Proud Bluff Learnt from the VLOG's

[Alex Meek]

2 limpers to me in middle position I open Q10o to 18. Cut off calls and 2 limpers call (I notice before the cut off calls he looks more interested than he has in previous hands he’s played and takes his time before calling)

Flop comes 10h 6s 2c. limpers check I bet 30. Cut off calls other two fold. (Cut off still looks a lot more interested than norma)

Turn comes 5s. I check, cut off then bets 35, at this stage I figure I’m behind, putting him on most likely an overpair, but I call anyway, in the hope he’s bluffing and checks back the river.

River comes Ad. As this cards come down I think about something that I have only learnt from watching the vlog’s (ranges). I figure as the pre flop aggressor that this is a much better card for me than him. I think for a moment and decide that if he did have an over pair that wasn’t aces like I thought he would most likely check back the river. So I decide to lead for 120. The villan talks saying god you’re so lucky getting there on the river, clearly very annoyed about the card, and folds kings face up. Was very happy with my lead there to get the fold so flipped over my Q10 much to his disgust.

Anyway just wanted to say publicly how much I feel the vlog’s have helped my game and can continue to do so!

[Sam]

Hi Alex,

Nice hand. Here are my thoughts:

QTo is probably not an open in a 1-2,1-3 game. I assume you are playing 1-3, because the sizing to 18 makes a lot more sense for a 1-3 game. I would probably open QTs, but QTo is often dominated by hands that will call such as KQ, AQ, AT. If you are opening as a bluff or isolation raise against the limpers, I would choose hands that aren’t as likely to be dominated, like 98s. You don’t want to find out later that they limped QJ or KT and called your raise. Also, the limpers appear to be stations and will get sticky post flop. Anyways, as played I think your line is fine, my only gripe is the flop sizing:

You made it 18, and you went 4 ways to a flop, and with the blinds its a $75 pot. Even though that’s a super dry flop, in any 4 way pot you want to size up a bit, especially with such a vulnerable hand. Any J, K, A is a pretty crappy turn card or river card, and most other cards will bring in some gut shot draws, and sizing up will better knock out any weird draws or random floats. I would go for maybe 42-50, and force the limpers to accept a really bad price to draw. If you get check raised, you will be in a shitty spot either way, but that’s also the problem with opening QT and hitting top pair in a 4 way flop: it sucks. For the same reason you led the river because the card was good for you, you also need to remember that this flop is HORRIBLE for a standard opening range.

On the turn, I like the call, but also don’t be so sure you are behind. He bet 35 into a pot of (60+75), which is pretty tiny. Though he can absolutely have overpairs (and sets), he might also choose to float from time to time with AQ, AJs, maybe even 99 and 88 from time to time, etc. when you bet so small on the flop. If you have him on only overpairs, then the call doesn’t make a ton of sense because you are drawing pretty thin. Though they are definitely possible, they aren’t his entire range.

Finally, I really like the river lead and the sizing. It forces him to fold out a lot of his value range (he folded KK after all), and sets a price for you to bet fold if he has a set and raises. Every once in a while AJ+ might call, but otherwise you avoid having to make a really crappy check-call decision if he bets the river, and allows you to win against some of his better hands. Well thought out.

Let me know what you think about my comments: on preflop, flop sizing, and then the range of hands you put him on on the turn

[Alex Meek]

Thanks for the comments,

For the pre flop I do agree with you its a bit too loose especially from middle position, definitely a weakness of mine when I play live find myself getting impatient and opening hands I really shouldnt, at harder games would definitely be exploitable to 3 bets.

As for the sizing on the flop after reading your reasoning definitely agree that I should make it larger than I did.

With the turn, as it was such a small bet and I did still have top pair I decided on the call despite thinking I was behind, but without much thought that was any deeper than “this is a really small bet”.

As for the river, ultimately with the lead was trying to take a stab at it, and any raise and id be insta folding, fortunately it worked out this time.

Thanks for your comments

[Steven Young]

That’s why you don’t flat KK preflop hahaha

Playing the player and not the cards is a must in 1/3.

I don’t hate the open pre flop. It’s better than a limp. 1/3 can just be strange sometimes. As you can see with people calling only with KK.

I agree with Sam on all the sizing info. Maybe could size up a bit on the river.

Well done overall.

[Author]

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