Like the vast majority of the poker-playing public these days, I prefer big-bet games to limit. My best game, like yours, is no-limit hold ‘em. When I’m playing well—when my table selection is good and my reads are on—chips come my way in great piles. I’ll sense what an opponent feels is an uncallable bet or convince some maniacal fish to fire at the pot yet again after hitting my set.
As much as I enjoy no-limit, I have to admit that it’s really not a game that involves a whole lot of subtlety. Many of the game’s best players come to the table with a single tool—a sledgehammer. They bash and pound their opponents, forcing strings of bad folds and the occasional disastrous call. Watch David Williams or John Pham play a no-limit tournament some time. It’s impressive, but it ain’t pretty.
Today at WSOP we get a reprieve from the relentless cries of “all-in.” There will be no daring and crazy bluffs. There will be no heroic calls.
That’s because today the $50k HORSE event begins. The best in the field will distinguish themselves by finding spots for thinnest of value bets in limit hold ‘em, or by maneuvering for the free card on Fifth Street in seven-stud. They’ll recognize when their draw to a six is a 53 percent favorite over a made 8 in Razz and put in the appropriate raise. They’ll win by continually exploiting the smallest advantages.
Last year, three of the regular winners of the “Big Game,” the $4,000-$8,000 rotation game at the Bellagio, made the final table—Phil Ivey, Chip Reese, and Doyle Brunson. This year we can expect the big game to be similarly represented. Ted Forrest, Jennifer Harman, and Barry Greenstein are among those who could go very deep. 
According to Greenstein, those who beat the big game manage a long-term profit of one-quarter of one big bet an hour. And while 2k/hour is an impressive wage, it’s amazing to think that the most one can take out of any game is half a small bind. With that kind of margin, every decision is crucial. Think of it this way: If you miss one river value bet, you’ve cost yourself four hours of profit.
To beat the highest level of competition at the highest stakes, the winning players need to possess a vast array of tools. Frankly, as a hammer-wielding no-limit hold ‘em player myself, I’m not even sure what many of these tools will look like.
But I’ll do my best to figure it out. Over the next few days, I’ll be following Ivey, Harman as others as they progress through the $50k HORSE event. Hopefully, I’ll be able to learn a thing or two and pass on the knowledge.
