How far can you go with "ABC" style poker.

[Adman]

Hi Terry, I just loved you book, as far as I am concerned it is a classic already. Thank you for imparting your knowledge with us!

My question is fairly self explanatory. How far up the limits do you think a solid TAG somewhat ABC player without a ton of moves can go before his somewhat predictable style is unable to win any longer?

I am a winning player up to 5/10 (roughly 28/18/2) but some of the higher limit games that I watch just look so tough with people raising the turn all the time with gutshots, flush draws, bottom pair, A high, nothing, all sorts of junk that I am almost positive I would be laying down to yet these guys call down with as little as K high a lot of the time. It also looks as though once in a hand they virtually never fold. I have never been comfortable (even after half a million hands) calling down with Ace high except in very specific circumstances. I think my post flop game is pretty fit or fold although I do check raise draws etc in heads up blind defense situations and of course I raise for free cards and make all the "standard" moves. I also generally tend to fold when I get 3 bet if I totally miss the flop, I've found bluff check raises etc just end up in being called down with A high which does you no good when you hold KQ or QJ etc.

I guess my question is do you think a player who is somewhat "straight forward" and is not super tricky can ever make it in the higher games? I have a feeling that if I ever tried to move up I would just get run over with sheer aggression. Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty happy being just a lowish limit grinder and I don't actually think I would like to play really high because I would hate the huge variance. Just a hypothetical question really.

[TerryBorer]

Hi Adman -

Thanks for your compliments on the book. We're really glad you found it useful.

[LawrenceMak]

As we say a lot in our book, being +ev in any game is a very, VERY good achievement. Don't play in a higher game just for your ego.

If you want to improve, you will have to loosen up a bit and try some hands out of your comfort range. See the results and analyze what you did. Then decide if you want to add an Ace-high call-down or a 98s 3-bet in your arsenal.

Barry has some very good ideas about how to improve in his Advanced limit Hold'em Strategy book.

My personal opinion on poker and in life, is to figure out what you're good at and do that. =) If 5/10 matches your style, risk tolerance and bankroll and you are making money at it, i say stick to it.

But if you are determined to play in a higher limit, willing to work on your game and can stand higher variance, i think it definately can be done.


Lawrence

[kpr16]

Just wanted to add that I think a straight forward style can win even higher than 10/20, but that it requires much better game selection to do so. Just something to keep in mind.

I've had a lot better results playing 30/60 and 50/100 once I was able to get out of my comfort zone and start making lighter 3-bets and see most showdowns when the pot gets HU. I'm now the guy starting the games instead of chasing bad players around.


Kyle

[Adman]

Hi KPR16, thanks for the advice. I remember purchasing your 10/20 limit videos ages ago from a site called Donkit. I was pretty surprised the other day when I was just browsing the full tilt lobby (I don't actually play there) and saw you playing Gehrig heads up at 50/100. I watched for a while and you seemed to be doing pretty well. Isn't Gehrig supposed to be some kind of heads expert? Isn't there easier opponents you could be playing? Anyway well done on your progress, I know I could never handle the variance of 50/100, it takes balls and real skill to play that high against quality opposition!

[kpr16]

I don't claim to have great game selection, but I rarely quit people when winning, and I definitely saw him make some horrible adjustments against me (or just play some hands poorly).

That's not to say I would have kept playing him if I saw a fish waiting.