Thursday, November 8, 2007
Anybody there?
I have been playing a lot of tournaments lately and would love to start up some discussion.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Building pots
There hasn't been a post for almost 2 weeks now so I decided I'd try to write a meaningful one and maybe spark some discussion.
Lately my attention has been focused on Pot limit Omaha Hi for a variety of reasons. The main reason would be that at the same stakes (for example 2/4 omaha or hold em) the players are noticeably weaker at omaha. It's easier to make money and easier to make plays if you know what you are doing. Hold 'em is still the most popular game today but the weaker players have left either because they were losing players or the new internet gaming laws. The game is harder now and no longer can you get paid off every time you have someone beat. It seems like in every situation the player with the losing hand is either getting away from his hand by folding or losing the minimum that he could have possibly lost in the hand. The fact is today players are better than ever and it is getting harder and harder to win money.
Big pots in hold em now must be "built" instead of waiting for the right timing. I have categorized pots into three different sizes: small, medium and large pots. Small pots are simple, they are pots that are taken down on the flop without resistance. Medium pots are pots that are either taken down on the turn or after a raise on the flop. Then there are the large pots...Large pots are pretty self explanatory and usually go to showdown. In the past you could sit and wait for the large pots but due to the increase in skill of the average player if you have a tight image you will never play in a pot bigger than a medium sized one. If poker were a boxing match, small pots would be your jabs, medium pots your hooks and large pots your K.O. blow. You have to have an understanding of each hand and realize which kind of pot you are going to play with it. For example, a small pot would be something along the lines of flopping top pair. You want to take this down on the flop because your hand cannot take much resistance. My strategy is always to be stabbing for the small pots, always give the image that you want to take down the pot right there but also keeping your bets small (50% to 75% of the pot). Of course there are always exceptions but this is just a basic strategy. As the small pots add up, you will start to receive some resistance from other players. They will either have flopped a hand or are getting sick of you taking down small pots on the flop. This is where you start to build pots. If you are constantly jabbing for small pots, you force other players to pick their spots and start fighting back, but most players are not good enough to play big pots with marginal hands so they will wait for premium hands to play back at you with. You have to always be aggressive and willing to gamble with the money you have won taking the small pots. The biggest pots are always the ones where someone gets outdrawn so if you can keep a player on his toes while he is raising you with a better hand and hit a card against him then you can take his entire stack. The beauty of this is that you are not always behind. When you finally do hit a set vs someones AK on a Ace high board, then you will get paid off. Raise pre flop and bet the flop with marginal hands in position. You are bound to outdraw someone and build yourself a nice little pot.
Big pots in hold em now must be "built" instead of waiting for the right timing. I have categorized pots into three different sizes: small, medium and large pots. Small pots are simple, they are pots that are taken down on the flop without resistance. Medium pots are pots that are either taken down on the turn or after a raise on the flop. Then there are the large pots...Large pots are pretty self explanatory and usually go to showdown. In the past you could sit and wait for the large pots but due to the increase in skill of the average player if you have a tight image you will never play in a pot bigger than a medium sized one. If poker were a boxing match, small pots would be your jabs, medium pots your hooks and large pots your K.O. blow. You have to have an understanding of each hand and realize which kind of pot you are going to play with it. For example, a small pot would be something along the lines of flopping top pair. You want to take this down on the flop because your hand cannot take much resistance. My strategy is always to be stabbing for the small pots, always give the image that you want to take down the pot right there but also keeping your bets small (50% to 75% of the pot). Of course there are always exceptions but this is just a basic strategy. As the small pots add up, you will start to receive some resistance from other players. They will either have flopped a hand or are getting sick of you taking down small pots on the flop. This is where you start to build pots. If you are constantly jabbing for small pots, you force other players to pick their spots and start fighting back, but most players are not good enough to play big pots with marginal hands so they will wait for premium hands to play back at you with. You have to always be aggressive and willing to gamble with the money you have won taking the small pots. The biggest pots are always the ones where someone gets outdrawn so if you can keep a player on his toes while he is raising you with a better hand and hit a card against him then you can take his entire stack. The beauty of this is that you are not always behind. When you finally do hit a set vs someones AK on a Ace high board, then you will get paid off. Raise pre flop and bet the flop with marginal hands in position. You are bound to outdraw someone and build yourself a nice little pot.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Some hands and thoughts...
Usual $3/$5 NL game @ Casino AZ...game is good - nice action, plenty of soft players
1. I have KJ clubs in BB. Some guy in middle position makes it $20 to go and including me there are about 6 players seeing the flop. The flop comes 3-7-K with one club. It checks around and the turn comes an 8 of clubs, giving me top pair and a flush draw. The SB, some guy who talks a big game, leads out for $65. I call and everyone else folds. The river brings an offsuit Q and SB leads out for $80. What is the play here?
2. I have 7-5 spades in middle position and I limp and 7 players see a limped flop. The flop brings K-J-6 rainbow. It checks around and the turn brings an 8. It checks to the UTG +2 who bets $35. I felt weakness in this bet, so I called, planning on either making my straight or bluffing on the river. However, both blinds ended up calling as well, so 4 of us went to the river, instead of only 2, as I hoped/expected. The river brings a beautiful offsuit 9 (K-6-J-8-9) and SB leads out for $100. He is new, but seems like a solid player. The BB folds and the bettor on the turn calls. What is the play here?
I've been thinking a lot recently about perception at the table. I feel that perception is another tool that you should look to use to your advantage, especially in tournaments; more so in tournys because by creating a tight image early will allow you to steal later when its necessary to take down blinds in order to survive. I know this may sound like cliche advice and strategy, but I think many players overlook the importance of playing into/with your perceived table image. By creating a certain type of image, you are entitled to certain levels of respect. For example, if you create a loose image, you deserve to get action on your big hands and vice versa. Tights will get respect, as they should, when they do/do not have it. Just a reminder to be CONSTANTLY aware of how the table perceives you, and play against it in order to gain an advantage.
1. I have KJ clubs in BB. Some guy in middle position makes it $20 to go and including me there are about 6 players seeing the flop. The flop comes 3-7-K with one club. It checks around and the turn comes an 8 of clubs, giving me top pair and a flush draw. The SB, some guy who talks a big game, leads out for $65. I call and everyone else folds. The river brings an offsuit Q and SB leads out for $80. What is the play here?
2. I have 7-5 spades in middle position and I limp and 7 players see a limped flop. The flop brings K-J-6 rainbow. It checks around and the turn brings an 8. It checks to the UTG +2 who bets $35. I felt weakness in this bet, so I called, planning on either making my straight or bluffing on the river. However, both blinds ended up calling as well, so 4 of us went to the river, instead of only 2, as I hoped/expected. The river brings a beautiful offsuit 9 (K-6-J-8-9) and SB leads out for $100. He is new, but seems like a solid player. The BB folds and the bettor on the turn calls. What is the play here?
I've been thinking a lot recently about perception at the table. I feel that perception is another tool that you should look to use to your advantage, especially in tournaments; more so in tournys because by creating a tight image early will allow you to steal later when its necessary to take down blinds in order to survive. I know this may sound like cliche advice and strategy, but I think many players overlook the importance of playing into/with your perceived table image. By creating a certain type of image, you are entitled to certain levels of respect. For example, if you create a loose image, you deserve to get action on your big hands and vice versa. Tights will get respect, as they should, when they do/do not have it. Just a reminder to be CONSTANTLY aware of how the table perceives you, and play against it in order to gain an advantage.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
SYCK hand @ Winstar
Winstar $2/$5 NL, 8-handed:
This is my first round of play at the table, so I don't have much information about my opponents to work with. (Noonan, you know this already...) I have AJ in the cutoff and there are two limpers to me. With roughly $525 in my stack, I make it $25 to go, button calls, BB calls, UTG calls, then UTG +2 repops it $30 more. I call, as does everyone else, so we go 5 to the flop. Flop comes A-J-6 two diamonds. It checks to the original raiser who bets $25. I make it $80 to go and it folds to the UTG player, who smooth calls (flush draw), but then the original raiser/bettor reraises $100 more. I think for about a minute, then muck...
Laydown of the century/easy fold or DONK play??? :)
This is my first round of play at the table, so I don't have much information about my opponents to work with. (Noonan, you know this already...) I have AJ in the cutoff and there are two limpers to me. With roughly $525 in my stack, I make it $25 to go, button calls, BB calls, UTG calls, then UTG +2 repops it $30 more. I call, as does everyone else, so we go 5 to the flop. Flop comes A-J-6 two diamonds. It checks to the original raiser who bets $25. I make it $80 to go and it folds to the UTG player, who smooth calls (flush draw), but then the original raiser/bettor reraises $100 more. I think for about a minute, then muck...
Laydown of the century/easy fold or DONK play??? :)
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Limp Pot
Bodog 1/2
I have about $300 in front of me everyone else in the hand has around $150. 5 players limp in to me, I'm on the big blind with 10-6 off so I check. The flop comes out 7 8 9 with 2 diamonds. I am first to act so I lead out for the pot which is $12, 2 players behind me call. The turn comes a 9 of hearts. I check hoping to induce a bet from someone with the 9. The buy behind me bets $60 into the pot of $48, the other guy in the hand folds. It's back to me...do I push? Whats my move? Board is 9 9 8 7 with 2 diamonds.
I have about $300 in front of me everyone else in the hand has around $150. 5 players limp in to me, I'm on the big blind with 10-6 off so I check. The flop comes out 7 8 9 with 2 diamonds. I am first to act so I lead out for the pot which is $12, 2 players behind me call. The turn comes a 9 of hearts. I check hoping to induce a bet from someone with the 9. The buy behind me bets $60 into the pot of $48, the other guy in the hand folds. It's back to me...do I push? Whats my move? Board is 9 9 8 7 with 2 diamonds.
A very very sick hand
Adrian's 2/5 game.
I shouldn't have played this hand the way I did but it had been a very slow day and I hadn't won a pot in hours. A relatively new player raised in 2nd position to $20, a weak player called as did one of the dealers from the game on the button. I looked down at 7 7 in the small blind and elected to call. The flop came Q 3 6 with two diamonds. I checked and the original raiser led out for $15 which stunk of a flush draw bet. The weak player called and he also stunk of a flush draw (he only called on his draws and bet/raised on his pairs and made hands. The dealer who was playing was in for $800 and had about $900 in front of him. He also just called so the action was back to me. My read on the situation was this: 1) I was playing tight all day and hadn't made very many moves. 2) The first 2 players were obviously drawing to either a flush or the open ended straight draw (4-5) and dealer (ironically he was on the button) wanted to see another card before commiting his money with top pair or maybe two pair. I decided to check raise another $55 on top. Both "flush draws" thought then called and then dealer called as well and I had to put him on a hand like 2 pair because with that much money in the pot and facing that strength from me he couldn't have called with just a Q and would have re-raised with a set to get his money in good. So 4 of us went to the turn, 2 flush draws and 2 pair. The turn came a K and I'm first to act I need to win this pot or get out but by the way the day was going I needed to win it somehow...what next? I'll finish posting what I did in this hand but I want to know how you guys would play it here...I had about $230 left and I had both flush draw players covered while dealer had us all covered.
I shouldn't have played this hand the way I did but it had been a very slow day and I hadn't won a pot in hours. A relatively new player raised in 2nd position to $20, a weak player called as did one of the dealers from the game on the button. I looked down at 7 7 in the small blind and elected to call. The flop came Q 3 6 with two diamonds. I checked and the original raiser led out for $15 which stunk of a flush draw bet. The weak player called and he also stunk of a flush draw (he only called on his draws and bet/raised on his pairs and made hands. The dealer who was playing was in for $800 and had about $900 in front of him. He also just called so the action was back to me. My read on the situation was this: 1) I was playing tight all day and hadn't made very many moves. 2) The first 2 players were obviously drawing to either a flush or the open ended straight draw (4-5) and dealer (ironically he was on the button) wanted to see another card before commiting his money with top pair or maybe two pair. I decided to check raise another $55 on top. Both "flush draws" thought then called and then dealer called as well and I had to put him on a hand like 2 pair because with that much money in the pot and facing that strength from me he couldn't have called with just a Q and would have re-raised with a set to get his money in good. So 4 of us went to the turn, 2 flush draws and 2 pair. The turn came a K and I'm first to act I need to win this pot or get out but by the way the day was going I needed to win it somehow...what next? I'll finish posting what I did in this hand but I want to know how you guys would play it here...I had about $230 left and I had both flush draw players covered while dealer had us all covered.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Rockets
The following hand happened at Park's game (1/2 NL).
I'm in 4th position and look down at two red aces. The average raise at the table has been anywhere from $12 to $25 pre flop but I haven't made a raise larger than $8 pre flop. I raise to $7 and get a caller from the button. All I can really say about the guy on the button is that he is a good player but we both can't seem to figure each other out. He makes solid plays and follows up on his reads if he senses weakness. The flop came 9 6 4 rainbow and I led out for $15 followed by a quick call. On the turn a 5 fell putting two clubs out there. I led again for $25, the villian thought about it for a second then raised to $75. I thought about putting in a 3rd raise but I figured against it because if I was beat I was throwing away my money and I just wanted to get to showdown. I threw in my call and said "call, check" implying I checked dark on the river. The river came another 5 making the board 9 6 4 5 5. Villian exclaimed all in for $170. What now?
I'm in 4th position and look down at two red aces. The average raise at the table has been anywhere from $12 to $25 pre flop but I haven't made a raise larger than $8 pre flop. I raise to $7 and get a caller from the button. All I can really say about the guy on the button is that he is a good player but we both can't seem to figure each other out. He makes solid plays and follows up on his reads if he senses weakness. The flop came 9 6 4 rainbow and I led out for $15 followed by a quick call. On the turn a 5 fell putting two clubs out there. I led again for $25, the villian thought about it for a second then raised to $75. I thought about putting in a 3rd raise but I figured against it because if I was beat I was throwing away my money and I just wanted to get to showdown. I threw in my call and said "call, check" implying I checked dark on the river. The river came another 5 making the board 9 6 4 5 5. Villian exclaimed all in for $170. What now?
Friday, May 25, 2007
Pocket Kings
Full Tilt ($1/$2) blinds cash game:
1. I have pocket Kings in the BB. Folds to the cutoff, who is a very solid player (makes good calls/folds) who makes it $6 to go. Folds to me in the BB, and I make it $18 to go. He then makes it $50 total. I fold. First time I've ever laid down Kings preflop...
2. I have Kings again in the SB, UTG +1 limps and it folds to me. I make it $7 to go and only the original limper calls. Flop is Q-8-3 rainbow. I bet $14 and he thinks and calls. Turn comes an A. Whats the correct play here?
The first hand seemed like an easy fold for some reason. I give him credit there for either AA or KK, maybe QQ. I only have $18 invested so IMO why not fold and wait for a better, more sure spot, to get the money in. Thoughts?
1. I have pocket Kings in the BB. Folds to the cutoff, who is a very solid player (makes good calls/folds) who makes it $6 to go. Folds to me in the BB, and I make it $18 to go. He then makes it $50 total. I fold. First time I've ever laid down Kings preflop...
2. I have Kings again in the SB, UTG +1 limps and it folds to me. I make it $7 to go and only the original limper calls. Flop is Q-8-3 rainbow. I bet $14 and he thinks and calls. Turn comes an A. Whats the correct play here?
The first hand seemed like an easy fold for some reason. I give him credit there for either AA or KK, maybe QQ. I only have $18 invested so IMO why not fold and wait for a better, more sure spot, to get the money in. Thoughts?
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Park's Game
Well guys sorry for the absence of my postings...i've been slacking lately and ill pick up the pace. Okay anyways me and Asa went to Park's game and everyone at the table bought in for 300 and two people bought in for 400. So right from the get go this was a table with the most aggressive players i've ever played with. Asa trippled up on literally the 3rd or 4th hand so his stack was at about 800 and immediatly afterward everyone reloaded up to his stack. I was about to do the same cause i wasn't going to be able to play my game with just 300 at this table but thankfully i trippled up right before i was about to reload. So my stack was at about 900$.
So when this hand started i had about 1200$ in front of me and i was the big stack at the table everyone else had between 750 - 1100$.
I was on the big blind and it folds all the way to the button guy who is aggressive but a solid player. I've played with him many times and he likes to raise big preflop but it folded all the way around to him and he only makes it 15$ to go when he normally does 40$. Something told me he wanted action. So i look at my hand and i have KK.
I raise 60$ on top and he thinks about it for a while kind of playing with his chips and making a few faces then he calls. I had been playing fairly aggressive at this table just to let you guys know, but then again everyone was. Anyways the flop Brings Q 2 4 and the 2 and Q are both spades ( I have the K of Spades).
I lead out for 150$ which is roughly the pot and he thinks about it for a little while then makes some wierd faces again then raises me 200$ more. After his raise he had about 350$ left behind him so to put him all in would cost me half my stack. Something just didn't feel right about that hand to me and some bitch called clock and the time ran out before i could make a decsion but i don't think its worth risking half my stack on those KK when i feel i can outplay the table and put myself in better situations than just an overpair.
Any thoughts on anything about this hand...
So when this hand started i had about 1200$ in front of me and i was the big stack at the table everyone else had between 750 - 1100$.
I was on the big blind and it folds all the way to the button guy who is aggressive but a solid player. I've played with him many times and he likes to raise big preflop but it folded all the way around to him and he only makes it 15$ to go when he normally does 40$. Something told me he wanted action. So i look at my hand and i have KK.
I raise 60$ on top and he thinks about it for a while kind of playing with his chips and making a few faces then he calls. I had been playing fairly aggressive at this table just to let you guys know, but then again everyone was. Anyways the flop Brings Q 2 4 and the 2 and Q are both spades ( I have the K of Spades).
I lead out for 150$ which is roughly the pot and he thinks about it for a little while then makes some wierd faces again then raises me 200$ more. After his raise he had about 350$ left behind him so to put him all in would cost me half my stack. Something just didn't feel right about that hand to me and some bitch called clock and the time ran out before i could make a decsion but i don't think its worth risking half my stack on those KK when i feel i can outplay the table and put myself in better situations than just an overpair.
Any thoughts on anything about this hand...
A Fun Play
I learned about this "play" while reading a card player article written by Phil Hellmuth. Hellmuth talks about a hand he played against Johnny Chan where Phil raised and Chan called OOP. On the flop, Chan checked as did Phil. Chan checked the turn and Phil made a small bet. Chan then proceeds to check-raise Hellmuth and put him at a tough decision...
The play of double checking OOP, then raising when your opponent bets behind you on the turn, has worked wonders for me. Weak players are especially vulnerable to this play. This is what happens in their view: You check to them on the flop and they have missed, but still have a decent hand (maybe A-high or low-mid pocket pair), so they decide to check behind and take a free card since they have the option. They miss the turn as well, but when you check again, and they start to feel as though their hand may be good. They bet in hopes of just ending it right there. However, when you come over the top, they automatically assume that you have been slow-playing a massive hand and will give you credit for a monster. Sometimes they call this raise, but almost always they are drawing. As long as a card falls that doesn't look to help them, you may go ahead and aggressively bet the river.
Watch out for better players making this move on you. If you feel like they are check-raising you with air, then put in a good-sized third raise to let them know YOU weren't screwing around. Even if they have a big hand, they may lay it down assuming you must have the nuts by putting in a third raise....Thoughts?
The play of double checking OOP, then raising when your opponent bets behind you on the turn, has worked wonders for me. Weak players are especially vulnerable to this play. This is what happens in their view: You check to them on the flop and they have missed, but still have a decent hand (maybe A-high or low-mid pocket pair), so they decide to check behind and take a free card since they have the option. They miss the turn as well, but when you check again, and they start to feel as though their hand may be good. They bet in hopes of just ending it right there. However, when you come over the top, they automatically assume that you have been slow-playing a massive hand and will give you credit for a monster. Sometimes they call this raise, but almost always they are drawing. As long as a card falls that doesn't look to help them, you may go ahead and aggressively bet the river.
Watch out for better players making this move on you. If you feel like they are check-raising you with air, then put in a good-sized third raise to let them know YOU weren't screwing around. Even if they have a big hand, they may lay it down assuming you must have the nuts by putting in a third raise....Thoughts?
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Results
Do you guys keep track of your results? What is the best way to keep track? What is an average win for you?
I have always just kept my poker money seperate from living/personal money and I kept track of it just by how much I had. I have read more and more about how keeping records and results can help you spot weaknesses in your game and also allow you to manage your money better.
I have always just kept my poker money seperate from living/personal money and I kept track of it just by how much I had. I have read more and more about how keeping records and results can help you spot weaknesses in your game and also allow you to manage your money better.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Tough opponent
Max I'm sure you know this already but the games around Austin are $1/2 with $5 kill in pots over $100. The game is basically $2/5 with average raises around $20 pre flop.
Anyway last night was my first night to play in a while. I sat down with $300 which had everyone at the table covered except for an ultra agressive player to my left who had $500. He either was betting into pots (most of the time) or checking them down to the river. From what I could see he would fire into pots whenever he sensed weakness but he never flat out bluffed (I could see his cards when he flipped them up, it wasn't even as if I was looking for it but it was just that obvious). Usually he would call a flop bet on a small board with a mid pair then bet if checked to on the turn. I couldn't catch a strong hand against him and was wondering what the best way to play against him would be. He had position on me which might not have been a bad thing if I was hitting semi decent hands. My thoughts were to just check to him all night and let him hang himself.
Here are the two hands that I was involved with him in. The first hand I had AKs in 2nd position. I raised to $10 (one of my first hands before I realized we weren't playing 1/2) and he called along with two other players. The flop came J 2 5 rainbow so I led out $25, Mark (agressive guy on my lef) called and the rest folded. The turn came a 7 at which point I decided to check. Without hesitation Mark threw $40 into the pot and I gave him some acting then folded. The next time I tangled with him I had 9-9 on the button. I had just won a kill pot which means I had to post $5 and was last to act pre flop. Mark from the small blind raised to $25 and 2 others called, so I called from the button. The flop came 8 5 3 with 2 diamonds. Mark quickly threw out $50 into the pot and the others folded around to me. Having just won a big pot, and realizing that I would have to play these 9s very strong to take this pot off of him I decided to fold. I put him on 10-10 to A-A with a possible A-K. I feel like I should have raised but it would have taken a decent raise to get him off his hand which could be a very expensive mistake.
What do you think? What is a good strategy against these ultra agressive players? I also noticed he started to get hit by the deck so maybe he is a little more tight agressive but was getting the cards to play every hand. He hit a few gutshots in raised pots and rivered a straight to someones rivered set. I ended up at about $500 and he was at $1400. I couldn't catch a hand so I decided to leave and come back to battle another time.
Anyway last night was my first night to play in a while. I sat down with $300 which had everyone at the table covered except for an ultra agressive player to my left who had $500. He either was betting into pots (most of the time) or checking them down to the river. From what I could see he would fire into pots whenever he sensed weakness but he never flat out bluffed (I could see his cards when he flipped them up, it wasn't even as if I was looking for it but it was just that obvious). Usually he would call a flop bet on a small board with a mid pair then bet if checked to on the turn. I couldn't catch a strong hand against him and was wondering what the best way to play against him would be. He had position on me which might not have been a bad thing if I was hitting semi decent hands. My thoughts were to just check to him all night and let him hang himself.
Here are the two hands that I was involved with him in. The first hand I had AKs in 2nd position. I raised to $10 (one of my first hands before I realized we weren't playing 1/2) and he called along with two other players. The flop came J 2 5 rainbow so I led out $25, Mark (agressive guy on my lef) called and the rest folded. The turn came a 7 at which point I decided to check. Without hesitation Mark threw $40 into the pot and I gave him some acting then folded. The next time I tangled with him I had 9-9 on the button. I had just won a kill pot which means I had to post $5 and was last to act pre flop. Mark from the small blind raised to $25 and 2 others called, so I called from the button. The flop came 8 5 3 with 2 diamonds. Mark quickly threw out $50 into the pot and the others folded around to me. Having just won a big pot, and realizing that I would have to play these 9s very strong to take this pot off of him I decided to fold. I put him on 10-10 to A-A with a possible A-K. I feel like I should have raised but it would have taken a decent raise to get him off his hand which could be a very expensive mistake.
What do you think? What is a good strategy against these ultra agressive players? I also noticed he started to get hit by the deck so maybe he is a little more tight agressive but was getting the cards to play every hand. He hit a few gutshots in raised pots and rivered a straight to someones rivered set. I ended up at about $500 and he was at $1400. I couldn't catch a hand so I decided to leave and come back to battle another time.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Online Bots
(I appologize if this writing is choppy, I had surgery this morning and still am on some painkillers/medication)
There has been a lot of buzz on the internet lately about a couple of automated poker programs on Full Tilt (bots) that people were running and had written a successful program that actually won money at $1/2 stakes. The bots had won about $22,000 collectively over a few months and after someone had discovered they were bots he wrote Full Tilt and alerted the forums where the topic blew up. Everyone was persecuting the group who was running these and telling them how they should be banned for life for cheating. All the programs did were follow simple a playbook with a basic strategy. The person who discovered they were bots was running stat tracking and started noticing that several players had identical stats and never played at the same tables, he also noticed other similarities that aren't really important to the post. After figuring this out he exploited the bots taking pots off of them left and right.
My question for you guys is this. This controversy has caused quite a stir up in the poker community and many people are furious. I thought about it for a while and I really do not have a problem with a player being a bot online. They cannot think freely and if you pay attention to players at your table you can figure them out. If you knew you were playing against a bot you could exploit it. Why not allow bots? They are computers and by far the easiest opponents to play against. The bot seemed tough because he was programmed to be agressive. What do you guys think? Should bots be allowed or do you think they violate the integrity of the game? Poker is a game of people and situations so a computer couldn't possibly keep up with decent players. The other side of this though is that poker is a game built on losers and if computers are taking out the losers then the competition will get better and better until the computers are the losing players (basically driving away the weaker players). I personally have no problem playing against a bot, but let me know what you guys think of this whole situation. Of course, you can always just play live...
There has been a lot of buzz on the internet lately about a couple of automated poker programs on Full Tilt (bots) that people were running and had written a successful program that actually won money at $1/2 stakes. The bots had won about $22,000 collectively over a few months and after someone had discovered they were bots he wrote Full Tilt and alerted the forums where the topic blew up. Everyone was persecuting the group who was running these and telling them how they should be banned for life for cheating. All the programs did were follow simple a playbook with a basic strategy. The person who discovered they were bots was running stat tracking and started noticing that several players had identical stats and never played at the same tables, he also noticed other similarities that aren't really important to the post. After figuring this out he exploited the bots taking pots off of them left and right.
My question for you guys is this. This controversy has caused quite a stir up in the poker community and many people are furious. I thought about it for a while and I really do not have a problem with a player being a bot online. They cannot think freely and if you pay attention to players at your table you can figure them out. If you knew you were playing against a bot you could exploit it. Why not allow bots? They are computers and by far the easiest opponents to play against. The bot seemed tough because he was programmed to be agressive. What do you guys think? Should bots be allowed or do you think they violate the integrity of the game? Poker is a game of people and situations so a computer couldn't possibly keep up with decent players. The other side of this though is that poker is a game built on losers and if computers are taking out the losers then the competition will get better and better until the computers are the losing players (basically driving away the weaker players). I personally have no problem playing against a bot, but let me know what you guys think of this whole situation. Of course, you can always just play live...
Thursday, May 10, 2007
New Post!
Ok. It's time to bring this blog out of the muck. I know I haven't been posting much recently, but last night I finished finals and without any hesitation, I headed right over to the casino. This post will contain some old school hand postings and then I will talk about some strategy at the end that IMO makes me a better player. So without further ado:
The table that I am playing at is a semi-tough table. There is no hand that sees a flop without having been raised, and generally there are 3-5 people seeing each flop. (loose-aggressive game I believe is what you call it)
1. I have Ace-King suited UTG. Whats the right play here? My favorite play, especially when playing against players who somewhat know what they are doing, is limp-raising with A-K from early position. It puts opponents who raise in a very tough spot once reraised, and it allows you to make the same play with Aces or Kings later on in the future. Where this play fails is when you get called and flop air. In this case, you have to give your opponent credit for some pocket pair or maybe even AK himself, so making a continuation bet on the flop can get costly. Nevertheless, I limped and about 3 other people limped behind me and the SB (who has $240 behind him) makes it $35 to go, without any hesitation. The way he made his bet told me a) he has a "strong" hand b) that doesn't want callers. Therefore, I give him a range of hands from 88-QQ, AK, or AQs. Now from what I know about this guy, is that he has a tough time folding preflop to any raise, but at worst, I am coin flipping, so even if he calls my reraise, I'm not in too terrible of a position. In the sloppiest fashion possible, I make it $125 on top or $160 to go. Folds around to him and he thinks for a while. He starts toying with me, asking if I can beat jacks or not. I tell him I can't yet and with that he calls. He checks dark and the flop falls 8-8-7 with two diamonds (I have no diamonds). He has around $85 left and he looks like hes ready to go in, so I push him in. Do I really have a choice here? What do you two think about the play of this hand?
2. I have Q-8 of hearts and have just been rushing, winning a few small and one large pot, so I open it up for $20 from mid-position. A new player calls on the button, SB and BB both call, and so does UTG +2. Five of us see a flop of J-7-6 with the 7-6 of hearts. It checks to me and I check to the button. Button fires off $45. SB folds and the BB, who is a very solid player, calls and the UTG +2 folds and I call with my flush draw. Any thoughts here? Maybe could I have raised? I don't think raising makes a whole lotta sense since I don't see a hand that I would check-raise with on that board. Anyways, the turn comes a black 7. BB checks, I check and button checks. River is a Q. BB fires out $50 into a pot that contains around $230. Immediately when he bet it, I felt like I wasn't good. I'm getting such good odds to call, but if you know you're beat, odds don't matter. What is the correct play here?
3. I have Q-10 in the BB. Four other people limp including the SB. We all see a flop of 4-3-10 rainbow. SB checks, I check, and the table checks. Turn brings another 10, giving me trips with two diamonds on the board. The SB bets $25 into $25 pot. What do I do here? Should I raise to knock out flush draws? I called, and the fella behind me called as well (this player is extremely weak and IMO either has a back door flush draw or a 3/4 with no kicker; most likely a flush draw). The river brings an off suit 9 and the SB leads out for $25 again. What's the correct play here?
One thing that I have noticed, is that every time I have a losing session, I've sat down at the table and saw that I was up against a bunch of donks. I then try to play loose and aggressive, running over the table as best as I can, when ultimately I end up getting kicked in the balls. Yesterday, when I sat down, the table was making plays that in my view, looked like expert/above average plays. I saw myself sitting at a table where everyone was going to be tough to beat. In turn, I focused my attention on a higher level in order to figure out how I was going to beat them. I ended up folding a lot and only getting my money in when I either had to, or had the best of it and it worked out nicely. So I've begun to theorize that the more credit I give my opponents for their play, the better player I become myself, in order to match their level. Looking back on the session, no one there was actually that good, with the exception of one, but it was the mere belief that they were all better than me which caused me to gear down and really develop a strategy to beat them. From now on, I'm always going to assume that these players are smart and cunning, and constantly be thinking of ways to get their money, regardless of the moves/plays they make.
The table that I am playing at is a semi-tough table. There is no hand that sees a flop without having been raised, and generally there are 3-5 people seeing each flop. (loose-aggressive game I believe is what you call it)
1. I have Ace-King suited UTG. Whats the right play here? My favorite play, especially when playing against players who somewhat know what they are doing, is limp-raising with A-K from early position. It puts opponents who raise in a very tough spot once reraised, and it allows you to make the same play with Aces or Kings later on in the future. Where this play fails is when you get called and flop air. In this case, you have to give your opponent credit for some pocket pair or maybe even AK himself, so making a continuation bet on the flop can get costly. Nevertheless, I limped and about 3 other people limped behind me and the SB (who has $240 behind him) makes it $35 to go, without any hesitation. The way he made his bet told me a) he has a "strong" hand b) that doesn't want callers. Therefore, I give him a range of hands from 88-QQ, AK, or AQs. Now from what I know about this guy, is that he has a tough time folding preflop to any raise, but at worst, I am coin flipping, so even if he calls my reraise, I'm not in too terrible of a position. In the sloppiest fashion possible, I make it $125 on top or $160 to go. Folds around to him and he thinks for a while. He starts toying with me, asking if I can beat jacks or not. I tell him I can't yet and with that he calls. He checks dark and the flop falls 8-8-7 with two diamonds (I have no diamonds). He has around $85 left and he looks like hes ready to go in, so I push him in. Do I really have a choice here? What do you two think about the play of this hand?
2. I have Q-8 of hearts and have just been rushing, winning a few small and one large pot, so I open it up for $20 from mid-position. A new player calls on the button, SB and BB both call, and so does UTG +2. Five of us see a flop of J-7-6 with the 7-6 of hearts. It checks to me and I check to the button. Button fires off $45. SB folds and the BB, who is a very solid player, calls and the UTG +2 folds and I call with my flush draw. Any thoughts here? Maybe could I have raised? I don't think raising makes a whole lotta sense since I don't see a hand that I would check-raise with on that board. Anyways, the turn comes a black 7. BB checks, I check and button checks. River is a Q. BB fires out $50 into a pot that contains around $230. Immediately when he bet it, I felt like I wasn't good. I'm getting such good odds to call, but if you know you're beat, odds don't matter. What is the correct play here?
3. I have Q-10 in the BB. Four other people limp including the SB. We all see a flop of 4-3-10 rainbow. SB checks, I check, and the table checks. Turn brings another 10, giving me trips with two diamonds on the board. The SB bets $25 into $25 pot. What do I do here? Should I raise to knock out flush draws? I called, and the fella behind me called as well (this player is extremely weak and IMO either has a back door flush draw or a 3/4 with no kicker; most likely a flush draw). The river brings an off suit 9 and the SB leads out for $25 again. What's the correct play here?
One thing that I have noticed, is that every time I have a losing session, I've sat down at the table and saw that I was up against a bunch of donks. I then try to play loose and aggressive, running over the table as best as I can, when ultimately I end up getting kicked in the balls. Yesterday, when I sat down, the table was making plays that in my view, looked like expert/above average plays. I saw myself sitting at a table where everyone was going to be tough to beat. In turn, I focused my attention on a higher level in order to figure out how I was going to beat them. I ended up folding a lot and only getting my money in when I either had to, or had the best of it and it worked out nicely. So I've begun to theorize that the more credit I give my opponents for their play, the better player I become myself, in order to match their level. Looking back on the session, no one there was actually that good, with the exception of one, but it was the mere belief that they were all better than me which caused me to gear down and really develop a strategy to beat them. From now on, I'm always going to assume that these players are smart and cunning, and constantly be thinking of ways to get their money, regardless of the moves/plays they make.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Bad play or a good one?
I had just sat down at a 1/2 table on Bodog late at night. The stacks were all at about $200 which is a perfect table to sit down at, establish a chip lead and then crush it. Anyway my second hand I was dealt K 9 of spaids on the button. A guy in first position raised to $10 dollars and it folded around to me. Having played with him before I knew he had a big hand like JJ-KK. I felt like if any ace hit or a scary board I could take down the pot as well as catching a piece of it and outplaying him by making him commit his chips. I of course called and we went to the flop heads up. The flop came down 6 3 2 with two spaids making it a beautiful flop for me. I could now represent a wide range of hands and have the buffer of a flush draw incase I made a play that didn't work I could still win the hand (I was 100% sure my flush would be the nuts). Villian checked to me and I needed to decide what to bet. With the pot at $23 I bet the pot. I did this for a few reasons. 1) This guy wouldn't fold his kings on the flop unless facing the maximum amount of pressure so in my head I had planned on moving in on him if he check rasied me. He thought a second then doubled my bet making it $20 more. I had to move here to win the pot. There was no way he was going to let me chase a flush down after the turn and I couldn't bluff him off of his hand on the turn if a blank hit because so much was invested in the pot. Moving in on him ensured I would see both the turn and river, and he might wise up and fold here because of such a draw heavy and scary board. I moved all in for my full $200. He thought about it before ultimately calling. I got "lucky" on the turn and hit my flush with him drawing dead. He bitched about losing before leaving (which happens all the time) but what caught me off guard was that other people were sarcastically joking about how it was such a bad play and that I was going to lose all my money. I don't know why I'm even posting about it because I went on a card rush getting aces and kings the next round and cleaned out the table by acting like a donkey and getting paid off. My only question would be about the play. I know there are two ways to look at playing the game and that is through long run expected value of hands (if you play the hand the same way in the same situation and put your money in when you are getting the right value then over time you will win money) but there is also that personal aspect where each hand is an individual and unique hand which can be played many different ways and based on the situation, read on people, etc you can maniuplate the rules and sometimes you get lucky. Basically I went all in on a flush draw vs kings and got called, then hit it.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Ace on the River
If you two are looking to get a more worldly view of poker and the gambling society, I recommend that you get Barry Greenstein's book Ace on the River. It was by far one of my favorites (and I've read lots of them, believe me) because it goes beyond talking about starting hands and the concepts of pot odds, etc. It takes more of a holistic approach to becoming a good poker player. For example, the book starts off talking about Barry's rise in his poker career, the bad beats he took not only on the table but in life, and then transitions into topics such as The Poker Society, Attitude of a Poker Player, Traits of Winning Poker Players, the Psychology of Gambling, Brain Chemistry, Making & Holding onto Money, Game & Chaos Theory, Play Lessons, etc. The book ends with some hands which he breaks down from the point of view of a professional, but overall it focuses on why and what makes certain people good at poker. Only about 20% of the material focuses on strategy alone. Every page is filled with cool and interesting pictures too; its not a long read, but a concise, educational one.
His "Parting Thoughts" at the end of his book are also something to consider:
"When all is said and done, if I spent most of my time sitting at a poker table, I would feel that I was a loser in the game of life."
"Your goal in life should not be to make money, but making money may help you achieve your goals."
"Where you spend your time is not nearly as important as what you do when you are there."
His "Parting Thoughts" at the end of his book are also something to consider:
"When all is said and done, if I spent most of my time sitting at a poker table, I would feel that I was a loser in the game of life."
"Your goal in life should not be to make money, but making money may help you achieve your goals."
"Where you spend your time is not nearly as important as what you do when you are there."
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Unavoidable situation?
Full tilt 1/2 cash game: 9 handed.
I'm in BB with red AA. Middle position raises to $8, I reraise to $30, he calls to the flop.
Flop comes out K J 2 with two spaids. Now I followed through and bet the pot on the flop. Villian immediately moved all in, I was already pot committed so I called (it was about twice my bet). Villian shows AKs for a top with a flush draw. Anyway, flush hit and I lose. Did I misplay this? or is it one of those unavoidable situations?
I'm in BB with red AA. Middle position raises to $8, I reraise to $30, he calls to the flop.
Flop comes out K J 2 with two spaids. Now I followed through and bet the pot on the flop. Villian immediately moved all in, I was already pot committed so I called (it was about twice my bet). Villian shows AKs for a top with a flush draw. Anyway, flush hit and I lose. Did I misplay this? or is it one of those unavoidable situations?
Off to the Races!
I just wanted to hear you guys opinions on races. How do you decide whether or not you want to race with someone if you are pretty sure that is the case. i mean aside from being pot committed, what are other factors that determine your decision? Just a feeling...Instinct...willingness to gamble that sort of stuff.
Also would you rather have 1010 or AK when racing..
I just wanted to get this idea flowing because races are huge in tournaments...and i would like to have some more opinions before we go to Winstar...
Fucking Jacks......That's all im gonna say
Also would you rather have 1010 or AK when racing..
I just wanted to get this idea flowing because races are huge in tournaments...and i would like to have some more opinions before we go to Winstar...
Fucking Jacks......That's all im gonna say
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Mixing up your game(s)
They say the first brand of beer you drink will be your favorite for the rest of your life. Well, I think poker psychology has a lot to do with this as well. I was introduced to NL hold 'em by all our friends when the poker boom came around a few years ago. We all played...everyone we knew did. Out of that group a few people tasted short term success, sometimes through luck and other times because they figured out a new play or caught some hot cards. The success coupled with the action and the fact that it was a fun game drew in almost everyone. The more consistent winners were even more hooked. I can almost name the group off the top of my head: us 3, Zak, Connor, Scott, Ice, Paulsen, Dave, Tim, Dustin, Cameron, Sam, etc... well all of them weren't consistent winners but they definately had the taste of a few big wins in their mouth. Anyway from that group a few more rose to the top because like any other game, poker is a game of winners and losers. We moved to higher stakes and ran into new players we had never played with before with similar backgrounds as our own. This is where our games clashed. Most the people I play with or have played with outside of the home games only play NL hold 'em. With that being said, bear with me while I try to pull three concepts together to make my point.
I'm going to change gears a little here (no pun intended) and talk about facing these new players. When we face these new players who presumably are around the same level as we are, we are forced to evaluate and re-evaluate our game. You have to mix up your game or else if you play with someone enough they can learn how you play to a T. Once you have passed that level and are able to change gears and evaluate hands and situations you are now on top of your game. You can't possibly learn anymore right? You have mastered the concepts of poker that make you a winning player... but poker is a game of situations, people, and luck. Luck of course is something that cannot be controlled, but situations and people can be put into one category: experience. The more you know the more you can apply.
In my quest to become a better player, I started playing all different types of games. Omaha Hi, Hi/Lo, Pot limit Hold 'em, Stud, tournaments, cash games, and just about everything out there. Aside from the structural differences in these games, they all come down to luck, people and situations. It is amazing how much each game can teach you about other games you play. Mixing up your game can not only rapidly improve your experience but it also makes you a better player at all the other games. Protecting you hand and betting your draws is a huge part of Omaha Hi, which can greatly improve your NL hold em tournament skills. I think the most important skill in poker is hand reading. Not putting someone on an exact hand but more importantly being able to read strength or weakness. I feel in other games where there is a betting limit you develop a skill for reading that and it really carries over to NL hold 'em where most people waste their time putting someone on an exact hand rather than figuring out how strong or weak a bet is or what range of hands someone is representing.
Ok let me try to tie this all togehter (hopefully you're still reading this long long post). First off, we are here and playing poker because of the success we all tasted from when we started playing. We now face many players similar to ourselves and we must adapt and have the upper edge. Poker has winning players and losing players at every level so you have to keep making sure you aren't the losing player at the table. Once you reach that certain point of poker where only experience seperates you from someone else, then you must gather as much experience as you can. Mixing up your game and playing different games is critical to success in poker. Also, you might enjoy a little winning (you don't necessarily have to lose at all other games). This post has been all over the place but the main point I want to get across is that you are here because you are better than most at this game and once you see the finish line you don't stop (max you know this). The last lap is the hardest but the pay off is worth it. Start mixing up your game selection. Start playing stud, take the time to learn PLO (it is a very profitable game if played correctly) and start playing in tournaments. Every game requires a differnet skill set but once developed, all the skills blend together. Take your game to the next level. Fight through the beats. You might even improve your hold em game along the way. Peace.
I'm going to change gears a little here (no pun intended) and talk about facing these new players. When we face these new players who presumably are around the same level as we are, we are forced to evaluate and re-evaluate our game. You have to mix up your game or else if you play with someone enough they can learn how you play to a T. Once you have passed that level and are able to change gears and evaluate hands and situations you are now on top of your game. You can't possibly learn anymore right? You have mastered the concepts of poker that make you a winning player... but poker is a game of situations, people, and luck. Luck of course is something that cannot be controlled, but situations and people can be put into one category: experience. The more you know the more you can apply.
In my quest to become a better player, I started playing all different types of games. Omaha Hi, Hi/Lo, Pot limit Hold 'em, Stud, tournaments, cash games, and just about everything out there. Aside from the structural differences in these games, they all come down to luck, people and situations. It is amazing how much each game can teach you about other games you play. Mixing up your game can not only rapidly improve your experience but it also makes you a better player at all the other games. Protecting you hand and betting your draws is a huge part of Omaha Hi, which can greatly improve your NL hold em tournament skills. I think the most important skill in poker is hand reading. Not putting someone on an exact hand but more importantly being able to read strength or weakness. I feel in other games where there is a betting limit you develop a skill for reading that and it really carries over to NL hold 'em where most people waste their time putting someone on an exact hand rather than figuring out how strong or weak a bet is or what range of hands someone is representing.
Ok let me try to tie this all togehter (hopefully you're still reading this long long post). First off, we are here and playing poker because of the success we all tasted from when we started playing. We now face many players similar to ourselves and we must adapt and have the upper edge. Poker has winning players and losing players at every level so you have to keep making sure you aren't the losing player at the table. Once you reach that certain point of poker where only experience seperates you from someone else, then you must gather as much experience as you can. Mixing up your game and playing different games is critical to success in poker. Also, you might enjoy a little winning (you don't necessarily have to lose at all other games). This post has been all over the place but the main point I want to get across is that you are here because you are better than most at this game and once you see the finish line you don't stop (max you know this). The last lap is the hardest but the pay off is worth it. Start mixing up your game selection. Start playing stud, take the time to learn PLO (it is a very profitable game if played correctly) and start playing in tournaments. Every game requires a differnet skill set but once developed, all the skills blend together. Take your game to the next level. Fight through the beats. You might even improve your hold em game along the way. Peace.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Online stats
Last night I finally stumbled across the program Poker Tracker which I have been meaning to look in to for years. I have always played Bodog and it didn't support the site but now that I'm on Full Tilt I can use it. Basically Poker Tracker keeps track of everything that goes on at the table and then conveniently keeps a huge database of every hand you've seen or played in. It starts to categorize players based on certain statistics that they show including money voluntarily put into the pot, pre flop raise %, agression ((% raise + % bet)/ %call). Theres a plethora of categories but ultimately you end up with a pretty good picture of what kind of player you are against. I even downloaded a helper program that puts icons on the players I'm playing with to show (such as a rock, eagle (for tight agressive), fish, etc). The program lays all the stats and a players tendencies right on the actual table.
All of this probably sounds technical but it is really not. Poker is like many other things in life where you can side with the statistics or you can go with your instinct. The more I played with Poker Tracker the more I found myself not paying attention to people at the tables because the program was doing it for me. After a couple rounds of blinds (or previous sessions with the same players), my screen was filled up with rocks, eagles and other icons telling me the tendencies of every player at the table. This is so helpful that I have already seen an increase in my results but I feel like part of the game is lost. What are your thoughts on this? Have you heard about these programs? Part of me feels like the game is about people but the other part thinks that taking any advantage possible (aside from cheating) is the survival of the fittest.
All of this probably sounds technical but it is really not. Poker is like many other things in life where you can side with the statistics or you can go with your instinct. The more I played with Poker Tracker the more I found myself not paying attention to people at the tables because the program was doing it for me. After a couple rounds of blinds (or previous sessions with the same players), my screen was filled up with rocks, eagles and other icons telling me the tendencies of every player at the table. This is so helpful that I have already seen an increase in my results but I feel like part of the game is lost. What are your thoughts on this? Have you heard about these programs? Part of me feels like the game is about people but the other part thinks that taking any advantage possible (aside from cheating) is the survival of the fittest.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Am I beat?
I believe I've already gone over these hands with Noonan, so Joe, I'd like to hear what you think about the following situations:
(all hands Villian and I have around $350 - $500 respectively, unless stated)
1. I am in the BB with A-Q with 4 other limpers. Flop comes Q-8-4 all hearts, and I have the A of hearts. SB checks and I lead out for $20 into ~$25 pot. Middle position calls and everyone else gets out of the way. Turn comes another 8 (Q-8-4-8). I lead out for $45 and Villian raises to $100 after thinking for a short while.
2. Again, I have A-Q in the SB with 3 other limpers. Flop comes down A-10-5 with two spades. I check, BB checks, middle position checks and cutoff throws in $25 very quickly. Seeing this, it is obvious that he is weak, so in order to maxmize value, I min raise to $50. Everyone else folds, and button calls quickly without thinking. Turn comes an offsuit J. I make it $70 to go and button thinks for a while and makes it $170 to go.
3. I am on the button! A solid player two to my right makes it $25 to go preflop. I look down at A-K and with position, I make it $75 to go. The BB, a very solid opponent, who smooth calls just about everything, smooth calls yet again (about $230 behind him) and the original raiser thinks and calls. Flop comes down K-8-6 with two hearts. Goes check-check to me and I make it $75 to go (I have about $250 left). The BB thinks and thinks, then calls again! Original raiser thinks and groans before throwing away. Turn comes a Q of hearts (3 hearts on board) and opponent max bets $150 (has around $80 behind him). I have the A of hearts....
(all hands Villian and I have around $350 - $500 respectively, unless stated)
1. I am in the BB with A-Q with 4 other limpers. Flop comes Q-8-4 all hearts, and I have the A of hearts. SB checks and I lead out for $20 into ~$25 pot. Middle position calls and everyone else gets out of the way. Turn comes another 8 (Q-8-4-8). I lead out for $45 and Villian raises to $100 after thinking for a short while.
2. Again, I have A-Q in the SB with 3 other limpers. Flop comes down A-10-5 with two spades. I check, BB checks, middle position checks and cutoff throws in $25 very quickly. Seeing this, it is obvious that he is weak, so in order to maxmize value, I min raise to $50. Everyone else folds, and button calls quickly without thinking. Turn comes an offsuit J. I make it $70 to go and button thinks for a while and makes it $170 to go.
3. I am on the button! A solid player two to my right makes it $25 to go preflop. I look down at A-K and with position, I make it $75 to go. The BB, a very solid opponent, who smooth calls just about everything, smooth calls yet again (about $230 behind him) and the original raiser thinks and calls. Flop comes down K-8-6 with two hearts. Goes check-check to me and I make it $75 to go (I have about $250 left). The BB thinks and thinks, then calls again! Original raiser thinks and groans before throwing away. Turn comes a Q of hearts (3 hearts on board) and opponent max bets $150 (has around $80 behind him). I have the A of hearts....
top two vs set
I was going to first post this hand without showing the results to see how you guys would have played it differently but to get the best feedback I decided to just tell you how the hand played out. This was at a Full Tilt 1/2 table 9 handed. I had been playing fast and agressive taking down many small pots until this hand came up:
I was on the cutoff with A Ks, it had folded around to me so I made it $7 to go. Button called and so did BB. Flop came out A K 6 rainbow. BB checked and I led out for $12 (pot $22). Button quickly called and BB folded. Turn came a 2, so once again I led out for $24 (pot $46). Button once again quickly called. River came a J which made a board with no flush draws. I led out again once more for $64 (pot $104). Villian quickly min raised to $128 without thinking at all. Now, I wanted to raise here because he rasied so quickly his bet really looked like 2 pair to me. AJ seemed most likely, I couldn't really put villian on Q 10, so the only other possible hands he could have were 22 or 66. I couldn't fold here, I had pot committed myself by taking the lead in the hand. Anyway, I decided to just call because there are more hands here that beat me than hands that I have him beat (both of us had about $100 more after the call). Villian flipped over 6 6 for a flopped set. Now, here is my question: What could I have done differently here? How would you have played this hand (assuming that whatever you did villian was going to smooth call you, or at least play to trap)? I feel like I lost the minimum here based on my style and how I play but still cannot think of any other situation where I could have not lost money here.
I was on the cutoff with A Ks, it had folded around to me so I made it $7 to go. Button called and so did BB. Flop came out A K 6 rainbow. BB checked and I led out for $12 (pot $22). Button quickly called and BB folded. Turn came a 2, so once again I led out for $24 (pot $46). Button once again quickly called. River came a J which made a board with no flush draws. I led out again once more for $64 (pot $104). Villian quickly min raised to $128 without thinking at all. Now, I wanted to raise here because he rasied so quickly his bet really looked like 2 pair to me. AJ seemed most likely, I couldn't really put villian on Q 10, so the only other possible hands he could have were 22 or 66. I couldn't fold here, I had pot committed myself by taking the lead in the hand. Anyway, I decided to just call because there are more hands here that beat me than hands that I have him beat (both of us had about $100 more after the call). Villian flipped over 6 6 for a flopped set. Now, here is my question: What could I have done differently here? How would you have played this hand (assuming that whatever you did villian was going to smooth call you, or at least play to trap)? I feel like I lost the minimum here based on my style and how I play but still cannot think of any other situation where I could have not lost money here.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
The Min-Raise
I used to hate min-raising. I still rarely do it but I think it can be used to deceive and trap opponents. The reason I hated the min raise was because when someone did it to me I didn't know what to make of it. I thought that worse players would use the play when they thought they had the best hand. I mean nobody would ever bluff min-raise right? Well I was playing with Scott about 3 or 4 weeks ago in a live game where he was showing me his cards. Multiple times he would min raise on his draws or stone cold bluffs and always he would get respect for his raise and usually take the hand down. I don't know if he knew the power of his play or if he was just doing what he thought was right but it was working against his opponents.
I want to get into the psychology (?) of the min-raise. It is a raise, which is a sign of strength, but its also the minimum amount possible which is a sign of weakness (or feigned weakness). The play sends a wide variety of messages but I think the one that most players pick up on is "call me I'm strong but I won't make it too expensive". Now you would think that at higher level games this play wouldn't work, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. If you don't believe me sit down at a table and start min-raising your strong hands and see what happens. Each table reacts differently, but once you get a feel for how they are taking this play you can use it to open up your game. I found the best place to use the min raise was on draws. I had been min raising my draws for about an hour at a 1/2 table online until one of the players started catching on. I hit a flush after min raising and got paid off but I knew the next time I did this play I was going to get played back into. Well luckily I hit a set in a raised pot with a flush draw out there about 2 rounds later. Villian bet the flop with his top pair and I quickly minraised him. He almost immediately moved all in trying to force me off the draw. Long story short I won a big pot that was set up by min raising. Try it out or at least have this play in your arsenal I'm sure there will be an opportunity to trap a good opponent who won't know what hit him.
I want to get into the psychology (?) of the min-raise. It is a raise, which is a sign of strength, but its also the minimum amount possible which is a sign of weakness (or feigned weakness). The play sends a wide variety of messages but I think the one that most players pick up on is "call me I'm strong but I won't make it too expensive". Now you would think that at higher level games this play wouldn't work, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. If you don't believe me sit down at a table and start min-raising your strong hands and see what happens. Each table reacts differently, but once you get a feel for how they are taking this play you can use it to open up your game. I found the best place to use the min raise was on draws. I had been min raising my draws for about an hour at a 1/2 table online until one of the players started catching on. I hit a flush after min raising and got paid off but I knew the next time I did this play I was going to get played back into. Well luckily I hit a set in a raised pot with a flush draw out there about 2 rounds later. Villian bet the flop with his top pair and I quickly minraised him. He almost immediately moved all in trying to force me off the draw. Long story short I won a big pot that was set up by min raising. Try it out or at least have this play in your arsenal I'm sure there will be an opportunity to trap a good opponent who won't know what hit him.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Some thoughts about losing
I'm sitting here after a 4-hour losing session (-$130) at the casino and would just like to throw out some thoughts on losing sessions. Losing sessions aren't bad. In fact, I think they are essential towards making you a better player. Now, I know there are times when you play everything perfect yet still lose, but when you deserve to lose a session because of your play, I think some good comes from it. Tonight, I realised that every table is different. Plays that worked on my table 4 days ago, were absolutely horrific at my table tonight. A good player is able to adjust and play well at any table. I did not adjust tonight (and along with losing focus) and was humbled by it. In order to play well at a table, you must be in control of the action, yet also be "inside the game". Sometimes being in control of the action means simply waiting there and only betting your good hands. Being in control does not always mean you're raising and re-raising every pot. That's where I messed up tonight. I tried to bully around every pot I came into, popping and re-popping almost every time. Never once did my opponent(s) fold, so I probably bluffed off somewhere in the neighborhood of $800. Also, "being inside the game", in my opinion, means knowing at all times the flow of the game, the way people are playing, and how you should play hands against each player. But this is just my opinion...
Tonight, with the exception of the first 30 minutes, I was totally out of sync with the rest of the table. When you realize this, you must channel all your energy into focusing intently on the action, thereby getting you back on the right track, or take a walk/switch tables. Unless your just playing to have fun, poker demands an insane amount of attention when at the table.
Tonight, with the exception of the first 30 minutes, I was totally out of sync with the rest of the table. When you realize this, you must channel all your energy into focusing intently on the action, thereby getting you back on the right track, or take a walk/switch tables. Unless your just playing to have fun, poker demands an insane amount of attention when at the table.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Before we move on
Before we go on to any new posts, I want to finish discussion concerning the A-Q hand and the 7-5 hand Joe posted...What is the correct play for these two situations and why? I've posted my thoughts and have given reasons to them, so I would like to see what you two think....
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Hypothetical Situation
I just had a question if a certain situation were to arise. Lets say for example that you buy in for $200 at a 1/2 game and there are relatively no short stacks...
you have JJ in the BB and its a ten handed table, someone from second position leads out $15 and lets say 7 people call him simply because after the previous person called, the pot odds were getting better so everyone wanted to get in the pot. Now the action comes back to you and there's roughly $100 in the pot already...
Do you think moving all-in here is a good play?
you have JJ in the BB and its a ten handed table, someone from second position leads out $15 and lets say 7 people call him simply because after the previous person called, the pot odds were getting better so everyone wanted to get in the pot. Now the action comes back to you and there's roughly $100 in the pot already...
Do you think moving all-in here is a good play?
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
An intesresting hand
Once again bodog 1/2:
This is one of my first hands at the table. I'm in the BB with AQs. Everyone but 1 person limps in to villian who is on the button. Villian raises to $13, I call and so does first position. Right here I'm putting villian on a hand like 1010 through AA but more likely his range is 10 10 or JJ trying to protect his overpair from all the limpers. As for first position, I most likely put him on a pair from 99-22 just trying to hit a set against a strong raise hoping to win a monster pot. Anyway, the flop comes down Q 8 2 rainbow. Me and first position check and vililan bets $25 into a pot of about $50.
I have two questions for you. 1) What do you put villian on right here? 2)If villian does indeed have a hand that I beat such as 10 10 or JJ what should I do to extract the maximum out of this situation?
This is one of my first hands at the table. I'm in the BB with AQs. Everyone but 1 person limps in to villian who is on the button. Villian raises to $13, I call and so does first position. Right here I'm putting villian on a hand like 1010 through AA but more likely his range is 10 10 or JJ trying to protect his overpair from all the limpers. As for first position, I most likely put him on a pair from 99-22 just trying to hit a set against a strong raise hoping to win a monster pot. Anyway, the flop comes down Q 8 2 rainbow. Me and first position check and vililan bets $25 into a pot of about $50.
I have two questions for you. 1) What do you put villian on right here? 2)If villian does indeed have a hand that I beat such as 10 10 or JJ what should I do to extract the maximum out of this situation?
Monday, April 23, 2007
Fold?
Bodog 1/2:
Villian was at about $350 and got down to $150 after getting rivered by a flush draw. He began raising to $50 preflop and reraising other pre flop raisers. He had gotten his stack up to about $200 when I tangled with him.
I had A10s on the cutoff, I raised to $6 and villian in the SB raises to $25, I call. Flop comes K 10 2 rainbow. Villian thinks then checks to me. I bet $22 and villian immediately moves all in for about $155 more. Should I call?
Villian was at about $350 and got down to $150 after getting rivered by a flush draw. He began raising to $50 preflop and reraising other pre flop raisers. He had gotten his stack up to about $200 when I tangled with him.
I had A10s on the cutoff, I raised to $6 and villian in the SB raises to $25, I call. Flop comes K 10 2 rainbow. Villian thinks then checks to me. I bet $22 and villian immediately moves all in for about $155 more. Should I call?
Bottom Two
Heres a fitting hand that took place last night at the casino:
I am on the button with around $650 with the 5-3 offsuit. I have been betting and raising more than my fair share of hands as well up to this point. The villian in this hand is someone who is new to the game, but has been playing long enough so that he thinks he knows what he is doing. For example, earlier he check-raised a guy on the flop with top pair, no kicker, and still called the guy's reraise all-in, thinking his top pair was good. Of course, the other person had AA, but the villian found a river card that was nice to him, and made two pair. Anyways, everyone limps and since I have the button, I limp as well.
The FLOP comes K-5-3, all clubs. The cutoff +2 bets $15 (weak bet) and the villian directly behind him calls. It folds to me on the button, and I make it $65 to go with my bottom two. Everyone folds back to the villian, who thinks for about 45 seconds and calls (it looked like he thought about reraising too). The turn comes a wonderful offsuit 8, and he checks. I make it $150 to go (max bet) and he immediately reraises his last $85. I immediately am pissed becuase I feel like he slow-played a flush, but he flashes me the A of clubs, along with a look that he is drawing. The river comes an ugly K (K-5-3-8-K) and he shows A-4 offsuit, for A-high. I win with Kings and Fives!
Afterwards, I was thinking - if he would have reraised me on the flop when it got back around to him, would I have been able to call? I talked about this with the others at my table and they seemed to agree in that situation (he reraises the flop) that I have an easy decision to call/reraise him. In my opinion, it doesn't seem that straight forward. To me, it looks like he flopped the nutz...What do you guys think - easy call or fold? Honestly, I was 70/30 in favor of folding if he would have reraised....
I am on the button with around $650 with the 5-3 offsuit. I have been betting and raising more than my fair share of hands as well up to this point. The villian in this hand is someone who is new to the game, but has been playing long enough so that he thinks he knows what he is doing. For example, earlier he check-raised a guy on the flop with top pair, no kicker, and still called the guy's reraise all-in, thinking his top pair was good. Of course, the other person had AA, but the villian found a river card that was nice to him, and made two pair. Anyways, everyone limps and since I have the button, I limp as well.
The FLOP comes K-5-3, all clubs. The cutoff +2 bets $15 (weak bet) and the villian directly behind him calls. It folds to me on the button, and I make it $65 to go with my bottom two. Everyone folds back to the villian, who thinks for about 45 seconds and calls (it looked like he thought about reraising too). The turn comes a wonderful offsuit 8, and he checks. I make it $150 to go (max bet) and he immediately reraises his last $85. I immediately am pissed becuase I feel like he slow-played a flush, but he flashes me the A of clubs, along with a look that he is drawing. The river comes an ugly K (K-5-3-8-K) and he shows A-4 offsuit, for A-high. I win with Kings and Fives!
Afterwards, I was thinking - if he would have reraised me on the flop when it got back around to him, would I have been able to call? I talked about this with the others at my table and they seemed to agree in that situation (he reraises the flop) that I have an easy decision to call/reraise him. In my opinion, it doesn't seem that straight forward. To me, it looks like he flopped the nutz...What do you guys think - easy call or fold? Honestly, I was 70/30 in favor of folding if he would have reraised....
A new style...
Over the years of trying to develop a solid game online I found myself playing ultra tight but also ultra agressive which paid off big. This style I found to have a few problems: It sometimes was very slow, the cards dictated the action, and when depending on the cards for action some bad beats could crush a bankroll. Having the luxury of final table-ing in a few tournaments in the past month, I finally had a bankroll to try a strategy I've always wanted to try at tables where the players were good enough for it to work on. The strategy is very loose and agressive but also the priority is pot control. Bets are way smaller than any other strategy but they are frequent and thought out. Any two cards can be played in late position and the standard raise is 3x the BB. Flop play is very instinctive but the bet is usually about half the pot if checked to. Basically my goal was to control every pot I play, and to play as many hands as possible. Controlling the pot does not mean betting into it every time but more controlling the size through bets and controlling what the other players do. Bets should be small enough to call but large enough to where if an opponent raises you, he is committing a big amount of chips to be wrong.
What I found is that the swings of using this are very big. Most of the time I sit down at a table I'll lose $100-$200 (between 3 tables) total before finally getting up. When I do get up though I usually can leave the table with 3+ buy ins because of all the action I get on my big hands and all the mid sized pots I'm stealing that let me gamble when other players finally decide to raise. I get raised some, but not as often as you think. I mostly get raised when I first sit down and people notice I've been raising to $6 every hand. Also I'll bet a few flops and get raised off of those. I win more pots than I lose though and because of that when I do get raised out of a hand after firing at a flop it is more than covered for the other times I get folded to. Then of course there is the turn and river play where my bets usually stay within the 50-85% of the pot range. This is to allow me to bluff at a lot more pots and get paid off almost every time I do have a hand. I even noticed getting raised a lot more on the river by people with marginal holdings or complete bluffs. People at the table sometimes get mad and will call me a donk but its been so successful that I think its actually a decent strategy. Of course a lot of my play is based on instincts and reading what the other guy has so I can act accordingly. I mix up my play to not try to be too predictable (I start to see a lot of people limping in early positions with big hands trying to get me to build a pot for them to steal). Anyway I wanted to share this with you because of how successful its been and wanted you guys to maybe try it. Thoughts and comments too? Short term losses can be bigger than usual but over a long session you'll almost always end up.
What I found is that the swings of using this are very big. Most of the time I sit down at a table I'll lose $100-$200 (between 3 tables) total before finally getting up. When I do get up though I usually can leave the table with 3+ buy ins because of all the action I get on my big hands and all the mid sized pots I'm stealing that let me gamble when other players finally decide to raise. I get raised some, but not as often as you think. I mostly get raised when I first sit down and people notice I've been raising to $6 every hand. Also I'll bet a few flops and get raised off of those. I win more pots than I lose though and because of that when I do get raised out of a hand after firing at a flop it is more than covered for the other times I get folded to. Then of course there is the turn and river play where my bets usually stay within the 50-85% of the pot range. This is to allow me to bluff at a lot more pots and get paid off almost every time I do have a hand. I even noticed getting raised a lot more on the river by people with marginal holdings or complete bluffs. People at the table sometimes get mad and will call me a donk but its been so successful that I think its actually a decent strategy. Of course a lot of my play is based on instincts and reading what the other guy has so I can act accordingly. I mix up my play to not try to be too predictable (I start to see a lot of people limping in early positions with big hands trying to get me to build a pot for them to steal). Anyway I wanted to share this with you because of how successful its been and wanted you guys to maybe try it. Thoughts and comments too? Short term losses can be bigger than usual but over a long session you'll almost always end up.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Mid-Range Connectors
I was watching Bodog's $10/$20 NLHE table this evening and an interesting hand came up. Four people including the UTG player limped for $20. The guy in the cutoff makes it $150 to go and only the UTG player calls. The FLOP comes A-10-4 all spades. UTG checks and cutoff makes it $240 to play. Cutoff calls. TURN is an 7 of hearts (A-10-4-7). UTG checks again, and the cutoff goes all-in for ~$1400 and UTG thinks about it for awhile and calls. UTG shows AK, without a spade, while the cutoff shows 8-6 of spades for a flopped flush.
I noticed and interesting trend recently with HUGE pots being won by the guy usually on the button or in the cutoff, raising with mid-range connecting hands like 8-7 or 7-6s. The other day, a guy at the casino won two large pots with 8-7 while I was sitting there, both times busting someone. The first time, some guy in early position made it $20 to go (3/5 blinds), got 2 callers, and the HERO on the button made it $50 to go and all 3 call. He ends up making a straight and busting the original raiser and later, makes a similar play with 8-7 again, and busts another person.
I really like this play bc by reraising in this position, you're given credit for a big hand, such as A-Q/A-K or even a big pair. This works for your benefit in two ways:
1. If the FLOP comes A (or K)-x-x, you can go ahead and steal without concern, since the opponenet will need a set/two-pair to continue since you probably have top pair with a good kicker. Also, with two-pair/set, he will raise you, thinking that you will be unable to get away from your big hand.
2. When the flop actually comes cards that match your hand, say FLOP is 8-7-3 rainbow and you've got 8-7, they put you on A-K and assume their 55 (or whatever) is good and will give you action. They may even try to blow you off the hand with a naked raise, in hopes that you fold your "A-K".
So in my opinion, raising or even reraising slightly IN POSITION with mid-range hands works to your advantage in two ways...
I noticed and interesting trend recently with HUGE pots being won by the guy usually on the button or in the cutoff, raising with mid-range connecting hands like 8-7 or 7-6s. The other day, a guy at the casino won two large pots with 8-7 while I was sitting there, both times busting someone. The first time, some guy in early position made it $20 to go (3/5 blinds), got 2 callers, and the HERO on the button made it $50 to go and all 3 call. He ends up making a straight and busting the original raiser and later, makes a similar play with 8-7 again, and busts another person.
I really like this play bc by reraising in this position, you're given credit for a big hand, such as A-Q/A-K or even a big pair. This works for your benefit in two ways:
1. If the FLOP comes A (or K)-x-x, you can go ahead and steal without concern, since the opponenet will need a set/two-pair to continue since you probably have top pair with a good kicker. Also, with two-pair/set, he will raise you, thinking that you will be unable to get away from your big hand.
2. When the flop actually comes cards that match your hand, say FLOP is 8-7-3 rainbow and you've got 8-7, they put you on A-K and assume their 55 (or whatever) is good and will give you action. They may even try to blow you off the hand with a naked raise, in hopes that you fold your "A-K".
So in my opinion, raising or even reraising slightly IN POSITION with mid-range hands works to your advantage in two ways...
Poker Etiquette
I just had a quick question about proper "poker etiquette".
I called a guy's all in for a pot that was about 600$ and when the river came he says your good..but he won't muck his hand...He is basically waiting for me to show so he can muck....
Is it wrong for me to ask to see his hand after i know i have already won the pot?
P.S.
I like the new format by the way....the quote is also very suitable.
I called a guy's all in for a pot that was about 600$ and when the river came he says your good..but he won't muck his hand...He is basically waiting for me to show so he can muck....
Is it wrong for me to ask to see his hand after i know i have already won the pot?
P.S.
I like the new format by the way....the quote is also very suitable.
Maximizing value
This hand just happened on Bodog 1/2 and left me wondering if I played it wrong.
My stack is ~500 and villian is around ~250. Anyway I'm middle position with 5 7 off so of course I raise to $6 and get 4 callers. Villian is directly to my left so he acts after me on each hand. I have position on the other two callers (the blinds). Flop comes 7 5 2 rainbow. Blinds check to me and I make my standard continuation bet of about half the pot or $12 in this case. Villian smooth calls and blinds fold. Turn comes a 7 giving me the nuts. I bet $19 into the $48 pot and villian raises me to $45. Whats my next move?
And I apologize for the sloppy writing, it's late and hard for me to think straight.
My stack is ~500 and villian is around ~250. Anyway I'm middle position with 5 7 off so of course I raise to $6 and get 4 callers. Villian is directly to my left so he acts after me on each hand. I have position on the other two callers (the blinds). Flop comes 7 5 2 rainbow. Blinds check to me and I make my standard continuation bet of about half the pot or $12 in this case. Villian smooth calls and blinds fold. Turn comes a 7 giving me the nuts. I bet $19 into the $48 pot and villian raises me to $45. Whats my next move?
And I apologize for the sloppy writing, it's late and hard for me to think straight.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Online Poker....
I was playing at a 2/4 table last night and brought in 230$...anyways i got down to about 160$ish before this hand took place...
I was on the big blind 9 handed and it folded all the way to the small blind who just limped and i checked with 86 offsuit.
The flop brings 95J with two spades...he bets 4$...i call( by the way he has about 130$).
The turn brings a 7 spades and he bets 15$ i raise him 25$ he pushes all-in for about 110$....What would you do here?
I was on the big blind 9 handed and it folded all the way to the small blind who just limped and i checked with 86 offsuit.
The flop brings 95J with two spades...he bets 4$...i call( by the way he has about 130$).
The turn brings a 7 spades and he bets 15$ i raise him 25$ he pushes all-in for about 110$....What would you do here?
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Frank The Tank
Well this hand really pertains to Joe becuase he has played with Frank as much as i have...Anyways this is the only hand really worth metioning about my session last night...You guys should be happy to know that i finally didn't bluff of my stack...Anyways Max feel free to comment as well......
So i have AK unsuited 3rd postion and i make it 16$ to go Frank is the lone caller and he is on the cut off...Max you should know that Frank's style of play involves betting/raising his draws, and just smooth calling his big hands....This is essentially how he always plays....
So the flop comes 552, with two hearts...i dont have a heart...
I lead out 17$ and Frank raises me 40$ more...
Now i am pretty sure i have the best hand from Franks style of play but nevertheless i only have A high with no draws....What would you guys do here?
So i have AK unsuited 3rd postion and i make it 16$ to go Frank is the lone caller and he is on the cut off...Max you should know that Frank's style of play involves betting/raising his draws, and just smooth calling his big hands....This is essentially how he always plays....
So the flop comes 552, with two hearts...i dont have a heart...
I lead out 17$ and Frank raises me 40$ more...
Now i am pretty sure i have the best hand from Franks style of play but nevertheless i only have A high with no draws....What would you guys do here?
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
First Hand
This was a situation I faced on Sunday afternoon at the casino
I just got to the table (9-handed), sat down in the cutoff and was dealt 88
It folds to me and I make it $20 to go...button folds, SB($300) and BB($450) both call...
FLOP: A-K-7 (rainbow)
It goes check-check to me, so I continuation bet $45 as I have both an A and a K on board to help me out...SB folds, and BB thinks for about 35 seconds before calling...
TURN: 3 (two clubs on board)
BB checks to me...what do you generally do here? I dont know anything about the players except that BB is a woman...
I just got to the table (9-handed), sat down in the cutoff and was dealt 88
It folds to me and I make it $20 to go...button folds, SB($300) and BB($450) both call...
FLOP: A-K-7 (rainbow)
It goes check-check to me, so I continuation bet $45 as I have both an A and a K on board to help me out...SB folds, and BB thinks for about 35 seconds before calling...
TURN: 3 (two clubs on board)
BB checks to me...what do you generally do here? I dont know anything about the players except that BB is a woman...
Baffled
Not too much going on live lately...been getting coolered quite often and nobody likes a bad beat story so I'll post a hand I had on Bodog $1/2 today.
Villian had just sat down with $189.50. I found this odd because it told me two things: 1) He was probably playing with his entire bankroll 2) Against pressure he would be forced to lay down marginal hands for fear of losing the rest of his stack (and probably his bankroll).
Anyway I'm in the cutoff with ~$200 and get delt K 9 of hearts. I raise to $7 and villian calls in the small blind. Flop comes out Qs 8h 7h and villian quickly checks to me so I make my standard continuation bet of $9 (pot is $16). Villian thinks then calls. Turn comes the 10c making my draw even stronger and allowing me to fire a second bullet into the pot if checked to. Villian once again checks and I bet $25 (pot is $34). Villian once again thinks then calls. River is another Q so I missed completely. Villian quickly checks again and my instinct tells me that another bet into the pot will win it. I fire out $50 (pot is $84) and villian quickly calls, shows down AK to take down a $184 with ace high...
My question for this hand is this... Is this guy a complete donkey or did I misplay the hand? I would have played the hand similarily with a lot of hands like A 10, 99, JJ, etc.
Villian had just sat down with $189.50. I found this odd because it told me two things: 1) He was probably playing with his entire bankroll 2) Against pressure he would be forced to lay down marginal hands for fear of losing the rest of his stack (and probably his bankroll).
Anyway I'm in the cutoff with ~$200 and get delt K 9 of hearts. I raise to $7 and villian calls in the small blind. Flop comes out Qs 8h 7h and villian quickly checks to me so I make my standard continuation bet of $9 (pot is $16). Villian thinks then calls. Turn comes the 10c making my draw even stronger and allowing me to fire a second bullet into the pot if checked to. Villian once again checks and I bet $25 (pot is $34). Villian once again thinks then calls. River is another Q so I missed completely. Villian quickly checks again and my instinct tells me that another bet into the pot will win it. I fire out $50 (pot is $84) and villian quickly calls, shows down AK to take down a $184 with ace high...
My question for this hand is this... Is this guy a complete donkey or did I misplay the hand? I would have played the hand similarily with a lot of hands like A 10, 99, JJ, etc.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Ace-Jack
Joe, just so you know, the casino game that I play in is $3/$5 blinds $5-$150 spread (there are laws in AZ that don't allow for NL, so this is the best way around the laws), $350 Max buy-in...
I have around $525 and the villian has $425 when the hand begins
9-handed...average stack is about $350
Villian limps UTG, and some donk calls too, I have AJo in the cutoff and make it $25 to go...I have been raising a lot of pots in position and I think people are starting to get pissed (as they start calling me more)...anyways, the button calls, blinds fold, UTG calls, and donk calls
4-players to the flop
FLOP: J-10-4 (rainbow)
Villian checks, donk checks, and with around $100 in the pot already I make it $75 to go....button folds, Villian immediately raises $150 more (the max raise)...donk folds and its back to me....
What would you do here?
From what I know about this guy is that he is semi-solid...he has been making this same check-raise move throughout the night...the first time he made it, the other player folded and he didn't show...the next time he check-raised $150, the other player laid down top-pair and Villian showed nut-flush draw...the 3rd time, Villian made move and showed KK on 10-6-5 board (limped preflop with KK)...so needless to say, he seems to make this move quite a bit....
I have around $525 and the villian has $425 when the hand begins
9-handed...average stack is about $350
Villian limps UTG, and some donk calls too, I have AJo in the cutoff and make it $25 to go...I have been raising a lot of pots in position and I think people are starting to get pissed (as they start calling me more)...anyways, the button calls, blinds fold, UTG calls, and donk calls
4-players to the flop
FLOP: J-10-4 (rainbow)
Villian checks, donk checks, and with around $100 in the pot already I make it $75 to go....button folds, Villian immediately raises $150 more (the max raise)...donk folds and its back to me....
What would you do here?
From what I know about this guy is that he is semi-solid...he has been making this same check-raise move throughout the night...the first time he made it, the other player folded and he didn't show...the next time he check-raised $150, the other player laid down top-pair and Villian showed nut-flush draw...the 3rd time, Villian made move and showed KK on 10-6-5 board (limped preflop with KK)...so needless to say, he seems to make this move quite a bit....
Pocket 4's
Well the night started off looking great. I immediately took controll of the table and turned my initial 200$ buy in into 300$ in about 30 minutes. I tightened up a bit and stayed around that amount for the next hour or so..
Then i pick up 98 of spades in first position..I lead out for 12$ using the first position to help strengthen my hand..Well that didn't work because 7 people called my raise putting the pot at about 85$...Flop comes A hearts 6 spades J hearts...Small blind leads out for 6$ i raise him 25$ guy behind me (Who is very tight and relatively new to the game) just calls. It comes back to the small blind who folds. The turn is a 6 clubs...I lead out for 65$. The guy has about 165 left and thinks about it for about 30 seconds and calls. The river brings the K of hearts which would make any draw plus i was basically representing AK. I push all in and the guy is about to fold but he says you know im ready to leave and throws in the remaining hundred and turns over AJ....
So after i bluffed off about 200 of my stack, a few rounds later i pick up 44 in the big blind. Everyone limps and the button guy ,who is terrible, raises 10 dollars, which he pretty much did every time. 5 people call so the pots at 50$ and the flop brings rainbow 8 6 5. It checks to the button guy who throws out 20$. I have 120$ in front of me and everything inside me knew he had high cards and completely missed the flop. I push all-in with my 44 and it folds to him. He says "You must be drawing" then calls and turns over AK..i turn over my 44 and the turn and river bring rags so i doubled up to put me at about 250$ish. He then looks at me and says i was crazy for pushing in with 44...
I guess he really thought his AK was good.....as he continue to laugh an mumble to himself...he went all-in with fours...
Bottom line of the night: I need to stop being a dumbass by trying to bluff the tightest player at the table in the one hand he plays.
So i bought in for 200$ and left with 220$...my streak of winning sessions under 50$ continues to 3 nights in a row...I guess its better than loosing though.................damit.
Then i pick up 98 of spades in first position..I lead out for 12$ using the first position to help strengthen my hand..Well that didn't work because 7 people called my raise putting the pot at about 85$...Flop comes A hearts 6 spades J hearts...Small blind leads out for 6$ i raise him 25$ guy behind me (Who is very tight and relatively new to the game) just calls. It comes back to the small blind who folds. The turn is a 6 clubs...I lead out for 65$. The guy has about 165 left and thinks about it for about 30 seconds and calls. The river brings the K of hearts which would make any draw plus i was basically representing AK. I push all in and the guy is about to fold but he says you know im ready to leave and throws in the remaining hundred and turns over AJ....
So after i bluffed off about 200 of my stack, a few rounds later i pick up 44 in the big blind. Everyone limps and the button guy ,who is terrible, raises 10 dollars, which he pretty much did every time. 5 people call so the pots at 50$ and the flop brings rainbow 8 6 5. It checks to the button guy who throws out 20$. I have 120$ in front of me and everything inside me knew he had high cards and completely missed the flop. I push all-in with my 44 and it folds to him. He says "You must be drawing" then calls and turns over AK..i turn over my 44 and the turn and river bring rags so i doubled up to put me at about 250$ish. He then looks at me and says i was crazy for pushing in with 44...
I guess he really thought his AK was good.....as he continue to laugh an mumble to himself...he went all-in with fours...
Bottom line of the night: I need to stop being a dumbass by trying to bluff the tightest player at the table in the one hand he plays.
So i bought in for 200$ and left with 220$...my streak of winning sessions under 50$ continues to 3 nights in a row...I guess its better than loosing though.................damit.
Joe
Joe,
What's your e-mail so that I can invite you to be an author on this blog...I think you have to be an author in order to be able to start a thread...I invited Noonan (rvn68@mail.utexas.edu) so I think he'll be able to post now...
Noonan,
Can U post now?
What's your e-mail so that I can invite you to be an author on this blog...I think you have to be an author in order to be able to start a thread...I invited Noonan (rvn68@mail.utexas.edu) so I think he'll be able to post now...
Noonan,
Can U post now?
Post?
Are you guys able to post a new thread to the blog without creating another blog altogether?
I simply signed in, and clicked "New Post" in order to get a new thread going....
I simply signed in, and clicked "New Post" in order to get a new thread going....
Monday, April 16, 2007
Jacks OOP
$2/$5 NLHE 9-handed
I have $350 (Small Blind)
Button has about same amount
2-3 limpers, button makes it $25 to go...
From the SB with JJ, I put $65 on top
Button thinks for awhile and eventually calls...
FLOP: Q-3-4 (rainbow)
I lead out for $100
Button thinks forever and finally raises me all-in
I fold and show my jacks, he shows KK
My mistake here was reraising with such a weak hand OOP. Jacks are NOT that strong of a hand as they are extremely vulnerable. My best option would have been to just call the raise out of position and simply release on the flop. By taking this route, I only lose my inital $25 investment, instead of throwing away 1/2 my stack. I don't mind my bet on the flop, only to see where I was. Either way, he played his Kings tricky (well). Has he reraised pre-flop, I would have been able to get away.
Button claims that I could have had AA, KK (unlikely), or QQ and I would have been beating or tied with him. He obviously didn't believe himself since his donk-ass moved my in...oh well...
Ultimately, I think jacks are to be played very softly, as they are not that strong. They should be viewed in the same league as 88 or 77 - hands that you would prefer to flop a set with to get involved in a large pot.
I have $350 (Small Blind)
Button has about same amount
2-3 limpers, button makes it $25 to go...
From the SB with JJ, I put $65 on top
Button thinks for awhile and eventually calls...
FLOP: Q-3-4 (rainbow)
I lead out for $100
Button thinks forever and finally raises me all-in
I fold and show my jacks, he shows KK
My mistake here was reraising with such a weak hand OOP. Jacks are NOT that strong of a hand as they are extremely vulnerable. My best option would have been to just call the raise out of position and simply release on the flop. By taking this route, I only lose my inital $25 investment, instead of throwing away 1/2 my stack. I don't mind my bet on the flop, only to see where I was. Either way, he played his Kings tricky (well). Has he reraised pre-flop, I would have been able to get away.
Button claims that I could have had AA, KK (unlikely), or QQ and I would have been beating or tied with him. He obviously didn't believe himself since his donk-ass moved my in...oh well...
Ultimately, I think jacks are to be played very softly, as they are not that strong. They should be viewed in the same league as 88 or 77 - hands that you would prefer to flop a set with to get involved in a large pot.
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