[pritz]

Alright I need some help figuring out a solid, consistent strategy in the home game I compete in twice a week. It's a $20 buy-in, no limit hold 'em game, $.25/$.50 blinds. There are usually 5 or 6 people playing, and we try to play winner take all most of the time but sometimes it gets too late and the pot just gets split between the final 2 or 3 people. I guess you could call the guys I play with slightly loose players, but there are usually not any pre-flop raises (everyone calls, checks, or folds pre-flop 9/10 hands). I consider myself the tightest one at the table. There are a couple guys who are sort of agressive after the flop is down, and they also bluff occasionally. Since there aren't any pre-flop raises most of the time, should I call with: Low pocket pairs? Ace-low card offsuit/suited? Jack-low? Low suited cards? Low connected cards (4-5, 6-7, etc.)? I've read books that say some of these hands are garbage but in a game with only 5 people and position usually doesn't matter before the flop since everyone calls or checks even with very good hole cards, should I lower my hole-card standards a little? What about bluffing...when should I do it? I've been involved in a couple of those late-night split pots but I have never won the whole pot (this is over the last 3 weeks). I'm starting to think I should play a little more aggressively and maybe play more hole cards than I have been. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Also, I decided that I'm going to start raising with a good hand before the flop instead of just checking or calling like the rest of them...they might get pissed off that they have to pay more to see the flop all the sudden but I figure this eliminates the chances of one of them getting a lucky draw for cheap and beating my KK. Is this a good idea? I'm sort of new, so don't assrape me.

[petronder]

Same situation here for me as well.Please give me some tips also.thanks

[johnf]

Starting hands: play any pocket pair, 1/8 of the time you'll flop a set and win big. Axs and middium suited connectors can be played, but I would only play them in late position (because when catch only a part of the board playing them on and after the flop is difficult without position). When you get JJ, QQ or KK raise before the flop, you can raise with other hands as well so you won't become too predictable.

[pritz]

Thanks for the tips.What about low connected cards that aren't suited and offsuit Ace-X?

[johnf]

I don't play small connectors; Ax is usually playable once it gets down to 4 players, but at a 6 table someone is quite likely (around 50%) to have another ace and you don't want to run into an ace with a better kicker.

[chris]

I think the key is position. You can play a lot of garbage from late position if you can get in cheap, especially when the game is short. If nobody bets on a flop, you can take down a lot of pots with a pot sized bet as last to act. as for early and mid position pairs are playable, and Axs also. But what you are really looking for is a hand to double through, and which flop will make you feel confortable going all in with a hand like Jxo? Only from the botton. But I also think that you want to make some raises pre-flop. Steal some pots and make them be a little scared of you. If you give some action you'll get some action on your good hands as well. Just make sure that you're the one pushing around. Don't call much, but raise liberally.