***** Official Dumb Questions Thread ****

For what? Necessary for what specifically?

The question isn't 'is raising profitable'...the question is; is calling +EV given the fact that 90% of players are going to raise in such a way that they lose money over the long term.

The only way I could see it not being +EV is with zero fold consideration; and there is also the possibility that the 90% lose money statistic isn't correct; but that's what I routinely see thrown around; and it's what chatGPT said was the estimation.

Good day everyone, I've got a couple of dumb questions. The first is reading through the FAQ and some of the top threads in this section I've heard people say that there is a "basic strategy" for micro no limit tournaments (I've been playing 25 cent sng's on pokerstars just to get some experience.) Is this sort of like Basic Strategy for Blackjack where if you play it you'll optimize your odds of winning?

The second question, regardless of the answer to the first, is can anyone recommend a good video or video series that can teach a new player all they need to know to play online tournaments as wisely as possible? I've tried searching youtube but all the ones I seem to find are either trying to sell you their software or course or use so much jargon and math it melts my brain.

Thanks for your time!

Just in case you don't mind reading books, here's a list that might be helpful to you:

https://www.pokernews.com/news/2017/09/nolan-dalla-10-most-important-poker-strategy-books-18297.htm

pokernews

The 10 Most Important Poker Strategy Books Ever Written and Why They’re Special

I seem to have the full bet rule confused. I was under the impression that in NLHE live game if a player opens on the flop for $13, then the next player throws out five $5 chips ($25) without announcing anything, it was just a call because it wasn’t the full amount required to be a raise? I was 100% certain of this until 2 days ago. Now I’m told if they make at least half the required amount it is intent to raise. That to me sounded like half bet rule which is what I thought they played in tournaments, but not live games.

I have been in different departments in the gaming industry for 10 years, but poker for at least 2 (albeit some 8 years ago). Was this rule different back then or have I had it wrong all this time and never been corrected?

could be room dependent, could be cash/donkament dependent

what good resources are out there for a total beginner learning how to build popups, stats and huds using H2N 3?

I've tried going through the manual, there is a good amount there and a lot of rabbit holes to get lost in. Is there a good learning path someone can recommend? Thanks

Hello!

I played poker professionally for few years (online), but that was about +10 years ago. Based on my next question, you wouldn't probably believe that because I can hardly believe myself how I was able to play MTT's and winning without having any clue how to use solvers, or even some of the basic fundamentals - I guess the game was easier back then?

Regardless of that, I've recently dabbled back into poker (i've played occasionally throughout the years) and as I've got older, I've grown more interest of actually learning and trying to systematically improve.

Problem is, I'm not sure where to begin studying. Studying pots and hh's doesn't do you much favors if you don't know what you are studying and looking for.

My question would be: Is there any free solvers (or similar) to study stack sizes, positions and ranges and how would you approach a saved hand that got you thinking and figuring out how to improve that particular spot?

I'm not advanced, but I'm not a total beginner either. I do understand the core concepts, stack sizes, positions and ranges on SOME level - I do understand the fundamentals that revolve around those but there are still an enormous amount of uncertainty for probably a spots that should be quite clear (and I end up making beginner level mistakes).

Any sort of free resources / softwares would be welcomed. I own PT4, that's about as far as it goes when it comes to softwares.

I'd love to study, but its the problem of how to do it systematically and making sure the next session I'm always equipped with some additional information I could use to my advantage.

Even constructing this question is a bit hard, when you don't know what are the right questions to ask.

GTO+ is an affordable solver to get your feet wet. I'd recommend starting with some toy games.

I've discovered (may already exist) a strategy that in many years I've never seen.

Now it doesn't give you an advantage in terms of GTO poker, so it may be better suited for the "Psychology" forum.

I call it soft check or virtual check. We bet 1bb IP, especially in deep pots where 1BB doesn't really have any folding equity.

Our opponent has already checked, so by throwing a chip at them, we are effectively giving them another chance to bet and give us information on their hand strength.

In situations where the board is a bit wet and they may be slowplaying, we are essentially giving them another chance to bet and give us information on their hand. Works especially well vs Multitablers and amateurs, who might not even realize what the flow of the game is.

An example from a recent hand.

100bb eff

Hero raises with small pocket pair on the Button.

Nit 3bets from SB. Their 3Bet is 0/41 and PFR is 6%.

We call

Flop is KT9 rainbow.

Villain checks.

Might still be slowplaying Aces, Kings or AK.

We bet 1bb.

They just call. So it's more likely that they just don't have it, allowing us to bluff on the turn.

btw the turn is 6x, and villain checks again.

So we get 1 more round of information in this situation.

So anyways that's the idea. Couple of questions:

1- Does this have an actual name?
2- Has this ever been discussed or analyzed in the literature?
3- Is this ever against casino rules or ettiquete?

Thanks.

Not sure if the right thread to post - but which forum is best to post a poker trip report if the trip in question was NOT in Las Vegas?

Venues & Communities seems like a nice fit.

Also About the Forums is probably a nice place to ask questions about the forum itself.