Re: very shorthanded preflop standards
 

I think you are incorrect blackize. Why would you be able to play more hands for a profit in a 3-4 handed game as opposed to a 6 handed game with 2-3 folds in front of you? It just doesnt make sense. The "bunching effect is incredibly negligible. I think the correct answer to the OP is "it depends". The importance of player reads are inversely proportional to the number of players on the table. So if its 3 handed and they are both weak, especially postflop, then yes, more hands become profitable. If they are very laggy you might wanna be careful with your weak steals. Same if they are good. If they are good, then probably I would steal with the same frequency as a ring game. But then again if they are good and you are good why are you playing in this game; not to mention the original post would be irrelevant because preflop would matter very little.

Anyways blackize, I play a lot of 3-4 handed as well, and I just don't understand what ur advocating. Note that I dont get killed.

-Mike

Re: very shorthanded preflop standards
 

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I dont want to claim that my way of playing is optimal, but I did feel it necessary to point out that the advice given in this thread is not good. Every player with stats like those is an overall loser in my database.

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so what is your way of playing and why is it better than everyone elses.

btw, you are correct, i am holding you to a higher standard than others.

Re: very shorthanded preflop standards
 

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once again the expert jumps in with a blanket statement and no analysis or evidence.

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Oh I'm sorry all the other players giving terrible advice without any analysis or evidence are right huh? Is it because they have higher post counts? I made the switch to playing primarily 3 and 4 handed 2 months ago. I have only been using PT for a couple weeks. I have 10k+ hands logged of 3 and 4 handed play.

I dont want to claim that my way of playing is optimal, but I did feel it necessary to point out that the advice given in this thread is not good. Every player with stats like those is an overall loser in my database.

So Victor how about you treat everyone the same. If everyone else can make blanket statements when most of them DO NOT PLAY 3 and 4 handed for any significant amount of time then don't jump on my ass.

[/ QUOTE ]What stats have been mentioned in this thread? And a lot of the people in this forum do play 3 or 4 handed. The 6 max games I play in regularly go 3 or 4 handed. I was playing 3/6 5-max at Pokerroom today. At least half of those hands had less then 5 players in them. I think it's valid to ask why you think 5 or 6 max is significantly different then 3 or 4 handed. There are differences, but they mainly are the result of other players playing poorly, which gives you opportunities to exploit. Making blanket statements that people need to loosen up isn't correct. You will be looser. But poker is a game of making individual decisions correctly. Raising say J8o in the CO against loose blinds is wrong 4 handed, 6 handed, 10 handed, or 20 handed.

Re: very shorthanded preflop standards
 

4 handed open-raise from CO or Button.

Any pair
Any Ace
Any 2 cards higher than 9.
Add some suited connectors to mix up play.

Re-raise from Button:
AA-77
AK-AT
KQ
Add some other suited hands to mix up your play

Your total PFR should be around 20-25 % if you play mainly 3-4 handed.

Re: very shorthanded preflop standards
 

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Why would you be able to play more hands for a profit in a 3-4 handed game as opposed to a 6 handed game with 2-3 folds in front of you?

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Playing constantly 3-4 handed is very different from 6max play.

Good 6max play is weak-tight play 3-4 handed. Many 6max players just cannot adjust to shorter tables. If there is not any "very short" specialists 6max player can handle very short tables, but when play gets tough it is different story.

Re: very shorthanded preflop standards
 

I think if I were to try to make a chart for 3-4 handed playing standards it'd be almost impossible. Sometimes I raise K7o UTG, sometimes I fold it. Sometimes T8o is raised. Sometimes 97s is raised. Sometimes I am 3 betting from the button wtih J9o. It's such a give and take game that every situation feels like there's a different correct decision based on how the table is playing. I will say though, that you can probably play a few more hands than most people are saying to play.

Re: very shorthanded preflop standards
 

Loosen up enough to play A9 from the cutoff and button. I wouldn't go any lower, I'd hate to be dominated.

Re: very shorthanded preflop standards
 

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Loosen up enough to play A9 from the cutoff and button. I wouldn't go any lower, I'd hate to be dominated.

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lol what is up with this 'weaktightsspostr' and 'veryaggrhush' or what his name is. is this fun?

btw this isn't ss

Re: very shorthanded preflop standards
 

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Good 6max play is weak-tight play 3-4 handed.

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But in blind stealing situations in a 6max game people are a lot more aggro, which I think would be comparable aggro to a 3/4 handed game. Your argument is like saying people are much more aggro in a headsup match. Sure theyre a lot more aggro, but people are pretty aggro at 6max in a battle of the blinds too, no?

I really think the main key is adjusting more to the players. Like I said if it is a weak game more hands become playable. If the players go too far with hands, less hands are playable etc.

-Mike

Re: very shorthanded preflop standards
 

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But in blind stealing situations in a 6max game people are a lot more aggro, which I think would be comparable aggro to a 3/4 handed game.

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This is true. In tough 3-4 handed game every hand is "blind-stealing" situation. If you are in CO or Button you choose between trying to steal and folding.

In very short games you must be in constant fighting mood and be prepared to go for it.