Table Captains

The phrase ‘table captain’ is often heard at the poker table but what exactly does it mean? In poker, it is the player who decides through their actions at the table that they will try to take control of the game. The table captain is the one dictating the pace of the game at any given time. He is the one raising most pots and doing all he can to run over the table.

The first step in developing a game plan against this player is identification. There are broadly two types of table captain, but despite their inherent distinctions there are fortunately some similarities between the two. The first of these categories are the ‘talkers’. These players aren’t only going to try to run you over, they’re going to make sure you know about it too. One of the most well-known examples of this type of player is Tony G. These players are by nature extremely easy to spot.

The second category of table captain, while not so immediately visible, is just as effective at controlling the table. These players, sometimes with the aid of an iPod and a pair of shades, attempt no verbal contact with their opponents. In fact they make a deliberate effort not to strike up any rapport with the other players at the table, even when they are not in a hand. They use the invisible barrier this erects to project an image of a silent but deadly assassin, and can be just as intimidating as their more verbal counterparts, if not more so. They are extremely calculating in everything they do and tend to be relentlessly aggressive. Some of the best exponents of this style I have encountered are James Akenhead and Annette Obrestad.

So how can we adapt our game to combat the aggressive nature of the player out to run over the table? Firstly, we should not allow our opponent to force us out of our comfort zone, as this is exactly what he is trying to achieve. If you are a relatively inexperienced player and/or usually play a very solid game, you shouldn’t try to match your pushy foe stride for stride. The adjustments you make to your game should be much more subtle and selective.

Good and bad captains

It is important to understand that not every player who tries to be table captain will have the same skill level. While some of the very best players you encounter will take up the role, the same can be said for some of the worst. Some players will be a ticking time bomb, waiting to unload their stack the first time they run into a hand, while others will slow down when they meet some resistance, unwilling to enter big confrontations with marginal hands. It is important that you have identified which of the two you are facing before deciding when and how to make your stand.

Take some time to study your table captain’s play. How does he react when he is played back at? Is he stubborn, and calling down light regardless of how his opponent has been playing? If your opponent appears to be of this type, what you should not do is get involved in big pots with him with no hand. You know he is going to give you action despite the fact that you haven’t yet put a chip in a pot, so you may as well use this to your advantage. However, this doesn’t mean you have to sit and wait for Aces. You shouldn’t be frightened to play a pot against him.

Be aware of the range of hands he is playing and from what position. You can then begin to re-raise him (in position) with your A-8+, 7-7+ types of hands. You are not raising these hands as a bluff but for value, as you know this player is willing to play pots with marginal hands. Another benefit of re-raising is that you will usually get the pot heads-up. Playing pots against weaker players, heads-up, in position and with hands that dominate their range cannot fail to be the most profitable way to play.

Key point

If the captain of your table is a weaker player, simply trying to run over the table with mindless aggression, start re-raising from position with any decent hand

Tough spots

But what if the player running the table is also one of your best opponents? This type of captain is a different prospect altogether. However, there are still ways of using his aggressive play to your advantage. The first thing I do when facing such an opponent is to keep quiet! I’ve said it before but it is worth stressing again: you do not want to alert your opponent as to your intentions. Comments such as ‘next time you raise my big blind…’ or ‘raising again? You’re a machine!’ serve only to signal your apparent frustration to your thinking opponent. By sitting back and remaining impassive to his attempts to run the table you will be able to get away with a lot more re-stealing.

This player’s raising ranges will vary by position, but his opening range from early position will be much wider than normal if the table is allowing him to get away with it. Look out for hands that he takes to showdown from various positions. While a more conventional re-stealing tactic would be to wait for a loose player to raise from late position, against this player you should mix it up to include some re-steals from his early position open-raises. Although he should theoretically have a stronger hand in such instances, your re-raise should also garner sufficient additional respect to neutralise this edge.

Re-stealing success

The position from which you re-steal is also important. If your opponent is a good thinking player and you only ever attempt to re-steal from the button, it will not take long for him to consider four-betting you with a sub-premium hand. On the other hand, re-raising from the blinds can be a very powerful weapon and should not only get more respect but also serve to discourage your opponent from going for your blinds.

If you are the only one prepared to play back at him from the blinds, there’s no need for him to target you. The best types of hands to make this move with are the absolute worst. You’re looking to take down the pot pre-flop, and want to avoid getting attached to your hand post-flop should you get action.

You should also be mindful of how the other players at the table are reacting to your opponent’s attempts to run the table. It is unlikely that the rest of the table will be filled with super-passive players, all waiting for Aces to make their stand. Again, spend time observing the table dynamic, paying strict attention and gathering information when you are not involved in hands. It is likely that there will be at least one other player prepared to make a stand with lesser holdings. If you can catch them in the act at the right time, this too can create an opportunity for you to make money.