Book Synopsis

By Bill Haywood

Limit Hold'em: Winning Short-Handed Strategies

By Terry Borer and Lawrence Mak, with Barry Tanenbaum, (D&B Publishing, 2007) 365 p.

This synopsis is designed as a refresher and will be more useful if you have already read the book. Many of my comments are not straight-up paraphrases, but hopefully are clear and fair implications of the authors' thinking.

Limit Hold'em: Winning Short-Handed Strategies was written for somewhat experienced players who want to progress to the half tables common in internet cardrooms. It maintains consistent distinction between advanced play against skilled opponents, and moves for less-experienced people to make in low stakes games.

"Chapter I, Understanding Your Goals and Reading this Book"

This is a general section on the different motivations of recreational and professional players. I just skimmed it, but found several points worth reiterating:

• Spend ten-percent of your poker time studying.
• Be prepared for short-handed's wilder bankroll swings.
• Be selective in the tables you play, quit when your edge gets thin. Rapid table switching is one of online's great advantages, use it.

"Chapter II, Online Considerations"

Not of much interest to me, but has solid advice for people new to net play. One thing I did pick up: since internet play is so convenient and tempting, it makes sense to set limits on your sessions — say two hours, or losing 50 big bets, whichever comes first.

"Chapter III, Short-Handed vs. Full Ring Play"

Now we get into some meat.

Key differences from full-ring games

More hands, played more aggressively, with lower standards.

• Fewer participants mean smaller pots (heads up is common).
• Frequent blinds make each hand cost proportionally more (from .15 small blinds to .25), which requires contesting more pots.
• Smaller pots can make the rake proportionally higher, again requiring looser play to stay ahead.
• Early position seats can play more with the lowered chance of getting ambushed.
• Late positions can open-steal more often, requiring more blind defense.
• Everyone expects average hands to be lower, so they loosen up.
• Short-handed attracts action junkies, opening up the game even further.
• More decisions per orbit allows more openings for skill to enter in.
• Bankrolls swing about 50% further.

More adjustments:

• Bluff more. People are playing weaker hands and will toss them.
• Call down more. They are bluffing you, too.
• Value bet more — their hands are weak, but they will pay off.
• Play fewer draws; the odds aren't there.
• Bet pairs harder; they go up in value just as draws go down.
• Vary your style. Opponents study you in more hands, with fewer distractions.
• Volatility can swiftly turn soft games into rock gardens. Leave.
• In short: more hands, more aggressively.

Don't over do it, remain tight preflop, especially regarding position. All the extra aggression is more for after the flop. Many authorities say it's the same as full-ring when the first four fold. Don't defend the big blind more than around 50% of the time.

Medium aces (A7 and up).

• Less likely to be dominated
• More likely to win unimproved
• Lower pairs will pay you off (bluffs are expected).

Medium pairs (77 and up).

• Are half as likely to be dominated
• Win unimproved.
• They half-dominate many aces.
• Easy to get away from scary, overcard boards.

Medium cards (T to K).

• Pairing one often takes pot — being dominated is 50% less likely.
• Bluff ace boards with them.
• Fold to preflop raises.

Hands that play differently

Small pairs (22 to 55)

• Enhanced showdown value, especially against ace-hi.
• Less set value (no odds).
• Harder to play. All boards are threatening because people hold lower cards — your 44 does not play as cleanly as when the board misses a full-ring villain's AK.

Low aces

• Some enhanced showdown value.
• Trouble. Opponents play more cards that beat an ace's rag. As the authors point out: "Suppose you have A3 and the flop is Q83. How many hands pay you off as compared to hands that take your money?" (p. 43)
• Win a little, lose a lot out of position. If the rag hits, an opponent who is ahead will bet every street. If they are behind, they can check behind and limit the damage.

Suited and connectors

• Lower implied odds.
• Useful for semi-bluffing; play them fast.

Randomize

Occasionally three-bet non-premium hands.

• Reraises must not always mean "big hand."
• Medium suited connectors are good — domination unlikely.

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