Using My Table Image to My Advantage
I've been playing poker for almost a year now, but I rarely ever consider what my table image is and how I can use it to gain more chips.
Yesterday I had a home game and we had our biggest buy-in and payout totals by far. I've been playing with the same group of guys for a while now, so they sorta know how I play.
I started out with a big chipstack and played pretty tight the rest of the way...I wanted to finish ITM, which was probably my biggest mistake. For example...
1) Flop - Q 9 5
I'm holding Q K in middle position.
Player 1 (tight player on short/middle stack) goes all in
Player 3 (beginner, no idea what he could have) also goes all...out of position
Player 2 (me) - I was basically too scared to risk half of my chips with TP, I figured the tight player flopped 2 pair...being in the SB he could have a queen and rags...or 9 5. I layed down my hand and Player 3 showed a pair of 5's and Player 1 had Q K...the same hand as me.
Everyone saw the cards I folded and probably were thinking I was messed up in the head or something...
2 ) I'm in the BB and I get A 4suited. 3 people limp in and I check.
Flop - 6 4 10
Everone checks.
Turn - A
Player 1 (kind of a maniac player, ALWAYS slow plays monster hands) - bets minimum bet.
2 others fold and I sorta act weak and just call my 2 pair.
River is a Q
I check, because I know he's going to bet and I plan on check-raising...
He bets twice his previous bet, and I raise him 50 over his bet of 24. He then raises all in. I have only played with this guy a few times...but I know he loves to slow play, so a raise after my re-raise makes me worried about my hand. Did he flop trips and slow play to the river? Does he have a higher 2 pair than me? I fold the hand and after the tourney he tells me he had pocket kings.
My point is, right now my table image is tight and afraid to lose my chips. Some of the better players will take this into account and re-raise me or put me all in when they know I dont have a great hand.
My question is, how should I change my style of play to get the maximum benefits?
Should I mix up my game a little, playing agressive for a while, then tight, then maniac? Any help appreciated
