Cash Game Strategy for 1-2 No Limit Hold Em No Fold em games in Casinos and Home Games (1 Viewer)

Kyle

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Figured I start a discussion on strategy on those 1-2 no limit hold em casino games and home games.

I have been in many different games where if you pre raise to $16 the whole table calls and if you pre raise to $8 the whole table folds.

What is your approach to each of these games?

Does your approach differ in home games?

In Colorado the only game is $2-100 spread limit and I believe your hand needs to be more defined / made in order to win.

Any thoughts on these different games?
 
In a $1-$2 (or $1-$3) game, I first pay attention to how the table is playing. Play your game early, but once you get a feel for how the table is playing, adjust your game and bet sizing accordingly.

Look to see if there is a larger game available. There might be some $2-$5 players on the waiting list, but would rather play the $1-2 game rather than sit on their thumbs waiting for the $2-5 game to open up. Those players are more prone to play their way with bet sizing that will put the 25c-50c player on the defensive.

My only difference between home and casino games is the amount I drink. I play to have fun with friends, EV be damned. In the casino, I drink less and play to win (which is also fun).
 
If you're folding the most preflop in a usual 1/2 game, you're probably the best player already.

Pounding flops when you raise with premium holdings doesn't usually get any respect, regardless if you hit or not. So you don't bluff, just sit there and wait to flop top pair, top kicker, sets, nut straight draws and nut flush draws and fold out almost anything else. Don't get cute flopping bottom pair and think you can fire all three streets to scare players off. They'll practically give their money away when you value bet over and over with your good to nut holdings.

And do not pay off when a player raises you and you have an average hand. Fold up shop and go to the next hand. The average 1/2 player is not bluffing you. He is raising his two pair that he made with his miserable 10 4 offsuit against your top pair, top kicker. You let it go knowing that your strategy is leagues ahead of the table's, so where another player would call down, you save your money.
 
So many variables. This has been a dilemma for me. It’s not just Casino vs home game its weeknight casino vs weekend casino and summer vs winter players (in AC). I’ve been in games in AC where a preflop $6 raise only got called by 1-2 players only to go the next night and see $15 raises get called by half the table.

My home game is a bit more conservative but the issue is the only friends I have that play $1-2 have played together for almost 20 years. All of them are relatively good and we all know each other’s tendencies. It really is not an ideal game but it all I have.

In general the value of money is more outside a casino. In my experience the number one determination on table dynamics in home games is buy in. $200 max buy in is way more conservative than $300. Higher buyins encourage loose play.
 
In my game it depends on how long we've been playing. Towards 2am it's not uncommon to see re-straddles up to $32 preflop. Close your eyes, shove, and enjoy the ride! :eek:

*zero strategy to offer - except fold. A lot.
 
In my game it depends on how long we've been playing. Towards 2am it's not uncommon to see re-straddles up to $32 preflop. Close your eyes, shove, and enjoy the ride! :eek:

*zero strategy to offer - except fold. A lot.

Poker players love to explain to non poker players that is “not gambling” “it’s a game of skill”. This is precisely why I despise straddles. It’s all gambling and destroys the “skill” part. If you want to straddle just make side bets on the game on TV
 
Poker players love to explain to non poker players that is “not gambling” “it’s a game of skill”. This is precisely why I despise straddles. It’s all gambling and destroys the “skill” part. If you want to straddle just make side bets on the game on TV
I agree that I never straddle. But I love it when other people do.
 
In Colorado the only game is $2-100 spread limit and I believe your hand needs to be more defined / made in order to win.
This game is a killer. Say you make a big initial raise ($15) with AA and get 4-5 callers. Call it $75 in the pot and you flop an Ace. You need to lead out with $150-$200. You're screwed with max bet $100.

I would suggest finding a higher stakes fixed limit game. Maybe 10/20 at Ameristar or Golden Gates.
 
Poker players love to explain to non poker players that is “not gambling” “it’s a game of skill”. This is precisely why I despise straddles. It’s all gambling and destroys the “skill” part. If you want to straddle just make side bets on the game on TV
I'll never call out group ''poker players"
 
I agree that I never straddle. But I love it when other people do.

Why not? Many pros have espoused that straddling is not +ev. However other pros have argued straddling actually can be +ev.

I am of the opinion that occasionally straddling and then buying the table tequila shots is incredibly +ev.

If you can be a catalyst to making the table talk, lossen up and have fun that is always a good thing. Just my 2c.
 
Why not? Many pros have espoused that straddling is not +ev. However other pros have argued straddling actually can be +ev.

I am of the opinion that occasionally straddling and then buying the table tequila shots is incredibly +ev.

If you can be a catalyst to making the table talk, lossen up and have fun that is always a good thing. Just my 2c.
Fun is a good thing, but does not necessarily mean more winnings.
The only way straddling is +EV is if you’ve got a significant skill advantage over the rest of the table. And if that’s the case, you’re winning their money anyway, so what’s the point.
 
Fun is a good thing, but does not necessarily mean more winnings.
The only way straddling is +EV is if you’ve got a significant skill advantage over the rest of the table. And if that’s the case, you’re winning their money anyway, so what’s the point.

The point is to be a catalyst to get the table to: talk, drink, and gamble. Chances are if you straddle other people will straddle as well and then whatever EV you gave up will come back to you and even out.

We have the power in some cases to take these tight ass boring tables and make them if nothing else a lot more fun. If you straddle and show you are willing to gamble people will reciprocate and also be willing to give you action...

Straddling will result in bigger pots in which case your skill advantage is multiplied. Inexperienced players tend to make bad decisions in big pots where they are not comfortable.

For example, a villain might call off his stack after hitting an ace on the flop while he is holding A7. If the hand was played normally you probably won't get him all in but since there is a straddle on and the pot is big he may play for stacks.

Also when people are having fun they are more likely to rebuy after losing rather than storm off in a huff.

I would argue that having fun is always +ev. I am not picking on you but more the generic poker player with headphones who doesn't talk and never straddles cuz its -EV. I think those stereotypical players are not thinking about the other factors at play. Poker is about math but it is also about people who in some sense are your customers.

There are intangibles that people don't think about.
 
Chances are if you straddle other people will straddle as well and then whatever EV you gave up will come back to you and even out.
I don't thinks I've eve played in a casino where more than one player was straddling at the table. Even if you got a second player to straddle, you are not getting back the -EV to even. You give an advantage to 9 other players. If someone else straddles, you gain 1/9th of the advantage.

Straddling will result in bigger pots in which case your skill advantage is multiplied. Inexperienced players tend to make bad decisions in big pots where they are not comfortable.
This is the only advantage to a straddle. You effectively raise the stakes at a table, and those stakes might be more than Timmy McTourist wanted to play. Timmy's poor decisions are going to default to tightening up, and folding more often.

Also when people are having fun they are more likely to rebuy after losing rather than storm off in a huff.
I agree here. However, if someone is straddling, making the table blinds bigger than Timmy McTourist wanted to play for, and you just burned through his initial buy is half the time he expected it to last, while all he got to do was pay for flops then fold. There is no was he is going to donk off more.

The straddle just kills the fun.

I would argue that having fun is always +ev. I am not picking on you but more the generic poker player with headphones who doesn't talk and never straddles cuz its -EV. I think those stereotypical players are not thinking about the other factors at play. Poker is about math but it is also about people who in some sense are your customers.
Again, fun is +ev. This is best done by opening up a conversation at the table. If Timmy McTourist feels like he is playing in his garage, he's not going to leave. He's going to donk, rebuy, donk. His $ per hour cost will be considered the price of an evening full of fun. He wins, even when he's losing. That's the reason I hate hoodie-and-headphones-guy at the table even more than straddle-guy. Because Hoodie isn't talking. He does nothing to loosen Timmy up or put Timmy at ease.

Straddles are -EV, and kill off the fish.
 
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The straddle just kills the fun.

This is an interesting point of view. If people at the table view it as you being a rich bully then yeah it will be true. I always view straddling as the opposite...people are voluntarily adding money to the pot and being fun...willing to splash around. You could be right tho that in some cases it could be viewed as a buzzkill or overly aggressive play from the perspective of new players.

Usually when playing if there is some discussion about it prior...like for example I might straddle and say something like "hey guys lets straddle for a round who is in? and then toss out a 4 dollar straddle in a 1/2 game". I generally think this is seen as fun and in most cases people join in, maybe not everyone but some of the players will follow suit.

My main point is that straddling does not exist in a mathematical vacuum. You can't simply say straddling is -ev so don't do it...that is being too narrow minded. If you care about your image it is not the end of the world to mix in some friendly conversation, some straddles, and buying a few drinks for people at the table (in Vegas they only cost you a dollar tip...).

Your argument that straddling is bad because it kills off the fish too quickly is totally different and may be true in some contexts. However in Vegas IMO it doesn't apply as there is a steady stream of new players.
 

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