I play high stakes poker AMA (2 Viewers)

[Bmeister51]

How frequent are pre-flop 3-bets and beyond at this level? Much more frequent? And what size pre-flop opens do you generally see?

Three betting is extremely frequent and absolutely 100% necessary in a game like the one that I play. The whole goal is to whittle down the opponents range as quickly as possible and with the kind of players that are in the game that know how to play all kinds of different starting hands from multiple positions you kind of have to three bet and even four bet light to keep people honest.

Because the game is uncapped in stack sizes are all over the place you won’t see a ton of standard 3XBB raises. You’ll see them in spots where people are opening the pot but there are three bets that are closer to 6 or 10 X and beyond.

It’s a very frequent occurrence where someone will open a pot to $200 and then someone from late or middle position with three bet to 650.

It makes for a really interesting play in the small and big blind or from opening the pot because if you have two or three callers of a bet like that and you’re already in for 120 or $200 after opening the pot you can call light because you’re getting 4 or 5 to 1 on the extra $450. Makes for some pretty interesting post flop pay multi-way. To combat this there are four betting options up to 1050 or 1400 etc to really get it down to heads up.

 

[Changster]

How frequent are pre-flop 3-bets and beyond at this level? Much more frequent? And what size pre-flop opens do you generally see?

High stakes in Macau play like the Triton cash games you see on YouTube. I played 40/80/160 USD last time and felt like I slow bled to death. It doesn’t go to show down often. The money is made at the margins. When I played this stake a few years back I felt fine but this time it feels like playing with a table full of online crushers. Basically the trend of online/live style convergence is already here at the higher stakes, and I think it will just spread to the lower stakes as time goes on.

The game here in this thread sounds in general like a game from 10 years ago. Must be super profitable if you can take advantage of it (and don’t run bad). People just don’t buy in for 500bb’s these days at high stakes. 100-150 is the norm. If someone bought in for 500bb’s and I have position on him, I would buy in for 100bb’s and see how good he is and top up if I feel like I have an edge. If someone with 500bb’s have position on me I would definitely just buy in for 100bb’s. There’s plenty of post flop moves with 100bb’s since people just don’t open for 3x at high stakes. More like 2.25-2.5x.

 

[Mojo1312]

Do you find making a good profit today is more difficult now then two or three years ago?

 

[Bmeister51]

High stakes in Macau play like the Triton cash games you see on YouTube. I played 40/80/160 USD last time and felt like I slow bled to death. It doesn’t go to show down often. The money is made at the margins. When I played this stake a few years back I felt fine but this time it feels like playing with a table full of online crushers. Basically the trend of online/live style convergence is already here at the higher stakes, and I think it will just spread to the lower stakes as time goes on.

The game here in this thread sounds in general like a game from 10 years ago. Must be super profitable if you can take advantage of it (and don’t run bad). People just don’t buy in for 500bb’s these days at high stakes. 100-150 is the norm. If someone bought in for 500bb’s and I have position on him, I would buy in for 100bb’s and see how good he is and top up if I feel like I have an edge. If someone with 500bb’s have position on me I would definitely just buy in for 100bb’s. There’s plenty of post flop moves with 100bb’s since people just don’t open for 3x at high stakes. More like 2.25-2.5x.

I haven’t played in the cow but I would assume that would be the case… That’s kind of the cutting edge in terms of what new macro play is today. It’s literally the only place in the world where you can play super high stakes like that. The problem for people who wanna play high-stakes is the skill level over there is so high that it’s not really a probable situation for most high stakes players unless you’re a complete crusher online.

 

[Bmeister51]

Do you find making a good profit today is more difficult now then two or three years ago?

And uncapped game like this it’s never difficult to make a profit… What I mean to say is that the game itself is difficult but with the amount of money flying around at the table it’s not difficult to make a good some of money when you do win.

I couldn’t really speak to that two or three years ago because I wasn’t playing this high, but considering the environment I would guess that high-stakes poker has become more prevalent today than it was two or three years ago so probably not.

 

[Chipandchair]

On average, how often do you know over 50% of the players at the table at your home casinos?

Is it more fun to take money from strangers or outwit people you have been battling for 100 hours?

How often have you run into someone who had an obvious gambling problem? Does it increase or decrease with the stakes??

Do you tip dealers and waitresses significantly higher than you did at the lower stakes tables??

Thanks again for the interesting insights.

 

[Bmeister51]

On average, how often do you know over 50% of the players at the table at your home casinos?

Is it more fun to take money from strangers or outwit people you have been battling for 100 hours?

How often have you run into someone who had an obvious gambling problem? Does it increase or decrease with the stakes??

Do you tip dealers and waitresses significantly higher than you did at the lower stakes tables??

Thanks again for the interesting insights.

Very often is the answer to your question. It’s a relatively small group and win somebody is new to playing that level you know right away.

Honestly it depends… There is a certain satisfaction with holding over a particular player but it is definitely satisfying humbling someone who is trying to take a shot because I’ve been in their position and I know how hungry they are to win at the next level.

I think gambling addiction is relative there are plenty of crazy people who play lower stakes and are in to a 2-5 game for multiple but ins… I’ve also seen people buying for 100 K in a 1020 setting… Ultimately it depends based on the level that each player is willing to go to but I will say this, it is certainly more prevalent at lower stakes.

With regards to tipping I generally keep a consistent structure. I feel like tipping is a very hot topic when it comes to playing up. I feel like as long as you’re tipping consistently that it’s more important than tipping larger more or less…(if there are any dealers on this thread please let me know). I tip consistently one dollar for every hand I win except in the case where I stack somebody in which case I will tip $10 or more if it’s a large pot. So no my tipping structure does not change.

 

[Chipandchair]

I agree that gambling addiction is relative but I am not surprised to hear about more problem gamblers at lower stakes, or at least that they are worse at concealing it.

I am interested in hearing more regarding tipping.

Do you feel like there is pressure to tip more at higher levels??

If so, is pressure coming primarily from the dealers, waitresses, other players, somewhere else?

 

[detroitdad]

Thanks for this thread @Bmeister51 I just read every post. This has to be my new favorite thread in the last year or so. Its entertaining, and informative.

Being aware of your surroundings/security is a great idea. Have you ever taken a self defense class? If not, I would recommend it. There are some simple distraction/separation techniques if someone were to grab you from behind. There are also some really simple ways to protect yourself if someone pulls a gun or knife on you in a close quarter confinement. Just food for thought.

If you don't want to take a class there are some good stuff on youtube. Just google it.

Please keep up the posting.

Have you ever attended @Jeff Chicago Meet Up? If not, would you consider? You seem like a fun guy to have a beer with.

 

[WedgeRock]

If its 2-5 and a guy sits down with 500 in black chips I know hes got more in his pocket and he's going to punt. If he sits down with a rack of red and doesnt play for the first few orbits I know hes knitting and gonna be togh to bluff and he usually has it when he raises

Great insight right there.

 

[Bmeister51]

I agree that gambling addiction is relative but I am not surprised to hear about more problem gamblers at lower stakes, or at least that they are worse at concealing it.

I am interested in hearing more regarding tipping.

Do you feel like there is pressure to tip more at higher levels??

If so, is pressure coming primarily from the dealers, waitresses, other players, somewhere else?

There’s actually zero pressure from anybody at higher stakes to tip more… I’ve seen people drag $50,000 pots and tip $10… Conversely I’ve seen people tip one dollar for every hand they win regardless of the amount… You have to realize that when you’re a professional playing at that level you’re tipping dealers thousands of dollars every year so tipping a large amount for one big pot isn’t really in your best interest. The dealers are generally pretty good and there’s hardly ever any mention of tipping or discussion of the practice.

 

[Bmeister51]

Thanks for this thread @Bmeister51 I just read every post. This has to be my new favorite thread in the last year or so. Its entertaining, and informative.

Being aware of your surroundings/security is a great idea. Have you ever taken a self defense class? If not, I would recommend it. There are some simple distraction/separation techniques if someone were to grab you from behind. There are also some really simple ways to protect yourself if someone pulls a gun or knife on you in a close quarter confinement. Just food for thought.

If you don't want to take a class there are some good stuff on youtube. Just google it.

Please keep up the posting.

Have you ever attended @Jeff Chicago Meet Up? If not, would you consider? You seem like a fun guy to have a beer with.

I haven’t taken a self-defense class but I did grow up boxing as a kid and can handle myself if need be. Fortunately I have not ever had to deal with that sort of situation. As I’m sure you all know the best way to deal with a situation like that is not put yourself in a position where you have to be there at all so I try and keep that practice.

I have not been to any meet ups but I am certainly open to it!

 

[Bmeister51]

This just goes to my point where you have to try and discern what kind of players you’re playing against as soon as possible so that you can figure out a strategy to outmaneuver them.

Being aware of somebody’s style is super important to understanding their game and developing a solution to beat them.

 

[detroitdad]

As I’m sure you all know the best way to deal with a situation like that is not put yourself in a position where you have to be there

I teach a ton of Active Shooter classes, Safety classes, ect......This is always my #1 point (also to my kids when they were teenagers).

I haven’t taken a self-defense class but I did grow up boxing as a kid and can handle myself if need be

Most likely, boxing doesn't necessarily teach disarming techniques. You sound like your doing all the right things.

@Jeff hosts a Chicago meet up every July. I love putting names to faces, meeting PCF'ers, ect....Low stakes circus games, beers, bourbon, and good food. It really is a great time .

 

[Bmeister51]

I teach a ton of Active Shooter classes, Safety classes, ect......This is always my #1 point (also to my kids when they were teenagers).



Most likely, boxing doesn't necessarily teach disarming techniques. You sound like your doing all the right things.

@Jeff hosts a Chicago meet up every July. I love putting names to faces, meeting PCF'ers, ect....Low stakes circus games, beers, bourbon, and good food. It really is a great time .

Maybe I’ll drop by this year!

 

[DMack]

@Bmeister51, I agree with @detroitdad, this is one of the best threads I’ve seen in a long time. Really cool to share your insights.

As for your “real job,” I’m a diehard sports junkie. Is your business associated with all sports, or do you stick to one in particular?

 

[Bmeister51]

Thanks! I don’t really want to get into too much detail with regards to my job… After all this is a high-stakes poker thread. But sufficient to say I work in multiple sports and media.

 

[Bmeister51]

Do you play late into the evening/early morning where it's presumably the softest?

Re reading this thread I realized I missed this question. I don't always bum-hunt early in the morning or late at night for a few reasons. First, I work for a living so I can't just be playing till 4am everyday and keep a normal workout routine and sleep schedule. Second, because I'm not the top tier status which jumps me to the front of the wait list if I don't show up relatively early or on time for the game to start I'll be stuck waiting for a seat which can sometimes be for hours even for a feeder table to get up and running. And even if a feeder gets going its usually short handed and that can be tricky playing that high heads up or short handed. If I could show up and get a seat of course I'd rather show up fresh and take advantage of the guys who have been there playing all night but it just doesnt work out like that mostly. I have on some occasions woken up in the morning on Saturday or Sunday and see that the 10-20 or 20-40 is still running from the night before around 7-8am. I'll make some calls to friends who play in the game and ask who's still playing or if they know who's still there. If its super short handed and I know the game will break in an hour or two I won't go in but if theres a significant number of players still playing I'll rush to get there and get a seat because I know I'll be playing with guys who have been up all night and are prone to making mistakes.

I've seen guy play for 3 days and its nuts to me. They literally are at the table for 48-72 hours without getting any sleep. I could never do that but some guys just can't get up or are on such a rush they don't want to leave. Extreme cases

 

[Anthony Martino]

Very cool thread. I've heard the 10/10 NL game here in Tampa is generally a bunch of tight regs/pros waiting for 1 fish/whale to make it worthwhile

I play the 2/5 PLO with a $10 rock and the 30/60 fixed limit mixed games regularly

I have played 5/10/25 PLO but it doesn't run all the time

How long are your typical sessions? Do you find there's a usual hour that your game starts to suffer because you've played too long

 

[Bmeister51]

Very cool thread. I've heard the 10/10 NL game here in Tampa is generally a bunch of tight regs/pros waiting for 1 fish/whale to make it worthwhile

I play the 2/5 PLO with a $10 rock and the 30/60 fixed limit mixed games regularly

I have played 5/10/25 PLO but it doesn't run all the time

How long are your typical sessions? Do you find there's a usual hour that your game starts to suffer because you've played too long

Yeah this is pretty typical of most higher stakes holdem games I've found. Unless the World Series is going on the 10-20 and higher scene in vegas is super knitty. Lots of pros waiting on fish who want to play big. My first experience at 10-20 or 10-25 in Vegas I was super bummed cuz it wasn't even really all that fun. Everyone played super tight no one was talking at the table it was pretty dead. I think I cleared like a 2k win and wasn't super impressed.

It just depends on how I'm feeling that day. Sometimes I'll play a super short session (4hrs or so) just because I'm up and ready to head home. Other times Ill be there 12-14 hours but those longer sessions are few and far between. As I mentioned earlier if I start to get tired or thing im not in the right headspace I'll get up and walk around or head home. Totally depends on the day.

 

[toothpic]

Awesome thread, I read every page and post. Thank you for sharing your experiences and insight!

 

[doughboy63]

Fun read thanks for answering all the questions.

 

[Hornet]

Without specifics obviously, what is the best piece of advice you would give to a rec that plays regularly at 2-5 NLHE at his local casino/Vegas and is looking to improve his results?

 

[Bmeister51]

Fun read thanks for answering all the questions.

Anytime if anyone has anything else just post it and I’ll do my best to give an answer!

 

[Anthony Martino]

So you touched on PLO. Do your games tend to just be people straddling and restraddling trying to flip preflop?

I'm fortunate that our 2/5/10 game only has the $10 mandatory rock for the previous hands winner, and a 2k buyin so you can actually play poker

I love hold em players in the game because they flop top and bottom pair and go nuts with it

 

[Bmeister51]

So you touched on PLO. Do your games tend to just be people straddling and restraddling trying to flip preflop?

I'm fortunate that our 2/5/10 game only has the $10 mandatory rock for the previous hands winner, and a 2k buyin so you can actually play poker

I love hold em players in the game because they flop top and bottom pair and go nuts with it

Theres straddling for sure but the casino doesnt allow restraddles. If someone double straddles its considered a blind raise. We pay time so usually we'll run a $50 or $100 bomb pot and whoever wins pays time for the table. Theres really not a ton of flipping but in the past when we've gotten 50-100 we have done a $500 omaha flip for time in the past.

a 2k PLO cap on a 2-5-10 game seems kinda light no? Although I guess it is a pot limit game and not no limit. Our 5-10 holdem games have a $2k cap and it feels small. The 5-10 PLO when it runs if ever I believe is uncapped. About a year or two ago there was a 10-20 PLO game that used to run every weekend but all those guys went broke lol that was a wild all in fest for booku dollers. I would have never played in that game cuz it was so crazy.

 

[Anthony Martino]

Our 2/5/10 PLO is 200-2k and the 5/10/25 is 500-5k

 

[Chester Copperpot]

At what point in your poker career, before moving up to big stakes, did you feel like you knew you were a good poker player? What inspired that thought beyond your results, and how did having that realization impact your game?

 

[DMack]

At what point in your poker career, before moving up to big stakes, did you feel like you knew you were a good poker player? What inspired that thought beyond your results, and how did having that realization impact your game?

Love the screen name!!

 

[Bmeister51]

At what point in your poker career, before moving up to big stakes, did you feel like you knew you were a good poker player? What inspired that thought beyond your results, and how did having that realization impact your game?

I think the biggest thing outside of my results was just a confidence that I had at the table. It counts egotistical but I just started playing and knowing I was the best player at the table when I sat down. It was the feeling of knowing I had the skills to beat the game. And after a while that got stale and so I wanted to prove myself against better players and bigger stakes was the way to do that.