Ask Garth!

[David]

Just to reiterate, this thread is about asking Garth questions about poker, and playing poker - not just questions about the NPL.

[David]

Hi All,

This thread that Garth has started is for questions based around picking Garth's brain regarding poker questions, theory, tactics et al.

If you have a question regarding the NPL, or a tournament issue, FTTs, or ANYTHING like that, please post it in the "Ask The NPL" section of the forum.

"Ask The NPL" is for issues you have specifically regarding the NPL Product in your state.

"Ask Garth" is akin to a Dear John.. section in a magazine.

Cheers,

David

[David]

Further to this;

I have moved any posts not relating to the "Ask Garth" theme, to a topic in Ask the NPL, located here :

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=2322

Please post in there, or, start a new topic inside Ask The NPL which is here:

viewforum.php?f=22

Cheers,

The House Keeper.

[queen9]

sorry david, just that garth told me to go there, and I am still lost ... I am new to this and presumed that 'ask garth' meant I could ask him anything ... thanks .. rosemary

[David]

sorry david, just that garth told me to go there, and I am still lost ... I am new to this and presumed that 'ask garth' meant I could ask him anything ... thanks .. rosemary

No worries Rosemary - I just have to keep things tidy else it gets out of hand!

If you have any issues, post a topic in the "Ask the NPL" section. Ask Garth is for questions about poker, and Garth's thoughts.

Cheers,

David

[Nevah play JJ]

Hi Garth,
I did warn you my questions would be basic.. lol so here is the first of the stupid easy ones.. then I will just cut to the basic ones.. LOL

Anyway..

I know one of my biggest weaknessess (omg, is that how it is spelt?) is playing against players that are either calling stations, all-inners with nothing in their hand and people I just plain don't like.

Do you find that can and is the case in the big leagues and if so, how do you counteract your "issues" so that you can continue to play the game you like to play?

[Garth Kay]

Happy Birthday Bob.

Thanks for the message and I am glad that little story touched you.
At the core of everything there is something that motivates us and drives us, and I needed to let people know what drove me in trying to create the best NPL competition there is.

[Garth Kay]

I know one of my biggest weaknessess (omg, is that how it is spelt?) is playing against players that are either calling stations, all-inners with nothing in their hand and people I just plain don't like.

Do you find that can and is the case in the big leagues and if so, how do you counteract your "issues" so that you can continue to play the game you like to play?

Weaknesses, that's how it goes.

A general rule of thumb for novice play, the looser a table is the tighter you play, the tighter the table is the looser you play. Do you understand that? So if you have a table full of maniacs playing seven deuce from UTG for 4x BB pre flop, then you tighten up your game and only play the top 10% of the hands, the inverse is true for a table that of opponents that are rocks. You will get paid off more often by making hands in these situations.

You hit top set on the board against a bunch of loose players, someone is paying you off, be wary of draws and play small pot poker, other wise top set on a rainbow scattered board, all in and wait for someone to call you.

The same can be said for tight players, you can re raise, three or four bet fairly light and they will normally lay down A T suited or K J and this enables you to pick up a good pot. Or all you need to do is fire at a flop you think they have missed and a rock will normally lay down AK.

With calling stations, let them call you down, don't bet at them unless you have a lock hand and be happy to check it down.
You bet for two reasons: 1.) you have the nuts and want to build the pot. 2.) your opponent is weak and you can get them to lay down the hand enabling you to win even with a weak hand. With calling stations no 2 doesn't work so you can only use the 1st option whcih means you need to have the nuts.

People that go all in with nothing? Hmmm, nothing wrong with aggression. But if they are calling you with nothing then I would be happy. If they are putting you to the test constantly, you have to find a hand with which to make a stand with. I just wouldn't put myself in the position for them to come over the top and I would be wary not to invest myself to heavily with just a marginal hand.

As to people I don't like? That's a hard one, there are some name poker players that I have played with who I wouldn't spit on if they were on fire. They are arrogant, rude and obnoxious. How do I handle them. I smile, tap the table and say nice hand. If they talk to me I just stare blankly over their shoulder, nod my head once and go back to playing cards. I let my poker do the talking with these clowns. But I don't let them get to me to the point where I am thinking I want to tangle with them every hand just to give him a beat.

[Bob B]

Hi Garth,
I did warn you my questions would be basic.. lol so here is the first of the stupid easy ones.. then I will just cut to the basic ones.. LOL

Anyway..

I know one of my biggest weaknesses (omg, is that how it is spelt?) is playing against players that are either calling stations, all-inners with nothing in their hand and people I just plain don't like.

Do you find that can and is the case in the big leagues and if so, how do you counteract your "issues" so that you can continue to play the game you like to play?

there you go JJ weaknesses

[Nevah play JJ]

First of all Garth, I wanted to say Thankyou for your kind words, I am totally blown away by what you wrote, and yep.. had a tear.. and if anyone ever wants to ask how it did help me, then feel free to message and ask.

Also thanks for the answer in regards to the question I posted and to be honest it is a lot to take in, but no doubt I will have follow up questions.
I definately feel that this will help, but I can see it being a slightly difficult transition.
Mind you, isn't that what poker is about, a constant learning curve.

Ohhh and thanks for the spelling correction, that one was totally doing my head in... LOL