I Will Be Playing Texas Hold ‘Em In Las Vegas And Would Love Some Advice!
Growing up, I played cards very often. I remember traveling to Montreal, Canada and playing cards with my Aunt Freda as a child. I still play gin with my sister (yes LB - you beat me last month in Atlanta) and brother-in-law. Some of my fondest memories are playing poker. The game usually included my best friends Gary and Andrew. We played lots of different games with many wild cards. As I got older I was invited to play in a weekly game with Rick, Lippy and others which was a lot of fun. Over the years the crazy games of poker that had wild cards turned to Texas Hold ‘Em. I have played a few times since I have been in Texas but not a ton.
I am going to Las Vegas at the end of January and planning to play in a hotel poker room and possibly a tournament.
I need your help. What advice or strategy do you have for me?
- Have you played in tournaments?
- Do you sit and wait and fold your cards until you had a read on the table?
- How are you handling your betting when you are the small blind?
- What about the big blind?
- If you are in a tournament and get dealt a pair of aces, are you all in no matter what?
- Should I wear sunglasses?
- How about a Boston Red Sox hat?
- What is your favorite hand?
- Do you have a favorite website or book?
I really look forward to your comments and advice.
January 14th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Have you played in tournaments?
A: Yes, I used to play tourneys through college.
Do you sit and wait and fold your cards until you had a read on the table?
A: Rounder Quote: “If you can’t spot the sucker in the first 30 minutes, you’re the sucker” But, seriously no..play your cards.
How are you handling your betting when you are the small blind?
A: More likely to see the flop. You learn a lot of information for a small price. Of course, if you’re playing against aggressive people, you may have to consider that they’ll try to draw you in.
What about the big blind?
A: Even more, more likely to hold for the flop. It also gives you cover. People assume you’re in because you have to be in. Then they may assume you ‘caught’ on the flop. In reality, you might have pocket rockets.
If you are in a tournament and get dealt a pair of aces, are you all in no matter what?
A: The only time, in that situation, that I would be all-in (no matter what) is if I was playing against someone who tried to catch all of the time. I might play the odds that my hand would beat out theirs, and go all-in pre-flop. Of course, this isn’t for the faint of heart.
Should I wear sunglasses?
A: If you can pull them off.
How about a Boston Red Sox hat?
A: def.
What is your favorite hand?
A: Anything paired-suited. I like hands that leave you ‘outs’ as the cards turn. If you are playing against a bunch of people, I might be more conservative. If you’re playing against only a few, you have more options.
Do you have a favorite website or book?
A: There are a lot of them. Try Doyle Brunson.
January 14th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Since you and I played in that tourney in LV together a few years back, I have been playing Hold ‘em and Omaha on line and can speak from experience: There are no rules. There is strategy. There are odds. In the end, it is still gambling.
You ask if all-in on Aces - such a simple question with a million possible answers. It’s all conditional - what is your table position, how many chips do you have left, what have the others been doing (aggressive/passive), what is your table image, how well do you read the other players, do you have any tells, etc.
Books - go to twoplustwo.com and start reading. Small Stakes Hold ‘em: Winning Big with Expert Play is the best book to start with. They also have an incredible forum where hands are discussed by pros.
My best advice is to play on-line every day for about 8 hours.
I love AT hearts- don’t know why for sure- I think the hearts are pretty!
Good luck my friend!
January 15th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Merrill,
Pick up Doyle Brunson’s Super System II ( or version I if you cannot find it). It is a giant of a book but you can skim through the fluff and get to the meat before your tournament. It is the best poker book I have seen and I have seen a lot.
Mike
January 15th, 2008 at 9:49 am
My parents go to LV about once a year and my Dad plays Texas Hold ‘Em. Here is his advice:
“If playing tournament or no-limit…
1. Key is to survive..avoid going all-in unless virtually certain that you have the best hand or you are virtually certain your opponents will fold if you do.
2. Fold often and early…don’t bet just to see the flop.
3. When in early betting position, play tight..you can be looser and more aggressive if you are on the button or right before the button.
4. If you have strong hand, raise rather than call…calling is sign of weakness. If you can’t raise, you should usually fold. Except, you might want to call to disguise a very strong hand.
If playing low limit game..
1. fold early and often.
2. never bluff..doesn’t work in low limit game…
3. if you are betting more than 20% of the hands, you are probably playing too loose.
4. When you have good cards…raise.
5. Never bet on hope, faith, or a hunch.
Get a book and learn the value of the first two card combos. That’s the very best thing to know.”
Hope that helps!
January 15th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Good morning.
I want to thank everyone for their advice. I am definitely going to buy a book. Its funny I actually do pay (often) to see the flop even if I don’t have great cards.
I have a few weeks before I go to Vegas So I hope the comments and helpful tips keep coming in.
Merrill
January 16th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Dad says Texas Hold’em by Ken Warren is a good book…it uses a structured learning approach.
January 16th, 2008 at 10:00 am
If you can’t control yourself from paying to see the flop, you may want to consider the Texas Hold ‘Em table game in your non-tournament time. It’s like any other table game where you likely won’t win big bucks, but it can be enjoyable with a good dealer and good people at your table. If you’re not familiar with this game, you’re only playing against the dealer, not the table, so your need for strategy is a lot less. AND if you play this and don’t stay in for the flop, you’re likely throwing away your ante because I have seen 2-3 hands win. A pair is often a victor in this game as well. Not all of the casinos have this yet, but most of the Park Place properties do.
January 16th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I think the best thing you could do before your trip is to hold your very own Texas Hold ‘Em tournament here at work, before you leave for Vegas. I’m sure there must be a handful of people that would love to lighten your wallet…ooops, I mean help you practice for your tournament.
January 21st, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I like the tournaments in the Freemont Street area better than the Strip. Specifically, I like tourneys at the Golden Nugget. There tends to be more experienced players which is more enjoyable than playing with a group that pays no attention to logic or real strategy. When people are all over the board, it can be frustrating.
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:25 am
Hey Merrill:
First of all, let me start by saying how jealous I am of you going to Vegas!!! That being said, there are a few things that you need to know to play hold em.
1- knowing the blinds: the small blind is the player directly to the left of the dealer. Since the button (dealer button) moves after every hand, obviously the blinds move after every hand as well. The small blind is partially committed to play in the hand. The big blind (2 to the left of the dealer) is twice as committed as the small blind, and those two players are the only players that MUST put money into the hand, regardless of wanting to play or not. Remember, that does not mean that you HAVE to commit more money into the pot if you don’t want to. If someone raises before you have to act, you can simply fold your cards and be done with it. However, if there are no raises, then you can play for free, so to speak, because you already committed your money into the pot from the big blind position. If in the small blind, and you want to play, you must commit the balance between the big blind and small blind.
2- reading the table: invariably, there will be someone who is very aggressive (likes to raise alot, and play a lot of hands) and many who are passive. The passive guys are the ones you need to fear more. They only play when they have a premium hand to start (pocket pairs, big aces, or suited picture cards, etc.) Be careful your first time, and learn how the game is played by watching,, and more importantly, paying attention to the players when you are NOT in the hand.
3- playing poker is like being a salesman. Since you are excellent at the latter, with practice you could be very good at the former as well. A pair of aces is only as good as how much money you can win. If you go all in pre flop and everyone folds, you have won only the blinds…hardly worth it for such a premium hand. Make a little raise preflop (triple the big blind for example), get rid of the guys with marginal hands, and then make a big bet after the flop, provided there are no flushes or straights on the board.
4- no need for you to wear sunglasses…I assume you wont be playing for huge $$…you are playing for fun.
5- Absolutely wear your Red Sox hat…I wear mine all the time!!!
6- I personally like to play suited connectors (10, j of the same suit, k,q..etc,) but you should be playing the made hands more than not..pairs are only as good as the board dictates..for example you have q,q..an excellent starting hand. You raise 3 x the blind and you get one caller. Now you must assume he either has a smaller pair (which is great for you) or he has an ace with possibly a picture card. If the flop is the cards lower than a queen, then you are feeling that you are still ahead, and you should make another rather large bet. However if an ace and/or a king flops, then all of a sudden your q,q might not be as good as it was pre flop. Use your head, and play conservatively to start, and you will learn a lot as you go.
It is easier to understand verbally, so call me anytime and I will give you a few pointers that will help you tons. Call me on my cell phone to discuss if you like. Have a great time and good luck!!
Rich Spear
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:17 am
My dear brother I would like to point out I have won the last 2 times we played and one you were schneidered. Good Luck in Vegas! Laurie
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:40 am
Laurie,
Thanks for reminding me! Yes that clearly is true however there is always next time.
Merrill
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:22 am
Hi Merrill,
I have played large and small tournaments, but I have found I have more luck with the 10 player sit and goes, or IF you have the time (2-4 hours), the $1-$2 tables are also good. The Monte Carlo used to run $50 - 10 player sit and go tables paying 1st and 2nd place. Good comfortable room. Also liked the Caesars room, but players there tend to “gamble” and push more, so very hard to limp in or chase. Caesars = play aggressive yourself or you are the bait !
The #1-#2 tables are also good to play slow and work on position play. Hope you have fun.