Loosening Starting Hand Requirements in LO8

[Hi5]

When playing at a loose table, one can either keep playing tight or loosen up and get in the mix, provided that these weaker hands meet certain requirements. My questions are aimed at those of you that loosen up a little at a loose table.

What kinds of extra hands beyond your usual starting hand requirements will you play, presumably in position? What would you call for an extra bet with in the big blind when there is a player who raises every hand? In situations where you have position on a very loose-aggressive raiser and reraising will probably not allow you to isolate this player, what kinds of hands will you play and how do you play them (cold call or reraise)?

[redmarion]

OPTIMAL strategy is to play against the tendancies of the table.

Tight table, you play a little loose.
Loose table, you play a little tight.

You take advantage of the basic strategy of your opponent. Of course, you must have a solid game and good player reading skills to take advantage of these situations.

[Buzz]

redmarion - I don't know where you got your theory ideas, but I can assure you that playing a little loose at a tight table is a sure recipe for disaster, at least for me.

However, if I sit down in a rock garden and play like a rock, I can hold my own.

On the other hand, if the table is very loose I don't have to play like a rock to hold my own. I can loosen up a bit.

Buzz

[redmarion]

BUZZ,
I'm usually in total agreement with most of what you say. I'm in aggreement in you reply, but it only addresses half of my statement.

Rock Gardens are not within my favorites for game selection. I don't play to "hold my own." I'm fine with playing with a few rocks, nits, nut-peddlers. They are easy to play. My game selection critiria obviates that I find a few "targets" to shoot.

I'll concede the "rock gardens" to you, so you can 'hold your own.' I swim off to the breaks in the stream very shortly after I find myself in the 'rock garden.'

I really like shooting fish, guppies are my favorites. They do eat my lunch now & then.

[1MoreFish4U]

What kinds of extra hands beyond your usual starting hand requirements will you play, presumably in position?

Hands that can become very big with the right flop, but don't have good low potential. eg AKK5 ss. Also, I often dont play all paint but am more likely to in these situations as long as I have at least 1 flush opportunity.

What would you call for an extra bet with in the big blind when there is a player who raises every hand?

See my post from yesterday that nobody has replied to - I haven't figured out how to approach this, except for a realization that I call too much. I can't get away from the fact that i know the guy is raising with any 4 - so most of my hands are not much worse than a coin flip (theoretically) and if it is just him & I, I am getting 3 to 1 to call.

In situations where you have position on a very loose-aggressive raiser and reraising will probably not allow you to isolate this player, what kinds of hands will you play and how do you play them (cold call or reraise)?

I think it's good to mix up your play here. If I have a strong hand that I would normally raise with, then I am going to play, but there is value in keeping it disguised, and value in pushing since most people who have decided to play will likely stay anyway.

On a tight game.

When redmarion says "Tight table, you play a little loose.", I think it needs to be elaborated on a bit. You can find success by being more aggressive, especially with 'ugly' flops, because these players tend not to want to get involved in chasing or playing mediocre holdings postflop, especially in small pots. By picking off a lot of blinds you can consistently have an edge in these rock gardens. Just watch out when it seems that they have picked up on your strategy and mix it up for awhile or find greener pastures.

[Buzz]

[ QUOTE ]
.... you reply, but it only addresses half of my statement.

[/ QUOTE ]redmarion - The generality "OPTIMAL strategy is to play against the tendancies of the table." sounds good. However, I'm not sure if is true or not.

"Tight table, you play a little loose." is a losing strategy for me.

"Loose table, you play a little tight." is about how I play.

"You take advantage of the basic strategy of your opponent." sounds like a good thing to try to do. I'm not sure how to accomplish it. However, although I may not know what does work, I do know that playing loosely at a tight table does not work (at least for me).

You can't get blood from a turnip. It's very hard to make money in a rock garden. There's nothing there to make. You either get your butt kicked or you survive.

I'm convinced the only way to survive in a rock garden is to play like a rock yourself.

[ QUOTE ]
Of course, you must have a solid game and good player reading skills to take advantage of these situations.

[/ QUOTE ]I agree with that statement regardless of the tightness or looseness of the game.

[ QUOTE ]
Rock Gardens are not within my favorites for game selection.

[/ QUOTE ]Nor mine. I avoid rock gardens.

[ QUOTE ]
I don't play to "hold my own."

[/ QUOTE ]That was perhaps a poor way for me to phrase my thoughts. I was specifically thinking of playing in a rock garden, something I avoid. But the reason I avoid playing in rock gardens is not because I feel I'm not capable of playing in such games. It's just that it's very boring for me to play that way.

[ QUOTE ]
I'm fine with playing with a few rocks, nits, nut-peddlers. They are easy to play.

[/ QUOTE ]In a way, yes. It's easier to play someone whose bets and raises you understand than someone whose bets and raises nobody can understand (except to ascribe to stupidity or poor play).

And yet, even though someone who consistently plays and raises with hands that would better have been folded may be difficult to understand, you have a greater chance of success playing against an "action player" than against a nut peddler, as long as you're willing to take some heat. At least that's how it seems to me.

[ QUOTE ]
My game selection critiria obviates that I find a few "targets" to shoot.

[/ QUOTE ]I just play in whatever Omaha-8 game is open when I get to the casino. But I have learned where and when the rock gardens are located and I try to avoid them. I agree with you that you do better finding opponents who make mistakes or who you can outplay.

[ QUOTE ]
I'll concede the "rock gardens" to you, so you can 'hold your own.'

[/ QUOTE ]No thanks.

[ QUOTE ]
I swim off to the breaks in the stream very shortly after I find myself in the 'rock garden.'

[/ QUOTE ]And I stick it out, but then avoid the situation in the future.

[ QUOTE ]
I really like shooting fish, guppies are my favorites. They do eat my lunch now & then.

[/ QUOTE ]Fine. To each his own. This may be hard to understand, but I'm not interested in making more money. I play the game because I enjoy playing the game. Omaha-8 is my hobby. I like the game to be enough of a challenge to be sporting.

Buzz