Online Poker is an extremely complicated game with intricate strategies involved, but there is one thing all players seem to agree on: big hands are supposed to bring in big money. Rookies at least, figure that whenever a
monster hits you, you have it made, all you need to do is see the showdown and cash in. Sure, they know that getting money into the pot is also necessary, they just don’t give that aspect the importance it deserves.
Happening upon a monster hand is not something you have a whole lot of influence on. Sure, cowards will never complete their flush draw, or their gutshot straight, so in that respect, there is something you can do to push your luck, however, getting a good starting hand is purely a matter of luck, and so is getting hit big by the flop, turn, or the river.
In a word: happening upon a
monster is much easier than using it to its full potential. Place your focus on squeezing the maximum amount of profit out of the monsters you get, but do not build your
poker strategy solely around them.
Slow-playing is on of the most popular ways to hammer a monster home. People figure, they need to show as much weakness as possible, and to allow others to stuff the pot for them in order not to raise any suspicion. Certainly, under certain circumstances, slow-playing is indeed a viable option.
One can’t state though that slow-playing is a universal solution to all monsters you land.
The right course of action is dependant on a set of other factors. While slow-playing can be great at a given table under the given circumstances, it can be disastrous at a different table under different circumstances.
Things you have to consider are: the nature of the opposition. Are you going up against at least one maniac who raises and re-raises on every hand, and keeps on dominating? Are you up against a bunch of solid tight players?
Your table image.You don’t necessarily have to work hard in order to build an image for yourself. Whatever you do, the other people around the table will create an image of you in their minds, based on your betting patterns, or other tiny bits of information you give out. The important thing is that you are aware of the image that the others have of you. In that respect, if you’re known as a maniac, and you are aware of your “status”, no way in hell should you slow-play anything. Take that boat or set, and act as aggressive on it as ever, from the very beginning. Show those opponents of yours that you’re asking for it as usual, and let them try to keep you honest. On the other hand, if you’re seen as a tight and very solid player, you should be aware that anything you do, will give out huge amounts of information on the hand you’re holding. We could sum up the whole strategy like this: don’t ever do something that the others may see as out of the ordinary. Stick to your usual play, while slowly taking them where you want to see them.
Another fundamental principle of playing monster, is linked to being pot committed. It should always be your aim to have at least one of your opponents pot committed on the turn. The turn is the critical point of every single poker hand. That is when the balance tips one way or the other.By getting your opponent pot committed (either by betting on the turn or by check-raising him) you’ll have made sure he’ll go all-in on the river.
Do not be afraid to use all your stack, in order to get as much action on your monster as possible. After all, you need to win big whenever the possibility rears its head, so that you can afford to absorb the variation, and the many times when you win nothing or lose.
Certainly, there are situations when no matter what you do, you still fail to get any action on good cards. The other players may all end up with rags, and fold without giving it a second thought. These are some of the most frustrating situations you’ll ever have to deal with in poker, but they’re also part of the game, so learn to accept them and move on.
