Fish That Bite Back

One of the most common grumbles about playing online at some of the less populated poker rooms, particularly those noted for a high percentage of loose players, is that the RNG is fixed in the favour of the less experienced players and there are a high percentage of bad turns on the river.

This is complete rubbish, and there are several reasons why it seems that the fish bite back on the “fishy” tables.

The first is all about knowing (and accepting) your odds. Even though your opponent might only have a 6/1 chance of making his straight, and has (foolishly in your opinion) called your bet with negative expected value, one time in seven he is going to catch the card that claims the pot and murders your chip stack.

You just have to accept that the possibility that this may happen is present every time you do not hold the nuts. For sure, it is frustrating, but players tend to forget the six times out of seven that the fish do not catch, and just moan about the times that they do.

The looser the table, the more players will go into a hand, and the more chance that one (or more) will catch cards on the flop which either give them the top hand or offer the encouragement for them to stay in the betting until at least the next card.

You have to remember that the reason you chose to play on a fish-laden table was because of the additional value that you gained when you won a hand. However, this process is a two way street – the fish have to be involved to create the value, and that in turn reduces the odds of your hand being the number one.

The third reason that experienced players should consider is that new players improve. Everybody has to start at the bottom of the poker food chain however, as they develop their skills and learn more advanced aspects of the game, they tend to take down bigger pots more frequently.

Not every player will migrate onto the bigger poker sites once they have served their apprentiship or cleared their bonus. If a key element in their game has suddenly transformed a newbie into a profitable poker player, there is no immediate need for that player to change allegiances. After all, horses for courses!

So, how do you take on the guy who refuses to fold?

First, you cannot afford to wait just for your premium hands to take him on. If he is playing with a very liquid opening hand selection, you need to loosen yours. Furthermore, as he is more likely to be a calling station, make an enormous raise after he has tried to limp into a pot and see what response that draws.

By raising with volume, you will isolate your adversary and make it more likely that you will take the hand. There is obviously a degree of risk attached to this strategy, but if the fish want to bite back, you need to know how to batter them!

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