KK UTG against tight table

[oneeyejak]

Absolute Poker
No Limit Holdem Ring game
Blinds: $0.25/$0.50
6 players
Converter (http://www.neildewhurst.com/hand-converter)

Pre-flop: (6 players) Hero is UTG with :kh :kc


Table has been extremely tight and passive. Every one of my UTG raises has seen everyone fold. I hate to limp UTG especially on this table where I doubt I'll get the chance for a reraise and probably be up against three or four other limpers. Whats the play. Other than get up and find a more profitable table.

[Pokey]

Make a standard raise. If EVERY raise you make UTG folds the table then your best bet is not to limp super-premiums; rather, you should start raising lighter from UTG and stealing the blinds more often. Eventually people will catch a hand and play back at you, and then you'll be glad you raised KK UTG.

Your opponents can't see your cards, even though sometimes it seems like they can. Keep playing your game -- the profits will come.

[rrrorrim]

What pokey said. Also, if you're raising lighter from UTG, you will have your finger on the table's pulse.

You will know when someone has something, and usually have a good idea how big that something is. They won't do a very good job of shielding their premium hands if they are fish (which they seem to be, by how tight and predictable they're playing)

[oneeyejak]

So, instead of my standard 3 or 4 times the BB, drop down to just 2XBB UTG?

[tarheeljks]

no. lighter = wider range

[rrrorrim]

No... "raise lighter" meaning... lighten up your standards and raise with slightly lesser hands. Like KJo or pocket fours...

If you raise more often you will win a few rounds of blinds. Sooner or later an opponent will play back at you; this probably means he has a premium hand.

Also, your opponents will probably loosen up if they realize you've been stealing their blinds with lesser hands.

...which is great, because you raise a similar way with a premium hand like KK, you get paid off big.

This whole concept is why bluffing occasionally is essential.

Basically, you're controlling what the table does and doesn't by how you manipulate it. Tight micro games are great for this kind of practice. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[oneeyejak]

Ahhhhh....I see. Thanks. Great forum. Wish I had found it a few months ago.