Yeah, the SSH book is definitely pretty loose... I don't often end up at tables that are quite so loose, so I've found I have to tighten up my selection quite a bit. I think there are two key points to the SSH book, though, and they are quite simple: (a) pot odds - in those super-loose games, you can actually remain +EV by playing draw-only types of hands; (b) in general, you have to be much more conscientious about how you count your drawing outs. Just because you've only got a backdoor flush draw doesn't mean you should fold it always; neither does it mean that you should play it always. You have to look at the situation, see if you've also made a hand (say top pair no kicker), and what kind of odds the pot is laying you. In general, I think Ed Miller's point is that you should be much more aggressive in trying to win the big pots in a loose-passive game.
That being said, I play almost exclusively on UB. I don't find those kinds of games at the 1/2 level, at least. So I've tightened up the SSH guidelines quite a bit. You'll have to play a lot of hands before you can begin to see patterns in situations anyway... so just stick at the limits you can afford for the moment, and be prepared to grind it out. It will take a while, in all likelihood - and don't get carried away with either huge upswings *or* huge downswings - your SD early on is likely to be pretty high. Just concentrate on the game.
And don't gamble away your life's savings. Hope things work out for you!Statistics: Posted by musicman80 — Wed May 11, 2005 11:30 am
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