What gives you your edge?

BBC Z · Nov 21,2005, 05:57 PM

Ok..

I've heard from far too many people that they believe they have an edge when they sit down at any poker table. Ask all ten players at a table, and they'll each tell you they have the edge. It's been on my mind awhile now about what gives a person an edge (or makes them think they have edges that don't exist).. I'm curious to hear from the forum.. When you sit at a:

A) Limit ring game

B) NL Ring Game

C) MTT

What's so damn special about you that you think yer any better than the other shlubs at the table?

Answers like "I'm tight aggressive" don't count.

SirWatts · Nov 21,2005, 06:28 PM

This is an interesting question that I ponder over from time to time. I'll give it my best shot.

A) I'm not sure I have a big edge shorthanded since my confidence there is shot. At a full table I am very patient, I don't get bored and play crap. In a live situation this is not easy for most people. I can make good folds to the passive/predictable players but need to work on calling down the LAGs more in the right situations.

B) Patience again, understanding implied odds especially in deep stacked games, and making good laydowns when I know I'm beat. I'm learning to make some tough calls as well, but i need to work on reading people in live games a bit.

C) Probably my best games. Knowing when to jack up the aggression and figuring out which players this aggression will work best against. Making tough laydowns again, and learning to make some more gutsy calls and plays on people. Play the shortstack very well and have very good understanding of the odds in hot and cold all-in situations. As always, PATIENCE.

Black99 · Nov 21,2005, 06:39 PM

Interesting question:

Limit ring game:

I like to think that in addition to solid "fundamentals" I have an edge in terms of adapting to different types of games. Â*I think many players have a set starting hand guide that they more or less follow in any limit ring game. Â*I will adapt and play THE GAME not just my game. Â*I am not afraid to play lunatic poker if that is what the game calls for. Â*I can play extremely tight as well, if necessary. Â*I tend to watch games and get a feel for the game as a whole and decide on the strategy that needs to be played. Â*

In some games, you will have 5 players in pre-flop and the betting is capped. Â*These are just a little too frequent in the local 4-8 limit games! Â*In these games you have to be in there with you 89 soooted. Â*These are very high variance games, but they can be very profitable. Â*However, if you try to sit back and wait for premium hands, you will miss out on that one monster pot that you would have won when your open ended straight hit on the turn. Â*

The point being that many players will say "I cant play 8-9 of spades from the BB where the betting has been capped" Â*THe next hand that is capped, you will find that same player in the hand with 44! Â*

I do not play much NL ring games so I wont comment.

MTT: (live tourneys)

I have, over the last 6 months, gone from a player who makes the final table with reasonable frequency, but most of the time with a short stack, to a player who makes the final table less frequently but who wins or finishes top 3 more regularly. Â*This has resulted in a significant increase in winnings in 2005 as compared to previous years. Â*

The biggest reason for my "improvement" is having less fear of being knocked out. Â*I have come to the realization that most live tourneys do not have a structure that allows you to get through without getting lucky from time to time. Â*Previously I had a fear of being all-in when I likely had the best of it (because I may be wrong). Â*Now I have come to realize that maximizing on these opportunities gives you a much better chance of winning these events.

That being said, I have also decided that calling an all in bet with small pairs is very unwise. Â*People do this way too much IMHO. Â*

The other edge I have in MTT is just in overall experience. Â*I have played roughly 900 MTT online and about 500 local live MTT events over the past 5 years. Â*When many players have played less than 10 tourneys, I believe I have an edge based on experience alone. Â*Nothing substitutes for experience.

I dont know if I have really answered the question, but interesting (for myself) to think about nonetheless.

Black99

ReefAquarium · Nov 23,2005, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBC Z

Ok..

I've heard from far too many people that they believe they have an edge when they sit down at any poker table. Ask all ten players at a table, and they'll each tell you they have the edge. It's been on my mind awhile now about what gives a person an edge (or makes them think they have edges that don't exist).. I'm curious to hear from the forum.. When you sit at a:

A) Limit ring game

B) NL Ring Game

C) MTT

What's so damn special about you that you think yer any better than the other shlubs at the table?

Answers like "I'm tight aggressive" don't count.

Cowardlyness.

That's my edge.

I'm learning to play and I win if I make fewer egregious mistakes than my opponents.

You don't have to be a Doyle Brunson to beat bad players. You just have to show them a hand.

When I see good players, I stay out of their way or leave the table.

So my major strength is recognizing that I suck. And playing against players that suck worse.

For example. I will only play the 3/6NL when there are horrid players playing. If the table has good players I don't sit down.

I have no problem dropping down to 25NL if the 600NL game is tough.

I have no problem with getting shoved out by good players that I think will be able to outplay me postflop.
I save my chips so I can call with 8Ts against the bad players I can beat.

I know people who are much better poker players than I am that don't win as much money because they challenge and try to play the good players.

Long term they will probably learn more about poker than I so I can't fault this behavior.

ScoobyD · Nov 23,2005, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Cowardlyness.

That's my edge.

LMAO. But in all seriousness, a great post, table selection is definitely often overlooked.

ReefAquarium · Nov 23,2005, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScoobyD

Quote:

Cowardlyness.

That's my edge.

LMAO. But in all seriousness, a great post, table selection is definitely often overlooked.

LOL

You can be the tenth worse player in the world ... but if you sit in a game with the nine worst players....

BBC Z · Nov 23,2005, 11:14 PM

I just wanted to say that I'll post my own answers once I'm back..

GTA Poker · Nov 23,2005, 11:43 PM

Axe deodorant body spray

scotsrule · Nov 24,2005, 04:34 PM

Similar to Reef's
My edge is realizing I have no edge
In my regular home game, I constantly hear people say that "it is all luck" and "its in the cards you get dealt"
I don't believe that is true - I believe luck is involved but your skill can give you an edge and I am willing to listen, adapt and try to change it up
Many people believe they already have an edge, or that there is nothing to the game other than getting the dealt Aces and will never improve

roketinpoket · Nov 24,2005, 04:53 PM

Cheating gives me a huge edge... and chip flourishes.

stpboy · Nov 24,2005, 05:09 PM

Not to sound aroggant by any means but I would say that what gives me an 'edge' in many tournaments is my perceived reputation. I know this is generally what gives a lot of the 'top' players in this area an edge also. Either being super-aggressive, a rock, excellent at picking up reads (I think this is where I fall specifically) or being able to adjust and adapt accordingly.
I love coming to a table and hearing half of the guys groan that I've been placed there. Of course, I am noticing lately that as each individual player sits down everyone else is groaning about them too!
As far as my peceived rep is concerned, I know I've called people's hands in the past and made some huge laydowns when I've known the other persons hole cards. Having players at the table like Mario witnessing things like this always helps, he's not the quietest guy in the world...haha.

stp

Nice topic btw...

ol-stone-face · Nov 25,2005, 09:39 AM

Understanding why I play is my biggest edge.

Great question. Made me think.

Shook · Nov 25,2005, 11:58 AM

My gift and my curse is that people often underestimate my abilities when I sit down.

My friends have mentioned that no matter what cards I am holding, or how I am betting, I always seem worried and I think people try to take advantage of that. Sometimes they suckout and beat me, but more often than not, I can hold my own.

Muahhahaahhahahahaahahah ... I love it when I nail a bully who thinks they can just outplay me with any two cards. (Cue evil music, and lightning)

I think I am also good at not placing too much value on a single hand. So what if I get AA, there are still 5 cards to come, I can dump it if I don't like how this is playing out.

DrTyore · Nov 25,2005, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stpboy

Not to sound aroggant by any means but I would say that what gives me an 'edge' in many tournaments is my perceived reputation.Â* I know this is generally what gives a lot of the 'top' players in this area an edge also.Â* Either being super-aggressive, a rock, excellent at picking up reads (I think this is where I fall specifically) or being able to adjust and adapt accordingly.Â*

Let's not forget devilishly handsome!

Quote:

Originally Posted by stpboy

As far as my peceived rep is concerned, I know I've called people's hands in the past and made some huge laydowns when I've known the other persons hole cards. Having players at the table like Mario witnessing things like this always helps, he's not the quietest guy in the world...haha.

What, Mario? The hell you say!!

Mark

stpboy · Nov 25,2005, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Let's not forget devilishly handsome!

Talk about stating the obvious, pfff. You forgot, incredible singer too!

stp