Sunday, 11 August 2019

Comments to article ''Stealing blinds EV+ Part 2''

Hard to steal the blinds if you’re playing calling stations as they are not skilled enough to fold! (The Poker Forum)

Answer:  I personally don't pay much attention to player type then stealing blinds. Only to FTS (fold to steal) and 3 bet steal stats. Important is how often a player is folding to You attempt to steal or is he/she able to fight back (3 bet Your raise) to be in profit. Like I wrote - in case of stealing, Your main aim should be to win pot preflop. In case it is hard to complete - not folding or fighting back - the best idea might be just folded and wait for a better spot. Beauty in micro stakes is - You don't have to wait long.

Thinking a bit further: Stealing blinds and playing Your hand at late position (where most stealing attempts are happening) are two different things. If You are holding premium hands like AA or AQ suited at the late position and raising them is not stealing. Even raising at CO with K6s is not stealing (look tables in previous article https://www.pokeryear-microcashgame.com/2019/06/ev-game-part-1.html) - those hands You can raise pre-flop and play EV+ against the right opponent and with good POST FLOP skills. In case of raising with K6s = against calling station, this is not a good idea for a very simple reason - he/she will never fold. Just don't use this kind of hands against them. Same time - raising the calling station with AA is a very good idea and for the very same reason - they will never fold. You can value bet them in every street most of the time (still pay attention to board texture). By writing about STEALING BLINDS I meant mostly raising with (any) position then Your opponent(s) are not defending blinds much (mostly tight passive player), what kind of bet size to use and math for that - staying still EV+ game (tables), how to react then limpers are in the pot and two cards You can use mostly (any two suited cards) and still be closest to EV+ game.