Xdot's Betting Tips for Newbies
Well, if you are reading this you are 1) New to Undernet Poker, 2) Looking
for insights to k-line Xdot, or 3) Very, very, bored. Here Xdot
will attempt to SPLAIN certain (almost) absolutes that every
experienced Undernet Poker Player has ingrained in his psyche. The motivation
is simple: Xdot wants a more challenging game, and is tired of lame,
sloppy play. These are by no means 'secrets'. These hints will only save
you time and monies.
Section 1 -- Rule 1ers
First, re-read KKat's Rules on the Undernet Poker Page. In particular Rule
#1. What KKat is saying in a facetious way has definite grounds in fact.
Certain players are very conservative and almost NEVER bluff. These types of
players can be identified most easily by playing a few hands, but the ones KKat
lists are US Grade-A Guaranteed Rule 1ers. Save monies by only raising them
when you figure you can't lose. (ie Aces Full or better) Also save monies
by NOT calling a bet higher than 1 with a pair or less. On the other hand
these players can BE bluffed, but I will not advise it (or tell you how, heh).
Section 2 -- Wiggers
Until you get more experienced, avoid wig bets like the plague. Obviously if
someone bets 25000 into your pat flush, by all means call. Please fold your
pair of 2s though. You will only look ridiculous when the showdown comes and
the wigger draws 4 to beat you with a pair of aces. You will be left to utter
the familiar 'pos 4 ug'. And if you want to BE a wigger, well thats cool.
Stop reading right now and go back to the game. If you must, check out these
wigs:
Beware the WiggerDot...
Course: Wiggin' 501
Section 3 -- Banking
There are several points I'd like to mention about Banking. When to bank,
when not to bank, how to avoid banking etc...
When you finally DO figure out how to create an account and join a game, Pbot
graciously gives you 25000 monies (wee!). If you DO go bankrupt (i.e. lose
all your monies) the next time you get in a game, Pbot gives you more
monies--not quite 10000--but more than 8000. So if you are not trying to keep your
(bankrupt) virginity (as some crude mo's call it), and you don't mind waiting
out the bankrupt wait period (1 min +) you can be a bit
risky and bet your farm more easily if you have less than 5000 monies. Now I
dont mean betting your farm on EVERY hand as some dillpups do, but if you are a bit
circumspect in your choice of when, you may double your monies and get
a leg up the ladder to 1 million.
NOW, if you DO bet all your monies, NEVER, EVER fold, since you are now
a 'free rider' and do not pay more than 50 monies beyond your farm. The only
exception is if you want to DENY the extra 50 monies to some mo (MrVulture comes
to mind). I would only fold if I had like J high or less. You
never know if some wigger tried to bank you with a four-flush and then missed.
All you have to do is type 'p see', Pbot will do the rest even if you don't
have enough monies.
Lets suppose you 've been lucky enough to accumulate a few thousand (K) monies.
As Xdot always says: It's easy to win monies, it's much harder to keep
monies!. You don't want to give 25K to casemo or Bulldog unnecessarily. WATCH
THE DISCARDS! You just bet 5000 with AAA, casemo discards 1 and raises 25K. Is
he bluffing? Maybe, now with betting limits you might be inclined to call but
prolly N worth it. Also watch out for draw 2s on a check bet pre-diss. They are more than
likely going with their 3-flushes and you will be banked if you try to beat
big raises with lowly trips (or straights).
On the other hand, if you are lucky enough to hit quads and some draw 1er
raises your 888 bet, by all means bet the max, cause unless they are very
clever, they will figure you for a newbie muncher and call.
Here is an excellent example of prime banking:
Is It Time to Bank Yet?
Section 4 -- Bluffing
Everyone wants to win every hand. This is a universal fact. But you can't win
every hand by cards alone. This is also a universal fact. So fact one is at
odds with fact two. Given this dilema, some mo's
then resort to bluffing (or munching). But you can't bluff every time you have
inferior cards. Here are some pitfalls to avoid when bluffing:
YOU CANNOT BLUFF BANKERS
Can't emphasize this enough. For the mathematically challenged I'll say this:
Why would anyone who didn't have to pay to call a bet, fold? Also anyone
within 3000 of banking can be considered a banker for bluffing strategies.
A 200 RAISE IS NOT A BLUFF.
Get this: Xdot bets 1000 pre-diss, you call with a pair of 2s (nork).
Xdot discards 3 and bets 250 after draw. You draw 3 and still
have 2s (dillpup). You raise 200. Xdot, being a cautious mo, calls and
wins with a pair of Aces. Nuff said?
TO GET AHEAD QUICK: DO NOT BLUFF.
Until you get a sufficiant bankroll to bluff the mo's you are playing against,
be a RULE 1er. After a while, you will have more monies and people will respect
your raises.
Section 5 -- The Scum-Roll Manuever
I could have mentioned this in the Banking section, but if you've managed to
read this far you get a reward...
Update: Scum-rolling is now N possible in #poker and #mopoker is defunct,
so BEWARE! Now take this nostalgic look at what once was...(note the pre-inflationary amounts)
THE SCENARIO:
One newbie mo has just been dealt a pat straight and has 2500 monies.
In his exuberance he bets it all figuring 'I got nothing to lose!'
Another mo has 3400 monies and trip 7s. She figures the same, but only calls
not to 'scare off' anyone. And then there is an oldmo we'll call 'ScumDot'
who has 178930 monies. He has baby doubs (3322). He also has too much monies.
ScumDot immediately raises to 3450, thus putting both mo's into a bank position
if they call. All the other mos fold. Both bankmos call. ScumDot draws 1
and misses his boat. He notices the first bankmo discard 0, so ScumDot folds,
saving at least 1 monies.
THE RUB:
ScumDot has just performed the 'Scum-Roll' wherby the only mos left in the pot
are banked and cannot bet. They must 'p bet 0' so now the pot ROLLS! This
is a little known quirk in Pbot's programming whereby: if there are two or more
bankers and one or more non-bankers, if the non-bankers fold, there is no way
for the bankers to 'p see'. Thus the pot rolls as if everyone checked after discard.
This is a particularly dirty thing to do, and the perpetrators generate a
certain amount of ill will from the victims (especially if bankers bet 10 or
20 K instead of 2 or 3 K).
SOLUTION:
Be very aware of possible Scum-Roll scenario. If you are bankmo #2 you may
have to fold after the second raise (especially if the second raise was to
bank your 30K!).
Some say this is an unfair situation; Pbot should just have a showdown as
it does when there are only two bankers. I say this is legal and should be
allowed to counter wig bankers who try to buy the pot. I get tired of
mo's banking every hand too!
For concrete examples of Scum Roll check out these HOMs:
The Scum Roll Manuever
Scum Roll Part Deaux
Well I hope this helps all the newbies from embarassing themselves a bit.
And remember:
It's easy to win monies, it's much harder to keep monies!
Back to Xdot's Bulletin of Chronic Self-Indulgence