Should you play the "card rush"? Profitable or stupid?

[DKNY]

We've all seen people taking down pot after pot with substandard hands, but in that stretch they always seem to catch the cards they need and make their hands. They'll say they're on a good rush.

In Vegas, I saw a guy raised UTG with 93o and the flop came 9 9 3, when the table asked him how he can play such a garbage hand, he said he felt "the rush".

In "Super Systems", Doyle Brunson said he would always play the next hand if he won a pot in NLHE and usually go in with a raise. To give himself a chance to go on a nice rush of cards.

Of course this goes against "good poker".

Question is, should you play for the card rush? Ride your sudden good luck streak? Would this show a positive profit in the long run?

[WizeGuy33]

As all of us know, cards have no memory. Each hand is completely independent of the others. Therefore, it is incorrect to play differently because you think that the cards are coming your way. There is, however, some value behind a "card rush". Because poker is so psychological, if your opponents see you winning pot after pot, they will be more afraid to tangle with you. You can use this to your advantage to outplay your opponents while playing weaker hands. This is the true value behind a "card rush". It has nothing to do with the cards, but your image at the table.

[Timer]

You should of course always play your hot streaks. But then you should always play your cold streaks as well. Playing a cold streak is very easy. Either you stay home, because you know you are going to be on a cold streak, just like you know you are on a hot streak, or if you already happen to be playing you just quit. Of course, 99% of all poker players only play their hot streaks and continue to play when they are on a cold streak. I wonder why that is?

I'll answer my own question. The answer is that there is no such thing as a hot or cold streaks, and they can't be predicted. If they could be predicted, then you would simply stay home when you are going to be on a cold streak or you would play until you drop when you are going to be on a hot streak.

This is impossible. QED.

[Mike Gallo]

DK,

I do not believe in playing a "rush".
In the short run you may see people playing the "rush" and dragging pot after pot, and it can feel frustrating. However in the long run these same "on a rush" players will usually have long term losing results.

Stay strong and disciplined...over time you will get their money.
Michael

[Homer]

We've all seen people taking down pot after pot with substandard hands, but in that stretch they always seem to catch the cards they need and make their hands. They'll say they're on a good rush.

They are on a good rush.

In Vegas, I saw a guy raised UTG with 93o and the flop came 9 9 3, when the table asked him how he can play such a garbage hand, he said he felt "the rush".

It isn't possible to "feel the rush". There is no way of knowing what your next hand is going to be before you receive it, regardless of the results of the previous x hands. The cards you receive in poker each hand is a series of independent events (assuming proper shuffling). Thus, there is no way to predict what is going to happen during the next hand based on the last one.

The guy who said he felt the rush is simply a typical Vegas gambler. Where do you think they got all the money to build them there fancy hotels? Answer -- from guys like this.

In "Super Systems", Doyle Brunson said he would always play the next hand if he won a pot in NLHE and usually go in with a raise. To give himself a chance to go on a nice rush of cards.

I haven't read the book, but I'm sure that Doyle didn't mean that he expected to flop a decent hand a greater percentage of the time than the actual odds dictate. He is probably referring to the other players' perception of him being on a rush. When opponents are playing differently than normal (for example, not wanting to battle with you after you have won the last two hands), you can get away with raising/betting with less strong hands, because your opponents are more likely to fold due to their belief in the existence of rushes.

Question is, should you play for the card rush? Ride your sudden good luck streak? Would this show a positive profit in the long run?

No. No. No.

You should only alter your play if your opponents are giving you freedom to steal more often due to their perception of you being on a rush.

-- Homer

[bernie]

i like homer and your answers. it has nothing really to do with the cards your dealt. but how your opponents are percieving you.

if theyre going to let you run them over, get a truck and ram em. just dont overdue it when they get wise to it.

b

[Ed Miller]

When opponents are playing differently than normal (for example, not wanting to battle with you after you have won the last two hands), you can get away with raising/betting with less strong hands, because your opponents are more likely to fold due to their belief in the existence of rushes.

I would like to add, especially in no limit play. In limit play, this just isn't going to work. Your opponents are going to play the same range of starting hand they normally might play, they are going to hit the same number of flops, and they are going to continue with the hands that flop well.

[muck_nutz]

"Of course this goes against "good poker". "

eh? Anything that gets the money is "good" poker. As long as you have some static view of "good poker" based upon fixed hand values you'll never beat much above a weak 6-12 game.

Of course there are rushes. You just can't predict them. (You'll get the 93o fellows money.)

The perception of a rush is used to make situational adjustments. e.g. If you take a couple of pots in a short time there is no need to be tricky with a big pair you pick up. In most games you will get action. As with most adjustments a dash will do ya'.

[ACPlayer]

Here is a proposition for you: we setup a table and give you a gut shot straight draw on the turn. We shuffle and deal repeatedly, when you have made the straight twice in a row (little less than once chance in a hundred of this happening, but it will happen) we will officially state that you are on gut shot rush. The next shuffle you and I will wager $1000 straight up (alright, I'll lay you 1500 to 1000) on the straight hitting (I say it does not hit). What say??

Seriously -- bad idea.

In NLHE you have the intimidation thing going, specially on a table full of players fearful of the rush -- so there is some validity to Doyle's statement.

[JTG51]

I think this one would fall under my theory, "Turn down any bet that ACPlayer offers me." Even when you offer me both sides of the same bet. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

[rayrns]

"I haven't read the book, but I'm sure that Doyle didn't mean that he expected to flop a decent hand a greater percentage of the time than the actual odds dictate."

Yes he does firmly believe in the rush. Below is from Super System.

"After I've won a pot in NL...I'm in the next pot - regardless of what two cards I pick up. And if I win that one ...I'm always in the next one. I keep playing every pot until I lose one. And, in all those pots, I gamble MORE than I normally would"

"If you want to take the money off...I mean, make a big scoree...then, you've got to play your rushes. It's that simple."

End of quotes.

[Huh]

The power of the rush is undeniable. When you are in a pot, you must play the next one, regardless of the action to you and your hole cards. Flops come in streaks, and you never know when you are going to be in one of the amazing streaks.

BTW, I go to AC all the time. I usually wear a red long-island stick ball hat. Lemme know if I'm sitting at your table /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

[Steve-o]

This weekend i was on a so called rush winning over $850 in under 4 hours at a 5-10 table with a kill. and i have to say that playing 9/3 off is crazy! rush or no rush. it went down like this , i had 2 ok starting hands early raised and reraised both, was being beaten and got saved on the river. having to show these hands my opponents now think i am a fish and i get all the action i want for the rest of the night and i raised and raised just like i did with the weaker hands earlier(of course it was a good night many strong hands and the flops hit me)so i think to be on a rush you need 3 things
1)good cards
2)a very aggresive style
3)and most importantly the right table image or when your on your rush you will get no action

as a side note i can guarantee you all of those players i played with this weekend will remember me as an action player. the only one at the table who i knew was 1 other regular as i was at the casino at a different time than usual.