looking to improve my game

[mzdadoc 0]

Hey all,I’m pretty much stealing this idea from another poster but I have heard poker pros talking about doing this very same thing.Some guys/gals (Don’t want to leave anyone out) talk about how they are crushing their Home games and want to move up.Well here’s my problem…… I’M NOT!!!!!!!! Yes, I’ve read SSHE great book but.The frustration I get from my neighbors wife who held on to bottom pair of 5’s and I hold A K betting them the way I should seeing the cards on the board I figured I would at least take it with A K high. Oh know, she held her 9 5 os all the way to the end. My raises and re-raises meant nothing.Then what does she say?“Why do you keep playing poker you never win?” I then went into my dream sequence (wiggling screen here) me grabbing here arm still Clutching the 9 5 os and ripping it out of it’s socket and watching her bleed out on my garage floor then with an evil grin I go over to her husband who brought this woman in the first place and begin to bludgeon him to death with his wife’s arm still holding the cards in her hand. I drop the arm and covered with blood. I go wait for the police out on my front curb.With a smile I tell them it’s me they want!OK I need to calm down 1 2 3 …….I’m better now thanks!I live in Jordan, MN and like the other poster want to get a regular ring game going. I have a wife and 2 kids so no bankroll but I live and breathe poker and want to keep taking my game to higher levels. I want to go over Poker Tracker stats and learn what all of that cool info really means. I want to play tourney style and cash games and then go over it at the end an analyze all of the play. Or be told right away “Why in the heck did you just do that?”I have been playing for almost 3 years and do ok but there are things I know I need to learn. I play at Canterbury Park and a little online but not much.Sorry so long but if any Minnesotans are interested I have a heated 4 car garage which can be drank and smoked in and a poker table I made that seats ten.We can have it at my place always or travel to each of the different guys/gals house each time.I’ve seen many posts so I welcome flames…. NO big!mzdadoc

[insano 0]

Ripping the arm out was a good start, now continue on about your business.

[AWaaz 0]

[/sizeIf you want more predictable play, put yourself in a situation where you have a better read on other players. There will always be bad beats like this at 'home' games with inexperienced players, but the better players will come out ahead in the long run.If you have someone at the table that doesn't think twice about playing 95os out of position, then you have to play a bit conservative, especially with any starting hand that doesn't improve on the flop.And if none of this makes any sense... rip the other arm out.

[Suited_Up 2]

You know AK with no pair is not usually the best hand right?Pocket 2's are good there.Something to think about.

[Suited_Up 2]

[/sizeIf you want more predictable play, put yourself in a situation where you have a better read on other players. There will always be bad beats like this at 'home' games with inexperienced players, but the better players will come out ahead in the long run.If you have someone at the table that doesn't think twice about playing 95os out of position, then you have to play a bit conservative, especially with any starting hand that doesn't improve on the flop.And if none of this makes any sense... rip the other arm out.

Where exactly was the bad beat except his horrible play?

[koolromeo 0]

here are 2 tips for beating homegames that have a bunch of bad players in them: 1. do not bluff. these bad players will call you almost every time, which is a good thing and leads us to #2. bet a lot when you have a big hand. these type of players will call big bets, so don't try and milk them. go for the kill. i've won a lot of money and tournaments using this simple strategy at home games.

[Herr Baader 0]

me grabbing here arm still Clutching the 9 5 os and ripping it out of it’s socket and watching her bleed out on my garage floor then with an evil grin I go over to her husband who brought this woman in the first place and begin to bludgeon him to death with his wife’s arm still holding the cards in her hand. I drop the arm and covered with blood. mzdadoc

Judging from your post I'm not sure that poker is the right vocation for you. Have you considered a career with the postal service?That said, I'd agree with koolromeo: never bluff at a calling station. Play tight, wait for big hands, then make bets that are not so huge as to chase them off but still make drawing on -EV for them.

[srblan 0]

Don't get married to AK in low limit games if it doesn't improve. Don't try to bluff bad players, they don't care about your hand, they just want to see if they can improve their hand enough to gamble and win. Consider taking a stab at it on the flop, since you might not be bluffing at that point, but if you called, there is no shame in check-folding. More often than not, it will be checked down and you can throw your hand away without any further issues.Pay attention to the hands that people are playing against you. If you are playing against that woman in the future, realize that you need to value bet your strong hands, and try to check down your weaker ones. DON'T TRY TO PUSH HER OFF OF A HAND! She wants to play for the river, and she'll do just that. Knowing that, value bet the heck out of her, but DO NOT try to bluff her, EVER. Bad players are often so concerned with not being bluffed that they will call you all the way to the river with something like 9 high because they don't want to be outplayed. Don't try to outplay weak players, you have to show them a hand.

[GrinderMJ 0]

paragraphs? I can't read that shit

[Stylin_Fish 0]

Home game shittalkers make me laugh, especially the ones who aren't even old enough to legally gamble and have zero casino or online experience.

[Gallo 1]

here are 2 tips for beating homegames that have a bunch of bad players in them: 1. do not bluff. these bad players will call you almost every time, which is a good thing and leads us to #2. bet a lot when you have a big hand. these type of players will call big bets, so don't try and milk them. go for the kill. i've won a lot of money and tournaments using this simple strategy at home games.

This advice is right on the money. Don't try to "outplay" people at home games like this because they will call down with basically anythin, even small pair. Like Kool said, just have them pay you off when you have a good hand because they WILL call. In these types of home games just wait for your cards and don't be impatient.

[Pokerghost2 0]

i wish i lived in minn. ur game sounds fun.

[Guest]

That's it i have just been inspired to go find and play in a home game.

[Abbaddabba 0]

WTFORK? I BET WITH THA ACE HIGH THE WHOLE WAY AND GOT CALLED BY SOME PHISH WITH A PAIR!!!

[scatory2 0]

jeez

[mzdadoc 0]

I was out of town so I missed a lot of this very insightful info.What I was truly looking for is a group of guy who take there game very seriously. I am 39 years old so I play these home games with neighbors because it's fun and I don't know anyone as committed as I am.I was building a picture of my frustration I don't get married to A K in home games actually if the cards don't come I pretty much always end up going out which is fine.My goal is to get serious local players to help us all grow and expand our game.My example is I'm no math wiz I am a gear head. If you want to know car stuff I'm there and that's why I want the aid of other serious players.I don't know if my reading comprehention sucks like my spelling or I'm just ADD.So if local Minnesotans want to chime in great otherwise thanks for reading and your help......mzdadoc

[thatguy 0]

You might want to get some anger management first. If you steam that easily you aren't going to get very far. Secondly, learn to play your opponent. If you've played with her before you should know that she's a calling station to some degree. Play conservative next time you play with her.

[Loismustdie 0]

I was out of town so I missed a lot of this very insightful info.What I was truly looking for is a group of guy who take there game very seriously. I am 39 years old so I play these home games with neighbors because it's fun and I don't know anyone as committed as I am.I was building a picture of my frustration I don't get married to A K in home games actually if the cards don't come I pretty much always end up going out which is fine.My goal is to get serious local players to help us all grow and expand our game.My example is I'm no math wiz I am a gear head. If you want to know car stuff I'm there and that's why I want the aid of other serious players.I don't know if my reading comprehention sucks like my spelling or I'm just ADD.So if local Minnesotans want to chime in great otherwise thanks for reading and your help......mzdadoc

I wish I lived in Minnesota- I could tear your home game a new one.

[custom36 5]

I was out of town so I missed a lot of this very insightful info.What I was truly looking for is a group of guy who take there game very seriously. I am 39 years old so I play these home games with neighbors because it's fun and I don't know anyone as committed as I am.I was building a picture of my frustration I don't get married to A K in home games actually if the cards don't come I pretty much always end up going out which is fine.My goal is to get serious local players to help us all grow and expand our game.My example is I'm no math wiz I am a gear head. If you want to know car stuff I'm there and that's why I want the aid of other serious players.I don't know if my reading comprehention sucks like my spelling or I'm just ADD.So if local Minnesotans want to chime in great otherwise thanks for reading and your help......mzdadoc

I'm about 30 minutes from Minnesota. Do I count? :)And if you want help, real help, in your poker game, please visit the strategy sections of this forum.

[mzdadoc 0]

Sure you count 36 if you are really interested but I think everyone else is really missing what I'm trying to say.I want to get a group of dedicated guys together to learn and grow I don't give a squat about our neighborhood home games.If I wanted that hand analyzed I would have posted it in an appropriate forum section.Come on guys am I really that hard to understand?????? :shock: mzdadoc

[mb5322 0]

Visit our strat section, it's one of the best on the net. Every limit from $100 $200 (specbrad-you can learn alot from him) to micro no limit players. Good luck

[custom36 5]

Well, have you spoken with the guys at your home game about it? Do you know any players that are not in your home game that are serious about wanting to improve your game? These would be the best places to start.And without analyzing hands, your game will not improve to the level that you want to improve it. You say you're not a "math guy," and frankly I'm not either, but you can get help with these things through hand analysis.Good luck.

[mzdadoc 0]

I just downloaded Poker Tracker and it's pretty cool but it does do a lot that I don't understand.I like playing online just for the sake of being at home with the family but B&M is much more of a thrill for me.I play 2/4 and after reading SSHE started really doing better and even got cocky once or twice and moved up in limits. Learned my lesson but still enjoyed it.As far as my friends they aren't as intereested as I am. Now fishing for Walleye would be a different story I would have them beating down the door.....mzdadoc

[jaaaaakke 0]

mzdadoc, i encourage you to re-read sshe about 3-4 times, atleast. really understand the fundamentals of limit games, and make sure to pay especially close attention to post-flop play. Far too many novices concentrate on pre-flop play, which is fine but post-flop is where you have to crush your opponents.you know AKo vs 95o is 66/36 pre-flop? I like to put my money in those odds. anyways, good luck to your career.

[mzdadoc 0]

I really appreciate all of the posts and I believe some read the whole thing but most didn't cuz they keep focusing on the hand I mentioned....One last and only time I'll try to clear this up.... :roll: I want to get a group of minnestoans together to grow and learn more so we all get something out of this game we love to play.....Please everyone stop focusing on the hand I mentioned it what an attempt at humor and I won't ever do it again.... :shock: Thanks about the advice about reading SSHE as I am 1/4 through it again.I have also been reading the strategy sections but I'm looking for more face to face games and learning....mzdadoc