Keep It Simple?

[Neill]

I played in my first casino game last night, 2/4 at the Taj. I finished up $70 after two-and-a-half hours, and yes I know that's way above what I can expect over the long run, but a nice way to start.

I've been playing online for a couple of months, mostly .25/.50 Stars. I've read The Theory of Poker and whatever I can find online.

My question is this: I'm playing tight-aggressive, betting / raising strong cards pre-flop and betting when my hands hit. I make most of my money off of big pairs, and when I'm playing a draw (including small pairs) I'm likely to lay down after the flop unless my hand is a set, 4-flush or OESD. Is this the optimal strategy for a beginner at a loose, low-limit table? Am I missing out by not check-raising, playing more drawing hands, or using the more sophisticated strategies that I read about here? How can I start to integrate these into my game? What can I expect if I move up slightly (say to .50/1 on Party, or to 3/6 at the Taj)? Thanks very much for your replies

-Neill

[Nottom]

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I'm likely to lay down after the flop unless my hand is a set, 4-flush or OESD.

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If you are throwing away top pair most of the time, you are going to lose a lot of money.

[Neill]

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I'm likely to lay down after the flop unless my hand is a set, 4-flush or OESD.

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If you are throwing away top pair most of the time, you are going to lose a lot of money.

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Sorry, I meant that I play drawing hands that way. I always bet top pair.

[JoeU]

Welcome to the forum.

I agree with Nottom, throwing away top pair is not good, if you are actually doing that. There are many ocassions where throwing away middle pair is a bad idea too /images/graemlins/grin.gif.

My advice to you in those low limit games is play your big hands very fast. If you flop the nut flush, bet out or raise. The one thing those games have in common is that they are full of loose calling stations. They WILL call you down. That is usually good, but sometimes the blind squirrel finds the nut and sucks out on you. Play premium hands, don't get too crazy with the 87s or hands like that. Drawing hands, as a general rule of thumb, are better played in late position for 1 bet. AK is also a "drawing" hand, but obviously should be played much faster. Also, play straight forward. People always assume you are trying to be tricky.

Other than that, be observent of your players for they know not what they do (biblical way of saying "look for tells, they will give them to you".).

Joe

[MaxPower]

I'm glad you won.

It sounds like you play a very solid game which should be enough to win at the very low limits. Yet, you obviously have some things to learn, such as when to check-raise and when to continue with weak draws.

I suggest that you continue what you are doing. When you come across a hand where you are unsure of your play, post it on 2+2 and get feedback. That is the best way to learn.

In live games, I don't think the players will get much better at 3/6 and even at 5/10. Tipping and the rake will kill you at the 2/3 and 3/6, so I would move up to 5/10 as soon as you can.