Check out our brand new Local Poker Communities! Get updates and interact with poker players in your area.
Visit the United States Poker Community | Visit the California Poker Community | Read more about the Launch of P5s Local

Cash Game Strategy on a Loose Table

Reply to Thread
  1. C00LHANDLUKE C00LHANDLUKE is offline

    Philadelphia, PA
    United States

    Posts: 116
    Joined: Jun 06

    May 13th, 2009 (5/13/2009 3:22pm)

    I'm trying to determine what is the better strategy playing cash game (full ring 9 player) table where most (let's say 4-6 players) are very loose. By that I mean for most hands you see 4-6 players limping into the pot, or even when there is a 2-3XBB raise, 3-5 people still enter the pot.

    Do you...
    a) Play tight and when you do, raise big to hopefully (and I say hopefully because even a 4-5XBB raise may see 2 other people come in) isolate one player.
    b) Play loose as well seeing flops with connectors, suited connectors hoping to hit a straight/flush draw?

    Playing a) Playing premium starting hands you're probably a favorite pre-flop, but, you're putting a lot of money in pre-flop so the pot is big to start. If you opponent hits, your losses are big. You're also not playing too many hands as well. I mean you can't wait for AA/KK, so playing AKs doesn't guarantee you win the pot.

    Playing b) You're putting in a lot of bets, but, they are small. But, your odds of hitting are small. And, if you do hit your str8, or 2 pair, or flush that isn't the nuts, you may have the second best hand.

    I know I'm asking this in a negative/pessimistic manner. But, which style is best?
  2. sean614 sean614 is online now

    Haddonfield, NJ
    United States

    Posts: 10,078
    Joined: Nov 06

    May 13th, 2009 (5/13/2009 3:27pm) in reply to C00LHANDLUKE

    depends on the stakes but your average $1-2 NL player at the casino is a huge donkey. Pedal the nuts all day long vs them. Most players can't fold FD/gutterballs/any pair they hit. Just hope not to get coolered. If you are rolled appropriately playing tight ABC poker will net you a lot of profit at these stakes.
  3. paidchex paidchex is offline

    Posts: 960
    Joined: Oct 08

    May 13th, 2009 (5/13/2009 3:36pm) in reply to C00LHANDLUKE

    Play position against passive players. 3xbb raise are nothing preflop on a loose table, think more 6x and + if limpers already in. Look to limp in with suited connectors and ace high/ king high suited cards multiway. Still raise big pairs and AK/AQ but play all button/cutoff/hijack hands when able to limp in cheap multi way. You will still look like the tightest guy on the table so you may still get respect from the observant ones.
  4. DAWS DAWS is offline OT's Youngest Grandpa

    Southington, CT
    United States

    Posts: 811
    Joined: Dec 07

    May 13th, 2009 (5/13/2009 3:44pm) in reply to C00LHANDLUKE

    you failed to mention the avg stacks for the game. the shorter the stacks the less you want to play style B... you have to get paid off enough to cover the costs of playing type B hands... if the stacks are not giving you enough implied odds- why would you play more type B hands?
  5. CallinBaans CallinBaans is offline

    Germany

    Posts: 8
    Joined: Mar 09

    May 13th, 2009 (5/13/2009 3:45pm) in reply to C00LHANDLUKE

    what means loose? are they pre loose an tighten up postflop? or do they call your river valuebets with A high or someting like that?

    in general i would tighten up and wait for hands with showdown value. if there are 3-4 of these guys, you will find someone who pays you off. most of the time you are ahead of his range.
    if you think you are the better postflop player you can loosen up and try to outplay them but this depends on villains.
  6. C00LHANDLUKE C00LHANDLUKE is offline

    Philadelphia, PA
    United States

    Posts: 116
    Joined: Jun 06

    May 13th, 2009 (5/13/2009 7:41pm) in reply to DAWS

    Stack sizes vary from max buy-in to min buy-in. Let's say for this table, there are three Max (including me), 3 mid and 3 low stacks. In every pot you see at least one type of player.
    Because there are avg to max stacks, implied odds are enough to play B style.
    Thread Starter
  7. C00LHANDLUKE C00LHANDLUKE is offline

    Philadelphia, PA
    United States

    Posts: 116
    Joined: Jun 06

    May 13th, 2009 (5/13/2009 7:42pm) in reply to CallinBaans

    Loos means many people see the flop. If there is any kind of draw (str8, flush) people stay. Also, people would stay with mid pair. Onluy time people fold (when they see the flop) is if they have absolutely nothing.
    Thread Starter
Reply to Thread

Similar Threads