Two Plus Two Older Archives  

Go Back   Two Plus Two Older Archives > PL/NL Texas Hold'em > Small Stakes Pot-, No-Limit Hold'em
FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search

 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #1  
Old 07-25-2005, 07:29 PM
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Coin flips worth it on a cash table?

I've recently reached the point where I've become a consistent winner at low-limit, no-limit hold 'em, and my play is slowly become a consistent (albiet relatively small) source of income (small for now at least).

Now I'm at the point where I'm evaluating my game, and trying to find the "easiest" way to play and make money. Obviously, no matter how good you are, you can't just shut your eyes and go on auto pilot, but by "easy" I mean situations with little or no stress, waiting out the turn and river, etc.

One conclusion I've come to is that in the long run, "coin flip" situations may not be worth playing on cash tables.

Obviously, tournaments are a different story. There is value to be won beyond the chips in play, like knocking out an opponent and positioning yourself for a higher finish on the payscale.

On a cash table, there is nothing to be won besides the chips in play.

A fictitious hand here, but similar to one I've played recently:

Blinds are .50/1 and have been posted. Somebody goes all in with their last $10 in play. It's folded around to me - I'm holding AK suited. I correctly assume that both blinds will fold if I call, and I correctly assume that the raiser is a middle underpair (10s or 9s).

I figure I'm about 47% to win the pot and he's 53% (forgive me if I'm off a point or two). Ignoring the rake for the sake of simplicity, I'm making a $10 bet to win $11.50. That's expected value of +.10.

The conclusion I think I've come to is that this is a bet that may be correct to make, but the small positive result may be negated by some of the effects of losing this hand (which would happen frequently). The stress (relatively speaking) of waiting out the flop, the possibility of losing multiple coin flips in a row, tilting, etc.

To me, this is the same as if somebody offers me $20 an hour to dig ditches out in the heat or $19.90 an hour to work in an air conditioned office (no offense intended to anybody). I'd take the latter because the additional money may not be worth the added stress, soreness, etc.

This is a personal preference of mine, but is this really a tactical error in poker over the long run?
Reply With Quote
 


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:51 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.