Cash Game Advice Needed

[Cyclones]

So I am going to a cash game tomorrow night with a buddy of mine (the same one I play heads up with weekly.) Over the last year I have won 55% of our heads up games, and he usually walks away from the Thursday game with profit, so I figure I have a shot to win some money. He did say that the game is VERY loose, guys will call for all of their chips preflop with hands like AJ, KQ, etc. The game is no limit, $200 max buyin, with 1 and 2 dollar blinds. Anyone played a game like this before that was really loose? I have read that the looser the game, the tighter you play, and vice versa. Is that the correct strategy? I normally play tournaments only, so this will be kind of new for me.

[darin3]

So I am going to a cash game tomorrow night with a buddy of mine (the same one I play heads up with weekly.) Over the last year I have won 55% of our heads up games, and he usually walks away from the Thursday game with profit, so I figure I have a shot to win some money. He did say that the game is VERY loose, guys will call for all of their chips preflop with hands like AJ, KQ, etc. The game is no limit, $200 max buyin, with 1 and 2 dollar blinds. Anyone played a game like this before that was really loose? I have read that the looser the game, the tighter you play, and vice versa. Is that the correct strategy? I normally play tournaments only, so this will be kind of new for me.

 

Yes and no, in my opinion. Personally, I'd play tight at first. Real tight. Let the fishies trade big pots. Of course, if you have a monster, don't hesitate to play and push it. But subconsciously, loose or not, the fish at the table will realize that you're playing tight, and later in the game, after you've built up a decent chip stack, you can push a little harder.

 

Unlike tournaments, the blinds won't be increasing... so there's no chance of you being "blinded off" the table. Like I said, play it tight - especially early on - and gradually loosen up. Obviously scope out who is the loosest, and target them with bigger hands. That's where you'll make your money. And, of course, later in the game, push hard EARLY to get the chasers off seeing flops/turns. As the saying goes, better to win a bunch of little pots than one big one.

 

I have been a cash game player all of my 9+ years of playing poker, up until rather recently. I've found that cash games CAN be easier. Tournaments have solidified my playing, that's for sure. I think you'll probably be fine, given the fact you're used to that style. Just keep it in the back of your mind that the blinds are not increasing. Target the fish, pay close attention to position, and yeah.... take their money!

 

Edit: Just re-read my response and have to clarify... the "yes and no" response wasn't clear.... I, personally, would not loosen up on a real tight table. Chances are you're playing with some quality players that will recognize your "loosening up" and will take advantage. Now, if it's later in the game, and for one reason or another the table tightens up AND you've been playing rather tight, perhaps you take the opportunity to steal some pots (see saying about many little pots, above).

Edited July 18, 2006 by darin3

[Rebellab]

I play at live tables in Deadwood, and usually play a 4-8 table. Pre-flop is 4 next raise is 8 then 12. Flop is 4 next raise in 8 etc. Fourth street is 8 then 16 etc.

 

Of course the buy-in limit is as much as you have in your pocket. All-in is on the table only.

 

These guys stay on everything. My experience is that if you don't have more than two pair get out. If there is a flush or straight possiblity usually someone has it at a 10 seat table. Loose games are tough. I just enjoy playing and hoping I hit a few big hands against these guys that play and bet everything. And yes I play very tight.

[Cyclones]

I play at live tables in Deadwood, and usually play a 4-8 table. Pre-flop is 4 next raise is 8 then 12. Flop is 4 next raise in 8 etc. Fourth street is 8 then 16 etc.

 

Of course the buy-in limit is as much as you have in your pocket. All-in is on the table only.

 

These guys stay on everything. My experience is that if you don't have more than two pair get out. If there is a flush or straight possiblity usually someone has it at a 10 seat table. Loose games are tough. I just enjoy playing and hoping I hit a few big hands against these guys that play and bet everything. And yes I play very tight.

 

 

I used to play limit holdem (3-6) and don't like it as much as NL.

[Big Country]

If the game is really loose, play tight. But, if the game is loose passive, ie not a lot of preflop raising (except by you of course), then loosen up and play the medium suited connectors and medium and small pairs looking to hit a big hand. You will be getting the odds to do so at a minimum of risk and a maximum of potential. Also, in doing so, you will appear to be playing just as loose as the rest of the table, so that when you push your monster hands, they will be just as inclined to keep on calling and pay you off rather than folding.

 

BUt, since it is a loose table, push your big hands that you would prefer to take the pot preflop (QQ-TT and AK) very hard, like a 5-6 BB raise preflop, and raise AA-KK about 4-5 BB. You want them to be paying you off big time when you have a major advantage to counter the times that someone does catch on you.

 

If by loose he means that players will bet at any pot, then you can look for check raises when in early position and come over the top big when in good position, but remember in a loose game, bluffing is essentially pointless. I wouldn't mind throwing out a few small bluffs early on hoping to get called so you can show that you are a bluffer early on and get that image if it gets you a few calls later on when you have a big hand.

 

In my local where we only get together every couple months, I had built such a tight image in out tournaments, tha I was able to steal a lot of pots when we switched to a cash game because of that image. Not sure if this is a regular game you will get invited to, but that initial image will stick with people for a while, so assuming they really are a loose group, you want to appear just as loose initially so they get it in their heads you are, then hammer them with solid tight play, aggressive raises with big hands, late position calls with speculative upside hands and reap the rewards. But main thing is have fun.

[muck]

I played last night with some friends ... and it's really difficult to play disciplined when those around are you are not playing disciplined and/or are catching all sorts of cards.