Friday, August 10, 2007

Joining the crowd...

I've noticed that at least a couple other bloggers have begun to post their big hands. I originally thought that's what I would do here, but instead I looked for interesting hands, and didn't even post as much as I wanted. Well if it's good enough for DODGYKEN and others, it's good enough for me, so am going to do at least a few posts of big hands, whether lost or won. For me, a big hand will be defined as 50 BB. My default will be to not post results.

I've regularly reviewed my biggest hands, and for the most part think I know whether I played them OK or poorly (and I do play far too many poorly). So, I haven't posted before. But actually, I think posting my crap hands -- even where I know what I did wrong -- will be somewhat like a penance for them. Also, there may be hands that I think I played well that you all may find problems, and if we've got blind spots in our big hands, that's deadly.

So, here goes with the first few. If you're curious about results, I'll be happy to post them later, just let me know.

Hand 1: Villain is 77/4 preflop :).

Full Tilt Poker - No Limit Hold'em Cash Game - $0.10/$0.25 Blinds - 5 Players - (http://www.legopoker.com http://www.legopoker.com/hh)

SB: $22.60
BB: $14.20
UTG: $12.65
Hero (CO): $25.00
BTN: $14.60

Preflop: Hero is dealt Kc Kh (5 Players)
UTG folds, Hero raises to $0.95, BTN calls $0.95, 2 folds

Flop: ($2.25) 4c 6c Jd (2 Players)
Hero bets $2.25, BTN raises all-in to $13.65, Hero calls $11.40

Start with an easy one?

Hand 2: Villain is loose passive over not that many hands.

Full Tilt Poker - No Limit Hold'em Cash Game - $0.10/$0.25 Blinds - 4 Players - (http://www.legopoker.com http://www.legopoker.com/hh)

Hero (SB): $34.80
BB: $10.00
UTG: $17.10
BTN: $31.15

Preflop: Hero is dealt Jc Ac (4 Players)
UTG raises to $0.50, BTN folds, Hero raises to $1.75, BB folds, UTG calls $1.25

Flop: ($3.75) 9c 6h 5c (2 Players)
Hero bets $3.00, UTG calls $3.00

Turn: ($9.75) 9h (2 Players)
Hero bets $7.30, UTG calls $7.30

I assume it's OK to fire a second barrel here. Not sure how much fold equity I've got (probably not a lot), but I have a fair amount of pot equity, and I'm out of position. In position, I would usually check behind, given the opportunity.

River: ($24.35) Jd (2 Players)
Hero checks, UTG bets all-in for $5.05, Hero calls $5.05

When he didn't raise the turn, I thought it was most likely he was on a draw, so I thought my best chance to win when I paired on the river was to have him try to bluff.

Hand 3: Less than 20 hands with villain, nothing to report for reads.

Full Tilt Poker - No Limit Hold'em Cash Game - $0.10/$0.25 Blinds - 5 Players - (http://www.legopoker.com http://www.legopoker.com/hh)

SB: $7.20
Hero (BB): $24.65
UTG: $15.50
CO: $22.00
BTN: $14.30

CO posts $0.25
Preflop: Hero is dealt Jd Ah (5 Players)
UTG folds, CO checks, BTN raises to $1.10, SB folds, Hero raises to $3.65, CO folds, BTN calls $2.55

I've been experimenting with more 3 bets out of the blinds versus button raises, and I think that this is at the low end of a legitimate 3-bet (and I've yet to begin fooling around with 3-betting junk).

Flop: ($7.65) Qd 9h Kd (2 Players)
Hero bets $6.10, BTN raises all-in to $10.65, Hero calls $4.55

I assume HU you're c-betting most everything you 3-bet, but maybe not on a board this likely to hit villain, who will not be able to get bluffed out of a pot if he hit it? My thinking is to fold out the pocket pairs that did not hit, as even if he's pretty committed, that is a hard flop to call with an underpair. But if that's the case, shouldn't I just be pushing?

5 comments:

DODGYKEN said...

Firstly, what format do you use to get the hand histories looking so nice and neat? I couldn't find one that would work with my blog.

Hand 1: I can't see doing anything but calling here unless he's a TOTAL nit post-flop, which is extremely doubtful judging by his pre-flop numbers. I guess AJ-JT or 64!

Hand 2: I'm not sure that I like this hand too much. Firstly, against a loose passive player it's probably best not to 3-bet AJ pre-flop. I can't see him having a 9 here, but I also don't think he'll put you on one so the double barrel is unlikely to work. I only double barrel if the turn looks like my opponent will think it helped my hand (unless I have a reason for doing it at other times). River is standard but he could well have an overpair here I think.

Hand 3: I prefer 3-betting guys that I have stats on and know something about, but I don't think folding to a button raise is right here with AJ. I also don't like 3-betting him with AJ when he only has $15 to start as it basically commits you if you take a stab post-flop (as you found out). This might be one of the times I'd just call with AJ. It's a really nasty flop but I think you may as well bet because JJ, TT and other pairs fold, and you have some outs if called.

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grinder said...

Hand 1

As Dodgy said . This is a no brainer . Even though he could have anything its a must call

Hand 2

I always find it hard against smaller stacks as i fell at some stage im gonna have to get it all in so i try to control the pot if i can . I am also cautious of passives who just call bets as they tend to be holding strange hands that have hit .

Here i feel you have got it all in
pretty much due to his stack size and i wouldnt be comfortable getting it all in with AJs but thats just me

Hand 3

Again you are pretty much commited due to size of villains stack . I would just call with the aj . I probably would cbet a little less and am unsure about the bouble barrel aftre his call . Im thinking i would probably check the turn and see what he does . Again thats me

Marc said...

On Hand 2, that raise was so weak 4 handed, that I am OK with a 3-bet and taking initiative. I see what you mean about not double barreling unless it looked like the turn helped me, and really it shouldn't change much for villain. So, better to check unless he's a habitual flop-peel/turn-fold type.

Hand 3, as I said, I've kind of been experimenting with 3-betting out of the blinds, and this one is right on the border. Good point about it not being as effective against a shorter stack, too.

RakebackFAQ said...

The other guys in my group are answering you so iam just gona jump in and start answering to if you dont mind. Theres 2 members in my 1 that arent active so iam looking to replace tem.

Hand 1)
This is a simple call if you lose it your ul.

Hand 2)
I think your line is fine here especially on the flop i think you would get away with a smaller bet on the turn and the river is an easy call. The guy being loose passive i think he has 78s.

Hand 3)
I agree with martin on this 1 i dont like been oop with an ok hand in a rr pot aginst some1 short i would genrally be tighter against these guys beacuse a good size pot usually means allin. I think a call and look for the A or J to continue would be a better line and save you some $ if you dont hit.

Best of luck