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Q1 From Robert: Hand History Reviews (1:40)
Q2 From Danny: Ranging and Avoiding Bloated Pots (7:05)
Challenge (11:35)
Join me for my 28 Days of Poker Study
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Show Notes with more info, pics and links: http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod131
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and poker author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
Q1 From Rooie: Going Pro (1:25)
Q2 From Greg: Outs & Odds (5:00)
Q3 From Domenico: Facing Good Players (9:15)
Challenge: Dissecting Good Players (11:35)
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Show Notes with more info, pics and links: http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod130
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and poker author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
Q2: LIVE Poker Etiquette (1:55)
Q2: Non-showdown Winnings (6:10)
Challenge (9:20)
My eBook is now available on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2oAIhjx
Show Notes with more info, pics and links: http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod129
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and poker author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
Q1: Quitting a Session: Desperation Tilt (1:30)
Q2: MTT Blind Stealing (6:25)
Challenge (9:35)
Join me on my 28 Days of Poker Study Challenge
Show Notes with more info, pics and links: http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod128
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and poker author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
Q1: Hand Reading (1:40)
Q2: Beginner Skill Building (8:30)
Challenge (11:20)
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Show Notes with more info, pics and links: http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod127
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and poker author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
Q1: Hand Reading (1:30)
Q2: Bankroll Management and Tilt (6:30)
Challenge (10:20)
Show Notes with more info, pics and links: http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod126
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and poker author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
Question #1 from Anonymous: Revised 4-2 Rule (2:00)
Question #2 from Jamie Clossick: Flop Value Raises (9:25)
Question #3 from John Burke: Oversized Bets (17:40)
Show Notes with more info, pics and links: http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod111
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and poker author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
Question #1 from Dennis: A Beginner’s Plan (1:55)
Question #2 from Clay: Increasing Ranges by Position (13:00)
Question #3 from Robert: Ditching Big Pocket Pairs Post-flop (17:45)
Show Notes with more info, pics and links: http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod109
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and poker author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
Question #1 from Javier: 6-max Aggression (2:05)
Question #2 from Kedaran: Cold Calling (3:45)
Question #3 from Arthur: Bankroll Challenges (10:15)
Show Notes with more info, pics and links: http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod100
Check out http://www.habwin.com for their October Poker Fest for exclusive freerolls.
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and poker author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
Question #1 from Oscar (2:25):
Do you have any idea what are the ranges to call against a 3 Bet? I am lost on that part, bro.
Question #2 from Tom Shock (12:00):
What poker podcasts do you listen to? Other than yours, of course.
Question #3 from Paul (14:30):
Hey Sky,
I’ve played poker going back to pre-Black Friday. I live in Jersey so mostly play online.
I wanna get better but haven’t put enough time in. Can’t afford Splitsuit’s hand reading course right now. I’m a break-even player at best, and need to think about ranges more!!
Any suggestions on how I can start improving my hand reading skills? Does Flopzilla give a tutorial on figuring out Ranges?
Thanks for your time and effort. Keep up the great work!! Your enthusiasm is infectious!
Paul
Question #4 from Gus (17:15):
Sky,
I’ve been reading Ed Miller’s “The Course,” after I heard about it on your podcast. What do you recommend doing to practice each Skill level? Are there any online poker sites you highly recommend to do this on? Or are there other methods your recommend?
Thanks, Gus
Show Notes with more info, pics and links: http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod98
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and poker author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
Question #1 from Al (2:35) re: Math, Increasing Aggression & Pocket Pairs
Question #2 from Taaryn (8:45) re: Analyzing Your Game
Question #3 from Brian (15:15) re: Hand Reading
Show Notes with more info, pics and links: http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod95
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and poker author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
Post #1 from Mark (2:00):
Would like you guys thoughts on a question posed online today I answered and I been getting about 50% agreement and other half think I need to see a shrink. Guy says he has had a bad run in 1/2 live game. He has only 55$ left. adding any more to his stack is not an option. It folds to a very loose lady player who has turned over any 2 suited or any 2 the Broadway cards all night and will take them to the river. She raises to 15 and he has 77. There are 4 people left to act. What do you do?
Post #2 from John (7:00):
Had a deep run in the 25k on acr today. Took 45th, but I'm kind of curious what you guys think of the hand that knocked me out. I'm fairly positive that it was standard, but would like to hear some opinions.
Blinds are 8k/16k 800 ante. I have 340K start of hand. Hijack opens for 35k, I have him being a pretty solid opponent, wasn't getting out of line. I pick up AK spades on the button. I elect to 3 bet to 105k, he insta shoves all in, he has me covered. Do you call off there? If so why? If not why?
Post #3 from John (10:20):
Question for the group...You're playing an online MTT, 63 places get paid out of a field of 350ish.
65 people left, average stack is 20k, you have 18k and blinds ate 400/800 100 ante. Utg limps, utg+1 raises to 2400, he has 45k start of hand. You pick up JJ in the small blind. What's your play? Lemme also add that I just got moved to this table so I have no info on these players.
Post #4 from Sky (15:00):
Hey John, check out this hand. Very similar to yours, but I'm in the BB. I 3bet and TAG villain folded. Good result for JJ OOP I think. You can see their stats and I'd been at the table a while. It wasn't as close to the bubble as yours was, though, and I had a bit more chips (BB wise).
Show Notes with more info, pics and links: http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod89
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
Question 1 from Taaryn re: the double-barrel (2:00)
Question 2 from Joel Stott re: Flopzilla (6:35)
Question 3 from Anonymous re: Unregulated Online Poker (11:50)
'The Myth of Poker Talent: why anyone can be a great poker player'
Alex "Assassinato" Fitzgerald is coming out with a new book! Get it here: http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/themythofpokertalent
Show Notes with more info, pics and links: http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod88
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod84
I answer 3 listener Q’s about playing in bounty tourneys, barreling your opponents off their hands and the perils of showing your hand unnecessarily.
Question 1 from Mike (3:00)
Good Afternoon Sky!
I am hosting a bounty tournament this weekend. I have never actually played in one, but have been thinking about the strategic implications of the bounty in relation to overall tournament “equity” (buy-in vs payouts) and ICM considerations. Do you have any thoughts on KO Bounty Tournaments and how to adjust?
Thanks
Question 2 from Ed (8:00)
Hi Sky,
Any thoughts on how far to take a c-bet?
When I open a pot I usually c-bet even if I miss the flop. If I get called I will barrel the turn and if called again, do I barrel the river? Or shut down by checking and folding if villain bets?
Ed
Question 3 from Tim (15:45)
Hello Sky,
I’ve been trying to play in a lot of small stakes daily NLHE tournaments at my local casino. Low buy-ins with lots of the same faces playing. Last night I felt like I was playing well until one hand and it got in my head. I kept dwelling on it afterwards and thinking about my table image and went all-in with a weak hand for 19th outta 50.
Here’s the hand that set me off: I was in late position. Blinds were 75/150. Four Limper’s ahead of me. I raised to 450 with QQ. Big blind and one other called. I flopped a set. I bet large, 2,000 because there were two clubs on the flop. The BB hesitated but called, the other guy folded. The turn was a club. The BB bet 4k.
I started thinking he caught the flush and I did end up folding. That might have been a mistake but for sure my mistake was showing my fold. I thought I was showing off a big fold to save face and ego or something.
The whole table started saying, “How could you fold that with the river still to come!?!” Even the dealer said he would have played that.
It got in my head and it was all downhill from there. I felt embarrassed.
What do you think?
-Tim
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod83
I answer a listener question about breaking “poker rules” and give 5 specific “rules” worth breaking at the poker tables.
Question 1 from Martin (1:30)
Hello,
Sometimes when I’m at a LIVE table, people love to give unsolicited opinions and treat their ideas and plays like poker rules that everyone should play by and if you don’t you’re a fool. Recently, this one guy was telling someone else at the table that he should never raise small pp’s and you should just limp and call to set mine. But, I kept my mouth shut and didn’t say anything as I don’t talk strategy at the tables. I know that this player is very poor, and I don’t want to say anything about these rules he freely tells all. What do you think about this? Would you say anything to him?
Thanks for the podcast, Martin
Breakable Poker Rules: #1 Only Re-Raising With Premium Hands Pre-Flop (7:30)
Breakable Poker Rules: #2 Playing 15bb’s as a Push/Fold Game Only (8:40)
Breakable Poker Rules: #3 Never Cbet into Multi-way Flops Without the Nuts (10:35)
Breakable Poker Rules: #5 Never Show Your Hand Unnecessarily (14:40)
Breakable Poker Rules: #4 Sticking to Strict Bankroll Management (12:30)
The Benefits of Breaking Poker Rules (15:55)
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod79
In this episode I answer 3 listener Q’s about river calling when your gut says you shouldn’t, online rakeback, playing in capped games and practicing counting outs.
Question 1 from Philip (4:35) - River Calling
Question 2 from Michael (7:20) - Rakeback and Capped Games
Question 3 from Wendy (13:40) - Counting Outs
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod76
I answer 2 listener Q’s about how to start the hand reading journey and where to go for some limit holdem learning.
Question 1 from myself (1:25)
Question 2 from Gerald Pervall (2:45)
Question 3 from Angelo (11:30)
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod73
I answer 3 listener Q’s about pre-flop calling ranges, learning from hand showdowns on Americas Cardroom and playing SNG’s at the WSOP.
Question 1 from Kris (1:20)
Sky, I enjoyed listening to your podcast and it is very helpful to think of this subject because the more I contemplate on it the more I realize I have never actually done it. How much does the tight EP opener open for?
So here’s my answer:
- If the EP raiser is tight passive I’m certainly going to open my calling range wider while 3 betting light a little more of the time
- If the EP raiser is a standard TAG this is my calling range: (I would only call a percentage of the time to mix up my game) 22-QQ, 54s-AKs, 64s-AQs, A4s-A6s
I would occasionally 3 bet light if I had a physical read on the player and if the antes have kicked in. With the above range I’m a 44% dog vs the top 15% of ranges, but if I flop well then my hand is disguised plus I can outplay the opp on the flop.
With 100bb stacks, implied odds are still there to a certain extent but I still feel there are a few more variables that play into my decision. Well I look forward to reading your response.
Thanks, Kris
Question 2 from Herodotis (8:05)
Hello Sky,
I really love the podcast and you have motivated me to take my poker study to a new level. I am looking for a bit of help filtering hands from ACR in PT4. Problem is that when I am away from the table ranging opponents, when I get to the showdown only some of my opponents hands show up. I know that ACR does not show mucked hands but is there some sort of way I can filter out the hands that will not be shown at showdown. Right now I have it set to only filter hands that went to showdown that I lost because all of those hands show up. However, I am looking for something that will help me study my winning hands as well. Also I am looking for something to tell me if my position versus position cold calling ranges are too tight or too loose. I know this is a situational question but I am hoping you might cover these types of cold calling ranges versus a typical TAG.
Thanks for what you do and keep on keepin on.
Very Respectfully, HERODOTUS
Question 3 from Scott (14:45)
Binked a single table and made a deal. Have $500 lammer I don’t know how to sell. Ideas?
– Scott
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod71
In today’s Q&A, instead of answering the usual 3 listener questions, I’ll hit the SPS Poker Facebook Group and checkout some questions and answers from the amazing poker people within the group.
Checking out the Poker Facebook Group Timeline (2:50)
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod69
In today’s Q&A, I answer 3 listener Q’s about considerations for tourney sponsorships, adjusting from 6max cash to 9max cash tables and putting ‘The ONE Thing’ to use in my poker career.
Question 1 from Eva (2:30)
Good morning!
I have a strange poker question about sponsorship. I play in a free league and recently, several people have offered to sponsor me in some tournaments. The reason I haven’t accepted as of yet is because they are requesting even percentages. I don’t have a problem affording the tournaments, so I’m not sure why I would accept this. Are sponsorships usually for an even percentage? Do you have any advice in regards to this?
Thank you, Eva
Question 2 from Gary (5:25)
Just a suggestion. I am a very new guy to Hold ’em poker and have been reading and watching videos and podcasts, etc… I seem to grasp the strategy of 6max micro cash games, I guess, but I’m having trouble when I move to 9max games. I’ve been looking for a source of information that gives a good explanation as to the adjustments I need to make when switching from one format table to the other. 6 max seems to be more natural for me to play but I would like to get enough confidence to play live 1-2 at my local casino.
Thanks, Gary
Question 3 from Ken (9:35)
Thanks for agreeing to help me I really appreciate it!
On another note, I am a big fan of self-improvement books also. I read The One Thing and always had trouble adapting it to my busy life and even understanding how to do it. If you ever have time I would love to hear about your methods and success with it.
Again, thanks for your help and for the podcast. I think you have a great format and I am really enjoying and benefiting from it.
Best Regards, Ken
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Support my show on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/smartpokerstudy
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod67
In today’s Q&A, I answer 3 listener Q’s about what beginning players should understand about poker, using a Bovada HUD and the subject matter of my future eBook and other exclusive content.
Question 1 from Dave (1:30)
Sky,
I am a donk. Where do I begin with my studies? I have many, many of the old school books (Sklansky, Caro, Brunson, Malmuth), but so much has changed. I love your podcasts but some of the concepts (esp the math) are over my head. I am going to purchase the Ed miller book ‘The Course’. You have done a great job presenting it! Please HELP.
-Dave
Question 2 from Big T (5:50)
Hi Sky,
Thanks again for your answer about pocket pairs a few weeks ago. I am playing them more often now, not always successfully, but it made me win a few big pots I was very happy about!
1- I’m playing online poker only on Bovada, so do I really need a HUD, and if so, why?
2- Hand review.
There’s one EP raiser, we’ll call him player A. Another short stack player B calls. I 3bet on the button with AQo. The blinds fold and players A and B both call. So I’m IP, 3way and the flop comes Ac8sQs. The pot is 2700 chips, A has 2,100 behind, B has 1,000 behind and I have 1,600. A goes all in (he covers me) and B (short stack) calls.
I KNEW that A had a flush draw. Not sure if it was a reasonable guess but it is what immediately came to my mind (easy to say it was a good guess now). I suspect that B has a flush draw as well even though I thought he might have called with an Ace…Either way, it doesn’t matter since I think the player who’s covering me is already on a flush draw. I call, the turn is another spade and I know that I’m out of the tournament. B ends up winning the pot with a better flush than A.
Now that I’m reviewing it, I realize now that A also had a straight draw (it goes fast during the actual game and I hadn’t noticed that). So, this leaves me with a few questions:
1- Should I risk my tournament knowing that a spade on the turn or river means I’m out? I thought the odds were good, but I’m still not sure I should have called with 2 pair.
2- Is there any other mistake I made?
3- I would probably not call a 3bet preflop with TJs or A3s as my opponents did. Especially not if I were A and didn’t know what B would do. Am I wrong and should I call 3bets more often when I’m in their position?
Thanks again for your podcast!
Big T =)
Question 3 from Firaga (15:00)
Sky,
I will be VERY happy to pledge my support in the near future once I can take care of some personal financial goals. Can you give any more insight as to what the strategy videos and/or ebooks might cover? I don’t know how far in the future you plan your projects but I am interested in hearing about it.
Also, have you enjoyed using WordPress? I am considering using them for hosting a blog (part of my being accountable for my goals) but I am hesitant to commit to a site.
Also, super quick update. I decided that HUSNG are the best games for me right now. (if you don’t remember, Firaga was the one that asked about which discipline to stick with for future profitability and longevity) HUSNG’s combine my desire to learn cash game concepts (all decisions are based on cEV, not ICM) and hand reading with my knowledge of push/fold poker and turbo/hyper turbo experience. Early results are favorable but too early to get excited. Thank you very much for your last email!
Best regards, Firaga
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
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Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod64
In today's Q&A, I answer 3 listener Q’s about the “tight is right” SNG philosophy, recording LIVE hands for later review, the profitability of cash vs SNG games and changing your plans mid-hand.
Question 1 from Rob (1:15)
Hi Sky. I totally get the tight is right philosophy of the early levels of a SNG. The early levels can easily amount to only 20 – 30 hands and in that small sample, we don’t always get a decent playable hand in position. On top of that, it is rare to get a playable hand in position with the action folded to you. So for most of the lower levels I’m playing fold’em hold’em and almost always get into a short stack scenario. Any suggestions for the above scenario?
Question 2 from Chris (3:35)
I have been listening to your podcasts and find them entertaining and informative. I would like more info on playing live as so far I have found that you focus a lot on online. I play exclusively live and would like better ideas on how to take better notes on hands to be able to study later.
Thanks, Chris
Question 3 from Firaga (9:30)
1) When you develop a plan for the flop that involves your plan for further streets, how important is it that you stick to that plan in the middle of the hand, even when presented with clear evidence that your plan may not have been a good plan? Then he goes into an example hand.
2) Prior to Black Friday, I was a winning regular in SNG tournaments, but I also played a lot of cash games. I left poker and returned recently to find SNG traffic is at a crawl compared to what it used to be, and my cash game is way behind the curve. My biggest concern is that long-term, there is more profitability in cash games than SNG's, and that playing in SNG's to build my bankroll will damage my development as a cash-game player. Do you think there is any benefit to playing both regularly (not in the same session, maybe alternating weekly) or do you think it would be better to specialize in one and mix in an occasional sprinkling of the other for variety? Am I worried for no good reason?
I would appreciate any advice you might have.
Best regards, Firaga
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod63
I answer 3 listener Q’s about playing overpairs, donk betting, tough opponents and showdowns. This is a listener Q&A.
Question 1 from LTU Maximus (4:15)
I have a question, let’s assume I have QQ UTG and I opened to 3.5bb, the ABC Tag villain in the CO is the only caller. The flop comes 2c4c8h. Pot 8.5bb. I cbet 5.5bb and the villain calls, pot is now 19.5bb. The turn comes 6h. So the board is 2c4c8h6h, I cbet 13bb and the villain calls. The pot is now 35.5bb on the river and the Jc comes. So, the final board is 2c4c8h6hJc.
So, what now??? Should I check & call depending on how much the villain bets? Should I cbet the river and fold after he goes all-in? This is a very hard but very common spot. Bad regs they reraise you post flop or Turn, good regs they just calling you till river and then reraise. Most of the time they have sets. And in this case villain held pocket 88’s. Good for him 
How are you playing in situations like that? What is the quickest way to know a villain has a set?
Thanks! Best Regards, LTUMaximus
Question 2 from Danilo (7:30)
Not sure if you covered this already, but one question I have is about when is a good spot to donk bet against a raiser and when you raise and someone donk bets you, what do they usually have?
Keep up the good work on the podcast and thanks for the work you put into it.
Cheers, Danilo
Question 3 from Sen (11:55) – abridged
Hello Sky,
Thanks for the thoughtful response.
I feel like I’m getting bluffed a lot, and my opp’s are putting me to very tough decisions. Do you have any positive advice for someone getting disillusioned and feeling frustrated with tough opponents?
I play in cardrooms where the cards are dealt out of an electronic machine so no dealer and we get dealt about 50 hands an hour. Most of the player pool is grinders since recreational players don’t trust the cpu, so the caliber of competition is tuff.
Should I transition to online? I’ve been playing LIVE poker for about four years now.
Thank you very much for your time and advice
Cheers, Sen
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod61
I answer 3 listener Q’s about handling surprise tilt, facing check-raises and whether or not I head to the Colossus II this summer. This is a listener Q&A.
Question 1 from Firaga (3:40)
I am currently building a bankroll on ACR, starting at 2NL. I have made great improvements and have plans in place for fixing many of my leaks, but I’m struggling with a plan of attack for this one.
I find that when a villain does something completely unexpected (i.e. 3-bet shoving 200bb or showing down a hand I hadn’t thought of in their range) I think about it for the rest of the session, and even for days afterwards.
I try to take the GTD approach and mark the hand for review, but that doesn’t stop this compulsive obsessing. I plan on reading the mental game over poker next month, is there anything else you think I could do?
Thank you very much for doing what you do.
– Firaga
Question 2 from Sen (8:10)
Do you provide any material on playing poker live?
Also, can you provide some feedback regarding the beginning of your session? Would you recommend playing tight like 10% of starting hands or LAG like 45% or play your traditional TAG approach? I play LIVE 1-2 only and have been effected by variance and I think that I get into a lot of marginal spots at the start and lose a flip and play terribly afterwards.
I find that I’m getting check raised a lot after being the pre-flop raiser, even though I have top pair top kicker. I raised with AQo, flopped Q53 rainbow, gets checked to me, I bet and get check-raised. What do I do in these spots? Call and validate the turn or fold on the flop b/c my opponents are raising w/2p+? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Question 3 from Sam (14:30)
Thanks for the podcast!
You said before you went to the WSOP. Are you going again this year? If so, what events will you play?
Keep it up!
-Sam
Challenge (16:25)
Here’s my challenge to you for this episode: Send your questions my way. I’m only able to do these Q&A’s if you’re sending some Q’s to me, so keep ‘em flowing.
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com
http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod59
I answer 3 listener Q’s about expecting MTT variance, playing small to medium pp’s and I review a hand sent in by a listener. This is a listener Q&A.
Question 1 from Ingamar (4:40)
Question 2 from Jaime (9:30)
Question 3 from Big T (12:30)
Thanks for your podcast!
Sorry if the subject has already been treated before in a podcast I would have missed.
One thing I’m struggling with is pocket pairs under 10s. and even 10s out of position
I play MTTs and lost too many chips with them so now, I got to the point where I just don’t play them at all, unless I’m in position and a lot of people limped before me. Then I just limp because the odds are good.
What are your thoughts about that?
Thanks!
Challenge (18:20)
Here’s my challenge to you for this episode: Submit your HH questions to the FB discussion group! We’ve got lots of great players there who love to help out and give their take on your questions. I often chime in as well, but it’s great to get input from players at all different levels. Just visit http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss to join the group and start getting involved in our community. Make some friends, study some poker, and help each other improve.
Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and author.
Please visit my poker strategy website at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com and sign up for the Smart Poker Study Newsletter for weekly strategy, study and poker play tips.
Discuss poker with like-minded players at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/discuss
Check out my YouTube Poker Training Channel at http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/youtube
Contact Smart Poker Study:
Twitter @smartpokerstudy
Email to sky@smartpokerstudy.com