Playing with ultra-tight players

Playing in a few home games I have run into some ultra-tight, Rock of Gibraltar type players that call with only high pairs or will only see rivers with the nuts. I have found that out of aggravation or just the sadistic desire to see these players lose, I have tried to outdraw these players even to the river.

I know that's what they're hoping for, but man even playing $1-$2 ... loosen up a bit and gamble!

[lifescircle]

I agree with you. You gotta play a hand, isn't that part of the fun. And then, they always give this big sigh when they see the flop "should've stayed in that one".

Let's gamble!

Well, playing ultra tight is really the only way you can win limit games consistently. I, personally do not have the patience to play those kinds of games. Playing ultra tight in a no limit game usually relies on luck. Ultra tight players are usually pretty easy to bluff out in a no limit game. If they only call you, then it is usually pretty obvious that you are in for a nasty trap. It is hold to fold marginal hands at times, but you must do that around these kinds of players.

Personally, the thing that aggrivates me the most about poker is getting rivered. Seldom does the river flow the other way for me. But when it does, sweet revenge!

[rock133]

I play that way to start game then loosen up so table can't get good read. Most of the time I get to bored to play to tight plus watching all the hands I would have won if I gamble a little.

I find that alot of home game players, if ultra tight only look at THEIR cards. They are not familiar with trying to read other players. Most people who only look at the math can't do both. So try to get a read on him (or her), if there are a few hands that can beat him re raise. That will make him second guess his hand, and also try to get a read on you.

You should never re-raise a tight player, unless you really feel that he loosened his game up. Otherwise, you are probably just donating to his stack.

[QUOTE=Chad]Well, playing ultra tight is really the only way you can win limit games consistently. I, personally do not have the patience to play those kinds of games. Playing ultra tight in a no limit game usually relies on luck. Ultra tight players are usually pretty easy to bluff out in a no limit game. If they only call you, then it is usually pretty obvious that you are in for a nasty trap. It is hold to fold marginal hands at times, but you must do that around these kinds of players. [QUOTE]

You are wrong about making money in limit is only through playing ultra tight play. Let me give an example. Your in a 2 4 game and the pot is 12 small bets and your on an open ended straight draw. If you call the one small bet you are getting 6 to 1 on your money for a draw that will hit nearly 30 percent of the time or 4.75 to 1 break even odds. The right thing to do here is to call at the least and it may be better to raise depending on if your cards are overs or not. An "ultra tight" player may not even be in at this point. You make money by playing this right and thus you have positive expectation. The 70 percent you don't hit is less money than the 30 percent or so you do hit. Poker is gambling, pot odds, and expectation/probability. Not playing aces and/or kings. That's easy. I played this way and learned I could leave a 2 4 or 3 6 game up 20 bucks after 6 hours woopty doo. If you play the way I am describing above you make more money. I suggest reading Small Stakes Hold 'Em by Miller, Sklansky, and Malmuth as they explain these things much better than I do. The simple truth is ultratight is ultrawrong if you want to make a lot of money. If you want to win your buy in to the next home game go for ultra tight.

Sean

12 to 1 on your money not 6 to 1. Sorry for the mixup. . Again, I suggest the book

[Locohombre]

Good thinking, you still have to play somewhat tight to win limit games though. What I mean by that is that you can't bluff anyone out very often. You can't really outplay your opponents like you can in NL games. However, I really like that idea that you described for limit games.