The Mook and H.O.R.S.E. Enlightenment

On the felt twice, maybe three times actually if you add one in early.  This was a battle for me, the first blogger tourney I had played in for awhile.  Third place was the result at the Mook (you can head there for the play by play).  I normally play more for the camraderie than anything, although I want to take these down.  Rarely do you get to play against some very good players that you know, but this is one place.

I played a bit of H.O.R.S.E. after it was all done, falling asleep sometime during stud or something.  I tried to play enough to win another $0.35 to put my Stars account over $1k, but alas it cost me $20 and I still haven’t gotten that $0.35.  I have had some major epiphanies (if that’s the right word), so here they are:

• In general, fold.   Oh, what fun to play all these different games that I don’t know anything about.  The better way is to watch all these games I don’t know anything about.
• Remember, this is LHE.  Meaning, don’t just play every hand because that’s what you’ve been doing.  I don’t know if I quite understand why they ask you to post half the time (I’m assuming if you haven’t posted a bb in a game, then they ask).
• Omaha H/L, basically just fold.  I basically play 100% of these hands pre-flop then either fold post-flop or chase and lose at the end.  Things to remember:  two pair no good, everyone has flopped a set, if you raise with A-2 pre-flop there won’t be a low, any flush that is not A-high is no good, anytime the board pairs someone has a boat, starting with a straight flush draw in your hand looks pretty but it probably isn’t.  Basically, just pay your blinds then fold.
• Razz, the best thing since sliced bread. I love Razz.  I don’t know if I’m any good at it, but at this horrible level I at least have some type of clue.  Razz is fun, lots and lots of fun.  It’s figuring out the raiser just got busted when an Ace hits on fifth street, it’s betting what they think you have.  I’m sure if you really play, then it’s more complicated as everyone is already thinking along those lines, but I love it.
• Stud.  Either your small pair is good or you need a boat because everyone has come through with everything.  Don’t bet too much, always check if they let you, read Felicia, put on your Lawrence Welk songs, then fold.
• Stud H/L, no scoopie, no playie.  Either winning both the high and low or not having a qualifying low is the way to win at these H/L games.  If you don’t think you can scoop, you probably shouldn’t be in the hand.  I can never remember if I’m supposed to chase or not, so folding eliminates that question.

So how do you become a winning HORSE player?  I think fold is the main strategy.  After you’ve mastered fold (and the check/fold that still asks you to fold after someone bets), you might be ready to sit in the Big Game in Bobby’s Room at the Bellagio.  Does that make me a nit (weak/tight)?  Probably.  Does it help my overall game?  Who knows.  I’m still $25 away from the $1k mark while typing this thing, so I still have a little more work to do.