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Server Time: 10/12/2008 4:36:59 AM PACIFIC |
 What would YOU do?, grinditout, 13. May 2003 21:17 | ||
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| This post is one that I have been wanting to sit down and write for a long time. You see I have a problem, or more exactly, a situation. I am trying to make a decision regarding where my poker time will be spent from now on. Allow me to lay out my poker variables: I work at a family owned business so getting time away to play poker is not exactly impossible to do. I usually can play 2-3 days a week along with nighttime online sessions. I have been playing poker (Holdem, Omaha, 7-Stud) for 10 years now. I am a consistent proven winner at casino style holdem, whether at a casino, B &M, or online. I also can keep my head above water in Omaha/Omaha HI LO Split. I don't play much 7-Stud these days. This is where my question begins..... I have been playing at a home game for the last 3-4 years. The problem with this game is that it is your typical "racehorse" type game. The same 10-15 guys have been "rotating" around playing there for over 30 years! The games played at this game are: 2 Card Holdem 3 Card Holdem (Where U throw 1 card away before the flop) 3 Card Holdem "Keep Em All" Omaha (Hi Only) 5 Card Stud Style Lowball "Wheel Is Low" The first major difference from all the other poker I play at this game is that ALL of the above games are played "tight". Meaning you have to play BOTH cards in your hand in all holdem games. I.E. If you don't have two spades in your hand you can't make a spade flush even if 4 spades are on board. The next difference when compared to standard holdem games are the odd betting structure these guys use. I mainly play 5-10, 6-12, or 10-20. These guys play 1-3-3-7. No blinds, dealer antes a dollar. Meaning preflop if it is not raised you can call for a dollar. And on the flop and turn the max bet is 3, although you can also call or raise 1 or 2. Then after the river card, the max bet is 7, although you can also call or raise from 1-6. Now let me explain the players at this game. 1 guy who is the best suited for their game only because he has played with everyone for so long he knows everyone's tells and really has a gift for needling the suckers to call him when he has the nuts. 5 guys who would get drowned in casino style holdem, who see any draw all the way to the river, and no raise is going to slow them down, even if it is runner runner gutshot draws. 2-3 guys who never raise because "they know one of the idiots will" and are content to just check and call their nut hand all the way down to the river. Here is my question: I have a good friend who plays in this game (which is played 2 nights a week I may add) and I feel somewhat obligated to play there if merely for comraderie sake. However I get tired of playing "blackjack" poker. Whereas I feel like all of my strengths are taken away from me because of the lack of table selection (same players every week), low limit betting until river card is out (makes it much tougher to raise someone off a draw), and also the no blinds virtue. I have been on a long stretch (almost 2 months now) of not being able to log a back to back session profit there. I get tired of having the nuts on the flop and knowing that I am still the underdog to win the hand because there will be 7-8 people draw all the way to the river no matter what. I wish I could get these same clowns in a 6-12 holdem game with small and big blinds where I would wear them out on a day in and day out basis but I know I will never get them to change their game, so if you are me would you quit the game and spend the time playing to a game more to my strengths? I just feel like the way they have their game set up it comes down to whoever is getting the hottest cards on any given night. I don't want to upset anyone but I feel like playing in this game just compromises too many of my strengths, like composure, patience, and milking out the fish drawing at their Ax against my AK down to the river. Would any of you serious "grinders" keep playing in a racehorse style game like this? Thanks, Grinditout | ||
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| Re: What would YOU do?, Big_Slick, 13. May 2003 21:50 | ||
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| I think you've answered your own question! The only benefit I see to playing in these games is spending time with friends... but at those limits, your friends can get expensive. As you already stated, this sounds more like flat-out gambling than playing profitable poker. I think you're looking for a game you can beat and clearly, this type of play can be extremely risky. Good luck! Lee | ||
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| Re: What would YOU do?, shorn, 14. May 2003 05:38 | ||
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| I agree with Big_slick here. This game will not improve your poker playing skills and quite frankly may be to their detriment. If it were me, I would either encourage the guys to change the stakes, or just not play anymore. Obviously, it is bothering you to the degree where you need to make a decision. I play in home games too, but only 1/2 or 2/4 at the max which are generally below what I play online and in the casino. I view these sessions as fun with the guys and nothing more. One other thing to point out is that (and I don't want to sound arrogant here) I am generally the best player in the games, so rarely do I have a losing night and if so, it is very small. This is a much different situation than what you are in. Good luck. Steve | ||
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| Re: What would YOU do?, stdioh, 14. May 2003 07:26 | ||
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| You have two options here. Don't play or learn to beat this game. If you think you can adjust to the new rules and become better than everybody there, learn all their tells, and be able to crush them at their game, then go and do it. If not, then make excuses, make appologies, and show up once every couple of months for the sake of commeraderie. | ||
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