- This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 12 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
I have $300 to start this hand in a 1/2 game, and have straddled from behind the button since I had just come back from a break and missed my blinds. I look down at the A◇Q♡, the dealer button calls sb calls bb folds and now the utg player raises to $22. 1 player in mp calls, I call and the button calls. I had not seen the utg player raise pre flop yet and he has about $500 behind which was part of my reasoning to call rather than 3 bet in position which is probably the better line. Flop is Q◇J♡8♡ and the utg player now leads for $35 mp folds and it’s now a decision to call or raise. I go with the lower variance and just call to try to keep his range wide and allow the button, who only has about $100 remaining in behind me. Button calls and we go to the brick 4♧ turn. Utg now leads for $100. I think for a minute to consider if he has kings or possibly QJ. I decide my hand is too strong to fold but not quite strong enough to go all in since now I only have about $150 behind. The button goes all in for less and we’re off to a river which comes the 7♤. Utg now checks and I’m happy to get to show down with the hand I have. I check back he seems reluctant to show so I roll over my hand and we’re good. My question is simply how you all would play this, should I raise the turn or jam the river? Is my opponent going to show up with better hands occasionally and if so was this line fairly optimal? Thanks and good luck at the tables.
They let you straddle when you post missed blinds? That’s nice.
I’m fine with the pre-flop and your reasoning. I’m mostly ok with the flop call – part of me definitely says raise it with top/top, but if you then got re-raised you’d pretty much have to fold. Nasty board
Turn is fine. Button can’t re-open the action, so don’t have to worry about him. You’re probably not getting called by worse if you shove, so calling is fine.
River I like the check back. Its a side-pot if you bet, so you definitely won’t get called by worse.
Overall I think this a pretty good line, and you probably got max value from a weaker queen/jack on the button and maybe an UTG Ax flush draw or straight draw (K10, maybe even AK).
I think the line you took was reasonable but there are other interesting lines to take here. Your pre-flop call was probably best in this scenario but I think I like a 3 bet a little more to maybe $80-$85. The button has already limped in this scenario and will have to decide between a shove or fold (likely a fold which will give you position) and if he shoves I’m not worried about calling him considering he has already shown weakness. Also, if he shoves you likely get folds from the UTG and MP player. Now if button folds and UTG 4 bets you MP likely folds and you’ll be heads up in a situation where you can be certain you’re behind or flipping… likely flipping because you’re holding blockers to hands that have you beat or are way ahead (with the exception of kks and ak). If he just flats, the MP will likely be priced in and now you’re playing a large pot with a premium hand in position. Also, a 3 bet gives you the opportunity to win the hand out right. You also have to remember the UTG could be raising light because of your straddle behind the button. If you’re playing 9 handed he’s already gotten information from 3 players and the odds of you waking up with a hand are minimal. He may look at you,sb and the folded bb as dead money.
Considering your pre-flop call I think I like the rest of your play but I think raising on the flop is reasonable too considering how weak the bet is from the UTG player. I think the only thing I definitely would have done differently is bet the river for value. I say this because based on the betting there should already be a side pot to win. Also, hands like KQ, KJ, K10,Q10 or even pocket 10s could maybe call a thin bet here considering the size of the pot. And if your opponent had a better hand he wouldn’t be checking to you after firing the flop and turn. (I say this knowing full well that betting rivers for value is the WORST part of my game).
The line you took was safe but good because it allowed you to get to showdown in a situation where you likely have the best hand. The line I’m suggesting definitely opens you up to being bluffed off your hand.
I should mention I’m more of a tourney player than cash so I tend to take a more aggressive pre-flop line to maximize the value of big hands pre-flop.
Yes I agree hans the option to straddle back in instead of posting is great. Patrick, I think the 3 bet pre flop is probably the better choice and had it a middle position open instead of utg I most likely would have leaned more towards putting in the 3 bet.
Thanks for the input guys and as always good luck at the tables.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.