Starting a live session

[millerlolife]

When first starting a game with unknowns is it better to err on the side calling down players with your marginal holdings (usually in 2-3 way pots) or is it better to fold until the players in question prove that they deserve to be called down?

[ProfessorBen]

This depends on what game you're playing. For instance, if the game is small stakes, people are generally more loose/passive so you can generally fold your marginal holdings when faced with resistance. At more mid-stakes levels you start to have to call them down. Some games are known for more aggression; and I would adjust accordignly to those as well. If the situation is truly EV-neutral, there is some value in getting the information at showdown. If you do go to showdown, make sure you take note of the whole hand.

Part of solving this problem is also avoiding this situation in the first place. When I first play at a place I am unfamiliar with and don't have an advanced scounting report for, I will generally play slightly more conservatively and take the less variance route if something is EV-neutral. I'll fold things like 33 in the CO if I have the opportunity to open and 77 in EP where I normally go to raise town.

A last good way to avoid this problem is to observe the tables while you're on the waiting list and definitely start paying attention as soon as you sit. This only works well if there's 1-2 tables of the game you're interested running but is a good way to get free information that is vital when everyone appears to be an unknown.

[threeonefour]

this is limit, the default should always be calling when in doubt, and i am not being facetious. particularly if you find yourself on the river with a marginal made hand. worse case scenerio you lose pennies on a marginally bad call but you gain information, which is apparently what you are in need of at this table.

[that_pope]

I would err on the side of calling down more when faced with this situation until you get a better feel for the game. Notice how people are interacting with each other and use that as a clue.

And observing the game before sitting down is always a classic tip, which is even easier at Casino AZ midstakes because of the must-move setup of the games.

[brick]

Play a little tigher for the first few rounds.
Use stereotypes (fold more against: old folks, well dressed people, tighy whities, people who stack their chips neatly. call down against young people, asians, messy/strange people, etc.

[mosch]

The advice that would save me a lot of money, if I could just remember to follow it when I travel, is don't just watch the action, watch people's reaction to the action.

It's usually pretty obvious from the other players, if the action is considered routine or out of the ordinary. This can be vital if you come from an aggro game, and stumble into a passive one. Sadly, I tend to remind myself of this rule by losing a big pot right out of the gates.

That said, if you're playing mid-stakes, this shouldn't be a difficult task. At worst, it's not a bad idea to play solid and straightforward for a half hour while you get used to the surroundings, order a beverage, and get settled in.