NoPokerFace.net

You can read Part 1 here...

The 'orphaned pot' factor is why 'loose-aggressive' tactics can work on occasion. 'Loose-aggressive' players play a wide range of hands pre-flop hoping to hit a big hand on the flop and if they don't, try to steal the pot if they detect any weakness. 'Loose-aggressive' is a very risky strategy, but can be a useful tactic on a hand here and there depending on the tightness of your opponents. Against 'very tight' opponents this tactic can pick up a lot of abandoned pots. Like I said before, these abandoned pots can add up quickly. Particularly as the blinds increase. It's also helpful to change up your play a little bit for a hand or two when perceptive opponents make adjustments to your tight play. Most 'loose aggressive' players tighten up a bit when met with resistance.

In the early stages of a tournament many players will loosen up and play a wide range of hands if they can see the flop cheap. Since blinds are so small relative to the size of the starting stacks, a small limp-in bet can sometimes pay off big time. It's advisable to make this type of minimum call/bet in late position, therefore minimizing the likelihood of facing a raise from someone acting behind you. If you do get raised, you should usually fold.

When playing weaker starting cards, the flop and all following cards (turn and river) must be played with extreme caution. When playing a large range of cards pre-flop it's more likely one of your opponents has a better hand, even when you hit the flop or a good hand. For example, let's assume you call a minimum bet with the J-7 of clubs on the button and the flop comes A-J-7 giving you two pair.

 

You can't always assume you have the best hand. As strong as two pairs are at this stage, they can be beat by anyone holding A-J, A-7, or 7-7,  which are all possible hands a player might have limped in with. Not to mention an opponent holding AA or JJ, but these are less likely because most players will ordinarily raise pre-flop with these cards. The flip side is if you get a flop like J-7-2, especially if there are no flush draws (rainbow).

It's unlikely that someone will detect you have the J-7 of clubs and your two pair is a much more powerful hand here. The only hands to be wary of are the three possible sets. The unfortunate player holding A-J now is probably going to give you a lot of chips. Players holding K-J and even lesser hands are probably going to make a donation to your stack because your hand is disguised so well.

Now let's look at the scenario where you do make the club flush with the J-7 of clubs hole cards.

Any opponent holding suited club hole cards with an A, K, or Q, has you beat so you have to be careful. People with any suited K, Q, or especially A, limp in with them all the time. Don't be second best. If you feel any resistance from a good player keep the pot on the small to medium side if possible. You might not get every last chip from your opponent, but you also won't have to watch the rest of the game from the 'rail' when you come up second best either.