BarryT> Trends and Tendencies

[jeffnc]

I got to thinking about this reading your reply about inducing bluffs. I tend to think in terms of the unchanging nature of the math of poker. Of course I adjust to the styles of play of the players at my table and try to exploit them. What I don't think about so much is trends or fashion on a more general level. I guess one reason is that regardless of trends, if I can read individual styles for each sesssion, that trumps trends. Even so, with lack of information trends should factor in.

So what are some of the more important "fashions" you see playing today and how to exploit them? These might be things you'd take into account when playing at a new table before you've had time to study individual tendencies for very long. What are some of the more important fashions we should try to be conscious of monitoring as years go by?

[pokerbear]

Hi. Sorry for the delay in responding. This a very thoughtful question, as things do run in fashions (free card plays come and go, for example, as they become popular, then unsuccessful, then stop. then become popular again.)

Because of the (improper) influence of NL play on limit players, you see many more NL type errors (for limit) these days. Calling raises (or even playing) smaller suited connectors. Fewer river value bets (which I warn against) means more real hands are being bet and you should change odds appropriately. Players, even aggressive ones, are calling a bit more and raising a bit less in full games. Blind play is slightly looser.

There has been a tend recently of many fewer bluff turn raises, and turn raises to get a free showdown. These were in vogue for a while, and players started adjusting.

Does this help?

[jeffnc]

Actually, Terry Borer was here awhile ago and we discussed the strength of turn raises. We concluded it was if anything even stronger than we thought at first. And this was for shorthanded play, so I'd imagine the effect is more so in full ring play.

I am curious about your comment regarding NL players coming to limit. I suppose this sort of thing could be a trend or tendency by itself. But I've known a lot of limit players moving to NL, but had not heard of NL players moving to limit. Can you explain more about this? Is it happening, and at what levels, and why? I could definitely see too many cold calls of raises by NL players, which would be great for good limit players.

[pokerbear]

Hi. Turn raises no longer get anyone to fold. That was the original idea: raise meant "I have you beat" and you would fold. Do you still fold a lot to turn raises anymore?

NL players are not coming to limit in droves, though they are coming. However, players trained in NL or learning NL principles playing limit for whatever reason make the errors I pointed out and more, which I consider a trend.

My experience is not broad enough to comment on limits or locations, or even if it is happening. What I am saying is that NL principles or thought processes, which are death at limit, are being employed more frequently.