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I play regularly at 1/2 at HPC as well. Agreed, the rake sucks but you’ll find similar or higher rakes at other LA casino cash games. And if it’s not the rakes then it’s the blinds (ie 1/3 with 100 max buy in). Best way I’ve found to combat this somewhat is just play TAG and hope to hit. Also difficult to play at 1/2 ESP at HPC simply bc the players at the lowest stakes are either the ones that make bad plays and still win, or the good players looking to build a bankroll and move to 3/5.
With so much variance at 1/2 it makes consistent wins difficult. I would suggest building a bankroll and move to 3/5. At least at that level the caliber of players is more consistent, as well as the rake just being $1 more but with deeper stacks. Just nutfarm until you hit 500 then open up your range a bit and iso the looser players. If you’re playing well at 1/2 and just getting sucked out on it’s unfortunate but your skills will transfer over.
I’m assuming this is 1/2, 1/3, or 2/3 given pre flop sizing raises. Difficult to say given your only descriptor of villain is that he is a “thinking player”. But I put him on AX or QX type hand with his call preflop UTG. A premium hand maybe suited broadways, which you have blockers to. Doesn’t really matter even if he was on any straight/flush draw, you get a boat. He missed his opportunity to push you out on the turn.
Assuming he mucked bc you didn’t put his hand. But I would AT LEAST bet the turn to test the strength of his hand; raising with the expectation to fold to a reraise or shove. And if he calls shove the river esp bc you can ride the boat to Valuetown on this guy.
I feel you dude. Playing at 1/2 some stupid things happen. Anyone who reads this, feel free to comment and let me know what you think. I am by no means the best player out there and am looking to get better just like everyone else.
Hand 1:
Dumb preflop call and flop call by villain esp in early position. Just an unfortunate run out. He was so short stacked post flop anyway a reckless play with low pockets like that is reckless but understandable.Hand 2:
Calling with A5o out of position is ballsy, but not unusual considering its 1/2. After the flop I feel like a fold isn’t an outlandish possibility when he jams, which is not easy to do with top pair top kicker. A2s and A5s def get there. But I wouldn’t have put him on A5o either.Hand 3:
This one I feel like is your most misplayed hand. Your line post flop is highly passive but understandable because you have A high. If he’s calling 29 preflop and 45 on the flop, depending on his stack, he’s clearly not going anywhere. But if he’s the same player as the previous hand, he’s showing a tendency to bluff/be reckless which you should take advantage of. Post flop you could have taken three different lines (keeping in mind this dude is nuts for calling with weak hands out of position).LINE 1-RISKY: Shove the turn and pressure him when the board pairs. At that point you’re repping 3 overcards with a pair of 9’s, K’s, or a set of 8’s. I feel like he would fold pocket 4s given the pressure but difficult to tell when he’s this stupid for calling huge raises.
LINE 2-SAFER: You raise the turn and shove the river. Granted, A high is not a great bluffing hand with a K and a 9 on board but you have some showdown value given the villain’s bluffing the previous hand. Taking into consideration he checks turn (and would have checked river) this tells me his hand is weak at best, garbage at worst. I put him at pocket 7’s or a straight draw with the 89. After the river, he’ll probably be feeling a bit uncomfortable with his pocket 4’s, esp when he doesn’t make a set. This is the line where I feel he would be the most likely to fold. You would also probably win the side pot considering pocket 4’s takes it and the guy all in 29 preflop mucked. At worst, you’re chopping with A’s against him for the main pot.
LINE 3-SUPER NITTY: Don’t play him in any hand. Ever. He has the luck of the devil. Even if you decide to roll with pocket A’s, be cautious.
This is all speculation of course. With a player like that, you can’t predict anything with 100% accuracy.
Hand 4:
This is either the ballsiest or the stupidest old man ever. Jamming 80 with a DRAW into a full table is insane. Someone out there has to have some kind of 10 in their hand giving him one less out. BUT, you’re line was correct. It was just a super unfortunate suck out. ESPECIALLY when KJ comes out on the flop, you’re not getting away from that with top 2 pair.After hand 3 is when I would have left. Simply because if I was in your position, I would take the time to reflect on the fact that I misplayed post flop and would have reset with a break.
