Re: [ba-poker] The skill edge in limit and NL

["Stephen H. Landrum" <slandrum(deleted the rest)>]

At 03:27 PM 5/18/2004, Uncle Roger wrote:
> I've been told that NL cash games don't last because the skilled players 
> have such a huge advantage that the others  give up.  That sounds 
> plausible to me.
>
> However, I think the opposite is true in single-table online sattelites.

It can be true, but isn't always.

> The skilled players may have more of an advantage in the limit games.
> First,  tells are less important because you don't get to see the people, 
> and tell reading is one of the things that gives experts such a huge 
> advantage in big-bet poker.  Second, because the money is not deep and the 
> blinds keep getting bigger, there are many hands in the no-limit tourneys 
> in which the only decision round  occurs  before the flop.  How big a 
> mistake can it be to open-raise all-in before the flop?

Not all of the players jam preflop, some do.  The preflop jammers make it a 
one street game, but even they make huge errors.  Often, they jam or call a 
jam in bad situations.


> In contrast, in the limit single-table tourneys one sees truly horrible 
> play in the  post-flop rounds.

You see that in the NL STTs too.  The answer is to invite players to play 
post flop.  You don't have to make the game a one street game.  Usually the 
jam-or-folders run up a big stack quick or are out quick.  You can often 
wait for the dust to settle a little before attempting to engage them.

> I'm talking about things like re-raising on the river with a set when a 
> flush and a straight are possible;  or  slow-playing hands on the flop 
> that cry out for protection, then springing the trap after the opponent 
> gets a better hand.

I see those plays in the NL STTs too.

Perhaps a better compromise for you is to play PL STTs.

This is one of the reasons I currently favor small raises preflop and 
underbetting the pot on the flop, it leaves room for play and for skill to 
rule out.


--
Stephen H. Landrum <slandrum(deleted the rest)>