Ask A Pro – Tracy ‘FATCATS’ Scala
Thursday, February 5, 2009 - smokin_aces
This week’s ‘Ask A Pro’ is with Tracy “FATCATS” Scala. Most of you are familiar with his track record here at Ultimate Bet. Now one lucky UB Blog reader has been selected by Tracy for a one on one Q & A session.
Our blog reader dp_burnsy asked this of Tracy “FATCATS” Scala.
“Hey Tracy,
I’ve been a huge fan of yours since Season One of the Best Damn Poker Show. Actually, I’ve seen you in many big events but you manage to avoid the spotlight for the most part. Nice work, i get the sense you play solely for the love of the game.
Anyway, my question is in two parts and the first is this. When you first sit down to a table, do you have any sort of checklist that you go through to assess the field? Also, when you’re deciding whether to get into a hand, do you have a checklist in terms of what things help you decide to play the hand or not?
Basically I’m trying to become a more disciplined player, and i’ve heard that this approach can help.
Thanks!
DP”
Here’s Tracy’s answer.
“Thank you for your question-it is a good one. I do not have a specific check list when I first sit down at a table to play but I definitely make assessments about my opponents often based on very limited information. I immediately start to label each player with broad titles such as amateur or pro, loose or tight, weak or aggressive and so on. Sometimes the way they play a single hand, something they say or even the way they are dressed is enough to make my initial judgment. I stick with my decisions until their play proves me wrong.
When deciding which hands to play in tournament poker, all good players assess numerous variables. For me, position is the most important factor. I would much rather play any two random cards on the button than A7 under the gun! Another important consideration of mine is whether or not any of my opponents have already shown strength in the hand. For example, I will almost always raise with KJ in the cutoff but seldom call with it.
Being a disciplined poker player is important but I would caution you against trying to apply a checklist to every situation. I feel that poker is a game with so many variables that is impossible to be played the same every time. I think the players that are able to look at each situation as a unique challenge and make intelligent, well thought out decisions every time are the ones that succeed in poker.
I hope this was helpful. Thank you for your question.
Tracy Scala”
Next week the ‘Ask A Pro’ blog is coming full circle. Annie Duke was the first Ultimate Bet Poker Pro featured for ‘Ask A Pro’ and now she’s back to answer one lucky question. To ask your question to Annie Duke, simply enter it into the comments section of this blog post by Sunday Feb 8 at 8 PM EST.
Then check back next Thursday to see if your question was chosen by Annie Duke!
Ask Annie Duke a question now!
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Tags: Annie Duke, Ask A Pro, Poker Strategy, poker tournament strategy, Tracy "Fatcats" Scala
February 6th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Hi Annie,
I would like to know what factors you considered when redesigning the tournament schedule at UltimateBet?
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Hey Annie,
Do you have any information on the various ways that people will be qualifying for season III of THE BEST DAMN POKER SHOW ?
Thanks!
__PIRATE__
April 6th, 2009 at 11:29 am
HEY TRACY GOOD JOB LAST NIGHT I NEARLY GOT YOUR BOUNTY! LOL
IF ONLY MY 22S HAD HELD UP ,..IN THE 200K….STILL I BUSTED IN 290TH…I DIDNT LAST MUCH LONGER AFTER THAT BEAT YOU PUT ON ME,WHERE U PAIRED UP ON THE “RIVER”…..
GL TRACY..