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WPT Bootcamp instructor Nick "Nicky Numbers" Brancato tackles one of the common problems he comes across at the training camps – how to deal with going card dead.
One of the most common complaints heard from poker players is that they're card dead. Time and time again players say that they were doing well in a tournament, but then they just couldn't pickup a hand. This obviously resulted in their elimination...but should it?
Doing well regardless of the hands dealt is a major part of being a winning poker player. The key skill needed to succeed in tournaments is the ability to accumulate chips, or at least survive, without holding premium cards. In No Limit Texas Hold'em the vast majority of hands never reach a showdown. This means that most of the time the player who wins the pot never even has to reveal their hole cards. As a result, countless opportunities are available to earn chips despite having weak holdings. There are several common scenarios where plays can be made that have a high likelihood of success.
1. Reraise Active Players - Notice players who frequently raise preflop, most of the time they will not have a premium hand. Reraise them when in late position and there are only a couple players left to act. Punish them for raising too many pots.
2. Find Soft Spots - Look for players at the table who play weak post-flop. Play hands with them when in position. Be aggressive and take those pots. Punish them for being weak.
3. Pickup The Limps - Frequently there are pots where several players just call preflop from middle and late position. Make a pot sized raise and pickup those chips. Punish them for limping.
4. Take Down Orphan Pots - There are often hands that are against one or two opponents where it’s checked on the flop and you are last to act. Use your position and make a 2/3s to full pot size bet and take those chips. Punish your opponents for being passive.
5. Resteal The Blinds - Players who raise preflop from late position are typically trying to steal. Play back at opponents who raise from the button or cutoff by reraising them three times their total bet. Punish them for trying to steal.
Keep in mind that it’s best to establish a tight table image before attempting to make any plays. It’s also important that you only do them sparingly to avoid being noticed.
Once you find a good spot to make a play, you should act without regard to your cards. If seeing your cards might deter you from making the play, then don’t look at them. Simply pretend to peek at your cards. This will help you to pull the trigger.
You should constantly be on the lookout for situations where it is likely that you can make a successful play. Picking spots where you act solely based on the table conditions, regardless of your cards, will allow you to build a stack even if you are not being dealt premium hands. Remember, good players can win when they get dealt quality cards, but great players can win without them. |
