Black Belt Poker -

Ross Jarvis posted at 3:23pm

Played a tricky hand at $2/$4 this morning which I'd like to get people's thoughts on.

Villain in the hand isn't a reg and is likely a fish but I don't really have any stats nor reads on him.

$400.00 USD NL Texas Hold'em - Tuesday, January 03, 10:39:09 ET 2012
Table 42454509 (Real Money)
Seat 4 is the button
Seat 1: al0Hahey ( $897.60 USD )
Seat 2: MacDaddyNo1 ( $861.00 USD )
Seat 3: pinchyyy ( $362.56 USD )
Seat 4: MrStarch ( $400.00 USD )
Seat 5: 97Suited ( $1203.34 USD )
Seat 6: emekulate ( $509.66 USD )
97Suited posts small blind [$2.00 USD].
emekulate posts big blind [$4.00 USD].

Dealt to MrStarch [ Tc Qc ]
al0Hahey folds
MacDaddyNo1 folds
MrStarch raises [$10.00 USD]
97Suited raises [$26.00 USD]
emekulate folds
MrStarch calls [$18.00 USD]

Calling here is pretty standard given it's such a small 3-bet and I have the BTN. Any other options?

** Dealing Flop ** [ 2d, 7c, 2c ]
97Suited bets [$42.00 USD]
MrStarch calls [$42.00 USD]

Do we like the flat-call here instead of raise/getting it in? I figured against an unknown non-reg his 3-betting range will be made more of value hands and there's a fair chance that a raise wouldn't fold out 99-TT etc so I wouldn't be in great shape if we got it in. But maybe raising has more value to it?

** Dealing Turn ** [ Ts ]
97Suited bets [$107.00 USD]
MrStarch calls [$107.00 USD]

Anyone like flatting here again? The board being paired is obviously not great as it reduces my two pair outs versus his overpairs. If we call this turn, do we then have to call a jam on a blank river or can we re-evaluate?

Any merit to just jamming this turn? It didn't feel like I had much fold equity.

** Dealing River ** [ 3d ]
97Suited bets [$267.00 USD]
MrStarch?

Thanks!

Jerome Bradpiece posted on 11 Dec, 1:36am

GONGONONGO ($556)
menwtf ($233)
D15cOnn3ct3d ($435)
CheckTiltMate ($741)
thomaswb ($941)

GONGONONGO posts (SB) $2
menwtf posts (BB) $4

Dealt to GONGONONGO 7c 7s 2c 2s,
CheckTiltMate raises to $12
thomaswb calls $12
GONGONONGO calls $10
menwtf calls $8

FLOP ($48) Th Ks 7h
GONGONONGO???

Ross Jarvis posted on 17 Dec, 11:27am

I'm not sure I love leading in this spot as you'll feel pretty committed to getting it in whenever you get raised here but could be in a pretty bad equity spot versus a whole load of hands - wraps+flush draws, NFD+gutshots, and obviously higher sets.

This is much more of a concern against original raiser as you're 140bb deep or so - if you knew you were just going to play pot against menwtf that would be different and can't be a huge error getting it in with a set for 55bbs.

I prefer check-calling flop and waiting to see how the turn is. Some cards you can definitely just check-fold (especially if menwtf calls along on flop too), whereas on some turns (i.e. non-heart 2, 3, 4, 5) donking out may be a cool line too.

I play a lot more NL than PLO but donking out here just seems to inflate the pot size without giving you any information as to the initial raiser's hand. Whenever all the money goes in on flop you'll be flipping at best, and often crushed I think.

Richard Ashby posted on 19 Dec, 6:05pm

donk lead and check raise any turn?...
you love your double paired omaha hands..wasnt it 22 55 that tilted you in Cannes?

Jerome Bradpiece posted on 26 Dec, 1:22am

6622,,,i know there's a fold button here somewhere just gotta remember where i put it.

Paul (paul5432) Romain posted on 31 Oct, 12:26pm

Bust out hand in IWF €400 side event.
original raiser in hand is loose passive, has called nearly every bet/raise i've made,
2nd villain who comes all the way in hand is loose terrible...has been calling in terrible spots and hitting missing in equal measure, has shown tendency to lead out small with any part of flop and draws, stack has swung up and down but he starts this with 27k,
I start with 23k, blinds are 300/600/50

villain 1 utg+1 raises to 1200
villain 2 co calls 1200
hero sb AsKc raises 4400
both call

Pot 14200 Flop JcTs8c
Villain 1 checks
Villain 2 bets 3000
Hero raise all-in 18600
Villain 1 folds
Villain 2 tanks...and tanks ...and tanks and calls with 9h9d and wins pot

Anything I could have done better? I've poker stoved his 99 against a preflop range of TT+,88,AKs,AcQc,AcTc,KcQc that he might have put me on when I chk-raise all in on the flop and he has 33% equity on that and is calling 15.6k into 35.8k leaving himself under 7bb if he loses...

Ross Jarvis posted on 3 Dec, 7:36pm

I don't like your jam on this flop. An 8-T-J with a flush draw is going to absolutely smash both player's 3-bet calling range here so unless your image is ridic tight - and they are tight and capable of folding pairs/draws - you're going to be running into a hand here a ton.

It doesn't sound like these villains were the type of guys to run any sort of bluff on. Its fine running 99 against a strong Preflop range that you are squeezing but all of that changes completely once this sort of board drops.

I just doubt you are folding out anything here by jamming. This has been proven I guess by him calling with 99, which is at the very bottom of his value range for donk/calling here. He certainly never folds something like AT either which has you crushed.

There's a small bit of value in flatting and seeing how he plays the turn but by far the best option is just folding here really. These guys will give up chips in far easier spots than these. It's just a terrible spot to bluff vs two fish.

Adam 'Snoopy' Goulding posted on 10 Dec, 1:20pm

Not keen on the jam either. Given your descriptions, I just feel that this flop hits their range too often, and even though you have the straight draw, you're going to get looked up way too often to make it a plus EV shove. Also, you may want to take into account that if you let it go, you still have a playable stack. So, agree with Ross really.

Neil Channing posted on 29 Oct, 9:37pm

So this is how my Irish Winter Festival went:

I had a pretty horrible start. I managed to lose with JJ twice and AK twice in the first level and AQ in the 2nd. I got one walk and won small pots with AQ and KK.

However tight I play they just never believe me. People are routinely overbetting to MASSIVE amounts which takes a lot of play out of the game and rewards tight play.

Examples of people raising to 800 on 100/200 and the 3-bet to 3000 being called from a 12,000 stack. Impossible to imagine a hand where that is correct out of position (unless possibly trapping with AA/KK which I'm sure they weren't).

On dinner I have 8500 from my 15,000, about to play 150/300-25.

This is a VERY soft field. The softest of the year for a 1000.

view all comments (5)

Neil Channing posted on 29 Oct, 9:39pm

I had 3-bet to 2300 and so I c-bet 1300. I felt that if I kept it small I could still have fold-equity in case he c-raised with a pair or flush-draw. In retrospect I may not have, but it does make him more likely to check-raise bluff I think.

He check-raised to 4300 and I shoved. He hated his life and moaned and ummed and arghhed and then called with AQ.

Neil Channing posted on 29 Oct, 9:42pm

I'm sitting here now thinking that another day I might have just called pre and then I'd have called his c-bet on the flop. I would have done about 2200 playing that way.

Am I just being after-time?

Should I 3-bet pre?, he is very active.

Should I c-bet or check behind?

When he c/raises should I go all-in or can I call?

Does the fact the tournament is so soft make any difference?

Paul (paul5432) Romain posted on 31 Oct, 12:13pm

I think if it was me neil with 40bb+ at start I'm still inclined to play small ball here and call pre-. You pretty much knows he's calling a 3bet as you say and the flop lands pretty squarely in his range as well so betting out there is inviting a c/r...and before you know it you've gone from 40bb to making decisions for tournament life with no clear idea of whether the c/r is nuts/air or anywhere inbetween. I'm definitely going with your retrospective plan B of call pre, call flop for that reason

Gareth Alder posted on 16 Sep, 11:14pm

Okay, made a total mare of this hand in the $300 $12.5k Double Stack Freeze Out. The big question... did he flop the set of jacks or did I let him get there on the river? Any other comments on how shit I played it aremore than welcome.

Urghhhhh... Okay did he flop set of Jacks or did I let him river 2 pair or straight? This is a $300 tournament with a highly competent table.

y0urm0ther ($49,050)
PKRLocke ($15,520)
antes $50
y0urm0ther posts (SB) $150
PKRLocke posts (BB) $300

Dealt to PKRLocke As Ac
fold, fold, fold, fold, fold,
VANIERBEACH raises to $600
fold,
PKRLocke raises to $1,950
VANIERBEACH calls $1,350
FLOP ($4,450) 8h Js 5c
PKRLocke bets $2,225
VANIERBEACH calls $2,225
TURN ($8,900) 8h Js 5c 9h
PKRLocke checks
VANIERBEACH checks
RIVER ($8,900) 8h Js 5c 9h Kd
PKRLocke bets $4,450
VANIERBEACH raises to $22,250
PKRLocke folds
VANIERBEACH wins $17,800

view all comments (4)

Jerome Bradpiece posted on 18 Sep, 2:15am

Pre fine, flop fine turn why are you checking? Should be looking to get your stack in on this (most) flop/turns; if he's got better than AA gl to him. So unless there is some dynamic where you think he's floating you a lot and you;re trying to give him room to bluff, i prefer betting small on the turn which leaves an easy shove on the river. A Jack prob isn't going to fold but might check behind. If he's calling wider pre he;ll have lots of pair plus gutshot type hands that you don't want to give a free look to.

As played i think i bet call the river, although i don't like it by this point, which suggests it might not be the best line.

Jerome Bradpiece posted on 18 Sep, 2:17am

if he has QT he had it on the turn so no problem but if he's calling QT pre and flop he's also got JT, 9T, QJ etc in his range.

Simon Mairs posted on 25 Sep, 5:30am

Bet the turn for sure, lots of his range just improved by either adding a draw or a pair, bet strongly (in fact, I'm definitely shoving, but I would have bet the flop stronger to make the sizing better) and be happy to get it in on the river unless it's really bad (Th, 7h etc). AA in a 3bet pot BN vs BB with 50bb effective is an absolute monster, get it in ASAP. The reason you bet bigger on the flop here is there are a lot of cards that can improve villain enough so they will call our turn shove. Also, villain may just feel the swollen pot might merit a shove with any pair (8s9s etc), who knows.

Kevin Williams posted at 0:59am

Interesting-ish spot from early in the wcoop 6-max. No real history, nothing that crazy has happened. Villian seems a little loose and stationy.

***** Hand History for Game 67003724997 ***** (Poker Stars)
Tourney Hand NL Texas Hold'em - Sunday, September 04, 12:11:12 ET 2011
Table 2011090001 500 (Real Money)
Seat 6 is the button
Seat 1: nts737 ( $17582.00 USD )
Seat 2: doylleee ( $15000.00 USD )
Seat 3: Four-7-Kevin ( $19747.00 USD )
Seat 4: snowking_85 ( $22055.00 USD )
Seat 5: jujuka111 ( $2936.00 USD )
Seat 6: Tyche82 ( $8180.00 USD )
nts737 posts ante of [$20.00 USD].
doylleee posts ante of [$20.00 USD].
Four-7-Kevin posts ante of [$20.00 USD].
snowking_85 posts ante of [$20.00 USD].
jujuka111 posts ante of [$20.00 USD].
Tyche82 posts ante of [$20.00 USD].
nts737 posts small blind [$75.00 USD].
doylleee posts big blind [$150.00 USD].
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Four-7-Kevin [ Td Ad ]
Four-7-Kevin raises [$300.00 USD]
snowking_85 folds
jujuka111 calls [$300.00 USD]
Tyche82 folds
nts737 calls [$225.00 USD]
doylleee folds
** Dealing Flop ** [ 4c, Jh, Ah ]
nts737 checks
Four-7-Kevin bets [$550.00 USD]
jujuka111 folds
nts737 calls [$550.00 USD]
** Dealing Turn ** [ 3h ]
nts737 checks
Four-7-Kevin checks
** Dealing River ** [ Ts ]
nts737 bets [$1950.00 USD]
Four-7-Kevin????????????????????????????????

Jerome Bradpiece posted on 17 Aug, 2:17pm

500 FO at Luton, 17 left, 11 paid. 600/1200 100, 30 mins to end of day 1.
Danny Toffel (90k) has been on a heater and we've moved to this table together. He minraises the cutoff - doesn;t feel particularly strong but is quite sticky. I have 22 on the Button and 32k; the SB is a young euro unknown with about 25k and the BB is Chaz Chattha with about 22k. What's my best play?

view all comments (13)

Kevin Williams posted on 28 Aug, 12:02pm

diplomatic tldr...? ;) Congrats in the 6max!

Richard Ashby posted on 31 Aug, 3:37pm

lol.."chucking in bits (and) dreaming of hitting big"...sounds like my kind of strategy

.. interesting discussion why does 2/3rds of stak bet mean its almost never a monster?

Richard Ashby posted on 31 Aug, 3:39pm

Ah ok because normally he'd raise small to induce or shove to look light..missed that bit

Kevin Williams posted on 18 Jul, 12:19pm

Vegas cash game hand:

Playing $2/$5 No Limit at the Venetian.

Me UTG+1 $1200
Villian 1 MP $3000
Villain 2 BTN $600

Game has been pretty wild with the 7-2 game going at $15 a man and I have been active. Villain 1 is young Israeli guy who seems very competent, but in the hour or so I've been at the table has been getting a massage for a while and hasn't seemed to do anything too out of line. Villain 2 has been playing fairly tight both pre and post flop.

I open to $20 (pretty standard for table) with red aces and both villains call.

Flop: K82 rainbow

I bet $60, Villain 1 calls, Villian 2 folds.

Turn: 5 (completes rainbow)

I bet $150, Villain raises to $350.

I?????????

view all comments (4)

Kevin Williams posted on 21 Jul, 3:51pm

Cheers Chufty, the reveal is that I folded.

I don't normally like folding vs people who are only repping sets, but in this case I thought the bluff was even less likely. I was pretty certain like you say that he wouldn't play a king like that, which means it's a set or air (there were other players at the table of course who I'd never lay this down against). He was certainly not a nit but for it to be air he has to have floated me with a player still to act behind him on the flop. He also has to have decided to inexplicably go after me when there were plenty of weak spots on the table. The game was not short of action and I was certainly not doing a lot of double barrel bluffing. The 7-2 game was obv a factor but the deuce on the board was 1) a blocker and 2) meant that he had a pair so I thought at least some % of the time he'd just call again hoping he had showdown value. It's also essentially a $1000 bet as I can expect him to set me in on the river with his entire range so I can't call turn/fold river.

I just reckon if I make this fold 10,000 times I make money.

He showed me the jack seven of hearts for a total airball.

fml

Nikhil Persaud posted on 29 Jul, 11:29am

I find when people's sizing is quite small 150 ---- 350, they are quite polarised.

Richard Ashby posted on 4 Aug, 11:21am

Amazing that he wakes up from a massage to make a move like that, surely he had a better spot to bluff in the previous hour..He was probably pleased with his play but I just cant see how making moves like that can be profitable long term?

Richard Ashby posted on 17 Jun, 7:43pm

In the 10 game last night I'm down to 2000 chips (from 7500)..blinds 75/150.

Its hi lo omaha round. I'm dealt AAKK one suit on the button.

Utg raises, do I raise to try and isolate or see a flop and leave myself enough chips to get away from the hand...

David Docherty posted on 24 Jun, 11:09pm

Was it a pot sized raise? I might prefer flatting if I was sure the blinds weren't coming along but I think you should probably be sticking it in at this stage and just hoping he doesn't have a bunch of low cards. What did you do?

Richard Ashby posted on 9 Jul, 1:51am

I flatted, bb called and flopped a set of jacks..I paid him off. Think on reflection should have raised to isolate and take my chances. The table was quite weak so my chips felt to valuable to put in the extra raise..

Simon Mairs posted on 10 Jun, 6:12pm

Different sort of post, just a line discussion really, comments on everything appreciated. Villain is 30/24/9.3 3-bet and very good, a huge winner at these stakes, maybe the biggest I've seen bb/100 wise. 3bet vs UTG raise is 7%, 3bet from BB is 9%, Fold to cbet is 52%, check raise flop is 10%, raise cbet is 20%, turn aggression is 31%, river aggression is 27%.

The crux of this is I have a note which reads "Min reraise with 99 vs my MP CB on 532r." Obviously, the 2 spots are very similar, and he kind of tank called pre (possibly meaningless from a multitabler, but anyway).

So, is this whole thing way too thin / totally stupid / bad FPS? Is this line much better with AQ and hugely better with AK to the point where AJ isn't good enough? Is the 852 flop too high, how much better is 752, 652 etc? My thought process is that he has 99-JJ, maybe QQ here, and that I could float him to the river, playing it slow and taking it away on the river repping KK/AA or a boat (or repping a K or maybe Q on the turn), or, of course, masterfully getting there. His MO in these spots seems to be thin value vs AK or smaller pairs 87etc where his check raise reps nothing, then he bets turn and it goes check / check on the river and he wins a nice sized pot vs that range, and I guess he feels it beats check calling to bluff catch, which is an interesting point also.

$200.00 USD NL Texas Hold'em

Seat 10 is the button
Seat 1: HiOnRedBull ( $207.00 USD )
Seat 3: Villain ( $294.45 USD )
Seat 5: Smachni ( $221.90 USD )
Seat 6: Hero ( $203.00 USD )
Seat 8: adm1r ( $281.00 USD )
Seat 10: tintinnb ( $250.45 USD )
HiOnRedBull posts small blind [$1.00 USD].
Villain posts big blind [$2.00 USD].

** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Hero [ Jh As ]
Smachni folds
Hero raises [$7.00 USD]
adm1r folds
tintinnb folds
HiOnRedBull folds
Villain calls [$5.00 USD]

** Dealing Flop ** [ 5s, 8c, 2d ] (Pot $15)
Villain checks
Hero bets [$8.00 USD]
Villain raises [$20.00 USD]
Hero calls [$12.00 USD]

** Dealing Turn ** [ 5d ] (Pot $55)
Villain bets [$30.00 USD]
Hero calls [$30.00 USD]

** Dealing River ** [ 3h ] (Pot $115)
Villain checks
Hero bets [$84.00 USD] (from $146)
Villain ?????

Adam 'Snoopy' Goulding posted on 11 Jun, 5:42pm

There's likely enough easy meat out there where you don't need to be playing so flamboyantly against such a good player. You're also repping quite a narrow range. If you're going to float, then obviously you have to follow through by betting the river, but that assumes he's going to check. What were you doing if he bet, just out of curiosity?

Simon Mairs posted on 14 Jun, 0:15am

Hi Snoopy, my plan was to fold if he bet the river, put a long reply on the other board.