Not reraising with big pair as a variance
 

In NLH i typically will reraise with a big pair as do most others. I have been experimenting with occasionally (not always) flat calling a raise in order to put some variance into my game. I wont do this if I expect more callers behind me and only do it if I expect to be heads up with the original raiser. I have had great success in busting out players who hit TPTK or similiar type of hands on the flop. Any thoughts on this type of play?

Re: Not reraising with big pair as a variance
 

Deception, not variance. Yes I do this ocassionally as well. Deception = good Variance = bad

Re: Not reraising with big pair as a variance
 

People have hurt me with this type of play many times. Seems like a good way to mess with a tight aggressive player.

Re: Not reraising with big pair as a variance
 

its good to vary your plays (if thats what you mean by variance in your palys), as long as your aware of your position and the players bheind you are not gonna smooth call as well its not a bad play.

Re: Not reraising with big pair as a variance
 

I prefer the limp re-raise vs. smooth calling the raise... to much chance someones going to come in behind with suited connectors... flush draws... ect; they feel that with atleast one other "calling station" (even though you have the monster pair)... they are getting "pot-odds" to call with very mediocre stuff.

Re: Not reraising with big pair as a variance
 

[ QUOTE ]
Deception, not variance. Yes I do this ocassionally as well. Deception = good Variance = bad

[/ QUOTE ]

actually the way he used variance was fine imo. though its not what most poker players are speaking of when they discuss variance.

Re: Not reraising with big pair as a variance
 

I don't know if this is true in your situation, but a lot of times when I hear "variance" it is due to the player in question playing a level more than he should, where taking those razor edges is scary, due to the aforementioned variance, which is when you're not playing perfect poker.

Barron Vangor Toth
BarronVangorToth.com

Re: Not reraising with big pair as a variance
 

You mean variation or mixing up your play. For most people, variance is a mathematics specific concept even if the thesarus says otherwise.

That said, your idea sounds like a decent one. I'd try to use this play more against particular types of players, like the ones that will lead small pots w/ ako after they miss and any you could otherwise take advantage of.

Re: Not reraising with big pair as a variance
 

Wow, I totally misread the initial question as I read it as mixing up your play in order to avoid variance...

Sorry for the wasted post above from me.

I will say that mixing up your play is good IF your competition is savvy enough to read you well; if they aren't and they are generic players that will do whatever whenever, then ABC them out of their funds.

Barron Vangor Toth
BarronVangorToth.com

Re: Not reraising with big pair as a variance
 

[ QUOTE ]
I prefer the limp re-raise vs. smooth calling the raise...

[/ QUOTE ]

Unfortunately you can't limp re-raise when your options are smooth call reraise or fold. And you're not really smooth calling a raise if you've already limped.