Barance Grasshopper (Part 2)

A good friend of mine and I were playing golf a few years back, and he kept giving me pointers (probably because I needed them!). My friend is a pretty good golfer, and he is also a patient instructor as well.

He would remark at how my body torqued in odd manners when I drove the ball, and when I would swing through the ball I would almost fall forward. His remark would always be the same..."Ahhh....you need much barance grasshoppa!"

It was his unique way of telling me that I was doing it wrong without coming out and saying it. I appreciated it, that is why we are still friends!

Well, the same thing applies to poker. I have always read poker books and heard poker players discuss the need to "change up" their game at certain times. This is a mechanism that keeps certain types of players from taking advantage of the table, and also gives you some flexibility in your options (if you do it right).

This is actually VERY IMPORTANT when playing good players. You need to be able to play correctly. You need to be able to bluff when appropriate. You need to play your game. BUT - you also need to play a hand or two differently to give your opponents something to think about.

Here is an example

I must set this up a bit by assuming that I have been playing very tight up to this point.

I am in Middle Position (MP). This is one of the worst places to be at the table because you are caught between the first bettor and the last bettor. If you don't have a very good or great hand, the typical play is to fold before the flop.

But

I am dealt 6h 7h. Suited connectors. I love playing suited connectors because depending on the flop you tyically have either no options or a lot of options. If the board is checked to me, I may come out with a 3xBB bet. What this does is cause the other players to re-evaluate their hands. If they don't have a very good hand, then they will typically fold. If the blinds are high enough, you will probably steal the blinds.

In the case that you get a caller or two, this is not a bad thing. The flop will typically come out with either High cards or Low cards. If it comes out low, you have a good chance of pairing up or catching a straight or flush draw. The other players will put you on top pair or AK/AQ. If you hit the straight on the flop, the pot will probably by yours and should be rather large since the other players will think that you are bluffing.

If the flop comes out High, then you can just bet as if you tripped up the highest card on the board and unless they have done that as well, you have an opportunity at the pot.

If you keep getting called by a tight player or a very good player, you need to fold by the turn unless you think you have a good hand because remember - you are a tight player so they have expectations of what you have in your hand. Unless you have the nuts, you don't want to go all the way to the river and lose. This will "blow" your tight cover.

Just an example, and it may not make sense to you now but hopefully it will soon.

-m²