Some
More on Rammers and Jammers
BY:
THE KOUNT (aka John C. Fusco, Jr.)
In
my first article on this site, I mentioned
the types of players found on low limit
7cs tables. Actually I've heard that you
can find them many times at higher limits
also. But they are more in evidence at
$1-5 and $5-10 games. Rammers and Jammers
are an interesting type of player. The
other types of players, kitchen table,
money is no object and the gamblers usually
are in the same category throughout a
session. The Rammer and Jammer (R&J) however
can be one of the other types who all
of a sudden starts to be an R&J. As I
like to call it the R&J comes in three
distinct models. These models are:
1.
The
higher limit player who fines himself
on a low limit table. Many of them fancy
themselves as a $10-20 or $20-40 player
but in reality may be an adequate $5-10
player. They usually end up on the $1-5
or $5-10 table when no higher limit game
is available, usually late night through
early morning. They feel they are better
than the peons playing at $1-5 and $5-10.
Most times they have been playing too
long and want to make up for some losses.
R&J's want to steal every pot. You'll
see them raising almost every hand acting
as if they have a big pair on third street.
Obviously they don't have such a hand
each time they raise.
2. The second model is a higher limit
player who is on tilt and sits in on a
low-limit game to try and make up for
the bad beats suffered on the higher-limit
table. He differs from the model 1 R&J
because he'll usually make some really
poor plays and stay in the pot even when
he appears to not have a chance to win.
Now there are higher limit players who
will sit in on low limit games simply
because there is no other game available.
These folks are not on tilt and you can
learn a lot from them. Much of my early
training at poker was gathered from an
aspiring pro who just couldn't stop playing
when the $10-20 or $20-40 game broke up.
He played an excellent game and was nice
enough to give me pointers that helped
me supplement by reading and playing experience.
He never went the R&J route.
3.
The third model is not a high limit player.
Yes, my friends he is one of us. You've
seen him at $1-5. Something happens that
not only puts him on tilt but also makes
him an R&J. Now this model is very easy
to spot. All of a sudden he is throwing
$5 bets in on third street. Raising on
fourth street and generally building pots
every hand. Excessive grumbling and mumbling
usually accompanies the R&J type play.
Be
aware that these types are around. When
you spot them the first rule is MAINTAIN
YOUR DISCIPLINE. Do not be sucked into
a betting war. Don't feel that this guy
is causing you not to play some good hands
because of the raising. Yes your going
to fold some hands that you might bet
for value. But remember why you were betting
them in the first place. Because they
were cheap to get in and only for that
reason. Don't make those hands expensive.
Don't get mad that the R&J has destroyed
the fun aspect of the table. If it bothers
you that much get up and leave. BUT when
you get the hand that can compete no matter
what the R&J may be betting, be aggressive
as you can be. Raise and reraise the R&J.
Soon he will realize you have him beat
and will leave you alone. Wait for your
opportunity and when it comes, take advantage.
Then again you may not get a chance to
take some of the R&J's money. That's fine
as long as you haven't thrown away several
bets just chasing his style.
In
summary, the three models of R&J's play
the same. They have different reasons
for becoming R&J's but the play is the
same. Learn to spot this type play. Get
conservative when they are playing this
way. If you have a problem staying disciplined
in this environment LEAVE. Always remember
a bad bet not made is the same as winning
that bet. Your profits will increase if
you can recognize this type player and
adjust your play accordingly. Sometimes
the adjustment is merely leaving the table.
© The Kount 2001, all
rights reserved
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