdem, omaha and stud (and all variations thereof). Can any one tell me a good site to start playing these two games on? Please keep in mind I'm strictly a tournament player, currently between $40 and $100 buy in range. I would be willing to reduce that for 2-7 low ball and razz until I'm comfortable playing these games (which I suspect won't take much time).

[DeNuts1 0]

I'm interested in diversifying my game to include these two as well.  I'm already well versed in holdem, omaha and stud (and all variations thereof).  Can any one tell me a good site to start playing these two games on?  Please keep in mind I'm strictly a tournament player, currently between $40 and $100 buy in range.  I would be willing to reduce that for 2-7 low ball and razz until I'm comfortable playing these games (which I suspect won't take much time).

Yeah...good luck with finding 2-7 lowball tournaments. Hahahahah!

[Royal_Tour 0]

Is it important to be good at all forms of poker or to specialise at one type?  I like to dabble in omaha and omaha 8 or better and stud and limit hold'em.  But really I can only consistently win at nl hold'em the game I started on.  With the exception of limit hold'em.  Stepping up to 2-4 NL is great value you just have to feel comfortable with the bets I suppose.  I suppose one argument is you don't see many pros who can only play nl hold'em they diversify like negreanu showswith his challenge matches where he will play any game.etc  Do you think its better to get good at one game or average at every game.

Dont think of it as average.. Get good at all games, even non-poker related games,Hell i dominate at Euchre (if u know what that is) And games like chess, just anything with some outthinking , strategy, yadda yadda..

i call censored on this one

baaahahah WTF!!!is this akadouchebag back again??... how did u manage to weasle your way backon.

[Guest]

I'm interested in diversifying my game to include these two as well.  I'm already well versed in holdem, omaha and stud (and all variations thereof).  Can any one tell me a good site to start playing these two games on?  Please keep in mind I'm strictly a tournament player, currently between $40 and $100 buy in range.  I would be willing to reduce that for 2-7 low ball and razz until I'm comfortable playing these games (which I suspect won't take much time).

Fulltilt has razz tournaments. I know of no where that offers 2-7 lowball tourneys. UB has cash games.........

[Guest]

baaahahah  WTF!!!is this akadouchebag back again??...   how did u manage to weasle your way backon.

Isn't Conditioner the one who backed out of some challenges? Maybe he castrated himself

[Royal_Tour 0]

baaahahah  WTF!!!is this akadouchebag back again??...   how did u manage to weasle your way backon.

Isn't Conditioner the one who backed out of some challenges? Maybe he castrated himself

yep.. he was banned for being a lame asshe started all sorts of challenges, then asked for people to spot him money.what a loser