I've been going to a local game here...nothing big, but ever since the first night, I cannot do shit!

Tell me what I am doing wrong...

Here's some examples...

We get 1600 in chips...Blinds start at 25/50.

I get somewhat decent hands not in position, but I haven't won anything...I just call big blind, then it comes around to this one guy who goes all in with a short stack...I don't really have a hand I want to call with, so I fold. This happens a few more times before and I never have a hand I really want to call with, or someone in front of me has called..

Now let's say I'm down to about 1300...not bad, but I start to not get any hands at all (9-4off, K-3,J-4, etc), everyone around me is being aggressive and most of them are showing good cards. But, the blinds raise, I call some to try to see a flop but get raised, and my chips start dissappearing.

I end up trying to make a bluff to gain some chips back, pick a bad spot I guess and by the river my opponent turns over a straight to my K high. I'm pretty much out of the game then...

This seems like something I can't avoid. Am I not being aggressive enough, playing too carelessly, or is it just bad cards?

Please any advice is appreciated.
Thank you.

$20 buy in. It's a game with normally about 20 something people...I don't know most of them, but I know how most of them play.

I've been playing for a several months now, but I study it very often and consider myself to be a decent player, just don't know why I'm having these problems...

Thanks for the advice.

so you have 2 10 person tables?

How many get paid?

How fast do the blinds raise?

I really don't think you need to loosen up, the way you describe it you can just let them take each other out till you get in a good position, they're probably calling stations so don't try bluffing that once, like once or twice the whole tournament.

I agree with Trons on reading HOH, but I've had more success taking a different angle at this type of game (I agree with FaDi).

I quit playing these years ago. A $20-$40 buy in, 2-3 tables, $1600 stacks, 12-15 minute rounds, is considered a level 0 game (meaning there is not enough time or chips to let any skill prevail so no matter what, luck will be a big factor). If you play this "extremely" tight/agressive, you can usually make it to the final combined table by attrition (enjoy watching the donk fest). Once you get here you will essentially be playing 1 card poker. Ax > 8, KK thru 88 - push preflop. Anything else, call in late position if you can get in cheap to see the flop...and hope for a hit.

Bottom line, these games won't really improve you poker skills and can actually hurt them for deep stack, serious money tourneys. You might be better off playing a $20 online (no rebuy > 100 player) tourney.

Originally Posted by Trons

Please keep in mind that my advice was for a game with friends that you "wanted" to play and winning was just a bonus...

point taken... Missed that piece.

Originally Posted by trippedupA-Town

mister serious. haha

please. the mister is not needed. serious is just fine...