Staying Flexible and Adapting to New Game Types
Posted by beanmo on Sunday, January 29th 2012 1:46 pm
This is probably a bit odd coming from the guy who's been playing primarily 9/10 player turbo SNGs for 8 years, but I think the point is relevant for all poker players. When I first started playing online, I dabbled (and usually lost) at all sorts of games. I discovered how to play tight in omaha hi low of all games and I started breaking even. After having some actual success in SNGs, I was pretty much hooked and rarely played anything else.
I believe 2005 was the year I was going to master limit hold em. I doubt I played even 1000 hands of LHE that year. Oh well, I guess that one didn't hurt me too bad. Over the years, I've wanted to branch out and learn to succeed at different games. But with a wife and kids to think about, it's always been tough to risk wasting a few months learning a game and possibly yielding little or even negative profits.
If I had to do it over again, I would have spent more time focusing on cash games, but it is what it is. The problem with being is a specialist is that the online poker landscape is always changing. In the SNG environment alone the typical 9/10 player SNGs are no longer the dominant game. 6-handed SNGs have been around and popular for some time. And in the last few years Hyperturbos, Double or Nothing SNGs and others have emerged. I think one of the most valuable skills is to be flexible and competent in all the game variants. That way, you never get stuck as an expert at a game that may no longer run. And you won't miss the boat when the juiciest games are a game you aren't familiar with.
My current series of videos is focusing on this topic. So even if the game I'm covering isn't the exact game you play, it may be beneficial to check it out and keep an eye open to what might be the next thing around the corner in online poker. And as always, if you have a SNG variant you'd like to see reviewed, feel free to PM some hand histories.
