The most limiting part of my game is time. On average, I play 20-25 tables hours a month (2 table * 1 hour = 2 table hours), which is not that much to handle variance. I know guys that put that many tables hours in by lunch on the first day of the month.
To combat the inevitable swings in this game, I came up with a more conservative approach that works. Why put your money in when you are a 60-40 favorite when you can wait for a 80-20%. Sure there are more 60-40's than 80-20's, but it does bring up the variance more which time will even out. However, as I stated, I don't have the time.
Essentially, I found out that you can call as a favorite, instead of raising and still get the same results.
Example:
I raised on the button with AAQTds and got 5 callers. The flop came KJ4, with two of my suit and one of the other. Checked to me and I bet pot. I was check raised from the SB and called in two spots. Now you could easily argue that I could put it all in there and be correct. However, since he obviously had a set, I flat called to see the turn. It was a 3 of my second suit. I now had two nut flush draws to go with the wrap straight. When he bet out, it was ~80% of my stack, the other two in the hand were pot committed on the flop bet and called. I flat called as well. The river completed a flush and it was checked to me. I bet my remaining $20 and he called because there was $225 in the pot.
Logic:
I flat called the flop because it the board pairs there, I would be drawing thin (2 aces) and could fold to preserve the majority of my stack. If the board doesn't pair, I am going to call even if I don't pick up another draw.
I flat called the turn, because if I miss I fold and save $20. If I hit, the pot was so big that he would have to call, which he did.
Summary:
If you are OK with leaving a little money out there it return for less variance, go right ahead and do it. Nothing is wrong with that.
TomStatistics: Posted by teknipper — Sun May 18, 2008 7:40 am
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