Gaining Value From Information

Playing Razz can be a fruit filled venture for the observant player. I t isn’t any different than other games of limit poker in that sound decision making will earn you a profit over time. But, what is involved in sound decision making and how can you use it to your advantage? My assumptions to this point are that you have a solid understanding Razz as well as understanding starting hands.

When you first sit down at a table look at your notes, and I do suggest that you take notes, to see if there are any players that you have a history with. Use those notes for anyone you know and start determining how the other players at the table play. Play tight with only top hands until you get a feel for the table. At some point you will have a good idea of how players play, who will chase and who will start with less than solid starting hands.

When you have a good feel for the table you can open up your range a little based on who is in the hand. Look for players who limp with less than good cards but raise with premium hands. Identify these opportunities.

Also look for changes in betting. Some players will ramp up aggression when they brick while others look to see if they can still draw on you. Using these changes can make the difference in throwing away a hand that is winning and sticking around and busting them and taking their money.

When you are in a situation that you are unsure of what to do, take a second and replay the hand. Also, look at the hands your opponent has played in the past and look for the sign that leads you to the correct decision.

Another thing you can do is re-raise for information. Most players will raise if you brick and they hit any low up. If you get that brick but dtill have a great drawing hand, consider the re-raise to find out where you are at. Most players will slow down to the return of pressure and may in fact gain you a free card on later streets. Use your strengths to create weakness in your opponent.

Below are some examples of using my opponents tendencies to create a winning hand.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4850562785: $2,000 Guarantee (36169576), Table 3 - 80/160 Ante 15 - Limit Razz - 20:59:29 ET - 2008/01/13
Seat 2: PawelB (3,823)
Seat 4: Theenigmakmm (2,536)
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast (2,471)
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [7c]
Dealt to Theenigmakmm [3h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 6d] [5h]
pokerenthusiast completes it to 80
PawelB raises to 160
Theenigmakmm calls 160
pokerenthusiast calls 80

The guy with the worst starting hand raises. I gues this isn’t to bad a play if he is trying to isolate but I question the play. He may feel he holds some of the outs and can afford to bump it up.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [7c] [6c]
Dealt to Theenigmakmm [3h] [Kc]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 6d 5h] [Ad]
pokerenthusiast bets 80
PawelB raises to 160
Theenigmakmm has 15 seconds left to act
Theenigmakmm folds
pokerenthusiast raises to 240
PawelB calls 80

I have the best hand and bet out. He re-raises and I call. I don’t want to over define my hand because I may be ablt to get an extra bet from him later.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [7c 6c] [Ac]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 6d 5h Ad] [5s]
PawelB bets 160
pokerenthusiast calls 160

He has been aggressive and I think the ace paired him up. I also paired so I call.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [7c 6c Ac] [Th]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 6d 5h Ad 5s] [2h]
PawelB checks
pokerenthusiast bets 160
PawelB calls 160

Now I appear to have the best hand and he check calls. I this point I have him on a made T and drawing to a 7. Even though I’m behind with 2 pair I thought he could fold.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [2d 6d 5h Ad 5s 2h] [8c]
PawelB checks
pokerenthusiast checks

I hit my 8 but he was drawing to a 7 so I check.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
pokerenthusiast shows [8c 6d 5h Ad 5s 2h 2d] 8,6,5,2,A
PawelB mucks
pokerenthusiast wins the pot (1,745) with 8,6,5,2,A
Seat 2: PawelB mucked [Ts 3c 7c 6c Ac Th Ah] - T,7,6,3,A
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast showed [8c 6d 5h Ad 5s 2h 2d] and won (1,745) with 8,6,5,2,A

He tried hard to catch his draw and played aggressive with 3 cards seven and under.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4850864568: $2,000 Guarantee (36169576), Table 3 - 120/240 Ante 20 - Limit Razz - 21:24:02 ET - 2008/01/13
Seat 2: PawelB (3,223)
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast (2,996)
Dealt to PawelB [8h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6h 5s] [3d]
pokerenthusiast completes it to 120
PawelB raises to 240
pokerenthusiast calls 120

Here again he raises with the biggest up card. This a trend I’ve seen before and just call because it is to early to build the pot.
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [8h] [Tc]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6h 5s 3d] [4s]
pokerenthusiast bets 120
PawelB calls 120

Now I am way ahead. Any 7 A or 2 locks it up for me. I have to bet and he calls.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [8h Tc] [5d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6h 5s 3d 4s] [4c]
PawelB checks
pokerenthusiast bets 240
PawelB calls 240

Now he knows he is behind but chases and I have a nut type draw so I pet out.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [8h Tc 5d] [Jh]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6h 5s 3d 4s 4c] [Jc]
PawelB bets 240
pokerenthusiast calls 240

He was just waiting for me to brick but at this point he has made the pot to big for me to fold. Know way I fold with at least 12 outs.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [6h 5s 3d 4s 4c Jc] [8s]
PawelB checks
pokerenthusiast checks

I should have maybe bet here but my 8 could be vulnerable so I check.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
PawelB shows [9d 3h 8h Tc 5d Jh 2d] 9,8,5,3,2
pokerenthusiast shows [8s 6h 3d 4s 4c Jc 5s] 8,6,5,4,3
pokerenthusiast wins the pot (1,880) with 8,6,5,4,3
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,880 | Rake 0
Seat 2: PawelB showed [9d 3h 8h Tc 5d Jh 2d] and lost with 9,8,5,3,2
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast showed [8s 6h 3d 4s 4c Jc 5s] and won (1,880) with 8,6,5,4,3

I have now won two significant pots off of a guy over playing his hand early.

Full Tilt Poker Game #4851066308: $2,000 Guarantee (36169576), Table 3 - 150/300 Ante 25 - Limit Razz - 21:40:34 ET - 2008/01/13
Seat 2: PawelB (3,493)
Seat 3: spykes00 (4,472)
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast (3,171)
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [Ac]
Dealt to spykes00 [6d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [7h As] [5d]
spykes00 brings in for 50
pokerenthusiast calls 50
PawelB calls 50

I change gears here trying to set up PawelB. I expected him to raise but he didn’t…what does that mean?

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [Ac] [8d]
Dealt to spykes00 [6d] [Kc]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [7h As 5d] [3d]
pokerenthusiast bets 150
PawelB raises to 300
spykes00 folds
pokerenthusiast calls 150

I am ahead…there is no way I get away from this hand at this point. With no made hand I don’t reraise.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [Ac 8d] [4d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [7h As 5d 3d] [Ts]
PawelB bets 300
pokerenthusiast calls 300

I call because aggressiveness from him has meant some weakness in the past. And I have a solid draw.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [Ac 8d 4d] [4c]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [7h As 5d 3d Ts] [Qc]
pokerenthusiast checks
PawelB bets 300
pokerenthusiast calls 300

I am sure he has tripped his 4s. He has the 8 draw and I wont go away.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [7h As 5d 3d Ts Qc] [5h]
pokerenthusiast checks
PawelB bets 300
pokerenthusiast calls 300

I hit a crap card and call because I want to see what he has.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
PawelB shows [7d 6c Ac 8d 4d 4c 4h] 8,7,6,4,A
pokerenthusiast mucks
PawelB wins the pot (2,725) with 8,7,6,4,A
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,725 | Rake 0
Seat 2: PawelB showed [7d 6c Ac 8d 4d 4c 4h] and won (2,725) with 8,7,6,4,A
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast mucked [7h 5h 5d 3d Ts Qc As] - T,7,5,3,A

My information was confirmed. More good information.


Full Tilt Poker Game #4851207675: $2,000 Guarantee (36169576), Table 3 - 200/400 Ante 30 - Limit Razz - 21:52:10 ET - 2008/01/13
Seat 2: PawelB (4,763)
Seat 5: samuace (1,918)
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast (2,281)
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [4s]
Dealt to samuace [4h]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3h 5s] [As]
samuace completes it to 200
tacopizza folds
pokerenthusiast calls 200
PawelB raises to 400
spykes00: wow this pot will be nice
samuace raises to 600
pokerenthusiast: lets go
pokerenthusiast raises to 800
PawelB calls 400
samuace calls 200

Being the donk that he is I go ahead and cap it cuz these two other players will anyway. I really think I’m ahead but it doesn’t matter this early.

*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [4s] [Tc]
Dealt to samuace [4h] [4d]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3h 5s As] [2s]
pokerenthusiast bets 200
spykes00: gl poker nthus
PawelB calls 200
samuace raises to 400
pokerenthusiast raises to 600
pokerenthusiast: ty
PawelB has 15 seconds left to act
surflexus (Observer): goooooooooo P E !!!!!!!!!!
PawelB calls 400
samuace raises to 800
pokerenthusiast calls 200
PawelB calls 200

How the hell this guys can think they have a chance at this point. I’m drawing to the super nut and they have paired or have a T. I am more than will to go down with these four cards at this point with a chance to triple up.

*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [4s Tc] [5h]
Dealt to samuace [4h 4d] [Qh]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3h 5s As 2s] [6d]
pokerenthusiast bets 400
spykes00: nicee\
PawelB calls 400
samuace calls 288, and is all in

At this point they have to call because they have built the pot. You notice how he slows down when he knows he is behind and wants to suck out.

*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [4s Tc 5h] [9c]
Dealt to samuace [4h 4d Qh] [3s]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3h 5s As 2s 6d] [9s]
pokerenthusiast bets 251, and is all in
PawelB calls 251
samuace: sh.it
pokerenthusiast shows [3h 5s As 2s 6d 9s]
PawelB shows [3c 7c 4s Tc 5h 9c]
samuace shows [Qs 2d 4h 4d Qh 3s]

I really don’t care about the cards now because I have hit the jackpot.

*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to PawelB [3c 7c 4s Tc 5h 9c] [7s]
Dealt to samuace [Qs 2d 4h 4d Qh 3s] [Ad]
Dealt to pokerenthusiast [3h 5s As 2s 6d 9s] [Jh]
pokerenthusiast shows [3h 5s As 2s 6d 9s Jh] 6,5,3,2,A
PawelB shows [3c 7c 4s Tc 5h 9c 7s] 9,7,5,4,3
pokerenthusiast wins the side pot (726) with 6,5,3,2,A
samuace shows [Qs 2d 4h 4d Qh 3s Ad] Q,4,3,2,A
pokerenthusiast wins the main pot (6,154) with 6,5,3,2,A
spykes00: nice one!!!
samuace stands up
The limits are now 250/500 with an ante of 40
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 6,880 Main pot 6,154. Side pot 726. | Rake 0
Seat 2: PawelB showed [3c 7c 4s Tc 5h 9c 7s] and lost with 9,7,5,4,3
Seat 5: samuace showed [Qs 2d 4h 4d Qh 3s Ad] and lost with Q,4,3,2,A
Seat 7: pokerenthusiast showed [3h 5s As 2s 6d 9s Jh] and won (6,880) with 6,5,3,2,A

Again he raised in a similar situation. Building the pot early is fine when you are short stacked but controlling the pot size will get you deeper more often.

Look at this kind of information to improve your own game.