Smallball

MCooper · #1 10-11-2006, 11:39 PM

How do you play smallball? If anyone can explain this in detail I'd really appreciate it. [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

SmokeyRidesAgain · #2 10-12-2006, 12:21 AM

Just remember that fist can be a verb.

jackaaron · #3 10-12-2006, 09:46 AM

[ QUOTE ]
How do you play smallball? If anyone can explain this in detail I'd really appreciate it. [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

There are much better posters to answer than me, but I'm here, so here goes.

To me, smallball has always meant to try to pick up many small pots. I'm not going all in, I'm just taking pots without any sort of showdown depending on the situation. In lower limits with players that are seeing a showdown if they have any piece whatsoever, you're probably not going to play so much smallball (although you certainly can do it) because these players are so bad that you can get huge pots off them anyhow. Not sure if you heard some of the players that made the final table in this year's WSOP, but I heard quite a few of them (and some from the final 2-3 tables) say that they hadn't been all in for their whole stack at all, or at least since the 1st day.

Worldclass · #4 10-12-2006, 10:25 AM

I can add a little to this:

You are constantly betting at small pots trying to pick them up without much risk. You are building a maniac image and the only way your opponents feel they can play back at you is blowing you out with a big raise. If timing is right you will pick up some monsters and bust them when they overcommit.

PantsOnFire · #5 10-12-2006, 11:45 AM

Basically, jackaaron covered it.

Here is my personal spin on it. Smallball players play a lot of pots and are very aggressive. They are looking to outplay you after the flop. Since they play a lot of hands, their card range is quite wide so they are hard to read. Pro examples are Daniel Negranau and Phil Ivey. They also have excellent player reading skills so they take most pots where the opponent is weak and can fold.

This method tends not to work against loose passive players. It works best against tight passives. I think it takes superior skill to consistently play smallball.

At an action table with loose aggressives, forget about smallball.

MCooper · #6 10-12-2006, 08:58 PM

So what do you think the defense is against a smallball player? I was in one of those free tourneys at a local bar and their was a lady there playing smallball. Alot of players were getting mad at her but I was admiring her play for the simple fact that a. she was winning the small pots and b. she was frustrating the other players.
How can I get the point across to this smallballer or anyone else that plays smallball when I'm at their table?

mikever · #7 10-13-2006, 01:31 AM

Get what point across?

ginko · #8 10-13-2006, 07:11 AM

MCooper,

Reraise them with weaker than usual hands especially when you have position on them.

MCooper · #9 10-13-2006, 08:00 PM

Get acroos that you can raise me whenever you feel like it.
Get the point across that you can't run all over me.

King Spew · #10 10-14-2006, 11:03 AM

[ QUOTE ]
So what do you think the defense is against a smallball player?
How can I get the point across to this smallballer or anyone else that plays smallball when I'm at their table?

[/ QUOTE ]

Poker 101
Chapter 3
Sect 2-A

Position is your friend. Use it and ABUSE WITH it.

If you are OOP, don't play marginal hands. Period. Pick better spots.

If you are in position,,,,, Dude, ATC!!!!! Push back BIG.