History: It’s the opening level of the Luton GUKPT Main Event and we’re just several hands in. You have played only one hand in which you took the blinds with a preflop raise from the cut-off. You have a stack of 10,000. You recognise two pros at your table, one of whom is Roberto Romanello. The other players have done nothing of note, so you have no reason to doubt their ability. The Villian has a stack of 12,000. He played the second hand raising it up preflop and betting two streets on an ace high flop before his opponent conceded the hand.
The blinds are 25/50 and you are in middle position.
UTG limps
UTG+1 folds
You have 6c-6d
You decide to limp
Is limping in these stages okay or should we be coming in for a raise?
Julian says:
“Yeah, I have no problem with limping so long as you mix up your limps.”
Surinder says:
“Limping is fine in these situations.”
Hijack limps
Roberto Romanello raises to 200 in the cut-off
The small blinds calls the raise
UTG folds
What’s your move?
Julian says:
“I’d probably opt for a call, but would mix that up a with a reraise/squeeze once in a while.”
Surinder says:
“I’d just flat call at this point and see a flop.”
You decide to flat call meaning there is a total of 750 in the pot.
Flop: 4s-6s-8c
The small blind checks
“Careful now,” says Romanello with a smile.
What’s your move? Should we play our hand differently because it is Romanello?
Julian says:
“No, I wouldn’t let Roberto’s table talk alter my line of play. I think you can either lead out or check; I mentally flip a coin.”
Surinder says:
“In this situation, I don’t think there’s any need to take much notice of what Roberto’s saying. I wouldn’t let it affect my decision.”
You bet 600
Romanello calls
The small blind calls
There is now 2,550 in the pot and your stack is 9,200
Turn: Ad
The small blind checks.
What’s your move? Is the ace a good or bad card?
Julian says:
“The ace has got be a good card in my opinion. I lead again.”
Surinder says:
“I would check or make a pot size bet. The ace coming over can be a good card if I think someone has a flush draw but a bad card to scare off your opponents.”
You lead out again, this time for 2,000. You now have a stack of 7,200.
Romanello thinks for ages before folding.
The small blind check-raises to 5,200, leaving himself 6,000 behind.
He rests with his head on his chin and looks straight ahead. He is statuesque.
What’s your move? How important are physical tells to you in these situations?
Julian says:
“I’m pretty sure that with one card to come I’m shoving here. I don’t want to be second-guessing myself if a scary river card pops up.
For sure, being able to look at and maybe verbally probe your opponent can be a vital part of your decision making. This hand does occur quite early in the comp so any short-term emerging patterns could still be misleading. A lot of it just comes down to instinct and whether you are prepared to trust it or not.”
Surinder says:
“The small blind has either flopped a straight or he’s drawing bad, or even dead. If it’s the latter two then just become a calling station and let him hang himself.”