Strategy Question

[Sharkbyte123]

The past several days I have noticed what I believe to be a large amount of villains, staying in the hand, with crap. And while I know you're always going to have your donks (Occasionally I still play like one...but I'm always improving), I'm wondering if perhaps my flop bets aren't large enough.

I believe they are doing their job, in helping define my hand, and villain's hand. I would put my confidence level at close to 90%, on reads.

But I'm losing about 75%, on the river, where I am clearly ahead at the flop, and the villain has no reason to stay. Often times I am seeing them call 2:1, on the flop...and worse on the turn...all for draws.

I raise proportionally, for TP vs just pairing the board...I vary my bet/raise amounts...I've practiced my deep-breathing excercises, to keep me from trying to hurt somebody...I'm just looking for a way to cut down on some of these beats.

All constructive comments appreciated.

[kfactorx]

Hard to say from this question... but if you're betting PERFECTLY then it's just a bad swing... happens to the best of us. Keep doing it right and the donks will pay you off. Try going to lower limits for awhile until you are comfortable with your play, that will definitely help.

[mnlgrind]

sharkbyte, I suggest that you post some of these hands here so that people can help you out and maybe plug in some leaks. As for the beats, it happens dude, stay cool and keep playing well.

GL to you

[wiggs73]

Shark,

You're going to take bad beats in poker. They're part of the game. If you can't take them, then poker isn't for you.

Having said that, if you're betting enough on the flop to give opponents incorrect odds to call, but they are calling anyway then you need to do one of two things. You either need to be happy they are making mistakes and move on with life or you need to learn how to get away from hands on later streets. Your post was vague and it's really impossible for anyone to say anything very constructive, but... if you are betting 1/10 of the size of the pot on the flop, then getting allin on the turn when the 3rd card of a suit hits, then you need to learn how to size your bets and also get away from hands. If you are betting 3/4 size of the pot on the flop and they are hitting some obscure 2 pair on the turn, then ok, it's a bad beat and you can get on with life.

Either way, you'd be much better served to post specific hands so we can tell you whether it's you or your opponent making the mistake. That way you can either feel good that you're improving your game or feel good that it's already strong.

[Hercules]

wiggs,

FYP

[ravensfan]

Hey Shark,

Your post was indeed a bit vauge, so I kinda agree with what the other posters have mentioned. Regarding beats, if you're playing properly, then you're making money whenever they make mistakes. Be happy they're making mistakes, b/c long run, you'll win money. Just stay w/in your bankroll and gain exp. and the beats won't mean too much. Also, not getting steamed prevents you from making mistakes, which translates to -EV.

With people drawing out on you: how do you know they're drawing out? In nolimit, a lot of the play is about implied odds. Make sure you get off of your hands when they hit their draws. If you are not seeing the hands, maybe you're getting bluffed off when scare cards come??
Also, bet-sizing is important, b/c if you bloat the pot too much, you can sometimes commit yourself to calling on the river with dubious top pair holdings...
All of these are questions that can be addressed by posting specific hands...