Following odds only...

suited_ace · #1 02-09-2005, 02:21 AM

Just busted out of my first tournament at UB. I really liked the structure, way better than PokerRoom (I guess this is not surprising). The average player is way better than at PokerRoom and the average fish is way more aggressive.

One hand set aside (I flopped trip 5s against a guy who flopped trip 8s), my stack lingered on draws where I had always the odds to stick around for the next card but never made it.

So this is my question: if the odds are favorable, will you always stick around or there are other factors that will make you fold even if the odds should make you stay?

MLG · #2 02-09-2005, 02:27 AM

If you have odds then the issue shouldnt be between calling and folding, it should be between calling and raising.

niin · #3 02-09-2005, 02:30 AM

In tournaments, it depends on your stack size. If the money isn't deep, having the odds to call a low-percentage hand can be a mistake.

MLG · #4 02-09-2005, 02:32 AM

no, thats wrong. you are attaching an inherent value to survival which does not exist.

Snoogins47 · #5 02-09-2005, 02:33 AM

[ QUOTE ]
no, thats wrong. you are attaching an inherent value to survival which does not exist.

[/ QUOTE ]

You may be able to argue that there's no intrinsic value to survival, but clearly survival does have value in many, many tournament situations.

MLG · #6 02-09-2005, 02:34 AM

only in bubble situations, and even then its less than most people think.

suited_ace · #7 02-09-2005, 02:41 AM

[ QUOTE ]
If you have odds then the issue shouldnt be between calling and folding, it should be between calling and raising.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmmm... Very interesting... What is usually your criteria for calling or raising? Where can I read more about this?

DireWolf · #8 02-09-2005, 03:05 AM

MLG could you explain your theory a little more for the not so bright ones around here

slickpoppa · #9 02-09-2005, 03:19 AM

I would like to cautiously add that there are some situtations that are not on the bubble where you probably should fold small edges. For example, there are some home tournaments that I have played in that I would not hesitate to fold a 55:45 favorite for all of my chips early on because the level of play is so atrocious.

Nevertheless, in most online play the competition is good enough and the blinds go up so fast that you should never be folding edges. When in doubt, follow the odds.

suited_ace · #10 02-09-2005, 03:31 AM

Yeah, but the question here is when should I be calling and when should I be raising. It's pretty easy to raise when you have a straight flush draw with 2 live overcards against someone that you're putting on a high pair, but these situations don't come very often. I want to know exactly how to play these draws, how much to bet, etc...

I'm a newbie, but I don't plan on being one for very long.