I played last Friday night. I'll write about one hand (not much excitement), but man was the game soft for a couple hours. Granted, I also ran good, hitting some flops, making some draws, etc; but it's insane how much I got paid off. I was playing pretty tight too! I started playing at 7pm and left the table at 10:50; I cashed out of a $1/$3 $200-max buy in table with $636 in profit. Yea, I bought in for $200 and cashed out $836. In less than 4 hours. Insane.
I'm obv not an amazing player; I just took advantage of weak, bad, or dumb players when I had hands.
I left when I did for 2 reasons:
1 - The biggest stack at the table by this time was only $150, with a number of $100 stacks
2 - I found myself becoming unwilling to put my chips in without a lock on a hand. Scared money.
So I took my profit and left.
----------
So I'm sitting on about $450 at this point; I'm in the cut-off. I've been playing tight: really only raising with premiums. I'll call preflop a bit light, in position, against raises from EP raisers with big stacks, but if I don't connect with the flop I'm gone.
A couple limpers, and I look down at 5c 6c. I haven't raised all night with these hands, but I wanted to mix-it-up (number of players are still here from when I sat down), so I raise it to $12. The SB calls, the limpers fold (at which I almost laughed out loud! How can you limp / fold in EP when it only costs another $9 to play for at least $24?). SB had been at the table for about 1 orbit, and came across as not really knowing what he was doing. I was happy for his call!
Flop: 2c Qc 7c
SB checks; I bet $20, SB calls.
Turn: [2c Qc 7c] 6d
SB leads out $30. I think this is a bit strange; I ask how much he has left, he counts out about $130 more.
Either he's sandbagging a flush, or he's trying to name his price for a river card.
Then, I look at him, and realize that he seriously looks confused. I'm not sure what to make of this, but it certainly doesn't strike me as confident. And it doesn't appear to be an act. I feel like he hasn't sat at a poker table very often.
I raise. I put two $100 stacks into the pot, and take a deep breath.
SB thinks. "Phew," I'm thinking, "no flush."
Then he says, "ah, I don't think you have the flush, I call," and turns over Qs 3c.
I say "flush," and turn over my cards. River was meaningless, I rake in a nice pot with a baby flush.
Guy next to me says "That was ballsy with a 6-high flush." I agreed. I trusted my read, though. Thankfully confusion != strength for this guy.
Maybe the confusion was because he surprised himself that he called a raise OOP with Q3o!
Showing posts with label Tulalip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tulalip. Show all posts
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Easy, peasy
Tulalip $1/$3
I had been at a super-nit table all night. Should have put in for a table change, but - eh, I didn't mind taking advantage of the nits at the table to take down a number of small pots. I was at about $400 (in for $320) when our table broke, and I shuffled over to another table with stacks between $300-$800, which is a nice amount of cash for a $1/$3 game, and very VERY loose action!
BB: LAGGY-donk, $300ish
UTG: loose, passive, $175ish (shortest stack at the table)
Hero: MP, $400
I decide to limp with 8c Tc. I'll raise with suited gappers and suited connectors maybe 40%, limp 40%, and chuck the rest (usually due to position, stack sizes, etc). 6 of us see a flop; $18 in the pot.
FLOP: 9c Qc Jc
OK, I just flopped the stone-cold nuts, no higher straight flush out there due to the Tc in my hand. I'm praying someone's got a hand of some sort.
Blinds check; UTG bets $20. Folds to me.
What to do here? I could just smooth call and hope to trap someone else in, but the same time I don't want another club to come off and kill any action. If UTG has a real hand, he may be willing to get more money in now; if he doesn't have a hand then this pot is likely not going to get any bigger.
I decide to take a chance here, following one of my mantras "If you want to play a big pot, you've got to build a big pot."
I raise to $60. Folds to the BB who calls. (SWEET!). UTG then goes all-in for another $100.
I pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming.
Now, the trick is to make sure BB comes along. I need to sell being on a draw, or a hand I'm not sure about. I take some time, ask how much it will cost, take a look over at the big blind, kind of smile and sigh (like "crap, what do I do here with you still to act), and say "I'll call."
As I slide the chips in, BB declares all-in, for about another $200!!!!!
Of course, I snap call, wait for the dealer to ask to turn the cards over, and then turn my cards over first saying "I've got the nuts."
BB had Kc 10h, for a flopped straight with king-high flush redraw, UTG had Ac xc for the ace-high flush.
Without doing much work, I rake in a pot close to $500.
Easy game ;)
Raising with the straight flush, I know, isn't always recommended. Slow playing is the "typical" course of action with this hand. In the moment, though, what I thought of was this: if someone's got a hand, they're coming with me no matter what; if no one has a hand I'll likely not be getting any more money anyway, so let's try to build the pot.
I had been at a super-nit table all night. Should have put in for a table change, but - eh, I didn't mind taking advantage of the nits at the table to take down a number of small pots. I was at about $400 (in for $320) when our table broke, and I shuffled over to another table with stacks between $300-$800, which is a nice amount of cash for a $1/$3 game, and very VERY loose action!
BB: LAGGY-donk, $300ish
UTG: loose, passive, $175ish (shortest stack at the table)
Hero: MP, $400
I decide to limp with 8c Tc. I'll raise with suited gappers and suited connectors maybe 40%, limp 40%, and chuck the rest (usually due to position, stack sizes, etc). 6 of us see a flop; $18 in the pot.
FLOP: 9c Qc Jc
OK, I just flopped the stone-cold nuts, no higher straight flush out there due to the Tc in my hand. I'm praying someone's got a hand of some sort.
Blinds check; UTG bets $20. Folds to me.
What to do here? I could just smooth call and hope to trap someone else in, but the same time I don't want another club to come off and kill any action. If UTG has a real hand, he may be willing to get more money in now; if he doesn't have a hand then this pot is likely not going to get any bigger.
I decide to take a chance here, following one of my mantras "If you want to play a big pot, you've got to build a big pot."
I raise to $60. Folds to the BB who calls. (SWEET!). UTG then goes all-in for another $100.
I pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming.
Now, the trick is to make sure BB comes along. I need to sell being on a draw, or a hand I'm not sure about. I take some time, ask how much it will cost, take a look over at the big blind, kind of smile and sigh (like "crap, what do I do here with you still to act), and say "I'll call."
As I slide the chips in, BB declares all-in, for about another $200!!!!!
Of course, I snap call, wait for the dealer to ask to turn the cards over, and then turn my cards over first saying "I've got the nuts."
BB had Kc 10h, for a flopped straight with king-high flush redraw, UTG had Ac xc for the ace-high flush.
Without doing much work, I rake in a pot close to $500.
Easy game ;)
Raising with the straight flush, I know, isn't always recommended. Slow playing is the "typical" course of action with this hand. In the moment, though, what I thought of was this: if someone's got a hand, they're coming with me no matter what; if no one has a hand I'll likely not be getting any more money anyway, so let's try to build the pot.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
At the tables again
Finally, after playing only once since September, I got out to Tulalip for some $1/$3 action last night. It may be the last time I'll play in the next few months too, as I have school starting up tomorrow night.
My biggest issue was trying to remain patient. I forgot how boring poker can be: fold, fold, fold, fold, fold...
Most of the table, most of the night, was either tight-passive or loose-passive. I was mostly tight-aggressive, but made a number of loose preflop calls when in position against passive preflop raisers: 90% of the time they'll check if they don't hit, I'll bet and take it down.
I was blessed with good cards at the right moments. Presto worked out for me nicely here:
MP: Loose-passive, $200. Plays suited anythings.
Button: Tightish. Almost aggressive. $120.
Me (BB): should have a tight-aggressive image; I've had a few bluffs picked off, too, which should throw some measure of doubt into the works too.
MP limps, button raises to $12. Folds to me, I make the call with 5c 5d; MP calls.
Pot: $37
FLOP: 6c 6s 5s
Floppin' a boat is sweet! I don't check-raise here: that's too big of a give away. I want to play a big pot, so I've got to build a pot.
I bet $15, hoping a weak-lead will encourage both players to at least call.
MP calls. Button immediately goes all-in.
Dream situation! My only issue now is how to get MP to come along. I do have a theatre degree, and did win best actor award at college, so hopefully I'm putting that to good use here.
I ask for a count, count out the chips, separate them from my stack, sit back... I may have pushed it too far when I said "Man, this would be a lot easier if you weren't behind me," though in all honesty I've said that exact same thing in situations where I really meant that too.
I make the call, hoping MP has something he can com along with. Unfortunately, he does the smart thing and folds.
Button flips over Th Td. Turn and river blank out, I win a nice pot.
Hand 2:
I rarely check-raise, but there are times it's the perfect thing to do.
Bunch of limpers, I look down at AKo in the SB, and just complete. AK totally out of position in a cash game isn't that great, so I won't think twice about just limping here. In position I raise 90% of the time.
BB (tight player, $250) raises to $12; MP calls (same MP from last hand); I call.
Flop: Ad 6h 3c
I check. BB bets $30. MP looks pained, and makes the call. I raise to $130; if either of them flopped a set - so be it, but chances are I'm good here.
BB takes quite a while, then folds, MP folds. After MP folds, BB says to me "I guess you have one pair beat." I say, "Which pair?" We laugh, then I ask if he had AK, which he confirms. My check-raise won me the pot instead of a chop. Sweet.
This is one of the few places I will check-raise liberally: TPTK on a dry board, if I lead out it's likely no one without an A will call. My check can look weak, and because I so rarely check-raise, against thinking and observant oponents they'll likely fold, and I'll take down a decent pot on the flop.
My biggest issue was trying to remain patient. I forgot how boring poker can be: fold, fold, fold, fold, fold...
Most of the table, most of the night, was either tight-passive or loose-passive. I was mostly tight-aggressive, but made a number of loose preflop calls when in position against passive preflop raisers: 90% of the time they'll check if they don't hit, I'll bet and take it down.
I was blessed with good cards at the right moments. Presto worked out for me nicely here:
MP: Loose-passive, $200. Plays suited anythings.
Button: Tightish. Almost aggressive. $120.
Me (BB): should have a tight-aggressive image; I've had a few bluffs picked off, too, which should throw some measure of doubt into the works too.
MP limps, button raises to $12. Folds to me, I make the call with 5c 5d; MP calls.
Pot: $37
FLOP: 6c 6s 5s
Floppin' a boat is sweet! I don't check-raise here: that's too big of a give away. I want to play a big pot, so I've got to build a pot.
I bet $15, hoping a weak-lead will encourage both players to at least call.
MP calls. Button immediately goes all-in.
Dream situation! My only issue now is how to get MP to come along. I do have a theatre degree, and did win best actor award at college, so hopefully I'm putting that to good use here.
I ask for a count, count out the chips, separate them from my stack, sit back... I may have pushed it too far when I said "Man, this would be a lot easier if you weren't behind me," though in all honesty I've said that exact same thing in situations where I really meant that too.
I make the call, hoping MP has something he can com along with. Unfortunately, he does the smart thing and folds.
Button flips over Th Td. Turn and river blank out, I win a nice pot.
Hand 2:
I rarely check-raise, but there are times it's the perfect thing to do.
Bunch of limpers, I look down at AKo in the SB, and just complete. AK totally out of position in a cash game isn't that great, so I won't think twice about just limping here. In position I raise 90% of the time.
BB (tight player, $250) raises to $12; MP calls (same MP from last hand); I call.
Flop: Ad 6h 3c
I check. BB bets $30. MP looks pained, and makes the call. I raise to $130; if either of them flopped a set - so be it, but chances are I'm good here.
BB takes quite a while, then folds, MP folds. After MP folds, BB says to me "I guess you have one pair beat." I say, "Which pair?" We laugh, then I ask if he had AK, which he confirms. My check-raise won me the pot instead of a chop. Sweet.
This is one of the few places I will check-raise liberally: TPTK on a dry board, if I lead out it's likely no one without an A will call. My check can look weak, and because I so rarely check-raise, against thinking and observant oponents they'll likely fold, and I'll take down a decent pot on the flop.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Don't forget who you're playing against
Villain: $250. Been at the table about 30 minutes; don't think she's folded a hand preflop yet. She appears to be not very experienced (bet sizes, chip/card handling, general demeanor, etc), very very passive.
MP: $350. Very, very aggressive. Usually a $3/$5 player.
Hero: $700. Typical playing for me (LAG). Not happy MP is here, but happy Villain (and her friend) is.
MP raises to $10. Hero calls with 2c 2s. Villain calls.
POT: $30
FLOP: 256 rainbow.
Villain bets $15. MP raises to $40. I think about raising, but I want Villain to come in, so I just call. Villain calls.
POT: $150
TURN: [256] 9
Villain bets $40. MP folds. I push. Villain thinks for a half a minute, then calls.
POT: $550
River: [2569] J
Hero shows a set of 2's. Villain shows a set of 6's.
I've rarely folded sets on rainbow boards. There is a possible straight, sure, but I really don't think she's leading out on a draw. The more I think about this, though, the more obvious this should have been that I was way behind. It was obvious to the entire table just how aggressive MP is, and she wasn't the least bit afraid to bet right into him twice...I don't see what else this besides 55 or 66. Slight possibility of an over-pair, but I could only see this being AA with her leading out twice (especially twice into a raiser and a caller).
If I had stopped and taken a minute or two to replay the hand, to figure out what she would lead out into two aggressive players, I would have pinpointed that hand to 55 or 66, and saved myself some money. Instead, because I had seen her show QQ after leading into a rag flop, I simply assumed that must be what it was again.
MP: $350. Very, very aggressive. Usually a $3/$5 player.
Hero: $700. Typical playing for me (LAG). Not happy MP is here, but happy Villain (and her friend) is.
MP raises to $10. Hero calls with 2c 2s. Villain calls.
POT: $30
FLOP: 256 rainbow.
Villain bets $15. MP raises to $40. I think about raising, but I want Villain to come in, so I just call. Villain calls.
POT: $150
TURN: [256] 9
Villain bets $40. MP folds. I push. Villain thinks for a half a minute, then calls.
POT: $550
River: [2569] J
Hero shows a set of 2's. Villain shows a set of 6's.
I've rarely folded sets on rainbow boards. There is a possible straight, sure, but I really don't think she's leading out on a draw. The more I think about this, though, the more obvious this should have been that I was way behind. It was obvious to the entire table just how aggressive MP is, and she wasn't the least bit afraid to bet right into him twice...I don't see what else this besides 55 or 66. Slight possibility of an over-pair, but I could only see this being AA with her leading out twice (especially twice into a raiser and a caller).
If I had stopped and taken a minute or two to replay the hand, to figure out what she would lead out into two aggressive players, I would have pinpointed that hand to 55 or 66, and saved myself some money. Instead, because I had seen her show QQ after leading into a rag flop, I simply assumed that must be what it was again.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Getting - and using - information
Tulalip $1/$3
ME: UTG+1; $700. I've been nicknamed "Table Captain" now by more than one opponent. I don't think it's meant as a compliment, but it's leaning towards true: I am the guy driving the action; I'm giving a lot of action, I'm getting a lot of action; I'm raising a lot. It's easy to do at a loose/passive table.
Button: $300. Typical player: passive, bets when he has it, checks when he doesn't.
I'm dealt 2 black aces, and make my standard raise to $12. This has been my opening raise with no limpers all night, no matter what my position or what I'm raising with. Folds to button who calls (surprising that no one else calls at such a passive table); blinds fold.
Pot: $28
FLOP: Ks Kh Kd
What an interesting flop. This is a way ahead / way behind (WA/WB) situation: either he's got any pair/combination of cards with no K and I'm so far ahead it isn't funny, or he's got some Kx combination and I'm crushed.
I can't check here; I lead out for $20. Button calls.
Pot: $68
TURN: [Ks Kh Kd] 2c
I have no clue where I'm at... again WA/WB. I decide to check for pot control. Button checks behind. Is he slow playing? I really don't know. I do know, however, that I don't want to play a big pot here if I can help it.
Pot: $68
RIVER: [Ks Kh Kd 2c] Ts
I can't check here, because almost any full house is paying me off. If I bet and he pushes, I figure I can safely fold.
I bet $50. Button insta-pushes, and I feel kind of sick. I look at him, and say "This is just sick," then I turn my hand over. I didn't muck yet, I just turned it over to get his reaction. Yes, this is perfectly legitimate for cash games - though you may want to verify in your specific card room before trying this.
So after I turn my hand over, the button looks at my cards and says "Oh, you're good." He looked so instantly dejected that, if this is an act trying to get me to call, he deserves to be paid off.
So even though I had planned on folding to a push, I have to go with my read here. I put my chips into the pot, he turns over ATo; I show my aces and rake in a big pot on an oddly scary board.
Morals of the story:
1) Use whatever information you get, from whatever - legitimate - technique you can use. I was willing to fold here: I only had $80 invested, and it was another $220 or so to call. This would often be an easy fold, getting about 1.5:1 here with the small full against a player who never bluffs in this spot: he truly believed he had the best hand; AND
2) If your opponent turns over their cards, don't talk, don't flinch, don't move, don't do anything. If he hadn't looked obviously dejected, let alone saying aloud "You're good," I would have easily folded, and he would have won the hand.
ME: UTG+1; $700. I've been nicknamed "Table Captain" now by more than one opponent. I don't think it's meant as a compliment, but it's leaning towards true: I am the guy driving the action; I'm giving a lot of action, I'm getting a lot of action; I'm raising a lot. It's easy to do at a loose/passive table.
Button: $300. Typical player: passive, bets when he has it, checks when he doesn't.
I'm dealt 2 black aces, and make my standard raise to $12. This has been my opening raise with no limpers all night, no matter what my position or what I'm raising with. Folds to button who calls (surprising that no one else calls at such a passive table); blinds fold.
Pot: $28
FLOP: Ks Kh Kd
What an interesting flop. This is a way ahead / way behind (WA/WB) situation: either he's got any pair/combination of cards with no K and I'm so far ahead it isn't funny, or he's got some Kx combination and I'm crushed.
I can't check here; I lead out for $20. Button calls.
Pot: $68
TURN: [Ks Kh Kd] 2c
I have no clue where I'm at... again WA/WB. I decide to check for pot control. Button checks behind. Is he slow playing? I really don't know. I do know, however, that I don't want to play a big pot here if I can help it.
Pot: $68
RIVER: [Ks Kh Kd 2c] Ts
I can't check here, because almost any full house is paying me off. If I bet and he pushes, I figure I can safely fold.
I bet $50. Button insta-pushes, and I feel kind of sick. I look at him, and say "This is just sick," then I turn my hand over. I didn't muck yet, I just turned it over to get his reaction. Yes, this is perfectly legitimate for cash games - though you may want to verify in your specific card room before trying this.
So after I turn my hand over, the button looks at my cards and says "Oh, you're good." He looked so instantly dejected that, if this is an act trying to get me to call, he deserves to be paid off.
So even though I had planned on folding to a push, I have to go with my read here. I put my chips into the pot, he turns over ATo; I show my aces and rake in a big pot on an oddly scary board.
Morals of the story:
1) Use whatever information you get, from whatever - legitimate - technique you can use. I was willing to fold here: I only had $80 invested, and it was another $220 or so to call. This would often be an easy fold, getting about 1.5:1 here with the small full against a player who never bluffs in this spot: he truly believed he had the best hand; AND
2) If your opponent turns over their cards, don't talk, don't flinch, don't move, don't do anything. If he hadn't looked obviously dejected, let alone saying aloud "You're good," I would have easily folded, and he would have won the hand.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Sometimes AK is enough at showdown
Tulalip $1/$3
HERO: UTG+1, $600. I'm in for $300, so I'm not too far up. Passive table - mostly loose preflop, tight/passive postflop. Perfect environment for me; I love it!
VILLAIN: UTG, $200. Literally first hand at the table; why he decided to come in UTG is beyond me (Tulalip allows you to come in behind the button and not have to post). I've played him a number of times; he likes to create an early, aggressive, run-over-the-table image.
UTG Raises to $15.
HERO looks down at AKo. This could a re-raising, but in this early of a position I'd rather just call and see a flop. Everyone else folds.
POT: $33
FLOP: 828r
UTG Bets $25.
HERO calls.
If he's got a pocket pair I've still (more likely than not) got overs. Granted this is often more of a limit poker play, but I'm OK with taking one off here to see a turn. He looked very uncomfortable when I called. Doesn't look like he has anything.
POT: $88
TURN: [828] T
UTG Bets $75.
HERO calls.
He got a very, very determined look on his face after the turn card came off. If I could have read his mind I believe I would have read "If this guy has something I need to keep showing strength so he'll go away." Still doesn't look like he has anything.
POT: $238
RIVER: [828T] 5
UTG looks kind of disgusted, says "Check." I consider the fact that we may have the same hand, and a bet here could move him off of it. Instead, I decide to check behind. Why? Sometimes AK, on a rag board with an aggressor who obviously missed everything, is good enough to show down. With the size of the pot, if he really did have any pair he'd likely call anyway.
I decide to take the safer route in case my read was way off and save a hundred bucks. I also considered betting so I didn't have to show my hand, but I liked what it might do to my already loose/crazy image that I'd call this guy down with nothing but the nut-no-pair. I was prepared to call his bet here, too, even if he went all-in: I was fairly certain that we were at least holding the same hand.
I turn over AK; UTG turns over AQ and throws it into the muck, and shakes his hand as the pot comes my way.
HERO: UTG+1, $600. I'm in for $300, so I'm not too far up. Passive table - mostly loose preflop, tight/passive postflop. Perfect environment for me; I love it!
VILLAIN: UTG, $200. Literally first hand at the table; why he decided to come in UTG is beyond me (Tulalip allows you to come in behind the button and not have to post). I've played him a number of times; he likes to create an early, aggressive, run-over-the-table image.
UTG Raises to $15.
HERO looks down at AKo. This could a re-raising, but in this early of a position I'd rather just call and see a flop. Everyone else folds.
POT: $33
FLOP: 828r
UTG Bets $25.
HERO calls.
If he's got a pocket pair I've still (more likely than not) got overs. Granted this is often more of a limit poker play, but I'm OK with taking one off here to see a turn. He looked very uncomfortable when I called. Doesn't look like he has anything.
POT: $88
TURN: [828] T
UTG Bets $75.
HERO calls.
He got a very, very determined look on his face after the turn card came off. If I could have read his mind I believe I would have read "If this guy has something I need to keep showing strength so he'll go away." Still doesn't look like he has anything.
POT: $238
RIVER: [828T] 5
UTG looks kind of disgusted, says "Check." I consider the fact that we may have the same hand, and a bet here could move him off of it. Instead, I decide to check behind. Why? Sometimes AK, on a rag board with an aggressor who obviously missed everything, is good enough to show down. With the size of the pot, if he really did have any pair he'd likely call anyway.
I decide to take the safer route in case my read was way off and save a hundred bucks. I also considered betting so I didn't have to show my hand, but I liked what it might do to my already loose/crazy image that I'd call this guy down with nothing but the nut-no-pair. I was prepared to call his bet here, too, even if he went all-in: I was fairly certain that we were at least holding the same hand.
I turn over AK; UTG turns over AQ and throws it into the muck, and shakes his hand as the pot comes my way.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Should've stacked him
Tulalip $1/$3.
UTG - new player, won first three hands he's played (this is his 4th), $300
HERO (OTB): Playing tighter than usual, table is a little too crazy to play super-lag, $400
UTG raises to $10. Folds to me, and I call with 8d 8c. SB calls.
FLOP: Jh 2h Jd
SB checks. UTG bets $20. I just don't think he's on a jack, and I can represent a flush if a heart falls, so I call. SB folds. Pot: $70.
TURN: [Jh 2h Jd] 8s
Miracle card. UTG bets $40. I take a little time, and smooth-call. Pot: $150
RIVER: [Jh 2h Jd 8s] Qd
UTG: Checks. I take some time, and bet $125. UTG SNAP-calls. I turn over the boat, and he mucks.
Moral of the story: Raise the turn. If UTG really has a jack, he's going to call most any raise. If he doesn't, then he won't put any more money in on the river anyway. If I made a smallish raise to $100 on the turn, he'd likely have called anyway, then the pot would be the right size for me to stick the rest in on the river, which he likely would have called. He likely had AJ there.
I missed out on about $100 by getting fancy and slow-playing my boat. I almost never slow-play, so I'm not sure what I was thinking.
UTG - new player, won first three hands he's played (this is his 4th), $300
HERO (OTB): Playing tighter than usual, table is a little too crazy to play super-lag, $400
UTG raises to $10. Folds to me, and I call with 8d 8c. SB calls.
FLOP: Jh 2h Jd
SB checks. UTG bets $20. I just don't think he's on a jack, and I can represent a flush if a heart falls, so I call. SB folds. Pot: $70.
TURN: [Jh 2h Jd] 8s
Miracle card. UTG bets $40. I take a little time, and smooth-call. Pot: $150
RIVER: [Jh 2h Jd 8s] Qd
UTG: Checks. I take some time, and bet $125. UTG SNAP-calls. I turn over the boat, and he mucks.
Moral of the story: Raise the turn. If UTG really has a jack, he's going to call most any raise. If he doesn't, then he won't put any more money in on the river anyway. If I made a smallish raise to $100 on the turn, he'd likely have called anyway, then the pot would be the right size for me to stick the rest in on the river, which he likely would have called. He likely had AJ there.
I missed out on about $100 by getting fancy and slow-playing my boat. I almost never slow-play, so I'm not sure what I was thinking.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
ooops...
Tulalip $1/$3 game.
As my last post was about following my gut (thanks for the correction riggs), here's one where I followed my gut almost to my own detriment...
I'd been moved to this table about an hour ago. A guy 2 to my right was seemingly raising/re-raising every 3rd hand, playing super aggro. After a while I'd decided at some point I'd make a stand against him, as there's no way he's getting that many hands. No way. I just hadn't been able to even closely connect with the board, and I hadn't found a hand yet that I'd be able to intelligently call a 3-bet shove (which he did liberally) so re-popping was often out of the question.
Villain had approx. $250 (he'd recently lost a hudge chunk of his stack in a set-over-set matchup - it was close to a $1K pot). I had just about $300.
As my last post was about following my gut (thanks for the correction riggs), here's one where I followed my gut almost to my own detriment...
I'd been moved to this table about an hour ago. A guy 2 to my right was seemingly raising/re-raising every 3rd hand, playing super aggro. After a while I'd decided at some point I'd make a stand against him, as there's no way he's getting that many hands. No way. I just hadn't been able to even closely connect with the board, and I hadn't found a hand yet that I'd be able to intelligently call a 3-bet shove (which he did liberally) so re-popping was often out of the question.
Villain had approx. $250 (he'd recently lost a hudge chunk of his stack in a set-over-set matchup - it was close to a $1K pot). I had just about $300.
MP raises to $10. Villain calls, I call on the button with 5d 7d (one of my favorite types of hands).
FLOP: Td 7h 6s
MP checks
Villain bets $25
HERO: calls (middle pair in position is worth seeing a turn here)
MP folds
Pot: $80
TURN: [Td 7h 6s] 4d
Villain bets $50
I don't think he has anything. Why? I just don't know... I think he plays 2 overs the same way here, especially since he's bet me out of every pot we've been in together, which likely makes me look weak/passive. I've got a big draw here, though, so I'm going with it. I "tank," count out chips, and announces all-in. Villain insta-calls. 'Ooops,' I think to myself.
RIVER: [Td 7h 6s 4d] 5c
Villain shows Kc Ks
HERO shows 5d 7d for two pair.
Who would've thunk he had a real hand this time? Granted, I had a HUDGE draw (9 diamonds, 2 7's, 3 5's, 3 trey's, 3 8's = 20 outs), but still...
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
I run damn good
Tulalip $1 / $3
Hero ($1300). LP. Last 1/3 table going, and I've been playing well, running well, and playing against idiots who apparently hate money.
SB ($600). Straight-forward player; won a huge pot with quads a while back. Nothing fancy, typical player.
UTG ($25). Tulalip bartender who's been waiting and waiting for the nuts, blinding off and chasing stuff.
Bunch of limpers, so I decide to see a flop with QTo. Shut up, it's a weak ass hand, I know, but more likely than not everyone will miss, I'll bet, everyone will fold, money comes my way. Been doing it all night.
Pot: $18
FLOP: Jc Qc Th rainbow.
Unlikely AK is out there, as it's been limped. SB bets $12, UTG pushes all -in. I've got top two, and don't want any more flush draws in there, so I bump it to $75. Folds to SB who calls.
Pot: $190
TURN: [Th Jc Qc] Tc
SB checks. I bet out $150. The flush got there, so I hope he's got the nut flush. When the SB calls, it smells like a flush. Sweeeeet!
Pot: $490
RIVER: [Th Jc Qc Tc] Qd
Kind of an unfortunate river, as if he had a Q we're now chopping. SB checks. I fire out $250 (in green $25 chips). SB shows 7c 8c and folds. Apparently, he was looking for the 9c (or was hoping I'd stop betting and that his flush was good). UTG turns over AK for the flopped straight (well played, and no - she wasn't looking for a limp reraise). I turn over QT for da boat.
$490 in a limped pot. not bad, not bad at all....
Hero ($1300). LP. Last 1/3 table going, and I've been playing well, running well, and playing against idiots who apparently hate money.
SB ($600). Straight-forward player; won a huge pot with quads a while back. Nothing fancy, typical player.
UTG ($25). Tulalip bartender who's been waiting and waiting for the nuts, blinding off and chasing stuff.
Bunch of limpers, so I decide to see a flop with QTo. Shut up, it's a weak ass hand, I know, but more likely than not everyone will miss, I'll bet, everyone will fold, money comes my way. Been doing it all night.
Pot: $18
FLOP: Jc Qc Th rainbow.
Unlikely AK is out there, as it's been limped. SB bets $12, UTG pushes all -in. I've got top two, and don't want any more flush draws in there, so I bump it to $75. Folds to SB who calls.
Pot: $190
TURN: [Th Jc Qc] Tc
SB checks. I bet out $150. The flush got there, so I hope he's got the nut flush. When the SB calls, it smells like a flush. Sweeeeet!
Pot: $490
RIVER: [Th Jc Qc Tc] Qd
Kind of an unfortunate river, as if he had a Q we're now chopping. SB checks. I fire out $250 (in green $25 chips). SB shows 7c 8c and folds. Apparently, he was looking for the 9c (or was hoping I'd stop betting and that his flush was good). UTG turns over AK for the flopped straight (well played, and no - she wasn't looking for a limp reraise). I turn over QT for da boat.
$490 in a limped pot. not bad, not bad at all....
Sunday, August 10, 2008
The stuff that dreams are made of
Tulalip $1/$3
Hero: MP, $900. Playing aggressively, making moves, pushing the table around. Very much a LAG image. Even though when the big pots come up I almost always have the goods, people continue to think I'm just making moves on them.
Cut-Off: 1st time playing poker in a casino. Luck-boxed into a few medium-size pots. $240 (up from $100).
BB: Young kid. No read. Not involved in more than a couple pots over the last hour or so. Casual player. $180.
UTG raises to $12. I look down at 2 black aces, and I bump it to $35. CO calls. BB takes a few seconds, and announces all-in. Folds to me. It's spread-limit, so I know the betting is capped, but I still announce "All-In." Dealer tells me it's capped, so I say I call and am all-in blind before the flop. CO calls. Dealer pulls money in, and I put out $200 before the flop, CO pushes his chips into the pot.
I have no idea what the flop turn or river were. Nobody improved.
BB showed pocket deuces (?!); CO shows AhQd (?!?!).
Insanity. $180 with 22. $240 with AQ0. I love this game!!!
Hero: MP, $900. Playing aggressively, making moves, pushing the table around. Very much a LAG image. Even though when the big pots come up I almost always have the goods, people continue to think I'm just making moves on them.
Cut-Off: 1st time playing poker in a casino. Luck-boxed into a few medium-size pots. $240 (up from $100).
BB: Young kid. No read. Not involved in more than a couple pots over the last hour or so. Casual player. $180.
UTG raises to $12. I look down at 2 black aces, and I bump it to $35. CO calls. BB takes a few seconds, and announces all-in. Folds to me. It's spread-limit, so I know the betting is capped, but I still announce "All-In." Dealer tells me it's capped, so I say I call and am all-in blind before the flop. CO calls. Dealer pulls money in, and I put out $200 before the flop, CO pushes his chips into the pot.
I have no idea what the flop turn or river were. Nobody improved.
BB showed pocket deuces (?!); CO shows AhQd (?!?!).
Insanity. $180 with 22. $240 with AQ0. I love this game!!!
Is it sustainable?
Over the last 2 months I've booked pretty big wins overall. My sessions are typically approx 12 hours long, and I've been averaging about 17 big blinds per hour.
I wonder how sustainable this is, though. The games are playing bigger (the bigger buy-in level and the $1/$3 structure had a much bigger effect on the game than I had anticipated), and my bankroll is stable enough that I am very very comfortable playing for big pots and making large bets if I think I'll earn the pot.
The last two weekends were hudge wins ($1400 and $1555). I know some of it is the luck of the draw, but some has got to be my play: I've become much better at reads, and playing position aggressively. But I wonder how much is luck, and how much is me. There are players who I view as better than me that I've seen consistently walk away from the tables with much less profit.
I guess only time will tell which is the case, but I'm feeling really great about my game: I feel like I'm able to put my opponents on ranges pretty accurately, I've become very good at figuring out what I think my opponent thinks I have, I've become able to sniff out weakness, I'm able to use scare cards to bet my opponents off of likely winning hands...
I hope it's not just ROT...
On another note: while I had been expecting to step up to $3/$5, I'm not going to do that any time soon: the $1/$3 games are playing big enough that I'm sticking there for a while. Plus, and even though I'm doing well, losing 3 buy ins in an evening is possible in any game (I always come prepared with 3 full buy-ins), which in the $3/$5 game would mean $1500. I'm not sure I'm psychologically OK with the possibility of losing $1500 in one night. I'm OK with $600, but I fell like I'd be playing too scared. Maybe not, though, we'll see. In all honesty my bankroll is still not big enough to play comfortably there.
I wonder how sustainable this is, though. The games are playing bigger (the bigger buy-in level and the $1/$3 structure had a much bigger effect on the game than I had anticipated), and my bankroll is stable enough that I am very very comfortable playing for big pots and making large bets if I think I'll earn the pot.
The last two weekends were hudge wins ($1400 and $1555). I know some of it is the luck of the draw, but some has got to be my play: I've become much better at reads, and playing position aggressively. But I wonder how much is luck, and how much is me. There are players who I view as better than me that I've seen consistently walk away from the tables with much less profit.
I guess only time will tell which is the case, but I'm feeling really great about my game: I feel like I'm able to put my opponents on ranges pretty accurately, I've become very good at figuring out what I think my opponent thinks I have, I've become able to sniff out weakness, I'm able to use scare cards to bet my opponents off of likely winning hands...
I hope it's not just ROT...
On another note: while I had been expecting to step up to $3/$5, I'm not going to do that any time soon: the $1/$3 games are playing big enough that I'm sticking there for a while. Plus, and even though I'm doing well, losing 3 buy ins in an evening is possible in any game (I always come prepared with 3 full buy-ins), which in the $3/$5 game would mean $1500. I'm not sure I'm psychologically OK with the possibility of losing $1500 in one night. I'm OK with $600, but I fell like I'd be playing too scared. Maybe not, though, we'll see. In all honesty my bankroll is still not big enough to play comfortably there.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Big Score
Had my biggest one night win Saturday night at the $1/$3 Tulalip casino game. At one point I was up to $1800, but ended up cashing out at $1625, for a profit of $1425. Brilliant poker playing?
Not at all. I was watching one of the Live at the Bike episodes late Friday, and one of the announcers called it out just right: he said NL hold 'em is a game of mistakes. The object is to make as few mistakes as you can, and capitalize on the mistakes of your opponents. That's pretty much what I was doing. I'd catch players over-playing medium-strength hands, and just take their money. Here's a great example:
I'm in middle position with 7h 8h, and I limp in. Player on the button pops it to $20. It folds around to me, and I call. At this point, we're both pretty deep for these levels: I've got about $600, and he's got about $400. As a general rule, I use the 10-times rule to decide whether to call with hands like small pocket pairs and low-mid suited connectors: if the player has 10 times the amount of his raise (and, of course, I do too), and I think he'll pay me off if I hit, then I'll call. If not, then it's not worth it.
I also know, too, that this is quite a large raise for this player, and the last time he made this large preflop overbet he showed jacks, so I have an idea right off the bat where he's at.
2 players, pot is $44.
FLOP:
Kd 8c 8s
I lead out for $30. He pops it to $100. I smooth-call, and plan on leading any turn. He says something like "Great, I've been trying all night to avoid you, and here we are." Whatever; unless he has K8 or KK I'm good..
TURN:
[Kd 8c 8s] 2c
Pot is $244, he's got about $300 left. I bet $100, he goes all-in. Of course, I call.
RIVER:
[Kd 8c 8s 2c] a meaningless river card
I show 7h 8h for trip 8's. He shows Tc Td for 2 pair. And for some reason he goes off for about 5 minutes on how I can call with that garbage. I ask him if he plays suited connectors and he says, "not like that." I say something to the effect of him obviously being a limit player, which he didn't take too kindly to.
Thing is -- I'd probably play AK just as fast, and I'd expect him to as well. I can't tell you how shocked I was when he didn't have a king there. Insanity.
------------------
So for the next hour this guy is steam-raising and playing super-aggro. I don't mind; if I don't have a hand I get out of the way, all the while he's building up a nice stack from the rest of the table.
Then, round two:
After a couple limpers, I raise to $15 from middle-late position with 3c 4c. I'm raising often, but not excessively, and I'm mixing up what I'm raising and limping with, so this fits in to the script perfectly (see this post). Same dude calls me from the button. Blinds fold.
Pot is $40.
FLOP:
[Td 4h 3s]
Not a bad flop, eh?
I bet $30. He calls, and gives a little speech: "You'd better have something this time." I don't know what this means, except that he must've hit part of that flop or has a pocket pair. TT he'd for certain raise here.
TURN:
[Td 4h 3s] 3d
Well, I've got a likely lock on the hand. I don't get fancy: I want to build a pot, so I stick some money in there. He already told me on the flop he liked his hand, so the 3 is likely not going to affect his hand quality, so he should be able to call here too. I bet out $50. He comes over the top and goes all in for another $250 or so. Massive bet. Massive.
I, of course, call.
RIVER:
[Td 4h 3s 3d] 9h
I show 3c 4c for a full house. He shows 3h 5h for trip 3's. He then gets an attitude again, saying "You raised with 3c 4c?" I remind him that not only did he call preflop with 35o, but that he called a flop bet with bottom pair. He then goes on like a doofus saying "I can't beat you, I just can't beat you can I?" He says a few other rude things as he's standing up to leave. I ask him if he's going to the ATM, because we'll save his seat for him.
That may have been a little over-the top, but the table got a laugh from it.
Not at all. I was watching one of the Live at the Bike episodes late Friday, and one of the announcers called it out just right: he said NL hold 'em is a game of mistakes. The object is to make as few mistakes as you can, and capitalize on the mistakes of your opponents. That's pretty much what I was doing. I'd catch players over-playing medium-strength hands, and just take their money. Here's a great example:
I'm in middle position with 7h 8h, and I limp in. Player on the button pops it to $20. It folds around to me, and I call. At this point, we're both pretty deep for these levels: I've got about $600, and he's got about $400. As a general rule, I use the 10-times rule to decide whether to call with hands like small pocket pairs and low-mid suited connectors: if the player has 10 times the amount of his raise (and, of course, I do too), and I think he'll pay me off if I hit, then I'll call. If not, then it's not worth it.
I also know, too, that this is quite a large raise for this player, and the last time he made this large preflop overbet he showed jacks, so I have an idea right off the bat where he's at.
2 players, pot is $44.
FLOP:
Kd 8c 8s
I lead out for $30. He pops it to $100. I smooth-call, and plan on leading any turn. He says something like "Great, I've been trying all night to avoid you, and here we are." Whatever; unless he has K8 or KK I'm good..
TURN:
[Kd 8c 8s] 2c
Pot is $244, he's got about $300 left. I bet $100, he goes all-in. Of course, I call.
RIVER:
[Kd 8c 8s 2c] a meaningless river card
I show 7h 8h for trip 8's. He shows Tc Td for 2 pair. And for some reason he goes off for about 5 minutes on how I can call with that garbage. I ask him if he plays suited connectors and he says, "not like that." I say something to the effect of him obviously being a limit player, which he didn't take too kindly to.
Thing is -- I'd probably play AK just as fast, and I'd expect him to as well. I can't tell you how shocked I was when he didn't have a king there. Insanity.
------------------
So for the next hour this guy is steam-raising and playing super-aggro. I don't mind; if I don't have a hand I get out of the way, all the while he's building up a nice stack from the rest of the table.
Then, round two:
After a couple limpers, I raise to $15 from middle-late position with 3c 4c. I'm raising often, but not excessively, and I'm mixing up what I'm raising and limping with, so this fits in to the script perfectly (see this post). Same dude calls me from the button. Blinds fold.
Pot is $40.
FLOP:
[Td 4h 3s]
Not a bad flop, eh?
I bet $30. He calls, and gives a little speech: "You'd better have something this time." I don't know what this means, except that he must've hit part of that flop or has a pocket pair. TT he'd for certain raise here.
TURN:
[Td 4h 3s] 3d
Well, I've got a likely lock on the hand. I don't get fancy: I want to build a pot, so I stick some money in there. He already told me on the flop he liked his hand, so the 3 is likely not going to affect his hand quality, so he should be able to call here too. I bet out $50. He comes over the top and goes all in for another $250 or so. Massive bet. Massive.
I, of course, call.
RIVER:
[Td 4h 3s 3d] 9h
I show 3c 4c for a full house. He shows 3h 5h for trip 3's. He then gets an attitude again, saying "You raised with 3c 4c?" I remind him that not only did he call preflop with 35o, but that he called a flop bet with bottom pair. He then goes on like a doofus saying "I can't beat you, I just can't beat you can I?" He says a few other rude things as he's standing up to leave. I ask him if he's going to the ATM, because we'll save his seat for him.
That may have been a little over-the top, but the table got a laugh from it.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Raising with deceptive hands
Tulalip $1/$3
First off, kudos to Tulalip casino for upping the buy in to $200, and though they changed the big blind to $3 so you don't quite have 100 bb's, it's still a much, much, much better game!
I just lost a decent chunk of my stack to the player on my right with a sick river card. I went from about $250 down to $60. Don't remember the betting details, but I know the dude called my turn push with a flush draw and an over card, and the river spade killed my set.
I topped off back up to $200 before the next hand, when I'm dealt 4s 6s. I love these hands, especially in position, and I'd decided as a bit of randomness that this session, I would raise/re-raise black suited gappers and connectors, and just call/limp with red suited gappers/connectors. SO, in late position I raised this up to $10. I get called by the dude to my left who just rivered the flush; others fold.
Pot: $22
FLOP: 6d Qd 4c
BB checks, and I fire out $20; I thought about betting much more than pot to chase out the flush-draw, but I decided to gamble a bit and just play carefully if the flush came.
Pot: $62
TURN: [6c Qd 4d] 6d
The flush got there and I got my boat. I could fire out to represent the flush, but I decided to trap a little, and hope my opponent was on the flush draw (I was almost certain he was, and if he wasn't he wouldn't be able to call my bet anyway). I checked, and he bets out $30. I take my time, cut out my chips, stack them back up again, look at my opponent -- I'm trying my best to sell some disappointment, but trying not to ham it up too much. I kind of "reluctantly" call.
Pot: $122
River: [6c Qd 4d 6d] As
I need to lead out here, but I want it to look weak. I have $140 left, so I bet out $30 as a "blocking" bet. My opponent min-raises to $60. When I push all-in, it's only another $50 anyway, so he calls and turns over his king-high flush. I show the full house, and he says, "Oh my god. You raised with that crap?"
I love it!
First off, kudos to Tulalip casino for upping the buy in to $200, and though they changed the big blind to $3 so you don't quite have 100 bb's, it's still a much, much, much better game!
I just lost a decent chunk of my stack to the player on my right with a sick river card. I went from about $250 down to $60. Don't remember the betting details, but I know the dude called my turn push with a flush draw and an over card, and the river spade killed my set.
I topped off back up to $200 before the next hand, when I'm dealt 4s 6s. I love these hands, especially in position, and I'd decided as a bit of randomness that this session, I would raise/re-raise black suited gappers and connectors, and just call/limp with red suited gappers/connectors. SO, in late position I raised this up to $10. I get called by the dude to my left who just rivered the flush; others fold.
Pot: $22
FLOP: 6d Qd 4c
BB checks, and I fire out $20; I thought about betting much more than pot to chase out the flush-draw, but I decided to gamble a bit and just play carefully if the flush came.
Pot: $62
TURN: [6c Qd 4d] 6d
The flush got there and I got my boat. I could fire out to represent the flush, but I decided to trap a little, and hope my opponent was on the flush draw (I was almost certain he was, and if he wasn't he wouldn't be able to call my bet anyway). I checked, and he bets out $30. I take my time, cut out my chips, stack them back up again, look at my opponent -- I'm trying my best to sell some disappointment, but trying not to ham it up too much. I kind of "reluctantly" call.
Pot: $122
River: [6c Qd 4d 6d] As
I need to lead out here, but I want it to look weak. I have $140 left, so I bet out $30 as a "blocking" bet. My opponent min-raises to $60. When I push all-in, it's only another $50 anyway, so he calls and turns over his king-high flush. I show the full house, and he says, "Oh my god. You raised with that crap?"
I love it!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Playing big pots
I'm addicted to Live at the Bike, a webcast of cash games at the Bicycle Casino (they don't webcast anymore, but you can subscribe and watch the archives here), and just yesterday I was watching a show with Barry Greenstein doing commentary.
He was talking about the fact that his aim when playing no limit, is to play for big pots. "Duh" I guess you could say, but it helped me plug a little leak. I realized I was trying to win too many of the smaller pots, which meant I was at times losing too many chips with marginal hands. Don't get me wrong, I'm still playing some of the smaller pots, and I'll take stabs at pots when I don't think anyone's connected. But this last session, instead of 2 or 3 barrelling, I'd give up once I'm called if I don't improve.
I'm still getting in there with hands that can hit hard, and, quite honestly, hope to get lucky. Cases in point:
Hand 1:
After a couple limpers, I limp on the button with Ac 6c. With this hand, I'm not looking to hit top pair; I want something like 2 pair or, obviously, flushes or flush draws. The BB, a young woman I've played with a number of times, raises it up to $8. The cut off calls, and they both have enough money behind for me to take a chance with this hand, so I call too.
FLOP: Ad 6h 2h
BB bets $15. CO calls. I've got top 2 pair, so I raise it to $50, and both call. I can put one of them on a decent ace, and the other one on a likely heart flush draw.
TURN: [Ad 6h 2h] 6d
Well, I don't care if the flush gets there now, and it's likely the BB is happy with her 2 pair with a good kicker, so it's time to bet. The pot is almost $150, and I've got about $100 left, so when they check it to me, I just stick it all in there and hope they've got something they can go with.
BB calls, and the CO calls!
BB shows AJo, CO calls Ah 9h, so both are drawing dead. I don't remember the river, and I collect a pot over $350.
Hand 2:
Very early in the session, and I've been gambooling it up a bit to try to build my stack. I've gone up to $150 and now down to about $85.
I limp in with 7d8d UTG. There were a couple limpers, then the button bumps it up to $10. It's $8 more for me to call; it's a close-call whether it's worth taking a long-shot here (I'd like to have a little more in my stack for this to be over-all profitable, but it's early in the night and I'm willing to take some more chances to try to build a stack to play with). I call, hoping for a straight draw or flush draw.
FLOP: 7s 7c 2c
One of the few times I will check raise is right here. If I was holding two 7's, and flopped a set, I'd lead out. One in hand and 2 on the board I'm more apt to check-raise OOP. [edit: if stacks were deeper, I'd lead out, but this game is rarely very deep stacked so the check-raise is my favorite move here]
I check. Button bets out $35 (gross overbet to chase out a flush draw). I go all in for an additional $50. He takes some time, asks if I'm on a club draw, then calls with TT. Turn and river blank out, and I double through, while hearing from him how horrible my preflop call was.
I'm convinced I got the call here because I've gone all-in on draws, one that hit, and one that didn't get called but I showed. I want my opponents to think I'll put them to the test for their stack whenever they're in a pot with me (and I don't always have to have a hand to do it). My range is really wide, too, so there's a ton of flops that will connect with me big time.
Hand 3:
UTG raises to $6. Folds to button who raises to $16. I'm in the SB with AsQs; I'd rather not see a flop so decide to try to take it down here, and re-raise to $35. UTG folds, button calls.
His call and no raise here, I believe, means he's got AK or AQ. I could get into trouble here, but with no queen on the flop I'll have to bet to win.
FLOP: Js Jc 2d
If he's got AA/KK/QQ I'm screwed. I HIGHLY doubt he called the reraise with AJ/KJ. I'm sticking with my original read that he's on AK. Rainbow flop means no flush draw.
I go all in (approx $100). Button hems and haws a bunch, then folds AcKc face up. "Good fold," I said, "I definitely did not want to see an ace or a king." He asked what I had and I told him queens, but mucked my hand. The entire table seemed to believe me (I don't know why!).
This was one of the few times playing out of position can earn you the pot: if you go with your read, and you know the guy can't call an all-in here, you stick the chips in and win the pot.
He was talking about the fact that his aim when playing no limit, is to play for big pots. "Duh" I guess you could say, but it helped me plug a little leak. I realized I was trying to win too many of the smaller pots, which meant I was at times losing too many chips with marginal hands. Don't get me wrong, I'm still playing some of the smaller pots, and I'll take stabs at pots when I don't think anyone's connected. But this last session, instead of 2 or 3 barrelling, I'd give up once I'm called if I don't improve.
I'm still getting in there with hands that can hit hard, and, quite honestly, hope to get lucky. Cases in point:
Hand 1:
After a couple limpers, I limp on the button with Ac 6c. With this hand, I'm not looking to hit top pair; I want something like 2 pair or, obviously, flushes or flush draws. The BB, a young woman I've played with a number of times, raises it up to $8. The cut off calls, and they both have enough money behind for me to take a chance with this hand, so I call too.
FLOP: Ad 6h 2h
BB bets $15. CO calls. I've got top 2 pair, so I raise it to $50, and both call. I can put one of them on a decent ace, and the other one on a likely heart flush draw.
TURN: [Ad 6h 2h] 6d
Well, I don't care if the flush gets there now, and it's likely the BB is happy with her 2 pair with a good kicker, so it's time to bet. The pot is almost $150, and I've got about $100 left, so when they check it to me, I just stick it all in there and hope they've got something they can go with.
BB calls, and the CO calls!
BB shows AJo, CO calls Ah 9h, so both are drawing dead. I don't remember the river, and I collect a pot over $350.
Hand 2:
Very early in the session, and I've been gambooling it up a bit to try to build my stack. I've gone up to $150 and now down to about $85.
I limp in with 7d8d UTG. There were a couple limpers, then the button bumps it up to $10. It's $8 more for me to call; it's a close-call whether it's worth taking a long-shot here (I'd like to have a little more in my stack for this to be over-all profitable, but it's early in the night and I'm willing to take some more chances to try to build a stack to play with). I call, hoping for a straight draw or flush draw.
FLOP: 7s 7c 2c
One of the few times I will check raise is right here. If I was holding two 7's, and flopped a set, I'd lead out. One in hand and 2 on the board I'm more apt to check-raise OOP. [edit: if stacks were deeper, I'd lead out, but this game is rarely very deep stacked so the check-raise is my favorite move here]
I check. Button bets out $35 (gross overbet to chase out a flush draw). I go all in for an additional $50. He takes some time, asks if I'm on a club draw, then calls with TT. Turn and river blank out, and I double through, while hearing from him how horrible my preflop call was.
I'm convinced I got the call here because I've gone all-in on draws, one that hit, and one that didn't get called but I showed. I want my opponents to think I'll put them to the test for their stack whenever they're in a pot with me (and I don't always have to have a hand to do it). My range is really wide, too, so there's a ton of flops that will connect with me big time.
Hand 3:
UTG raises to $6. Folds to button who raises to $16. I'm in the SB with AsQs; I'd rather not see a flop so decide to try to take it down here, and re-raise to $35. UTG folds, button calls.
His call and no raise here, I believe, means he's got AK or AQ. I could get into trouble here, but with no queen on the flop I'll have to bet to win.
FLOP: Js Jc 2d
If he's got AA/KK/QQ I'm screwed. I HIGHLY doubt he called the reraise with AJ/KJ. I'm sticking with my original read that he's on AK. Rainbow flop means no flush draw.
I go all in (approx $100). Button hems and haws a bunch, then folds AcKc face up. "Good fold," I said, "I definitely did not want to see an ace or a king." He asked what I had and I told him queens, but mucked my hand. The entire table seemed to believe me (I don't know why!).
This was one of the few times playing out of position can earn you the pot: if you go with your read, and you know the guy can't call an all-in here, you stick the chips in and win the pot.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Grandpa update, preview of NL action this weekend
First off, Grandpa's prognosis was not very good: the doctor, who would not have bothered with the surgery if he didn't think he could do anything, ended up not being able to do much at all. The tumor is cancerous, and there was too much of it to be able to do anything surgically. What he did will allow Grandpa to not get jaundiced and be able to eat comfortably for a little while.
Next up is a visit with the oncologist, and a likely recommendation of a combination chemo/radiation treatment. The surgeon said this is most likely, and will in most case allow grandpa a few more years of fine, comfortable living.
He's still recouping, and was able to get up and walk around a bit yesterday. Likely will go home Monday or Tuesday, and begin chemo / radiation in about a month, once he's healed up a little from surgery.
Not the greatest news, that's for sure. Being that he's 82, though, the ability to likely get a few more comfortable years is not a bad thing.
I'm looking forward to some more NL fun Saturday. I want to take a shot at $3/5 soon, but I don't think this weekend is it. Maybe, we'll see - I'll make that call Saturday.
My goals this session are (besides great decision making): pot control, and value betting. I've been missing some value bets with winning hands, and I'd like to be able to get more out of them.
And I've gotten better about keeping pot sizes reasonable when holding good, but not great hands. This one is tough for me, though, because some of the typical Tulalip play is so bad I want to get as much as I can out of the hands; OTOH sometimes it's not necessary to bloat the pot with vulnerable holdings.
Next up is a visit with the oncologist, and a likely recommendation of a combination chemo/radiation treatment. The surgeon said this is most likely, and will in most case allow grandpa a few more years of fine, comfortable living.
He's still recouping, and was able to get up and walk around a bit yesterday. Likely will go home Monday or Tuesday, and begin chemo / radiation in about a month, once he's healed up a little from surgery.
Not the greatest news, that's for sure. Being that he's 82, though, the ability to likely get a few more comfortable years is not a bad thing.
I'm looking forward to some more NL fun Saturday. I want to take a shot at $3/5 soon, but I don't think this weekend is it. Maybe, we'll see - I'll make that call Saturday.
My goals this session are (besides great decision making): pot control, and value betting. I've been missing some value bets with winning hands, and I'd like to be able to get more out of them.
And I've gotten better about keeping pot sizes reasonable when holding good, but not great hands. This one is tough for me, though, because some of the typical Tulalip play is so bad I want to get as much as I can out of the hands; OTOH sometimes it's not necessary to bloat the pot with vulnerable holdings.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Roller Coaster
I've finally come to the understanding that my particular style of play is going to result in sometimes large swings, even within a session. I play a lot of speculative hands. I splash around in a lot of pots. I take stabs at a lot of pots. I give a lot of action. And, in return, I get a lot of action. When the big pots come around, though, I'm typically the one holding the goods.
Case in point:
Saturday night, Tulalip Casino. I'm on my 3rd $100 buy in due to pushing some big draws and bricking out. Standard.
I limp in on the button with 3h5h. 6 of us see the flop:
924, rainbow.
Checks to me, I just check (OESD? Sure, I'll take a free card, esp. with BB's propensity to check-raise).
Turn: [924] A
Boy, I'm hoping somebody's got an ace, maybe even an ace-rag 2 pair. Checks to me again, I bet $10. Both blinds call, others fold.
River: [924A] 6
Well, my straight just got bigger. I've got the nuts. Checks to me, I put in a bet of $30 ($40 in the pot). SB grudgingly calls. Then the BB min-raises to $60. I've got about $250 left; there is about $160 in the pot. He likes his hand, and I know he'll call a raise, only question is how much.
Though it's a little risky, I go in for the kill and OBFV: all in, baby!
SB, as expected, folds. BB, who is a very good player, one who I mostly tried to avoid at the table, thinks. And thinks. And thinks. He tanks for a long time. I'm tempted to call clock, but I don't want to scare him into folding. He's stared at the board long enough that he should see the possible straight, but isn't talking about that: he's worried about a slow-played set. Which of course means he hit two pair on the turn.
Eventually, he calls. I say "the nuts" and show, he flashes me A2 for top and bottom pair.
Total win from this trip: $659. I had almost $1K in chips at the table. The last $1/$2 game broke up around 7am. I was tempted to keep playing, and sit in the $3/$5 game, but after 15 hours at the table, I didn't think my decision-making abilities would be top-notch, so I decided not to try that.
I will be taking a shot at $3/5 sometime in the coming months. I've played 3/5 before, and was comfortable playing there. I'm just trying to be more prudent about my bankroll, because in all honesty I wasn't bankrolled to play 3/5. And even my 1/2 bankroll is slightly short because I keep using it to pay for things like tuition and school books and stuff (yes, I'm paying my way for my chemical dependency professional certification with poker winnings... some may call that slightly ironic). But once I hit a certain mark I'm going to take $600 and sit at the 3/5 table (that'd be 2 max buy-ins), and see how it goes.
On a side note, Grandpa goes in for surgery Tuesday at 2:30 EST. Think good thoughts.
Case in point:
Saturday night, Tulalip Casino. I'm on my 3rd $100 buy in due to pushing some big draws and bricking out. Standard.
I limp in on the button with 3h5h. 6 of us see the flop:
924, rainbow.
Checks to me, I just check (OESD? Sure, I'll take a free card, esp. with BB's propensity to check-raise).
Turn: [924] A
Boy, I'm hoping somebody's got an ace, maybe even an ace-rag 2 pair. Checks to me again, I bet $10. Both blinds call, others fold.
River: [924A] 6
Well, my straight just got bigger. I've got the nuts. Checks to me, I put in a bet of $30 ($40 in the pot). SB grudgingly calls. Then the BB min-raises to $60. I've got about $250 left; there is about $160 in the pot. He likes his hand, and I know he'll call a raise, only question is how much.
Though it's a little risky, I go in for the kill and OBFV: all in, baby!
SB, as expected, folds. BB, who is a very good player, one who I mostly tried to avoid at the table, thinks. And thinks. And thinks. He tanks for a long time. I'm tempted to call clock, but I don't want to scare him into folding. He's stared at the board long enough that he should see the possible straight, but isn't talking about that: he's worried about a slow-played set. Which of course means he hit two pair on the turn.
Eventually, he calls. I say "the nuts" and show, he flashes me A2 for top and bottom pair.
Total win from this trip: $659. I had almost $1K in chips at the table. The last $1/$2 game broke up around 7am. I was tempted to keep playing, and sit in the $3/$5 game, but after 15 hours at the table, I didn't think my decision-making abilities would be top-notch, so I decided not to try that.
I will be taking a shot at $3/5 sometime in the coming months. I've played 3/5 before, and was comfortable playing there. I'm just trying to be more prudent about my bankroll, because in all honesty I wasn't bankrolled to play 3/5. And even my 1/2 bankroll is slightly short because I keep using it to pay for things like tuition and school books and stuff (yes, I'm paying my way for my chemical dependency professional certification with poker winnings... some may call that slightly ironic). But once I hit a certain mark I'm going to take $600 and sit at the 3/5 table (that'd be 2 max buy-ins), and see how it goes.
On a side note, Grandpa goes in for surgery Tuesday at 2:30 EST. Think good thoughts.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Beat of the night
Last Friday/Saturday session, Tulalip $1/$2. MP limps, Button limps, SB limps, I look at 2 red kings and bump it to $16 to go.
MP calls. Others fold
FLOP: 789 rainbow
I lead with $25.
MP goes all in for $20 on top. (silly me I should've looked at his stack before betting; maybe I did and my brain is cloudy as this was at like 4am when I'd been playing for 10 hours).
I make a crying call (thinking I'm up against a possible JT, but I've seen people go all-in here with A9 or even 2 overs as, again, so many people (including me at times) are more apt to put their oppoents on AK than a big pair).
MP Turns over T6o for a flopped straight. T on the turn gives me some hope, but the river bricks out.
I guess the right play is to fold there, but I've seen enough people overcommit there with AJ or A9 that I felt I had to call.
3rd week in a row I've played against this guy, and I've never seen him walk out of the casino with chips. Sure, you'll hit a big score with T6o from time to time, but when short stacked? I dunno, maybe it was a good play...
MP calls. Others fold
FLOP: 789 rainbow
I lead with $25.
MP goes all in for $20 on top. (silly me I should've looked at his stack before betting; maybe I did and my brain is cloudy as this was at like 4am when I'd been playing for 10 hours).
I make a crying call (thinking I'm up against a possible JT, but I've seen people go all-in here with A9 or even 2 overs as, again, so many people (including me at times) are more apt to put their oppoents on AK than a big pair).
MP Turns over T6o for a flopped straight. T on the turn gives me some hope, but the river bricks out.
I guess the right play is to fold there, but I've seen enough people overcommit there with AJ or A9 that I felt I had to call.
3rd week in a row I've played against this guy, and I've never seen him walk out of the casino with chips. Sure, you'll hit a big score with T6o from time to time, but when short stacked? I dunno, maybe it was a good play...
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Can you get away from this?
Tulalip $1/$2. Pretty standard; there's really only two of us who are doing much 'playing' while it seems other 4 are only playing their cards. I've got about $260, cut off has over $300. He seems to be a pretty standard tight/passive player.
5 limpers to me in the big blind. I look down at KK, and say "Put ten more dollars in everyone," and raise to $12. 4 callers.
Pot: $48
FLOP:
Kh 7s Th
SB checks. I bet $50. Folds to SB who calls.
TURN:
[Kh 7s Th] 8d
SB checks. I've got a weird stack size now: pot is ~$150, and I've got $200. I'm putting the guy on a flush draw, but I can't just bet the pot here, and 1/2 pot bet would leave me with barely a barrel on the river, so I figure my best move is all in here: the pot is big enough to take down now, and if he wants to chase a heart then he's paying a horrible price for it.
I say I'm all in, and SB insta-calls. I turn over top set, and he turns over J9o for a turned straight.
River is a meaningless Q (just gives him an even bigger straight).
Can I get away from this hand? I can't check-raise the flop with 2 hearts out there, can I? Do I under-bet the pot? Do I massively over-bet the pot to make most any draw not worth it to call?
5 limpers to me in the big blind. I look down at KK, and say "Put ten more dollars in everyone," and raise to $12. 4 callers.
Pot: $48
FLOP:
Kh 7s Th
SB checks. I bet $50. Folds to SB who calls.
TURN:
[Kh 7s Th] 8d
SB checks. I've got a weird stack size now: pot is ~$150, and I've got $200. I'm putting the guy on a flush draw, but I can't just bet the pot here, and 1/2 pot bet would leave me with barely a barrel on the river, so I figure my best move is all in here: the pot is big enough to take down now, and if he wants to chase a heart then he's paying a horrible price for it.
I say I'm all in, and SB insta-calls. I turn over top set, and he turns over J9o for a turned straight.
River is a meaningless Q (just gives him an even bigger straight).
Can I get away from this hand? I can't check-raise the flop with 2 hearts out there, can I? Do I under-bet the pot? Do I massively over-bet the pot to make most any draw not worth it to call?
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Live play: Tulalip $1/$2
Over the past 1.5 months I logged 7 live sessions, with 2 wins and 5 losses for a grand total of -$257. Not great. Not horrible, but not great.
I had been playing very well, I thought. But I took last weekend off, and the week away from the tables gave me time to reflect, and found what I thought were some leaks. Well, the two major ones were: 1) playing too many hands, and 2) bluffing players who were incapable of folding top pair no kicker. Simple stuff. Basic discipline.
Tonight, I logged two wins: 1 for $676, and one for $28 (at a local casino playing $2-40 spread).
Tulalip $1/$2.
Got sat not ten minutes after arriving, which is awesome. When I got to the table, I had to ask again if it was 1/2 or 3/5: two players had over $500 in front of them. One woman had $500 in green $25 chips alone! You don't see this too often in a game with a max buy-in of $100.
Table seemed pretty gambly, which meant that the best course of action was to tighten up and pick my spots; avoid marginal hands OOP, and value bet my strong hands on every street. Standard poker.
Pot of the night:
UTG with 44, make it $6 to go and 3 of us go to the flop:
FLOP: 934 rainbow
I don't like to slow play here: I lead out $10; folds to the button who raises to $30. I'm guessing an over pair, and knowing what I know from him in the past, he'll call most anything I put out there if he's got an over pair. I raise to $80, and he re-raises to $180.
This re-raise really got me. I took my time and thought about this. I started the hand with about $320. I start to consider whether I've got the underset: whether he really has 99. I begin to wonder how deep our stacks need to be to consider folding a set here.
Once I decide to call (spread-limit, so betting is capped after the 3rd raise), I take a little time to count out the chips and figure out how to get him to call for the rest of my chips: if he's got 99 then oh well, I reload.
I say "I call, and I'm all in blind on the turn." He INSTAcalls.
TURN:
[934] 6
RIVER:
[9346] 9
Villain: shows 88 for two pair, 8's and 9's
HERO: shows 44 for a full house, 4's full of 9's.
I've played this guy like 3 times over the past couple months, and won large pots from him each time. He says that here he put me solidly on AK, and figured I was trying to push him off his hand. It's amazing that he didn't consider the fact that I could have simply had 99/TT/JJ/QQ/KK either!
Thing is: in this guy's eyes, I'm the guy that raised on the button with 64o and almost cracked his KK when I flopped 2 pair (over a month ago). In his eyes, I'm the guy who will call or raise with seemingly any two cards, and an UTG "standard" 3x's raise means AK or some odd 10-7 or 9-6 etc.
Somehow, to him, I'm the guy who tries to buy pots with big bets. He apparently hadn't noticed how locked-down I was playing this session. Of course, this was also helped by the fact that earlier in the session I re-raise-shoved on the flop with nothing but a draw, was called, and got there. Thing is, in that situation I read the hands perfectly and was a mathematical favorite to win. He saw me push with a draw; I saw me value-betting. He probably considers me reckless.
I'm happy to have this reputation! :)
I had been playing very well, I thought. But I took last weekend off, and the week away from the tables gave me time to reflect, and found what I thought were some leaks. Well, the two major ones were: 1) playing too many hands, and 2) bluffing players who were incapable of folding top pair no kicker. Simple stuff. Basic discipline.
Tonight, I logged two wins: 1 for $676, and one for $28 (at a local casino playing $2-40 spread).
Tulalip $1/$2.
Got sat not ten minutes after arriving, which is awesome. When I got to the table, I had to ask again if it was 1/2 or 3/5: two players had over $500 in front of them. One woman had $500 in green $25 chips alone! You don't see this too often in a game with a max buy-in of $100.
Table seemed pretty gambly, which meant that the best course of action was to tighten up and pick my spots; avoid marginal hands OOP, and value bet my strong hands on every street. Standard poker.
Pot of the night:
UTG with 44, make it $6 to go and 3 of us go to the flop:
FLOP: 934 rainbow
I don't like to slow play here: I lead out $10; folds to the button who raises to $30. I'm guessing an over pair, and knowing what I know from him in the past, he'll call most anything I put out there if he's got an over pair. I raise to $80, and he re-raises to $180.
This re-raise really got me. I took my time and thought about this. I started the hand with about $320. I start to consider whether I've got the underset: whether he really has 99. I begin to wonder how deep our stacks need to be to consider folding a set here.
Once I decide to call (spread-limit, so betting is capped after the 3rd raise), I take a little time to count out the chips and figure out how to get him to call for the rest of my chips: if he's got 99 then oh well, I reload.
I say "I call, and I'm all in blind on the turn." He INSTAcalls.
TURN:
[934] 6
RIVER:
[9346] 9
Villain: shows 88 for two pair, 8's and 9's
HERO: shows 44 for a full house, 4's full of 9's.
I've played this guy like 3 times over the past couple months, and won large pots from him each time. He says that here he put me solidly on AK, and figured I was trying to push him off his hand. It's amazing that he didn't consider the fact that I could have simply had 99/TT/JJ/QQ/KK either!
Thing is: in this guy's eyes, I'm the guy that raised on the button with 64o and almost cracked his KK when I flopped 2 pair (over a month ago). In his eyes, I'm the guy who will call or raise with seemingly any two cards, and an UTG "standard" 3x's raise means AK or some odd 10-7 or 9-6 etc.
Somehow, to him, I'm the guy who tries to buy pots with big bets. He apparently hadn't noticed how locked-down I was playing this session. Of course, this was also helped by the fact that earlier in the session I re-raise-shoved on the flop with nothing but a draw, was called, and got there. Thing is, in that situation I read the hands perfectly and was a mathematical favorite to win. He saw me push with a draw; I saw me value-betting. He probably considers me reckless.
I'm happy to have this reputation! :)
Monday, March 31, 2008
Strength = Weakness & trusting your read
Both of these hands are from a Saturday $1/$2 (max $100 buy in) session at the Tulalip Casino. Same table, different villains.
Hand 1
Villain: CO, not there for too long (a couple hours tops), not involved in many pots - 2nd tightest player at the table, so I'd have to give him credit for a hand whenever he fires at a pot. $65 or so.
Hero: BB, likely seen as very loose, rather aggressive, makes many steal attempts (read: bluffs a lot), especially on ragged flops from the blinds, and from any position on the turn if the flop checks around. About $175
Bunch of limpers, Villain limps, SB completes, Hero (8h 10d) checks. Pot ~$14
FLOP: 8 6 10 rainbow
Hero: Bets $15
Folds to Villain: All-in for $65
While top 2 is typically an insta-call, when someone playing as tight as this guy has goes all in, I have to give some consideration to the possibility of being beat (I've only folded top 2 pair once in recent weeks, and was correct - my opponent showed his flopped bottom set when I folded top 2 face-up). I doubt 79 is in his range (too tight); 88, 66, and 10-10 are all in his range, 66 being the most likely (due to my hand).
I ask him if he flopped a set - he stares at the table.
I turn my hand over, Villain looks down at it, blinks, and then looks up and stares right at me without flinching. He looks strong. He's acting strong.
...which is exactly where he gave it away. He "acted" too strong. Most folks with a lock on a hand are going to be acting much, much more casually, relaxed, and care free. He was "displaying" strength to appear threatening and, thus, get me to NOT call.
After 5 seconds of him staring unflinchingly at me, I call. He tables AA, and my 2 pair hold up.
----------------------------------------------------
Hand 2:
Villain (BB): I've played with him 4 times over the past 4 weeks, felting him once. He's a decent player who thinks he is a lot better than he is. Tends to overplay hands like TPTK and flushes on paired boards. He's observant enough to know I stab at a lot of pots with air. He's a nice guy, and a typical, standard tight-passive player.
Hero (Button): Seen as very loose, rather aggressive. Villain has called me down with bottom pair and 2nd pair when I've fired 3 bullets from the button (he was right once, wrong once). I've only shown big hands (sets / boats / straights / quads); I've shown very few of my many bluffs (if caught on the river I just say "good call" and muck after they show) but have recently told the table they need to start calling me more after stealing yet another pot. Villain knows I bluff often and semi-bluff regularly.
Hero: Raises to $8 with 4s 6s
SB: Calls
Villain: says "Yea, I know your button play, I'll give you some action."
FLOP:4c 6h 8s
SB: Check
Villain: Check
Hero: Bets $15
(SB: Folds)
Villain Raises to $30 (min raises are surprisingly standard at Tulalip).
I ask him how much he has left ($59). I decide to call (I'm mildly worried about a set and decide to re-evaluate on the turn).
Turn:[4c 6h 8s] 5c
Villain: All in
Hero: I ask if he has "one of my crazy hands like 79"; he doesn't say a word, he sits back and stares at the board (I don't think he's capable of semi-bluff-raising with the OESD here anyway).
I turn my hand over to show the two pair. He leans forward to look at my cards, then looks up and stares directly in my eyes, not moving.
This villain, again, gives it away right there, the same way the previous villain did. He was staring directly into my eyes as if to say "I'm stronger than you and if I look strong enough and confident enough I know you won't call."
I count out my chips, give him one more look (still staring at me, threateningly), and push my chips in.
He turns over KK and says, "I didn't put you on raising with crap like that." River is a 7, so the straight on the board chops the pot. But only 8 cards could've given him a win (and 4 gave him a tie), so when I made the decision I had him on the ropes.
Moral of the story:
1) Trust your read. If someone looks "too strong," then it's probably an act. With monster hands, players will typically act either relaxed or excited (shaking hands, trembling voice, etc); when a player looks strong they often are attempting to get you to fold
2) One-gappers are awesomely deceptive hands!
Hand 1
Villain: CO, not there for too long (a couple hours tops), not involved in many pots - 2nd tightest player at the table, so I'd have to give him credit for a hand whenever he fires at a pot. $65 or so.
Hero: BB, likely seen as very loose, rather aggressive, makes many steal attempts (read: bluffs a lot), especially on ragged flops from the blinds, and from any position on the turn if the flop checks around. About $175
Bunch of limpers, Villain limps, SB completes, Hero (8h 10d) checks. Pot ~$14
FLOP: 8 6 10 rainbow
Hero: Bets $15
Folds to Villain: All-in for $65
While top 2 is typically an insta-call, when someone playing as tight as this guy has goes all in, I have to give some consideration to the possibility of being beat (I've only folded top 2 pair once in recent weeks, and was correct - my opponent showed his flopped bottom set when I folded top 2 face-up). I doubt 79 is in his range (too tight); 88, 66, and 10-10 are all in his range, 66 being the most likely (due to my hand).
I ask him if he flopped a set - he stares at the table.
I turn my hand over, Villain looks down at it, blinks, and then looks up and stares right at me without flinching. He looks strong. He's acting strong.
...which is exactly where he gave it away. He "acted" too strong. Most folks with a lock on a hand are going to be acting much, much more casually, relaxed, and care free. He was "displaying" strength to appear threatening and, thus, get me to NOT call.
After 5 seconds of him staring unflinchingly at me, I call. He tables AA, and my 2 pair hold up.
----------------------------------------------------
Hand 2:
Villain (BB): I've played with him 4 times over the past 4 weeks, felting him once. He's a decent player who thinks he is a lot better than he is. Tends to overplay hands like TPTK and flushes on paired boards. He's observant enough to know I stab at a lot of pots with air. He's a nice guy, and a typical, standard tight-passive player.
Hero (Button): Seen as very loose, rather aggressive. Villain has called me down with bottom pair and 2nd pair when I've fired 3 bullets from the button (he was right once, wrong once). I've only shown big hands (sets / boats / straights / quads); I've shown very few of my many bluffs (if caught on the river I just say "good call" and muck after they show) but have recently told the table they need to start calling me more after stealing yet another pot. Villain knows I bluff often and semi-bluff regularly.
Hero: Raises to $8 with 4s 6s
SB: Calls
Villain: says "Yea, I know your button play, I'll give you some action."
FLOP:4c 6h 8s
SB: Check
Villain: Check
Hero: Bets $15
(SB: Folds)
Villain Raises to $30 (min raises are surprisingly standard at Tulalip).
I ask him how much he has left ($59). I decide to call (I'm mildly worried about a set and decide to re-evaluate on the turn).
Turn:[4c 6h 8s] 5c
Villain: All in
Hero: I ask if he has "one of my crazy hands like 79"; he doesn't say a word, he sits back and stares at the board (I don't think he's capable of semi-bluff-raising with the OESD here anyway).
I turn my hand over to show the two pair. He leans forward to look at my cards, then looks up and stares directly in my eyes, not moving.
This villain, again, gives it away right there, the same way the previous villain did. He was staring directly into my eyes as if to say "I'm stronger than you and if I look strong enough and confident enough I know you won't call."
I count out my chips, give him one more look (still staring at me, threateningly), and push my chips in.
He turns over KK and says, "I didn't put you on raising with crap like that." River is a 7, so the straight on the board chops the pot. But only 8 cards could've given him a win (and 4 gave him a tie), so when I made the decision I had him on the ropes.
Moral of the story:
1) Trust your read. If someone looks "too strong," then it's probably an act. With monster hands, players will typically act either relaxed or excited (shaking hands, trembling voice, etc); when a player looks strong they often are attempting to get you to fold
2) One-gappers are awesomely deceptive hands!
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