dcputernut

I am in a live Poker Tourney at the end of this month.

It's NLH game..and to advance to the final table I have to beat my table of 9 people. Advancing to the final table put me in the $.....so my main goal is final table. Yes of course I want to win it....but first gotta get to final table...lol

I have played this tourney before...but since the last time I played I have improved ALOT, since I do play more poker.

I am a bit nervous.....Any advice?

Dyno_Don

I am by far from being a professional in the game of poker, but I am sure that I have played a few professionals and taken their chips by surprise just by keeping a straight face and showing no tell signs. (But, that can help while bluffing.)
I guess that would be; don't fidget or move around a lot with either a good or bad hand.
I have to wear a loose fitting shirt in live poker, because my heart gets to thumping when I know my hand will take the pot.

What works for me in live poker; other than keeping light conversation and goofing off occationally just to keep the crowd from being so serious in the game, is drinking a few mixed drinks or beer to get into a relaxed posture for the game.

I have watched newbies on a televised poker tournament, on a couple of occations, get so nervous they would be shaking while moving their chips or looking at their cards. That is usually a sign of; "Hey, look at me, I have a big pair in my hands. Call my bet, please."

Having a relaxed form and keeping a straight face when the cards are delt is about the best thing I can think of, other than playing your cards right and watching how other players play as well.

Oh, and then there's the position; I'm not one to scrutinize player position, but I am slowly taking it into consideration. Where a player is sitting in correspondence to the dealer button also has a lot to do with how you're betting or how others will bet.
Most of the time the big and small blinds don't like to be forced out of their chips, so they may call or re-raise just to keep from getting them taken away.

There are many variables to think about while playing live poker, but the few I've mentioned is from personal experience.

Does anyone else have something to add in?

You don't have to make it as long as I did, but I'm somewhat of a writer and can't help going on and on and sometimes in detail.

propiper

A agree with Dyno_Don.

With me the nerves went away after a couple hours - you kinda get used to the rhythm of the live game.

Try to keep some sorta poker presence. This can go either way though I think. If you can't keep I straight face when flopping the nuts, then don't ever keep a straight face no matter the hand, smile a lot and fold. Works the same way.

You can't check email, answer the phone, cook dinner or see 100 hands an hour - Bring something to listen too.


Last but not least - the fundamentals are the same - take mental notes, steal the blinds when you can, let them know you bluff and kick their A$$!

__________________
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a damn fool about it.

-------- W.C. Fields

dcputernut

Thanks Guys!!!

I will try to kick ass....my face tends to turn red without my wanting it to...so hopefully that doesn't happen, or i can do as piper suggests..and think of something embarrasing when I fold...LOL

19RK64

well its the end of the month an I was hoping to hear you made final table, how did the cards hold up for ya?

You said the most important factor in tournament poker here!
(my main goal is final table. Yes of course I want to win it....but first gotta get to final table)

I had a player once tell me: "he had to reach ITM before he could think about winning the darn thing"

your statement made me smile hope you have fun in the tourney

dcputernut

Well, I didn't make it to the final table...but wasn't the first out either

I ran into a straight with my 2 pair...and that took alot of my stack...it was a case of small blind against big blind.....
i had top 2 pair....didn't even see he could have straight...prior to that I was doing pretty good.

I had built my stack with a Q2 suited, against an pair of A, sb and bb again there.... i caught full house, 2's over Q's...I bet it...and he called till the river. he folded the final bet....so was doing ok till the 2 pair against staight...should have bet more when I had the 2 pair, my oponent said he would have folded if I had done that.....errrrr....better luck next time.


it was fun!!!

propiper

So will chalk this up as a small victory!



Sorry you didn't get to final table but sounds like you were headed that way!

Maybe this was a good thing - if you beat them all first time out - wouldn't be any fun. LOL.

__________________
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a damn fool about it.

-------- W.C. Fields

Dyno_Don

I would guess if two pair came on a flop and no strait was visible at that time, making a pot bet or higher would shy anyone from trying for their strait.
Kind of like playing your trips on the flop with a pair in your hand, gotta push in when you have a good hand to keep the flushes and straits from getting what they need.

Good to know you weren't the first one out too. Right on!

You'll get it next time around dcputernut.

beaston

Good showing

Not much you can do with those 'hidden straights'....hard to put someone on that...

catwoman

Geez, sounds like you had a great time. Let me know the next one your entering, and i will enter to, and then we can chat after about how great we did!! lolllll