slansky

the_main

hey guys
im about to play a friendly home game

one friend who has never really been too good went out and bought slanksys theroy of poker, which i have never read...
now hes talking all this trash about "wait till you see my new game" and blah blah blha....

if you were a rookie player and just read this book, what are the things you would do?

just curious as to what i can expect form him tonight...

pkrfce9

Stuff he may try:
* check raising
* drawing a bluff
* knowing what starting cards have good odds
* actually folding when the odds are bad

But most likely he'll be more aggressive but in the wrong spots. There's a lot of stuff to lean that a book can get you started on but only experience can help you apply it properly in different situations.

Theory of Poker is a more general book. He should look at some specific to the game he is playing for more depth. If it's low stakes hold'em, have him read Miller/Sklansky/Malmuth's Small Stakes Hold'Em. It is very good.

I'd love to hear how it turns out.

magithighs

Seriously, does your friend have the ability to comprehend the book? If so, then he'll:

1) Play fewer hands and adjust starting hands for position. He won't be able to let go of suited aces from any position, small pairs from early position, and suited two-gappers from middle/late position, and suited three-gappers from late position.
2) Fold more, especially at the turn, when he's getting at least pot odds and for sure implied odds. The book will make him realize that he should be folding more often -- likley he'll fold more often than he should.
3) Will not be able to adjust thinking based on number of players in the pot.
4) Will bluff when a King or Queen comes on a raggy flop, hwne it was un-raised pre-flop (ok, this assumes he got the book)
5) When playing draw poker, he will not take any cards on the last draw when holding a pair
6) Will highlight the need for a math degree if one is considering writing a book -- wait that was Slansky
7) Will think too much and you will be susceptible to manipulation

the_main

hes a really intelligent guy (i go to university with him, he has like a 3.5ish gpa) so i hope hed be able to grasp it.... but i havent read it so i cant comment...

game starts in two hours, ill let you know how it turns out

(fyi i usually dominate these low stake SNGs we play - there are 2 players that come spradically who play regularly but they wont be there tonight)

thanks for the heads up guys, any other tips would be appreciated

ScottyZ

So Dave's not the only one pounding back the Cuba Libras?

ScottyZ

magithighs wrote:

Seriously, does your friend have the ability to comprehend the book? If so, then he'll:

1) Play fewer hands and adjust starting hands for position. He won't be able to let go of suited aces from any position, small pairs from early position, and suited two-gappers from middle/late position, and suited three-gappers from late position.
2) Fold more, especially at the turn, when he's getting at least pot odds and for sure implied odds. The book will make him realize that he should be folding more often -- likley he'll fold more often than he should.
3) Will not be able to adjust thinking based on number of players in the pot.
4) Will bluff when a King or Queen comes on a raggy flop, hwne it was un-raised pre-flop (ok, this assumes he got the book)
5) When playing draw poker, he will not take any cards on the last draw when holding a pair
6) Will highlight the need for a math degree if one is considering writing a book -- wait that was Slansky
7) Will think too much and you will be susceptible to manipulation

magithighs

ScottyZ wrote:

So Dave's not the only one pounding back the Cuba Libras?

ScottyZ

When I posted, it was late in the day -- way past my drinking start time. I never drink in the morning, as I've usually got a good glow going from the night and really can't drink that much. But I do make exceptions for Ceasar's as they come with celery and make for a nice breakfast.

Where is that drinking icon!!

Cheers
Magi