Larchmont Chronicle
JUNE 2021
SECTION TWO
19
Strategies and Tactics, Part II: Thin the field, raise the pot Last month, in Part I, we defined strategies and tactics as applied to poker. A strategy is a plan of action; and tactics are the ways to execute your strategy. To explain, we used an example of a player who had been dealt A-K offsuit — a great drawing hand. Let us now look at two different examples when playing lowlimit hold’em. Pocket Kings It is a low-limit hold’em game, and you have been dealt
Poker for All by
George Epstein pocket Kings — a made hand. At this point, you are almost certain to be well in the lead. Only pocket Aces is a higher starting hand. And the odds are 221-to-1 against it! But,
with eight opponents in the hand and five more cards to be dealt out, there is a reasonable chance someone will draw out on you. So, in this case, your best strategy is to thin the field. And your only tactic is to raise the pot. Make the raise with confidence — sort of a reverse tell — to encourage some opponents to fold their hands. Ideally, you would like to have three opponents staying to see the flop. (Certainly, you do not
410 N. Rossmore (Continued from page 2)
meeting. “There were a lot of people spreading misinformation and lies,” said Loring, who noted the “appalling” way that he and Domos Principal Daniel Alexander were treated by the public speakers. “The committee didn’t even try to stop the nonsense.” What’s next? Loring says that Domos is moving forward. “We submitted a building plan check, and we will continue to work with residents that want to work with us to make the transition as smooth as we can.” But make no mistake, said Loring: “We are committed
STREET VIEW of what the reconfigured building at 410 N. Rossmore Ave. will look like after the project is complete.
to this project, and we are doing this project. It is a ‘by-right’ development, so if you don’t like the city’s zoning code, go to City Hall and change it. Otherwise, get out
of our way.” Construction is expected to begin in late September.
want all of your opponents to muck their hands, resulting in a very small pot should you have the best hand at the end.) Small pairs Suppose you found yourself with a pair of 5s in the hole. That hand almost certainly must improve to win the pot. You are hoping to catch a set of 5s — or better — on the flop. The odds are about 8-to1 against you. So, what is your best strategy? In this case, the best answer is: “It depends!” In general, your best strategic goal is to see the flop multi-handed (so there will be a better chance to build the pot if/when you connect) and, with no raises pre-flop, invest as little money as possible until after you see the flop. What are your best tactics to achieve this goal? Much depends on game texture, the types of players you are up against, and position. From an early/middle position, just call along before the flop. At a table with lots of tight players, you dare not raise; keep them in the pot until you see if the flop improves your pocket 5s. Prefer that no one
raises (minimize your investment pre-flop). If you are in a late position, you can see if these tactics are fulfilled before you must make your investment. That is relatively easy at a loose table. If no one has raised, consider making the raise to steal the blinds. On the other hand, from an early position, be prepared to fold your 5-5 unless it is a loose-passive game so it will be cheap to see the flop. Should there be a raise, do not hesitate to fold your hand. With only two outs to improve your small pocket pair, most of the time, expect to muck them after the flop. Do not defy the laws of probability. Do not chase. Life/Poker Quote of the Month “We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world.” – Helen Keller George “The Engineer” Epstein, a long-time local resident, is the author of three poker books, including, “The Art of Bluffing” and “Hold’em or Fold’em – An Algorithm for Making the Key Decision.”
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