Table rhythm

[powrdragn]

This seems to be a topic that doesn't get touched on much. I'll also be the first to admit that table rhythm comes into effect more during cash games than tournament games, but it does have some merit there as well.

Table rhythm to me, encompasses several things. And now that I'm thinking about it, I'm not even sure there is another term for it. It's just what I call it when recanting events of a game.

Let me explain a few things that table rhythm can encompass...


Bet sizes:

Sometimes, you'll be sitting in a game and notice that if someone makes a particular preflop bet enough times, others pick it up. To me, this shows quite a bit of information. First of all, it shows who's doing more thinking at the table (and possibly more dangerous/experienced). For instance, in a $1/$2 game, I might open up for $9 a few times. Then when someone gets a big hand and doesn't know what to do with it, they bet $9.

The funny thing is, this can create a situation where $9 becomes a standard preflop bet. Now you need to be aware of that everyone is calling. $9 has now become the standard, so if you want to thin the field with your QQ or JJ, you're going to open to $12 or raise to about $19-22 to show some strength and not get called by everyone. This changes, because previously you might have been safe calling $9 knowing that the previous accepted bet was $6-7.


Vendettas:

Some players at the table will pick out targets. They might pick this targets for numerous reasons. They might dislike them, they might have old history, they might be trying to get back at each other for a past bluff or beat, or they might simply be friends wanting to jack around with each other. Regardless of the reason, when you see two people that play back at each other a lot jumping into a raised pot together, be careful.

If you have a mid range hand and hit the flop, you could end up in trouble. When they raise/reraise, you're not going to know if you'e hand is any good or if these two players are just trying ot force each other out of the hand. It makes a normal decision much tougher.



Alarm clocks

This is what I call it when someone never raises, but limps 50% of their hands. Eventually, they hear their alarm clock, and decide to raise. In these cases, even if you have a suited AK, you might think about folding, because you are definitely behind here.

Players that call that many hands (and aren't known to be skilled loose players) don't just raise of the blue with nothing. They aren't skilled enough to be most people preflop. They already commit and lose a lot of chips to preflop raises. They don't want their AA/KK to get cracked. And many times you can get in trouble, because they only raise about 30%-50% more than the going rate. If $7 was the preflop strndard, they will bet about $10-11 many times.

Don't try to talk yourself into a call because you have a big hand and that player is bad. I'm not saying you should auto much big hands. Just be aware of the situation so you don't commit to many chips post flop. If they keep forcing the action, get away and let them have the pot in question.




Created Odds/Virtual Odds

I was in a game about two weeks ago, when an interesting player sitting to my left. He was willing to call almost anything preflop if he was getting 4:1 odds. So, when I had mid pairs or middle suited connectors, it gave me some interesting decisions.

With a bet and one or two callers in front of me, I was getting anywhere from 2.5-3.5 to 1 with those hands. The thing is, I knew of going to be getting fair odds, because the guy behind me was going to call if I called.

Strangely at first, I thought the guy was just coming after me. Early on, he would call if I called and fold if I folded. The first time he folded when I raised from under the gun, I realized what was happening. He wasn't respecting/disrespecting my play. He simply didn't have odds to call with a marginal hand.





I'm sure there are some other interesting things that I'm missing, but this gives you an idea of what I was thinking. I jus thad one of those thoughts a few days ago and figured I'm come here and post it to share.

Table rhythm and dynamics play a large part in the game (especially cash games). The speed at which things are happening. The attitudes of players. Sometimes, it worth it to just sit and watch the game inside the game. Sometimes you can win money without even knowing what your opponents have. You can just use a bit of the table rhythm to your advantage and create some interesting illusions and situations.

[liladypokerpro]

I think you've got an interesting thought process on this...although as far as the alarm clocks, I call them time bombs, but it's the same general idea. Their fuse is lit, it fizzles down, then they get a hand and BOOM... Most of what you've said here I've seen in many instances online, and it's true that not many people probably pick up on or think about these things when playing. Nice post.

[powrdragn]

Thanks.

What started the whole thought processing was watching a friend about to get wrecked in a hand, because of both the Alarm clock going off and the bets sizing getting a bit wierd. He was just too focused on his hand and got run down.

When we discussed the signs a bit, he agreed that he could have gotten away relatively cheap. He didn't get staked off, but he got hurt pretty bad in a hand that he could have easily gotten away from post flop.

[LyndaNova]

Fantastic post, Powr! I very much enjoyed reading it! I agree with you about there being a table rhythm. Knowing when to take advantage is sweet! I look forward to reading more posts from you!

[powrdragn]

Glad you enjoyed it. I like discussing other ideas that aren't always about the numbers at the table. Numbers are important, but there is a lot more to it as well.

Hopefully, I'll have some other interesting thoughts to share in the future

[Vito_Nuccio]

Nice post. Each poker table has its unique heartbeat. What you are really describing is two observations, table and player reads. As mentioned, you can start and follow table trends differently for each table you sit at. Players should adapt to the situation at hand, thus giving the current table an identity. Switch to a different table and experience another world.

Even with a finite number of cards and bets, poker is always different, never the same. Always realize where you are and act accordingly.

Later,