you just can't make a blanket statement like this. if you limit your range, any half decent player will pick up on that.
you have to be able to change gears and sticking to a rigid rule like that limits your ability to do so.
alasdair
agreed with you. My statement wasn't really that clear.
I'm talking about micro stakes cash games here.
I am not one to always go off stats, though your VPIP% (Voluntarily Put Money in the Pot) pre-flop should be around 10-15%. different VPIP% in different positions. Also, depending if pot is big and heaps of players are in, and you have a flush/straight draw pockets, it's not bad enter the pot too b/c they prob have AAs AK, etc. Then you stack them with your straight or flush if you hit. if not, fold
it's not bad play, even if you play 2,7 on the button(dealer). you can play any cards you want as the dealer. you have big advantage because you are the very last to act post flop
even if you have shit cards, and you're Vs. 1 person after the flop and you are first to act - if his call to C-bet is less than 50%, no matter what cards you have, it is +EV to make a raise. regardless of your hand
I've been playing Poker for eight years on and off, I make more bankroll on sports betting and horse racing though. oh not horses though b/cuz there is more in that
you need a large sample size because of variance ( at least ) 10k+ number of hands to follow other persons stats. or even look at your own stats to find leaks in your play.
once someone is past beginner stage, i highly suggest buying HoldemManager program
Heh, my advice is actual don't play poker. As a poker player i already know that 9 out of 10 persons that do start become loosing players.
BTW - in "free money" cash games. all you need to do is fold every single hand, except go all in with AA, KK, QQ or AK pre-flop. and you will win. That's how easy it is win with play money. real money is different game completley. Same with sit&go(tournaments), Heads up, and cash games. v different play. I've just been talking about cash games. The 'cash' doesn't necessary mean real money.
Cash games are; play on one table. there is a small blind/big blind. you generally pay BB(big blind) to enter, or you can wait tell the BB comes to you. blind values stay the same throughout play, and No-limit games are better imo
v stoned when wrote this. poker is a science, you need to constantly learn and adapt your play, esp if you move up stakes. Unless your name is Phill Ivey, then you wont always beat the very top stakes