Poker de destaque – Playing Like a Rock

This is the second part of a series aimed at helping you go from being a poker novice to a skilled virtual money player at low stakes.

Neste guia, we’ll delve into the concept of playing like a “pedra,” which is essentially the beginner’s stage of learning poker. These are like your training wheels as you start your poker journey.

Introdução

O “pedra” is one of the six player classifications I’ll discuss in more detail in Chapter 3. While there are many basic guides on playing like a rock in poker, I believe it’s essential to give it proper attention in a guide like this one. At low stakes poker, whether it’s fake money games or microstakes real money games, you can be profitable by simply playing like a rock. It’s like learning to walk before you run, building a solid foundation in the fundamentals of the game, and starting to read the other players at your table.

As a budding player, your first goal is to understand the relative value of your hole cards. Some cards work well in short-handed situations (when only 2 ou 3 players are in the hand) but are less effective with more players involved. For other hole cards, É o contrário. Some hands are almost always weak, and some are consistently strong.

The rock’s objective is to limit themselves to hands that are either consistently strong or reasonably good with potential to become very strong. They aim to play aggressively when they have a strong hand and fold patiently when they don’t. Patience is a key skill in poker, so it’s wise to develop it early in your poker journey.

Starting Hands

Here’s a simple starting hands list to get you started (Chave: A = Ace, K = King, Q = Queen, J = Jack, T = Ten, numbers are self-explanatory, “é” means both cards are the same suit, enquanto “ó” means the cards are of different suits):

Three-star hands (Raise pre-flop, re-raise if facing another raise):

• A-A (Pair of Aces)
• K-K (Pair of Kings)
• Q-Q (Pair of Queens)
• A-Ks (Ace-King suited)

Two-star hands (Raise pre-flop, call if someone else raised):

• A-Ko (Ace-King offsuit)
• A-Qs (Ace-Queen suited)
• K-Qs (King-Queen suited)
• A-Qo (Ace-Queen offsuit)
• A-Js (Ace-Jack suited)
• A-Ts (Ace-Ten suited)
• J-J (Pair of Jacks)
• T-T (Pair of Tens)
• Pocket pairs (pairs of the same value) até 5-5 if at least 3 other players are involved.

One-star hands (Limp and fold if someone else raised):

• Any two cards where both cards are at least a ten (por exemplo, T-9, J-10)
• All pocket pairs down to 2-2.

Dobre todas as outras mãos. This means you’ll be playing only about 5% of the time if someone else raises (74 fora de 1326 possible hands) e sobre 18% of the time when there are no raises (244 fora de 1326). It might feel slow and uneventful, but this strategy helps you observe the table and understand how your folded hands would have performed.

Remember that poker isn’t about winning more hands; it’s about winning more chips. This involves maximizing your winnings when you have strong hands and minimizing your losses when you don’t. Being willing to fold is a fundamental skill, and this forms the foundation of the rock strategy. Players who call too often tend to lose the most in the long run.

Post Flop

Once you have your starting hands and you’ve reached the flop, remember the saying: “Raise with the best, draw to invest, fold all the rest” (Dave Scharf, former professional poker player). This is a simple guideline to follow.

As a rock, you should bet or raise when you believe you have the best hand. If you have a strong hand, you want to build the pot and get more chips from your opponents.

When you have a hand with good chances of improving to become the best hand, it’s okay to call or check. This is called “drawing to invest.” You’re hoping to hit a better hand on the turn or river.

No entanto, when you have a hand with low chances of becoming the best, or if you’re facing strong bets from your opponents, it’s usually best to fold. This disciplined approach will help you gain confidence in your game.

Lembrar, playing like a rock is like having training wheels on a bicycle. It’s a starting point to build your skills and confidence in poker. Eventualmente, you’ll want to expand your repertoire and become a more versatile player.

Counting Outs and Pot Odds

Before we delve into the specifics of which hands to play and how to play them, there’s a critical principle you need to incorporate into your decision-making process, nomeadamente “counting outs” — the number of cards needed to improve your hand to the best hand when it’s not already the best.

At times, you may not have a strong hand when the flop is revealed, but you might be just one card away from a crucial straight or flush. No entanto, someone might bet into the pot, placing you in a dilemma. As a rock player, you’re learning to call when you have a promising draw, but some calls will be better than others. This is where counting outs and basic math come into play to determine whether calling is a sensible move.

Por exemplo, if you have J-Ts, both diamonds, and the flop is 4 of diamonds, 8 of diamonds, 9 of clubs, you have several potential outs: qualquer 7 or Q gives you a straight (4 outs each), and any remaining diamond gives you a flush (7 outs, discounting the 7 and Q of diamonds already counted). This totals 15 outs, not including the possibility of another Jack or ten (6 additional outs).

Neste cenário, calling is a straightforward decision, and with two cards remaining, you’re even strong enough to call a bet of all your chips. The only tricky situation arises if the bettor holds the 9 and K or A of diamonds, which would beat all your flush draws. Mesmo assim, you still have 14 outs.

Exercise caution when drawing: There are instances when you might realize that some of your outs might not be as beneficial as they initially appear. Por exemplo, if you hold the 9 of hearts and three hearts are already on the flop, it’s reasonable to assume that someone with a better heart than yours is also enthusiastic about the board. Nesse caso, any outs that give you a flush might give another player a superior flush.

A useful guideline is to “call with 8 or more outs for any bet smaller than the pot, and call with only made hands or 13 or more outs for any bet bigger than the pot.” Remember that this doesn’t apply to made hands. If you have top pair and believe it’s likely the best hand, you should still call, not to catch one of your outs, but because you’re confident you’re already ahead. This is always a sound strategy.

The next section will cover more advanced math for those seeking more precision in their decisions. If this doesn’t interest you, you can skip ahead to the section on “Three-star hands

Pot Odds

Pot odds represent the size of the bet you can reasonably call profitably. It’s a calculation of whether, if you were to encounter this situation an infinite number of times, your call here would win the pot often enough to earn more money than you’d lose when you don’t win.

Here’s a quick guide to reference prices when calling to see the final river card. Lembre -se disso “eventual pot” includes any money you anticipate will be added to the pot on the final betting round.

• 5 outs: Call if you’re spending 1/9th or less of the eventual pot.
• 6 outs: Call if you’re spending 1/8th or less of the eventual pot.
• 7 outs: Call if you’re spending 1/7th or less of the eventual pot.
• 8 outs: Call if you’re spending 1/6th or less of the eventual pot.
• 9-10 outs: Call if you’re spending 1/5th or less of the eventual pot.
• 11-13 outs: Call if you’re spending 1/4th or less of the eventual pot.
• 14+ outs: Call if you’re spending 1/3rd or less of the eventual pot.

When making this decision on the flop with two cards remaining to draw, the process becomes more complex. Como regra geral, you can adjust the fractions by moving two places further (por exemplo, 5 outs can call 1/7th pot, and so on up to 14+ outs, which can call any pot-sized bet).

Complications can arise because you only get to see one of the cards for that price, and you have no idea what the betting player is likely to do. They might be bluffing or have a weak hand and check the turn, allowing you to see the river as a free card. Por outro lado, they might already have the nuts, prompting them to go all-in, making it impossible for you to call for just one card, rendering your initial call seem like a wasted effort.

If this level of math seems overwhelming, a simpler approach is to follow the guideline of “8-12 outs to call bets less than the pot, 13+ outs to call anything larger, otherwise fold.”

In the next section, “three-star,” “two-star,” e “one-star” hands refer specifically to the pre-flop card groupings we discussed earlier in this chapter.

Three-Star Hands Post-Flop

All your hands with a three-star rating are probably the best before the game begins (they’re literally the top 1.6% of hands). Even if the cards on the table are paired (two cards of the same value, like 8-8-K), you’re likely still in a good position with pocket pairs or A-K, unless another ace or king appears on the flop.

You’re usually in a strong position even if the board is paired, as there are only two other 8s in the deck for others to have, and they’ve had to raise. The only time you might not be confident that you’re in the lead is when faced with overcards (por exemplo, if you have K-K or Q-Q and an Ace shows up on the flop) or if you have A-K and don’t match with either of them.

Consequentemente, it’s advisable to bet most of the time, except if someone has already placed a bet before you, in which case you should bet around half to two thirds of the current pot value. If there has been a previous bet, double it if your hand matches the flop, de outra forma, chamar. If the previous bet was substantial and someone else has already called it, you should be cautious about paired boards (where three-of-a-kind is already possible) and overcards (where someone might have a pair higher than yours).

If there’s a bet and a call and only one card can beat you, assume that one of them has it. It’s okay to fold if the cards on the table aren’t in your favor. Each poker hand relies on luck, and sometimes it’s necessary to accept this and minimize your losses. Por exemplo, if you have A-K and the board is 8-8-K, you might still have slim chances, particularly if the betting indicates another 8.

This cautious approach remains crucial through the turn and the river. Unless you have a strong reason to suspect that someone has a better hand (like when you have A-K, the board shows 5-8-K, e outro 8 appears and someone gets very enthusiastic with their bets), you can continue betting until the showdown or all players fold. This is the stage where a cautious player can maximize their winnings, and it’s important to compel other players to invest in the pot if you believe you hold the superior hand.

Here’s a simple traffic light system to help you understand the quality of the flop:

• Green lights: These are the strongest hands. If you have a “flopped set” (three of a kind right on the flop) ou melhor, a two pair with A-Ks, or a flush with A-Ks, you’re in an excellent position. Rarely will you lose these hands, so it’s a good idea to be aggressive with your bets.
• Yellow lights: When the board is suited (all cards of the same suit), but you don’t have that suit (por exemplo, you have A-A of clubs and spades, but there are three diamonds on the flop), or when you have an overpair (a pocket pair higher than any of the three flop cards), you’re likely in a good position. Nesse caso, it’s wise to call bets and be ready to fold if the action heats up.
• Orange lights: When you’re dealing with an overcard with K-K or Q-Q or if you missed the flop with A-K, things are a bit uncertain. You might have a strong hand, but there’s also a chance you don’t. If at least two other players are willing to bet or call, you might already be beaten. In such situations, it’s essential to count your “outs” (the cards left in the deck that can improve your hand). Se você tem menos do que 8 outs, it’s often a good idea to fold.

Two-Star Hands Post-Flop

These are more about finding cards that go together and playing carefully. Your options are broader here, but many of the hands you make will be weaker. The rules are quite similar to three-star hands, but you’re more likely to have higher-ranking cards alongside your pairs in this case. If you don’t get the right cards on the flop, you’ll need to hope for better cards to come. You might have hands that have a good chance of becoming strong once all the community cards are revealed, especially when playing against multiple people, but you’ll often need specific cards to make it work.

If you play A-J and you get a jack, isso é ótimo, as long as a queen or king doesn’t show up. Surpreendentemente, if you get an ace instead of a jack, you need to be cautious. With heavy betting, someone might already have a better ace, and there’s even a risk of facing hands like two pairs.

• Green Lights mean you’ve got a great hand. It’s when you have three cards of the same rank, or the board shows a pair of cards that match one of yours. If you have a high-value card as a backup, that’s even better. Geralmente, only very strong hands like straights or flushes can beat this.
• Yellow Lights are like a caution sign. It’s when the board has cards of the same suit, and you have the highest card of that suit, but it’s not the same as yours. You can bet if no one else has, but if someone bets before you or calls, keep your bets small. You might already be losing, and you want to see the next cards without spending too much. You’re likely to have a better hand than most, but there are a few hands that can beat you.

Having an overpair, which means your pocket pair is higher than all the cards on the board, is a bit stronger, and it’s like a surprise for your opponents. Ainda, be careful if someone else bets and then another player raises. They might have a very strong hand like two pairs, a set, or a flush.

• Orange Lights mean you have the second-best pair or a pocket pair, but there’s a higher card on the board. In these cases, if there’s serious betting, you’re probably already losing. Unless you can make a straight or better with at least 8 cards left in the deck, fold when someone bets, and only call if the bets are small. If they bet again on the next card and you haven’t improved, it’s usually best to fold.
• Red Lights are a warning. If your hand doesn’t match the descriptions above, you should only call when you’re trying to make a straight or a flush and you have at least 8 cards left in the deck for the size of the pot’s bet, ou 13+ cards left for bigger bets. De outra forma, it’s best to fold.

One-Star Hands Post-Flop

If you have a pocket pair within this range, como 3-3, it’s usually best to fold it unless you get a 3 on the flop. Even a low pair on the flop is strong, but having a pair of 3s won’t help you much in most situations without a 3 no quadro. Other hands in this range rely on having a strong combination of cards, like J-T suited, which usually needs a flush or a straight to be good enough to bet seriously unless you’re lucky enough to get two pairs. It’s important to start counting your “outs” – these are the cards left in the deck that can improve your hand. Outra vez, se você tiver 8 or more outs for a straight or better and the bet is the size of the pot, it’s okay to call. For hands with 13 or more outs, you can call even bigger bets. The only time you should bet in this situation is when you have the top pair, and you don’t want to raise anyone else’s bets.

Resumo

Even though I mentioned something different in the first guide, playing like a “pedra” doesn’t involve fancy tricks or trying to outsmart your opponents. It’s all about realizing that you don’t have to play every hand you’re dealt. You should start by only playing with high-quality cards and get into the habit of betting when you have a good chance of winning the pot.

This is a great strategy to use against less experienced players because they often won’t recognize that you’re only playing strong hands. They’ll contribute a lot of chips to your stack when they have an “OK” hand that’s not as good as the one you’re playing.

No entanto, as you move up to higher-stakes games with more skilled players, they will catch on that you probably have a good hand when you bet or call. Fewer players will want to go up against you, and they’ll notice your tendency to fold when you don’t have a strong hand. They might try to bluff you, which means they’ll bet even when their hand is weaker to make you fold.

Neste ponto, you should start expanding your strategy. Consider playing a wider range of cards at the beginning, be less predictable with your plays, e, o mais importante, learn how to figure out what kind of players you’re facing at your table and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Quick Reference Hand Guide

Here’s a quick reference guide for your pre-flop hands:

• mãos (Strongest hands): A-A, K-K, Q-Q, A-K suited (A-Ks)
• mãos (Very strong hands): A-K offsuit (A-Ko), A-Qs, A-Q offsuit (A-Qo), A-Js, A-Ts, K-Qs, K-Js, J-J, T-T
• mãos (Decent hands): Any other hands with both cards being T (10) ou superior, and all other pocket pairs.

When deciding what to call with:

• Call if you have 8 or more outs (cards that can improve your hand) for bets that are less than the size of the pot.
• Call if you have 13 or more outs for bets that are equal to or greater than the size of the pot.