I think I am playing scared instead of playing tight

Whenever I try to play tight, I always lose money. I dont mean that Im calling with any two cards when im not playing "tight", but ill be way more open. Mind you, this is 10NL and 25NL strategy. When its a dime to see a blind, ill try to call alot and hit a miracle flop with connectors or any 2 suited. When I get a stack, expecially at 10NL, I become an agressive bully that takes down quite a few small pots. But when I first enter a table, I play what I consider "tight", which means if im not catching cards, im losing. When im playing tight, ill hold out for premium cards. And when I get them, I play super agressive, which leads to small pots (usually), or me losing my stack on a fishs silly call (like AK vs KT). I wont make moves (even when I know the other guy dont have shit), and ill check it down. I dont even know what kind of advice im expecting, because it seems like I know the answer, it just isnt working.

Originally Posted by potdragn

when I get them, I play super agressive, which leads to small pots (usually), or me losing my stack on a fishs silly call (like AK vs KT).

You nailed it! It seems like you're overplaying your big hands. If you raise with AK and some donk calls with KT and the flop is KT3 rainbow you shouldn't lose your stack. If you bet 2/3 the pot on the flop and get raised, slow down, check and call, if he bets the pot on the turn muck it, he's got 33 or KT, KT is playable for alot of players. If the flop is K37 and he's got you beat you'll probably have to pay him off and hope he's overplaying KQ. Be careful when high cards flop and you've only got 1 pair. If I lose my stack it's usually a suck out or I'll have at least 2 pair and I'm up against a set or a straight.

The problem with playing big hands super-aggressively is that you only get action when you're beat. Like you said, you win a small pot or you get de-stacked. If I get a good but not great flop ( no overcards to my pair or TPTK ) I'll bet 1/2 - 3/4 the pot on the flop, depending on how many draws are out there. If I still like my hand on the turn I'll double my bet. If the river is safe my value bet on the river will be the same as or a little bigger than my turn bet. I want TPWK paying me off not folding.

Originally Posted by KY_Ace

The problem with playing big hands super-aggressively is that you only get action when you're beat.

See but at 10 and 25 NL on Pacific, that isnt necessarily true. In fact, I'll often take down monster pots by all-ining off the flop with high PP, and someone will call their whole 10 or 25 dollar stack chasing! If theres one thing I learned at this level, its you cant bet them out. you just have to figure out when they are chasing and when they flopped their set/weird 2 pair/whatever, and i guess thats where im having problems. iguess im saying "I cant lay it down!!" lol

Originally Posted by potdragn

When its a dime to see a blind, ill try to call alot and hit a miracle flop with connectors or any 2 suited.

Connectors, I like. You'll get your 2 pair or straight enough that it works. Any 2 suited is terrible IMO. If I'm playing a hand for a flush I want the A. Are you comfortable pushing your stack in with Q7h? If it's not playing for someones stack it's not worth it.

Originally Posted by potdragn

When I get a stack, expecially at 10NL, I become an agressive bully that takes down quite a few small pots.

I don't understand what you're trying to say here. Bullying doesn't work here. If anything I feel they call more because they think you're being a bully.

IME ( new thingy short for In My Experience) 10NL is all about PP and AK- AJ, maybe KQ from position. I cant think of anything outside this range thats worth thinking about. You hit TP you bet, guys at this level wil call with bottom pair but if they raise they usually have TPTK beat. Bet it raise it but dont reraise it, just fold it. Watch out for the maniacs (there are some about) and just write some hiphop aboiut them. High cards are about winning a few small pots to break even. sets + straights are where the profit starts to happen.

edit: i just thought about them.. suited connectors or connectors from LP in a pot that is likely to be just limpers.

Originally Posted by swiggidy

Originally Posted by potdragn

When I get a stack, expecially at 10NL, I become an agressive bully that takes down quite a few small pots.

I don't understand what you're trying to say here. Bullying doesn't work here. If anything I feel they call more because they think you're being a bully.

Ive been having much success when I have like $40+ at a 10NL table, raising preflop to about $1 with a wide selection and playing aggressive postflop. Ive taken down some smallish decent size pots just continuation betting with a solid size bet, holding nothing. And if this seems contradictory to what I posted before, thats where im having my problems. i just need more work on some reads, methinks.

As far as them calling me when i am a bully, i want that, thats when I get monsters and try to jam the pot, and they dont believe me. its just that sometimes, they hit their miracle cards, and i have to try and recognize it and to slow it down postflop. i sorta think i know what i have to do, im just not carrying through or something.

Originally Posted by potdragn

As far as them calling me when i am a bully, i want that, thats when I get monsters and try to jam the pot, and they dont believe me. its just that sometimes, they hit their miracle cards, and i have to try and recognize it and to slow it down postflop. i sorta think i know what i have to do, im just not carrying through or something.

That's kinda what I thought you meant. I don't care for the idea because you're winning some small pots. If you think it's setting you up for winning a big pot, cool. But I think they would pay off your great hand with a good hand anyway.

Originally Posted by Pelion

sets + straights are where the profit starts to happen.

edit: i just thought about them.. suited connectors or connectors from LP in a pot that is likely to be just limpers.

I'm playing at the boss sites. It's not uncommon to limp from early position and get 6 callers behind you. If you hit your monster (in this case a straight) you can bet and 2-3 people will call. If you get a draw you can usually check and only have to call one more 10c bet (into a pot of ~$1) to see your turn card. It's almost like playing limit until you feel like dropping the hammer.

It's correct to overplay your big hands at 25NL and below. It's also correct to get a read and find out if the guy who just called your huge raise when you held top pair is a habitual chaser, or the other solid player at the table who is likely to be ahead of you just by calling.

What I used to do at these levels, is a whole different strategy than 50NL+. At these levels, my aim was to tilt everyone. I would push all in against people in two situations. If I had a made hand, or a great hand better than theirs when they had something to call with. I would tell a bad story (such as slowplay one street) and push. Also, if I had absolutely nothing, and knew they were weak enough to fold. Seriously, if you can find spots to all in bluff at these levels and show the opponent your stupid horrible cards, you can stack them over and over again just by making hands and pushing after you do so. It doesn't even matter if your stupid horrible cards beat their stupid horrible cards. You have to show that your capable of putting a lot of chips in the middle with air. You do this only in really safe spots. The opponent thinks your out of your mind and pays you off until the end of time.

I was playing low stakes the day before yesterday ($5NL), because my friends are at that stake and I wanted to play against them. I remembered my old ways pretty quick. I bought in for $5, and left an hour later with $45. I had one guy screaming CALL! CALL! in the chat everytime I pushed all in. Of course by this time I was only pushing made hands, and occassionally bluffing all in against tight players on scary boards to show the loose douches why they should call next time I push into them. I busted the "CALL!" guy with a flush. Took his $12 stack with one slide and push, because I used his emotion against him.

I didn't mean to imply it couldn't be done. Often when these questions are posted the player doesn't know how to play his/her cards (which is good enough to win at this level). So there are more important things to focus on than playing the player.