SpadeClub.com User Blog - SCKenny

Early Tournament Question

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:29:54 -0500

It’s early in a tourney (pick one doesn’t matter) and everybody has about 100-150 BB's – you’re in the small blind and 3 players (or so) have called. You’ve got 4-7 or 8-5 2-6 or some other crap --is it wise to call since its short money or walk away???? ---- This question drives me crazy, as I always seem to fold trips or call garbage---
Thanks Bosoxrox

I pass, even if you hit you could still be in bad shape. I prefer to play tight at the start of any tournament and build a solid table image. That way when the limits are up I can start stealing blinds and antes. Let the action junkies knock either other out and wait to pick them off with real hands. Pot odds and implied odds don’t mean much in tournaments, why? Because you can’t re-buy like you can in live games. While you may be getting 5:1 to call with your pocket 3’s doesn’t mean you should put in 40% of you stack. Also don’t let results determine whether you should have played or not. You had reasons to fold, live with it and move on.

Good luck at the tables,
SCKenny

Quick Calculations for Pot Odds

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:33:58 -0500

I get this question a lot plus it never hurts to review.

Pot odds are basically comparing your chances that you will make your hand versus the amount you have to call compared to the size of the pot.

The way I calculate pot odds is simple. I give myself a 4% chance of hitting for each of my remaining outs on the flop or I give myself a 2% chance of hitting for each of my outs on the turn.

Example #1: I give myself 6 outs so 6 X 4 = 24% or I’ll make my hand 1 out 4 times
Example #2: Still 6 outs but with only one card to go so its 6 X 2 = 12% or I’ll make my hand 1 out 8 times.

I then calculate the how much I will have to call relative to how much is already in the pot.

Example #1: Pot has $100 in it and you have to call $25. Your Pot Odds are 4:1 because 100/25 = 4. If your hand still has 6 outs, like the examples above, with the turn and river to go you have a 24% chance of making your hand or 1 in 4 times you’ll win. Therefore I would call.

Example #2: pot has $200 in it and you need to call $75. Your Pot Odds are 2.67:1 same hand (2 over cards) but with the river only to go. You now have a 14% chance of making you hand or 1 out of 7 times. So I would fold.

Good luck at the tables,
SCKenny

Question about a home game

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:27:35 -0500

Kenny.. We have a Friday night game and always have an argument when a player can't fully make the blinds. Is there an easy way to determine what the short stacked player can win? Do the remaining chips go to the next best hand?? Thanks

A player all-in for less than the blind can only win the amount he started with times the number of players in the pot that call pre-flop (including blinds). For example, if the blinds are 200/400 and a player only has 300 left, he can only win 300 x the number of players in the pot that put in that much or more. Therefore, if a player is all in for 300 in middle position and the button and both blinds limp in, he can only win 300 chips from each of them. Therefore, in this case a 1,200 chip pot should be set as the main pot with the rest in a side pot. The side pot can only be won by one of the 3 remaining players. They would now all continue with the next round of betting taking place on the flop.

Good luck at the tables,
SCkenny

Playing multiple tournaments at the same time

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:45:56 -0500

Do you play more then one tournament at a time? I definitely do. However, I wonder “Does it help or hurt my chances to be profitable?” While only playing one tournament, the time does drag a bit but I can follow the action and learn about the players. While playing in two tournaments (or more) the time does go faster, but I fear I’m not making good decisions.

I, as many of you do I’m sure, have a system for multi-tabling. I start on the right side of the screen with the tournament that’s farthest along and I make the table medium sized. The next tournament I size small and to the right overlapping the first but where I can still see my cards. I situate each table like this on down the line adjusting each as I get knocked out.

The truth is, by playing multiple tournaments I feel that I’m missing out on opportunities. Starting this weekend, I’m going to try only playing one tournament at a time and really watch everything.

Good luck at the tables,

SCKenny

To call your stack or not to call your stack…. ? Part 2

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:10:56 -0500

I think everyone needs to think about respecting the check raise more. It’s hard enough to check raise with a hand, but the check raise bluff with multiple players in the pot? I generally believe a play like this unless I know the player very well. It’s ok to fold, really it is. Unless you run like Cada, try mucking more and drawing less.

Good luck at the tables,
SCKenny