Playing against unknowns

[doubleup]

If there is one thing that we have established on this board it is the importance of having some sort of idea about what kind of players your opponents are.

Anyone got any thoughts about tactics to use against unknowns?

e.g if the table is predominately unknowns, is it better to buy-in short to minimise tough decisions.

Should you play ultra tight?

Should you stop multitabling?

How quickly can we get some idea of the playing style of a new player?

[thetank]

Assume everyone is a loose passive muppet until they prove otherwise.

[boldie]

If there is one thing that we have established on this board it is the importance of having some sort of idea about what kind of players your opponents are.

Anyone got any thoughts about tactics to use against unknowns?

e.g if the table is predominately unknowns, is it better to buy-in short to minimise tough decisions.

Should you play ultra tight?

Should you stop multitabling?

How quickly can we get some idea of the playing style of a new player?

I would always advise to buy in for the max amount but I know several players who buy in for half the max untill they've figured the table out (or think they have).

If you stick to ABC poker for the first few rounds (10-15 minutes) you should have an idea of where you are, if not you might aswell leave the table. I wouldn't advise playing ultra tight, still play premium hands and sooted connectors but let go of more marginal hands you would play once you have info on the players at your table.
The thing you have to remember at all times is that if you don't know any of the other players, they also don't know you and you have still to establish your table image. This is all done within the first 10-15 minutes, it really doesn't takle very long for people to decide what type of player you are.

Stop multi tabling? No, BUT the golden rule of multi tabling is that you don't start up 4 tables at the same time. you make sure there are some intervals between starting each tourney/cash game so before you sit down at table nr3 with strangers you should already have an idea as to how to play the other 2 tables.

I find that if you're talking cash games ABC poker ussually works best anyways...but then again I suck at cash games.

[johnbhoy76]

If there is one thing that we have established on this board it is the importance of having some sort of idea about what kind of players your opponents are.

Anyone got any thoughts about tactics to use against unknowns?

e.g if the table is predominately unknowns, is it better to buy-in short to minimise tough decisions.

Should you play ultra tight?

Should you stop multitabling?

How quickly can we get some idea of the playing style of a new player?

I'd go by the saying "respect everyone but fear no-one"

I'd start off playing textbook TAG poker (or whatever your normal style is) until something gave me a reason to change from this. It is certainly easier to do this in cash games as you have as much time as you like and can re-load if you take a few bad beats (assuming you are playing within your bankroll).

I'd buy in for the maximum but that is because I like my pocket pairs and connected cards and like to play them for the implied odds. so if the maximum buy in is say $100 then I want that to turn into $200 when I hit my set of 7's etc..

In an MTT or SnG it may not be possible to get a read on the table because the blinds go up and you are forced into action wether you want to get involved or not,  or you get moved to another table just as you've mangaed to suss out the one you are at etc......

[TightPaulFolds]

Assume everyone is a loose passive muppet until they prove otherwise.

Would agree with that, which means you're playing pretty tight and waiting for them to give you their money. So many actions from you depend on what type of player they are that you may get stung unless you know them. Eg. I never normally call all-in with second pair but tonight I'm in a cash game with a drunk guy who is raising pf then betting *every* single flop, so I may think about it.

I play a lot of heads up just now and I do next to nothing in the game until I have my opponent classified. Hard to work out the order but it's roughly:
1) Tricky: yes/no. About 1/20 are, it will be the hardest game, and needs full concentration
2) Donk: yes/no. Continually passing up the button for no good reason, for example, will give him a yes
3) Active/Passive.
4) Tight/loose
5) Aware of how I've classified him yes/no
6) Has he classified me, if so how?

My behaviour will be totally different depening on how these are filled out. Did have a totally new one this evening, who was betting 'colour draws' (eg he holds two clubs and the board comes Ah, he is betting on another black card coming and him hitting his '5 black card flush'. I guess he was pretty drunk, kept doing it....'
Also, BAD BEATS. This evening, none to report. Zero.

[TightPaulFolds]

ps I never buy in short under any circumstances. You lack the muscle when you need it, and the capital for that big payout. A few bad swings and you may be prey to anyone who feels they can mess with you with minimum risk. Tight will protect your stack until you've felt them out.
All I really really worried about someone is 'are they tricky', if so I'm very careful about them and try to avoid them. Every one else is standard adjustments.