burgchess550

Hello! So I've been studying for about a year, and getting back into live play now that the pandemic restrictions have been somewhat lifted in my area. I'd say that I have a working understanding of the basics of poker, and can make some good plays as well as some bad ones. When I play online I have a sense of confidence in that I am following my game plan, even against unknown players. But this changes when I step into my local casino and try live. I have a few things here that really through me, things that are not incorporated into my current game plan. I know I have a lot to learn, I just don't know where I can learn these things. If there is anyone who has gone through this, or has advice/knowledge that would be very appreciated!

Scenario 1: Weird Bets/Straddles
So, this will happen a lot; I get something like J9+ suited in BTN/CO and be ready to open it. But, in a 1/3 game, someone (who seems like a rec) will open to like 22 dollars and I'm kind of stumped. Having seen this player before I know that pretty much whatever the flop is, I will be committing about 70-100 total to play a hand. So, I'm thinking fold. But then, given the regularity of the strange bets, which are often instigated by straddles, I become too tight I think. So, one thing that I am researching is the correct play method against large bets like these.

Scenario 2: Is this a fish or a shark?
A little like the weird bets, I will flop and open ended straight draw, or some other strong draw, and be ready to c-bet about 50%-66% on a wet flop, and then have a donk bet of 75% pot played before me. So, I am thinking, 'well he have have hit his straight already, or hit two pair, plus he only bets when he has it.' so again, fold. Of course, I do not see his hand, but being a rec that donks, he seems like a 'bet if I have it' player. Or perhaps he has watch me play about 3 hands and hour and figures me for a nit. So, there's that. I know there has to be someway of taking advantage of this.

Scenario 3: Reading Players
Underpinning a lot of my issues is the idea that I may just have no idea what these players are like. I will see people with the craziest of plays win handsomely, and think well, maybe I was wrong. OR maybe they got lucky. People seem to like to drop poker terms like 'value bet' or 'blockers' but then make strange plays. And when I say strange plays I mean plays that I don't understand, which by no stretch means they are weird. I have spent a lot of time developing my strategy and decision tree for play, but I don't want to fall into the trap of thinking that everyone plays the way I do.

So here are the three big ones. I am pretty self-reflective on my play and I know where I need improvements, so if you know some answers and/or ways to take advantage of plays, or have a resource that covers some of this, then I would be very grateful. I'm sure most of you have some experience like this. Maybe I am actually doing the right thing sticking to my strategy? Maybe I'm too concerned with loosing my stack? Maybe I am having the wrong takeaways all together? There are plenty of ways to improve for me!