POT SIZE vs. BET or RAISE

[Monty9]

Hello all,

Will be trying some ring games in AC within the next 2 weeks and will probably try to play NL at the TROP or TAJ. I play mostly NL on line now and find it hard playing Limit.

I have read most of whats on FTR about B&M games and its all great stuff.

The one thing I didn't find was anything about how hard it is or isn't to keep track of the pot size for betting purposes. Especially when first to act or when jumping in after a checked street. I usually reraise based on the original bet. A bet of $10 gets a $30 raise by me. etc.

I think I'm going to be nervious enough about not F'in up that I'm not going to pay attention to who bet and called what.

Any pointers on this or is it just to keep adding it up in your head. I guess we're all just spoiled by the internet sites keeping a running total for us.

Thanks.

[Aceofone]

Playing live games, you absolutely must play the table. If a table is tight, play looser, and vice-versa. Every table has it's own 'texture'. Some 1/2 NL tables will have a standard 6-10$ raise preflop, others 20-25$, if you can recognize what type of table your on, you can adjust your game.

Only simpletons cannot keep track of pot sizes in a B&M room. Its really quite simple, take the amount of callers preflop multiplied by the bet size; for example: 5 players @ 15$ each, pot of 71$ (75$-4$ rake).

Biggest thing to remember playing live is: Have fun, everyone is a little nervous their first time playing live, but don't let that get to you. You will not know all the rules but most dealers are pretty patient with new players, they just HATE HATE HATE repeating themselves. Please, for your sake, and my blood pressure, listen when the dealer speaks to you.

[Kessler]

Keeping track of the pot is easiest as Aceofone has explained. Start out by practicing it while you are NOT in the hand. Once you ditch your 92o UTG, keep track of how many callers, and how much per caller. Keep that # in mind during play, and add the sum of the betting rounds as it goes. I wouldn't bother trying to calculate the rake in there until the end tho, keep the round numbers and worry about the rake later.

Once you get used to it, you'll be able to count the pot while playing your cards, the board, the other players, and all the other stuff you need to be paying attention to at the same time.

Good Luck!

-Kessler