tricky plays

[acesfullmike 0]

due to a major bankroll hit because of an unexpected expense i am back down to grinding it out at the 1/2. i made it all the way up to 5/10 and was still doing well. how tricky do you guys play the really low limits. I quit trying all the tricky plays that i used to use at the slightly higher limits. been pretty much straight forward. do you guys like abc poker at the 1/2 level? the occassional check-raise, but pretty much betting out when i figure i'm ahead.

[CK1221 0]

I'm not sure what you consider tricky play, but it is true that it's not neccessary at low limits. Slowplaying is a definite mistake, as well as limping with big pairs, trapping, etc. because they call anyway. Checkraising should be used to pretect your hand and maximize value.

[Sushiman 0]

I never consider any of my plays tricky. Tricky is all the high limit stuff I don't understand like 3 betting A high on the turn and chek-raise bluffing the river. I'm pretty sure getting tricky just loses you money at low limits. I don't checkraise unless I'm protecting a mid pair hand multiway or I'm heads up. Here's a story from the summer:I was playing 1/2 on Paradise and called a raise from the bb with J9c. Action was 5 way with me first to act and the preflop raiser last to act. Flop came 7810c and I've got the stone cold nut straight flush. Of course I check, and the flop gets checked around. "Damn, I was sure the raiser would bet." Turn comes an off suit rag, and it get checked around AGAIN. "Wtf! Is that raiser retarded! How do you not bet here!???" Then river is an offsuit K, and I bet. 3 folds and the guy finally raises me. We get it capped and I turn over my straight flush while he turns over AQc for the flopped nut flush. Moral of the story is that I missed out on a ton of value not just from him, but from probably from the 3 people in between us. Meanwhile, AQc missed out on a ton of value because 99.9% of the time the other guys are drawing slim to dead. We both played it like total idiots. Don't be like us.

[checkymcfold 0]

i would say that ABC poker, assuming you know it through and through, will work just fine up through 10/20 or possibly higher, depending on your game selection.the thing is, though, ABC poker does include some "tricky" plays, like raising for free cards, stop and gos, and good blind play, etc. i think it's a common misconception that ABC poker is entirely "simple." it's not. and even at 1/2, there are going to be some players that you encounter that are worth putting a move on every now and again, if they show that they have the ability to fold.if you're talking about semi-bluffing turns and other more "advanced" bluffs, it's worth saying that i don't even do that with any regularity at 15/30 or 25/50. even these games are quite beatable without any such moves. from what you're saying, it sounds like maybe trying too many "fancy" plays, etc., might have contributed to your big downswing. don't ever assume that the play at higher levels is significantly better than below. you'll probably find fewer total donkeys, but you're probably still going to be the best player at your table if you're a winner.

[TheIceman05 0]

the thing is, though, ABC poker does include some "tricky" plays, like raising for free cards, stop and gos, and good blind play, etc. i think it's a common misconception that ABC poker is entirely "simple." it's not. and even at 1/2, there are going to be some players that you encounter that are worth putting a move on every now and again

This is a really good point. Too many people think "ABC poker" means playing like a robot. It doesn't.You should still be check-raising multi-way pots for value, or stealing pots from players that fold too much.You should still be running the occassional bluff if you think your opponent might fold the river.You should still be raising on the button with A9, middle pair, even if you think there's a good chance the leader has a King. You should still be putting a 4th flop bet in heads up if you think it'll earn your draw a free river.The "ABC" style of profitable play still involves some bets and raises that the most novice of players don't utilize, but are still profitable against bad players.Most of the "fancy" stuff that goes on at 5/10 is maximizing your equity in a heads up situation. There won't BE many of those at 1/2.Play like a superstar, and goodluck.Ice

[acesfullmike 0]

thanks guys, i appreciate all of the advice. i still have lots to learn, but i am creeping out of my downswing.