How To Play Poker KISS Method
This article is all about the KISS concept and how you use it in poker games. Traditionally KISS means “Keep It Simple Stupid” meaning don’t overcomplicate things as that is when stupid errors occur but in poker I say there can be 2 more specific interpretations.
First, how about Keeping It Simple (Against) Stupid Players? Secondly, Keep It Simple and Straightforward if you’re up against not so stupid players!
At all poker sites you will find the good, bad and stupid, though maybe a few more of the latter 2 than at say a $1000 buy in table in Monaco!
With A-10, for example, would you dare to go up against a strong player in a flop A-8-3? Yes sure if it’s free poker but what if there?s a lot of cash on the table?
You can just call-call-call, or bet and hope he does not play strongly. Why? Since he is a good player, you might put him on A-K, or an Ace with a better kicker. Then should he go all-in, you will know what to do. Scamper, and hold on until you have the A-K, or possibly the Set.
Here you will have to consider the following. Has he really got A-K? Or is is only J-J that he’s daring enough to take to the showdown but won’t call a large raise with? Or maybe 8-7, because he believes my bet on the Flop is just a continuation bet and he calls?
But against five or six weak players, you may have to ask the same questions five to six times. Has he really got ?-? (for Player one). Has he really got ?-? (for Player two) ? Or just ?-? (for Player three)? and on and on until your brain is fried and you get nailed by someone holding A-8.
Let us look at another situation now, with a Board of 5-6-J-Q-8.
You have K-Q. A strong player probably has A-Q or K-K, or J-10, or something special, like 7-4 (usually suited). You might as well fold your K-Q at the end, or just call a small bet at the river. But at least you can put your strong opponent into a hand or into a few hands.
But with 5 or 6 poorer players you must be careful. They might hold the hands above, but since they are weaker players, there are going to be more add-ons such as 8-5, J-5, Q-8, even Q-5, and they all add to the chances of your nice K-Q being beaten.
In a situation like this why not call a small bet on the river (since with many callers you will get good pot odds for the call). But when one moves all-in, it’s a signal. Fold your K-Q. What hand might they be moving all-in with? If the player’s strong, you may have a clue. But with weaker or stupid players you just can’t tell at all.
Why go to war if you don’t know what you are trying to beat?
A strong player is willing to play more stronger hands than weaker ones. He is willing to play A-K more often than A-8 in his life, although frequency of play is no clue to how he plays specific hands. He remains unpredictable. But you will expect him to fold A-8 more often than A-K.
But weak players don’t know what hands they are playing. They will play J-5 as readily as A-K. So, when playing with them, because you can’t put them into a hand because they don’t even know theirs, just show them a good enough hand. A Two-Pair or higher, more desirably. In the A-10 example above, you’ll be happy with 3-3. In the second, I wish you have the 7-4 or the 10-9 before you act rashly.
And, unless you are just messing about in a free online poker don’t attempt any fancy manoeuvres like all-in bluffs.
In the 5-6-J-Q-8 Board, don’t move all-in with A-K. Even with just two weak opponents, they will just readily call you with K-Q as much as with 6-4, J-9, or even 3-3. They don’t know the difference between them.
If they have something, they will be willing to take it along to death. So make your something stronger than their something, and take it to their death instead. No bluffs. No calling of suspected bluffs.
So remember to KISS! Keep it Simple or Straightforward against good players and Keep it Simple against Stupid Players!
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