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.
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1. This is one of those hands where you either pay the guy off or fold and realize you had the best hand. I think the play is either call or fold and I'm about 50/50 on both of those options. I'd also try to pick up on some physical tells like how he put his chips into the pot and how he announced his bet. I'd probably just call to see and hope the K is good.
2. I would think you could rule out 7 10 as a possibility so the only hand you are really worried about is Q 10. Q 10 makes sense with the SB not having a hand he could lead out with but a hand he could check call with. I don't like messing around in limp pots because you can't narrow down someone's range of hands and it is tough to get a good read on where you are in the hand. I think it is correct to fold here but I would just call based on the size of the pot. Based on action I put the turn bettor on 2 pair.
As for table image is concerned, I completely agree with you. It is so important to be aware of how everyone perceives you. I sat down at a bodog 5/10 game the other night and immediately I was getting re-raised every hand because they thought I was some kid who was going to be scared to lose. I ended up trapping and outplaying these two agressive guys in two hands and netted about $800 without getting past the flop. Had I been playing by the book tight poker in all the situations I was in the book would have said to fold but since I knew they were just trying to push me around I raised instead. Anyway I do have one question. What do you think the correct image to have is at a tight table? Loose table? I would think you want to try to have an image that is similar to how the table is playing while playing the opposite. For example, trying to maintain a tight image while actually playing loose and visa versa.
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