Ok, I've been away from the tables for a spell, but I've been back over the last couple months. I purposely look for loose or passive tables at Pacific Poker, and more recently BetFred Poker (UK skin), and generally dont sit down unless the players/flop is around 60%. When table conditions are like this, I seem to do just fine, I pretty much raise pre-flop or fold, that leads to people calling my preflop raises too often, trapping enough people into calling me down with the second best hand, or on occassion folding to a post flop bet when I hold nothing but outs.

But when the players/flop appraoches 50% I am finding it much tougher. I just can't get out of my mind that people are betting post flop on nothing or little more than a high card, and are trying to push me away from the pot with very little. It also seems however that when I decide to protect my hand with a raise, they always seem to hold something that they call me down with and take the pot! Argghh This destroys my confidence, and I sometimes leave the table before tilt sets in!

So, any general advice for tighter 6 Max play? do I just need to tighten up like the rest?

First off I haven't seen a 60% preflop table in a long time.....might be time to change sites. I consider 50% very loose.


Many of your hands will be heads up so make sure you get a real good read on your opponents. You should know who will call down bottom pair or any piece of the flop and those who will fold all but top pair. Adjust your play accordingly.

Also since most hands will be heads up or three way you need to slightly adjust your playing requirements. Big cards and pairs go up in value and suited connectors go down.

Also you want to tighten up you play in EP to premium hands as you don't want to get isolated heads up out of position with a hand that can easily make second best. I loosen up my starting requirements and play very aggressive in LP especially when there are tight blinds and the limper in EP is tight. This is a perfect situation to pound on your opponents with just about anything.

Thanks for the reply, I've been thinking for a while that my EP starting hands requirements need triming, I think thats the way to go. When you say play LP very aggressively, do you mean that you might re-raise against a bet almost no matter what you have?

Originally Posted by Rolfe_WJ_2

Thanks for the reply, I've been thinking for a while that my EP starting hands requirements need triming, I think thats the way to go. When you say play LP very aggressively, do you mean that you might re-raise against a bet almost no matter what you have?

A reraise against just one other player from late position would give you so much information on what strength of hand he has... It could also put you in great position leading into the flop play... since a continuation bet is likely from him if you just call a raise then putting in that reraise means you push him onto the backfoot slightly - Unless hes got a great starting hand like KK or AA.

Id say keep it tight when in early position and experiment more in late position - mixing up your play is vital when playing shorthanded since players will pick up on your most common types of moves more quickly.

If you look for the highest flop percentage possible for 6 handed then you know if you play tight you will most likely get paid off - I used to think the complete opposite but over the long run you will.

Originally Posted by Rolfe_WJ_2

But when the players/flop appraoches 50% I am finding it much tougher. I just can't get out of my mind that people are betting post flop on nothing or little more than a high card, and are trying to push me away from the pot with very little. It also seems however that when I decide to protect my hand with a raise, they always seem to hold something that they call me down with and take the pot! Argghh This destroys my confidence, and I sometimes leave the table before tilt sets in!

heh, play is a little bit more aggressive. learn to adjust. if you think they are making a play on you, call down with K high. I play 5/10 mainly and make ace high calldowns dozens of times each session.

i suggest moving down to the more passive games until you are ready for this

Thanks for the replies.

My game is profitable where I play, but I am sure that it could be better. I can spot and pick on poor players without much trouble, but its not much of a suprise that I find it harder amongst better players! I think that my EP starting hands needs to be trimmed, but perhaps a few hands should be added to my LP raises!