[outfocusmetal]

Should add that I’m happy to provide hand histories that I can remember, and scenarios/player profiles.

[fivebyfive]

The question here is really how do we play against calling stations. This is a common player type, especially some lesser skilled ones. Rob Washam often talks about these players when they still have hope. This means they will incorrectly call down with gutshots or bottom pairs and suck out from time to time.

So we do need to adjust, but our strategy doesn’t just have to be fit or fold. This player types thrives on two things: hope and certainty. They will rarely raise you without the goods. And they will call down hoping to improve. So what does all this mean:

1. We do need to adjust our ranges, and how we construct them postflop. We should approach a more linear value range, instead of a polarized/balanced one that might be more GTO. Let’s say we open and they call and the flop comes KT7 rainbow. In a normal spot, I might check back a hand like T9 but bet a hand like J9. Against this player type, I might bet T9 for value and check back J9.

2. When we are betting for value, we can often bet bigger. If they are more inelastic to sizing and we think we are ahead. Say we have AK on that same board, well let’s go big and capture value from their hands like J9 that will chase the gutter. Sometimes they’ll get there, but in the long run, if they keep calling, you’ll win.

3. Finally, We should never build multistreet bluffs if they’ve shown interest and we should believe them when the obvious draw gets there and they start betting. If you get card dead against this type of opponent it can be tough, but it just takes one hand to stack them when we do hit.

[bchip]

Agree with Chris wholeheartedly.

The only thing not discussed is the general tournament ethos.

You will lose, a lot. Figure out how to deal with that. Many people haven’t.

The card distribution you get during a tournament will have an impact on your results in the short term. If it’s not your night, it’s not your night. Skill overcomes variance in the long term. One tournament is not the long term.

All you can do is make good decisions with what you are dealt and try to not get overly invested in the the actual single hand or tourney results.

If your cards aren’t good enough to beat an opponent you deem “less skilled”, no amount of skill will overcome that deficit in the short run.

In a similar instance, I played two daily tournaments at Bally’s in Vegas in early September. In my first outing I finished mid-pack (17th of 45) after taking a bad beat and never being able to recover. I took down the second one.

Played the same in both and took advantage when I could.

Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. You just need to play your game throughout and make good decisions Don’t rail against any single result ‘cause we’ve all been at tables “where you just can’t beat the drunk”.

[outfocusmetal]

Thank you both, this is really helpful to my study! I hate the idea that I have to play the cards and little else per se, but you’re right in that’s a part of variance and my skill comes from my approach and when I’m not the effective stack in every hand.