This blog entry is inspired by some play I saw at Jack Binion's World Poker Open.

Applying Pressure. That's what NL Holdem allows you to do. Limit Holdem, you are bound to the betting structure, so applying pressure is less prevalent.

You ever watch a boxing match? I'm talking about the late rounds, where both boxers are kinda worn down? There is a concept/theory about getting that "2nd Wind". It's where a boxer has given it his all the whole match, he's tired, has barely any energy left. Then out of nowhere he gets this sudden rush of energy. That's when he has caught his 2nd wind. He's running off of adrenaline and now he's pounding away on his opponent. This is when his opponent has to really stand up and hope he catches his 2nd wind.

Pounding Away.

How's this apply to NL Holdem? It is such a great analogy to when things get headsup. Both stacks are in jeopardy of getting eaten by the blinds (They are wore down, not in a physical way, but they are in danger of going down).

Now if you are first to act, the correct play is to apply pressure to your opponent constantly. If he is the type of player who is folding or just calling when he is in the Small blind, your aggressive tactics will ensure your victory. You will be punching away at his stack, and all he is doing is throwing his hands up in front of his face, but each time you punch at him, you are taking a little bit out of him, even if you don't knock him out with that punch.

Now, occasionally he will swing back at you. But guess what. Now he's tired, his punches won't do much damage to you if he connects. IF HE CONNECTS. There's a good chance he won't even connect with his punch.

If you aren't applying pressure every possible chance you get, it's the same as a boxer just standing in the ring waiting for his opponent to catch that "2nd wind".

Comment for an anonymous player I watched play:

He said "I'm not gonna let you guys lose this for me." when he was coached on applying pressure.

That comment came from playing from scared money. Reason being, by not doing what was the right play due to a fear of losing, you are scared to lose the money that you entered with, more than you are concerned about making the fundamentally correct moves. It's the same with blind stealing, to the untrained player, they think it's fucking crazy to raise with bullshit hands. But it's a fundamental skill that is needed to WIN. If you are trained, yet refuse to steal blinds because "you might lose" by doing it, you are letting the monetary value of the tournament dictate your play rather than what is correct.

So my response to the "I'm not gonna let you guys lose this for me." is this: We were not trying to lose it for you, we were telling you what was the correct play. Your monetary investment into the tourney is what clouded your judgement. Hopefully you can look back in hindsight with your fear of losing no longer present, and see why we said what we said. Sidenote: By looking at your cards while on the button, you were only scaring yourself into doing the incorrect play. If you need an example of this please refer to WPT Season 1 "Gold Rush" tourney, where Antonio, reraises Phil Helmuth allin with Q8 to Phil's 32. Antonio pushed right there, not because his hand was strong, but because he knew based on Phil's play, that pushing was the correct play. You must abandon fear at the table and do what's right. Whether the stakes are $5 entry or $10k entry, that shouldn't be a factor in your play. It just helps you gauge your opponents play a little better. Keep the bank and table seperate.

I only wish you the best dude.