ComputerHunter.org

 

Playing Low Limit Shorthanded Holdem Online


When it comes to playing shorthanded games online, one size definitely does not fit all. Certain concepts, aggression being the most important, are paramount no matter WHAT level you are playing; but the low limit games with its preponderance of loose, passive opponents mandate a slightly different style of play be used to maximize profits.

As at any level of poker, starting hand selection is key. At Party Poker's lowest level, the six seated tables are littered with players who see 60 to 70 percent of flops. We advocate that you keep your percentage somewhere around 30. While you are ditching your long term losers, most of your opponents will be bleeding money by playing negative expected value hands.

While position is important in Texas Holdem, it is much less important in low limit shorthanded play. Pre-flop raising is infrequent, so you will rarely be "punished" for limping with a hand of moderate strength. We advocate the following starting hands recommendations: Raise with pairs down to Nine, Ace-King to Ace-Ten, King-Queen, King-Jack and Queen-Jack suited. Limp with any suited Ace, Ace-nine and Ace-eight, Queen-Jack, King-Ten, Queen-Ten and Jack-Ten. King-nine can be played late, and Queen-Nine and Jack-nine are optional in late position. Play pocket sevens and sixes anywhere. Lower pocket pairs can be played if there are two limpers ahead of you. Suited connectors down to seven-six should also be played in an unraised pot. Other suited hands to be played are Queen-Nine, Queen-Eight, Jack-Nine and King-Nine. Jack-Eight and Ten-Eight can be played late.

Beware of playing too many hands in the blinds. Even tight players get caught limping in the small blind with poor hands. This is a long term money loser. Stretch your opening hand list only slightly in the small blind, and don't be too eager to call raises in the big blind. Remember, most of these players raise only with top-notch holdings, so you'll probably be at a disadvantage if you call a raise.

Shorthanded Poker is typically characterized by raising and aggression. However, this is often less effective at the lowest limits. Your pre-flop raises will typically be called in several places. At higher limits, raising with hands like pocket sevens is an effective strategy, as against a single caller you will probably be a favorite. However, this play is a loser at low limit shorthanded holdem. You will not be able to bully your way to pots very frequently. When you have raised with your big cards and missed the flop, position becomes most important. Frequently you will be up against three or more opponents. If you've missed the flop and are last, take a free turn card if possible, or fold to an opponent's bet. Against two opponents, bet the flop and use your judgement on future streets as to whether you think you can bet them off the hand. Low limit players will generally call you down with any pair, so bluffing them on the river is a long term losing play. If they've stuck with you that long, checking (and then folding) is probably your best course of action.

If you've hit your flop, whether you raised or limped pre-flop, you must be extremely aggressive. Your starting hands are more solid than everyone else's. The low limit players' tendency to chase to the river with poor holdings must be punished. Bet and raise with impunity. If you are in the blinds and flop top pair, even with a weak kicker, by all means check raise. Punish other players for trying to steal pots or betting their middle pair. This will pay off handsomely, as they will remember being check raised and give you free cards later on. Remember also that top pair is a stronger hand in shorthanded games than it is in ten player games, so treat it as such. If you've flopped top pair, it is unlikely that one of the other two cards to make top pair landed in the other ten cards dealt to the table. Raise any bettors with top pair, regardless of the kicker, unless there was a preflop raiser. One last note on post-flop play: If you are heads up with someone, throw in a bluff raise occasionally. Many of your opponents are inexperienced and will drop their hands in the face of a raise.

With the plethora of poor players at the lowest limits of shorthanded poker, the game is ripe for the picking. Aggression, while still very important, must be toned down a bit, however, in the face of the numerous calling stations you're likely to find at these tables. So remain tight, play VERY aggressively when you've hit something, but don't try to bully your way to too many pots and you'll build a big bankroll by swimming with the fish.

Greg Dwyer is a professional poker player and shorthanded holdem specialist. Read more of his poker strategy at his websites: http://www.HitTheFlop.com and http://www.pokercentral.us







Google News - Top Stories

Financial Post

Ford Makes Concessions in Effort to Get Government Help
Washington Post - 2 hours ago
By William Branigin Ford Motor Co., unveiling a business plan demanded by Congress before it approves aid for the Big Three US automakers, disclosed today that it is seeking a bridge loan of up to $9 billion and that it expects to break even or become ...
Video: Automakers Return With A Plan CBS
UPDATE: Ford Asks For $9 Billion Backstop Loan; Aims For '11 Profit CNNMoney.com
New York Times - MarketWatch - Reuters - Bloomberg
all 2,100 news articles


guardian.co.uk

Poll: Americans feel good about Obama, Cabinet choices
USA Today - 1 hour ago
By Susan Page, USA TODAY WASHINGTON - President-elect Barack Obama is riding a wave of good feeling toward him and his key Cabinet appointments, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds - positive attitudes that may give him some breathing room for tough ...
Video: Obama Picks Gates, Clinton for Foreign Policy AssociatedPress
In New Role, Clinton's Former Experience Won't Help Much ABC News
Financial Times - Washington Post - AFP - Buffalo News
all 3,632 news articles


ABC News

Report: World at Risk of Bio, Nuke Attack
ABC News - 54 minutes ago
By JASON RYAN A biological or nuclear attack is likely to occur somewhere around the globe during the Obama administration or shortly thereafter, a new congressionally mandated report has warned.
Report warns Barack Obama to brace himself for a terrorist attack Times Online
US Congressional Panel to Present Report on WMD Threat Voice of America
CNN International - Reuters - College News
all 563 news articles


The Miami Herald

Martinez will not seek re-election
Bizjournals.com - 47 minutes ago
Sen. Mel Martinez will not run for re-election in 2010. Florida’s junior senator, a Republican from Orlando who was born in Cuba, was elected to the US Senate in 2004.
Mel Martinez won't seek Senate reelection The Miami Herald
Sen. Martinez won’t seek re-election in battleground of Florida Reuters
Bloomberg - MyFoxOrlando.com - Sarasota Herald-Tribune - Southern Political Report
all 386 news articles


BBC News

Thai airport protests to end after PM is banned
euronews - 31 minutes ago
Anti-government protesters in Bangkok are ecstatic after getting what they want and they have agreed to end their week-long airport sit-ins.
Thai court disbands PM’s party, protestors end siege of airports Indian Express
Protesters expected to leave Thai airport today ABC Online
Reuters - AFP - guardian.co.uk - Times Online
all 9,287 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base