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There is a whole universe of small edges that can be exploited for better profits. It's ok to Tagg until the cows come home. It's profitable. There is an upper plain of skill to achieve however. I'm obsesssed with poker, and the holy grail of what it means to be the best at it. I hope to someday achieve a high status. I'm one of those stupid people that cares more about improving than making money, because I love the game. I believe it is possible to find new sharp edges. I find them constantly. It takes a little courage to walk on them, but they're there. For example....
I was sitting at a $200NL cash table with Wildbob the other day, and found such an edge. I looked down at 56s on the button, and raised it 3xBB. The big blind reraised me, making it 6-8xBB to go. I knew this meant high pocket from this person. My hand was merely speculative, and I was reraised, but this is cash table, and I can play postflop regardless of my cards with position. I called to see a flop. The flop came out TAA with 2 clubs. Awww crap right? Wrong. The big blind represented as I expected, but only bet out about half pot. This person had JJ-KK. I was certain.
The problem here is, I now have to convince the opponent I have trip aces or fold. 200 NL players are smart enough to not believe trips when they have a powerful underpair. Do I have a reason to raise trip aces on this flop if I had them? Yes I do. There are two clubs out there, and the opponent bet half pot, which might make him think that I think he's drawing. I know he likely isn't. The opponent is also very tight, so less inclined to look me down with two aces staring at them OOP. The choice was made. It was proper to make it 3x his bet to go. He thought about it and folded of course, considering I had position on him for the next two betting rounds, and I won 20+ BB. I found a sharp edge and exploited it. It was correct to do so against this player. Would you have done the same thing?
Now I'm not saying look for things that aren't there. All I'm saying is don't be a pussy when opportunity falls in your lap. Poker is pragmatic. Always remember that.
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