Big pots or small pots?

Suns of Beaches

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I would like to win small pots consistently. Best would be my opponents always give up very quick and I could scoop pot for pot with small bets and tiny continuation bets.

Like collecting coins in Mario 64 :D
 
MishkaZL

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Which would you prefer - winning BIG pots occasionally OR winning small pots consistently?

Let us know your preference and reasons why.



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I like stability. Stability is a sign of good management. I think winning small prizes but regularly is better than winning rarely but a lot.
 
Mart1194

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Win pots, regardless of whether it's big or small lol. But let's go, I think it goes from the moment of the tournament and what is its structure.
At the start of a tournament it's that exchange of chips that doesn't make much difference. So closer to the final stretch of the tournament, small pots with consistency I believe will be better. Famous stack maintenance;
 
Gutshot Gus

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If it is a tournament I like to chip away stealing blinds and orphan pots. Add to my stack size without putting a lot of chips at risk.

Cash games I tend to play tight aggressive. When I get involved I have a premium hand and push it hard and try to make big pots.
 
belizebum

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Go big or go home sometimes..lol. Sure we want the big pots, but gotta win the little ones too. Sometimes you have a great hand and no callers, taking in the blinds only. Sometimes you have 27 and you still win the blinds. It all works out in the end I suppose. All about maximizing value from your hands while managing risk.
 
najisami

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It's always thrilling to win those huge pots when you double or even triple up, but that only happens occasionally. We would like it to happen more often of course, except that poker does not work that way. A good player should focus on winning as many pots as possible (Size does not matter here ;)).
 
Claudiunm

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Like everything in Poker, there is no right answer. A cake recipe for this question.
Both options are great (as long as we win the pots we bet on). But we cannot stick to a fixed rule. In Poker, the ability to adapt is essential to be a winner. You must learn to master at least 3 styles of play without getting stuck in any one and adapting to what the table is presenting.
 
lauestla

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It depends on the game format and on the step of the tourney as well
In the first stages of a MTT, it's good to win small pots consistently in order to build a nice stack to comfortably approach the next stages.
But in the last part and at the FT it's very important to win big pots, that is what makes the difference between the podium and the 9th place.

If we talk about Sit And Go, then I do prefer winning a lot of small pots and let the gamblers shove and eliminate each other
 
semsaltov77777

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only big banks, I don't play much, so for me a big win is the jackpot)
 
iwont20

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Winning small pots consistently for me, because it suits my game style as a rule. And it's comfortable for me psychologically: I play and not just sitting there, folding every hand, and my stack keeps on growing and is well maintained in MTT where blinds are growing. I prefer consistency in winning over occasional double-up. But big pots are nice too, but only if you win them with a monster. If it's rather a thin value, then it's quite nerve wrecking to make a call with a marginal or not a monster hand, even if you know that you will beat most of the opponent's range, because there are still some hands that will beat you. The same goes with preflop all-ins, including AA. So my answer is: slow and steady :)
 
antonis32123

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I don't know for sure. Maybe big pots . Everyone isn't fond of this ? Win instantly a lot ? But you need the small pots , you can't wait only for the big ones , can't rely on this only , so maybe both is my answer .
 
Gritz18

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Which would you prefer - winning BIG pots occasionally OR winning small pots consistently?

Let us know your preference and reasons why.
Since I play almost exclusively freerolls, I prefer big pots, as I will definitely risk everything with my best hands, since players at these levels tend to pay a lot, even if they have a weak game, such as a third pair.
 
SPANKYSN

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When I play cash games live at casinos, I would tend to play small pots, so I can last longer...same with my cash games online...in tournaments, I am usually more aggressive and try to trap for the big score...what that translates into is getting knocked out in the first ½ hour.
 
wlad20082009

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Oh, that's certainly an interesting question. But for me, it all depends on the game. And regardless of my preferences, I have to adapt to the game. If the question is, which way is the best to use? The answer can be either big or small (just to win). Something like that.
 
Balou1982

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To win big pots can give you an immense boost with your stack, without winning big pots it is hard to get a chip leader or to reach final table while playing a mtt.
Otherwise to win small pots consistently is awesome when you play a cash game, it should be an advatage to play your A-game and you can quit much more easy and leave.
I would never say i only want one of these examples without the chance to get the other one because that is one of these reasons why i´m playing poker - a good mixture oft both but you can never be sure that it will go on like this.
 
Mag_P1e

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Personally, I like to win a lot of small pots. I think it shows skill in the game - playing aggressively in late positions, barreling into tight opponents, check-raising, etc. Big AA vs KK pots can be won by anyone.:D:D
 
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