---

Poker Video: Limit Hold'Em by PygmyHero (Mid Stakes)

Hey PH,

Comment thread not getting any love, but I'm ~15 min and enjoying the hands that are being discussed.

You opened KQo utg. Obv thats standard since you didnt mention it,
(I havent watched the whole series, so maybe you go over this more in another episode) is KJo a standard open as well? what about ATo? 66?

KJo, ATo, 66...

I would tend to fold all those hands UTG in a FULL FR. Absolutely there are game conditions where I'd deviate, especially in looking at if I can get away with open limping 66, but as a default I draw my line just slightly higher. That is, you can see I open KQo I still pop AJo though (and I realize this might sound ridiculous) that can be close at times. I would NOT fold 88, and would lean towards opening 77 as well.

gl in Vegas - sorry I missed you.

KJo, ATo, 66...

I would tend to fold all those hands UTG in a FULL FR. Absolutely there are game conditions where I'd deviate, especially in looking at if I can get away with open limping 66, but as a default I draw my line just slightly higher. That is, you can see I open KQo I still pop AJo though (and I realize this might sound ridiculous) that can be close at times. I would NOT fold 88, and would lean towards opening 77 as well.

gl in Vegas - sorry I missed you.

I picked all those hands because they were my default folds preflop from UTG =) glad we're on the same page. do you like a T9s in those spots ever, or is it just not going to play well in what will likely be a multiway pot OOP.

thanks, im getting really jazzed up for it!

Pyg, towards the end of the video you mention how important it is to pay attention to the other players because they will say things that you can help you information-wise, such as discussing strategy. How do you handle it when other players try to discuss strategy with you at the table, even directly asking questions? I've even had players quiz me while waiting to be called to the table. Any thoughts on this?

Pyg, towards the end of the video you mention how important it is to pay attention to the other players because they will say things that you can help you information-wise, such as discussing strategy. How do you handle it when other players try to discuss strategy with you at the table, even directly asking questions? I've even had players quiz me while waiting to be called to the table. Any thoughts on this?

Tommy Angelo discusses this quite a bit in EPTPE, and also in his book Elements of Poker.

His idea is that he will talk about anything but poker.

I try (try being an operative word) not to give up much when playing live poker about how I think about the game.
In home games I like to talk about gamble and tryign to get money in the middle =) but at the casino I think mumpoker tends to be a better strategy.
Anything you say about your own thought process is going to hurt you

PH

I am enjoying this series and have learned a lot.....
I play at a casino at least once a week and the only limit game is 4/8.
My play in the past has been way to tight and passive, sort of a break even player....My last two sessions, I have actually had players complain about me raising too much......I think thats a good thing....
Why do most of the books written for limit holdem advocate such consevative play? Has the game changed and they are somewhat outdated or maybe my comprehension is not good...

Tommy Angelo discusses this quite a bit in EPTPE, and also in his book Elements of Poker.

His idea is that he will talk about anything but poker.

I try (try being an operative word) not to give up much when playing live poker about how I think about the game.
In home games I like to talk about gamble and tryign to get money in the middle =) but at the casino I think mumpoker tends to be a better strategy.
Anything you say about your own thought process is going to hurt you

I agree with what you're saying about mum poker, but at some point do you risk coming off overly serious or even an asshole? And is that even an issue?

I agree with what you're saying about mum poker, but at some point do you risk coming off overly serious or even an asshole? And is that even an issue?

you can always lie about your opinions of the game if thats a concern. id rather come off looking like im too serious than give up my opinions of semibluff raising

I picked all those hands because they were my default folds preflop from UTG =) glad we're on the same page. do you like a T9s in those spots ever, or is it just not going to play well in what will likely be a multiway pot OOP.

thanks, im getting really jazzed up for it!

Well T9s plays really well in a multiway pot so if I'm getting involved I'm not worried about that happening. So...things I'm okay with - opening and getting cold called by most of the table, opening and getting to the blinds or outright stealing, and limping and playing it multiway. Really the only thing I don't want to happen is open limp and then feel stupid as I take the flop with 2 players.

So just be aware of the table conditions, but generally speaking I am answering that a fair amount UTG.

Re; table talk - I try to keep it to a minimum. It just can't possibly help you. I guess someone could argue they extract more information by giving away just a little, but I really think most players just give out scads of info unbidden anyway.

I understand what you're saying about not wanting to come off as a jerk. I am willing to talk about anything else so I don't think that's likely. If I really feel compelled to say something even moderately strategic I usually just fall back on agreeing. This works pretty well since most people are BAD so I'm essentially misinforming them.

A recent example that actually happened:

Random guy: I've had pocket eights like 4 or five times today. And you know what? I haven't flopped a set even once yet!

Me: [nods sagely]

PH

I am enjoying this series and have learned a lot.....
I play at a casino at least once a week and the only limit game is 4/8.
My play in the past has been way to tight and passive, sort of a break even player....My last two sessions, I have actually had players complain about me raising too much......I think thats a good thing....
Why do most of the books written for limit holdem advocate such consevative play? Has the game changed and they are somewhat outdated or maybe my comprehension is not good...

mahcoy,

It's definitely a good thing.

I'm guessing the LHE books you're referring to are outdated. Game conditions have changed. Even if tight play is marginally profitable (and it may not be) playing with a bit more aggression and panache is certainly MORE profitable.

For the AA hand I would raise the river since I think he's doing wa/wb with top pair or maybe a mid pocket pair a lot. Plus what does he coldcall the SB with that has a 4 in it? So I'm not overly worried about trip 4s and if he had a monster somehow like a set or straight I think we'd have heard from him on the turn.

Time Link to 00:46:22

How would you have played the AA if SB check raised you and the other player folded? This is a scenario that comes up often on the tables.

Hey PH,
For the KQo hand, if your read on villain is not he is the type of guy who is not capable of bluffing on the river...would it be a fold to you? Like you have mentioned, we don't beat much here, except for a busted FD or a Jx, many live passive villains would just c/f or c/c with either. I find donking tends to be boats here. Thoughts? Thanks