A place to discuss specific hands and get the opinions of others on how best played.http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/list.php?67Sun, 19 May 2013 12:22:20 -0700 Phorum 5.2.9a http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,27546,27546#msg-27546 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,27546,27546#msg-27546
Soooooo, Pocket Jacks. What's the deal with them? I cannot seem to win AT ALL with them. No matter how I play them, I get crushed every single time.

With that being said, I am not playing money games just yet, just freerolls.]]> URTilted Hand AnalysisThu, 30 Aug 2012 16:51:08 -0700 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,18070,18070#msg-18070 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,18070,18070#msg-18070 micsquab Hand AnalysisMon, 18 Jan 2010 07:02:39 -0800 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,15354,15354#msg-15354 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,15354,15354#msg-15354
I'll do a little better intro later, but I thought it only fitting my first VIP blog at Big Slick would be about "Big Slick".

It is one of those hands you love and hate. I'll take it all day, but as one of my poker mentor says, "to win a tourney you have to win with AK and beat AK. Last night I played a final table hand that I thought might be fun to break down, because it really defines the whole poker cliche of "it depends".

So here is the set up: 42 entry home game, $30+$5 bounties. Final table with 9 players left and 5 spots paying.

I have about 75k in chips or about 1/4 of the chips in play. My "M" is 25 or well in the green. I am on the button. Player A raises the 1000/2000 blinds from under the gun to 5k. Player B handles her cards a little carelessly and I see she holds an ACE. Player B ponders shoving with about 18k behind after she decides to just call the 5k. 2 other players call the 5k and the highjack, the only player with a stack that concerns me just calls the 5k.

So now we have 28k (blinds fold) in the pot pre-flop. I have AK in position. Do I just call? I don't like that option, there are too many players and hands in the pot. Do I as chip leader fold AK preflop? I can't see that option yet either.

What I do know is this, Player A, I have been playing with for about 2 hours, he is solid and not afraid to 2.5 bet for blinds pre-flop. He is also playing a little passivelly against me as I have recently trapped him in two huge pots to take away his chip lead. He is now average stacked at best. I am not worried about him. Player B is dominated and her stack can't do much damage if she 3 outs me. Players C and D are pretty passive, very likely to fold and neither can damage my stack significantly. Player E, the high jack is a very solid player and has chips.

He also know how to use them, so other than having the big stack on his left, I see no reason he wouldn't reraise the pot pre with a top teir hand. He is also a very strong odds based player.

I make the decision to move all in, putting their tourney life on the line, should they decide to race. I don't mind a call from anybody but the 35k stack. I don't think he will call me as he has the chips to be patient and again, since he understands odds and math, I expected him to raise and not just call if he had a strong hand. I increase my stack by 30% plus just by taking this pot pre.

It quickly folds around to him. He tanks for along time and works it all out. He can also assume while the shorter stacks all have decent holdings, alot of overcards are now in the muck. I have been playing with him since the begining of the game and this is the first time I have moved all in pre. Add to that, I only announce the all in, I don't double hand push to indicate strength (oops). He mutters and mumbles "guess you have to gamble sometimes to win these, I hope you hold AK. I call."
I tell him he pegged it and we table our hands. He holds 66. I am uncomfortable now, as I know alot of my outs are indeed in the muck, but I still hold a premium hand and we are a coin flip. Win this pot, I have half the chips in play and have eliminated one of the stronger players on the table. As it played out, he doubles up.

So should I fold AK? Was this a terrible play? Now I turned over the chip lead to a player who can use them well.
In the end, it is he who eliminates me, 2 spots from the money, after 6 hours of play.

I am 60/40 about how I played this. 60% hates it, but not because I lost with AK. The cards really don't matter and I should know this. Fold AK? In this situation I should have or been satisfied to go into a flop with position.

Before final started, I had planned to use a "non-card reliant SNG strategy". So back to the game. If you have taken the time to read the strategy, you will realize I have no reason to gamble here. I have more than enough chips to just abuse my opponents around the bubble and I should be able to pick that 30% increase with little resistance if I choose my opponents and spots wisely, not so much my cards.

Now, Do I hate the infamous Big Slick race after this hand? Do I find the excuse, "I can't fold there!" or "I had AK"? Of course right after the hand I am frazzled and yes there are alot of situations where I would race with it again. But this shouldn't have been one.

I was one of the stronger players with alot of chips, then I played a Level 2 thinking hand at best.

So should I hate his call? Nah, Much respect. He is getting almost three to 1 on a hand he knows he 50/50 to win. Very ballsy and when the board flopped 10 10x, he had to sweat. If there hadn't been so many players in with hands that where obviously just almost good enough, I would say it was a loose call. He also worked out that I knew that.

That said, at this point, I would have played most pocket pairs to JJ the same way in this spot. Had I double hand pushed or just raised half my stack, he may have backed off. He had witnessed me just call with 10,10 and fold an overpair to him on his set, so he knew alot about how I would play these hands and try to control the pot.

In my opinion he applyed some level 3 thinking to work this out. He knew, I knew his hand wasn't great but that mine was also good but should be no better than a coin flip.

But we where talking AK right? Sort of..........
Bottom line, I had no real excuse not to make the money here, what I was dealt should not mattered much.

Thoughts?]]> jontm Hand AnalysisSat, 10 Oct 2009 16:22:54 -0700 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,12330,12330#msg-12330 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,12330,12330#msg-12330

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $10+$1 Tournament, 50/100 Blinds (7 handed) -

saw flop | saw showdown

Hero DK (UTG) (t1590)
MP1 (t1245)
MP2 (t1790)
CO (t1830)
Button (t1370)
SB (t1530)
BB (t4145)

Hero DK's M: 10.60

775322.gif

Preflop: Hero DK is UTG with

ad.gif

,

jh.gif

Hero DK bets t400, 1 fold, MP2 calls t400, CO raises to t1830 (All-In),

Other notes: MP2 has a VPIP of 17% and Preflop Raise of 14% overall (but 25%/25% at this blind level) and had 3bet all in once before, two hands ago with JJ, so he's kinda tight.

Our Hero DK?

I'll post up the rest of the hand after you guys have had at it.
]]> DonkeyKong Hand AnalysisSat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:54 -0700 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,12077,12077#msg-12077 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,12077,12077#msg-12077
1) I knew that I was ahead.
2) first time I had had to make the decision to place all my chips all-in, versus me forcing others all-in and me still having chips to mount a comeback.
3) I knew that I was ahead.

So the hand -
Your hole cards are A J
CptWin47 folds
helenpoker: nh
Miyahira calls
Tachycardia raises to 96,000
MoonMagic folds
RoosterWins folds
Catahoula: high interest?
Kyle2003 folds
Catahoula folds
DennisJ folds
moonrock1 folds
Miyahira raises to 340,008 (all-in)
Tachycardia calls (all-in)
The flop is 7 A Q
The turn is 5
The river is 8
Tachycardia shows A J
Miyahira shows A 7
Miyahira wins 540,246 with two pair, aces and sevens

Miyahira, what were he/she thinking? A simple re-steal? They put me on KK QQ what? They thought I was stealing with a trash hand because it was a slight overbet. Should I have folded, should I have gone all-in rather that pissing about with the raise, I know that if it was a post flop play and we had all just called then I would have layed down to a large raise.

To be honest, I am so over the losing but a few helpful pointers are very much appreciated. If I had won that hand, I think just maybe the second wind of adrenalin may have kicked in and seen me through to 05.38 am. I had been switched off for about an hour and just picking up a few hands here and there.


ps. I know that a pre-flop hand is not really ahead, but that is another debate.]]> Tachycardia Hand AnalysisWed, 01 Jul 2009 02:07:33 -0700 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,11542,11542#msg-11542 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,11542,11542#msg-11542
Money jump, $50 next eliminated player. Short stack with wide range in early position moves all in for 23k, total pot is now 38k.

Late position I look down on 10 10. Stop. The table is folding to min raises pre and there are a few stacks that cannot survive another rotation. I can fold and look for spots or hope for players to bust and move me up the money. The action won't get back to me for a bit. First is a $500 seat and $500 cash.

But. I have an M of 2.5 and a decent pocket pair against a fairly loose player. I bust him the money still jumps and I have a good stack to take a shot at first.

I shove all in to isolate, we roll and he shows KJ off. The flop is good but that dreaded king on the turn (my demise the last 3 tourneys) shows and I have one rotation left for chips.

A few hands later I look down at QJ in early. UTG shoves for 15k. I am going to get hit in the blinds with one M. I have to push, no one is going to fold for less than a blind more. Its up to the poker gods now. I put it all in and two players call behind. This is actually good for me in one perspective.

If they eliminate utg here and me, I get 7th money as I have him covered in chips, even if he has the better hand. Almost a get out of jail free card. If I get lucky, this pot is huge and again I have a shot at it, step out of the grave.

The board hits 5,5,5 turn 8, river 7. Hey, there is no hope I have the best hand, one player will have Ace high as a minimum or a PP for the boat. I am hoping they bust UTG.

One shows an 8, but UTG has KK. I collect my envelope for 8th and give my name for leader points.

Considering all the angles, should I have mucked tens and tried to rob the tight players or have them get in with sub par hands for odds?

Fold the early QJ? It was best (preflop) after his KK, the chip leaders called for odds and the chance to bust 2 players that can do no more harm. The side would have replaced my all in chips almost and given me one more hand.

Lets here them!]]> jontm Hand AnalysisTue, 26 May 2009 15:06:04 -0700 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,11527,11527#msg-11527 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,11527,11527#msg-11527
I have 7k and the blinds are 800/1600 with a 50 ante. Before anyone mentions "M", I have been picking up enough blinds to maintain this stack at the same level for 3 blind levels, since 400/800. The deck has been hitting some players and the spots few. I missed a big draw and bled off 3k before I went into short stack mode. My only move since the dip has been shove. One hand seen 3 decent stacks all in, they held qq, kk, aa preflop. AA held.

I am in seat ten, my toughest opponent was in seat 1, making late position moves was not an option. He called off 60k in chips till he went broke and did swing up and down with atc and a few legit hands.

My hand for the all in 78 suited. BB has AK. What are we pre-flop?

I flop the 8 on a 10 8 rag board. What is the percentage now? I don't have a hand calculator anymore.

He turns the King but it is a heart, giving me the 4 flush and 14 outs, so 70/30 roughly.

Bad Move? I was actually happy with the way I went out, being the aggressor and in not so bad shape. I missed one draw all tourney, only limp folded a few times and layed down some huge hands pre, trusting my read and was crushed every time. Could I have done more? when I had an even stack with the LAG and a chiplead at my table but no remotely decent starting hands, should I have gambled more in early position? Call raises with J4, q7 etc?

What do you think?]]> jontm Hand AnalysisTue, 26 May 2009 22:26:49 -0700 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,11268,11268#msg-11268 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,11268,11268#msg-11268
I was in middle position playing Aggressive with only 118 players left. i have around 98k chips and the chip leader at the table has around 175k in chips the rest of the table went from 5k to 75k. The chip leader was the BB and again i was in middle position. The table was playing tight except me and the chip leader. the small stacks were pushing with premium hands only at this point i was looking to increase my chip stack to get into a more comfortable position to take some money home.

I am sitting with Q8 suited and the table folds to me. I raise to 4800 (blinds are 600/1200). the small blind and bb both call. out flops 987 rainbow with one club. sb checks bb bets 10000. (PUSH OR FOLD HERE?) I just call thinking the BB is trying to steal sb folds. the turn 10 giving me a str8 draw and a flush draw with a decent pair. the BB checks and i bet 15000 BB calls. the river a Q giving me two pair. BB AII IN? (PUSH OR FOLD)?


BB won with a set of 9s and took me out of the tourneyment. I pushed when i think i should have folded. But i have seen him playing donk hands all night and figured he was trying to steal the hand. then he showed me weakness on the turn by checking. and i fell for it hook line and sinker. How would everyone else play it out?]]> MrM89 Hand AnalysisTue, 19 May 2009 12:12:14 -0700 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,11244,11244#msg-11244 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,11244,11244#msg-11244
The players to my left were all playing pretty tight with my immediate left having about 400k, next guy 130k, and next about 450k (their stacks factor into my position plays). Only one of them is in real danger and may be in push mode, but has not yet exhibited that. I am opening pots with decent cards in any postion as long as the chip leader is not in the hand and making big bets in the hijack or button with ATC over 1/2 the time. Although I am not in immediate danger, I want to chip up to have a shot at the only prize. The following hand crippled my stack and I would do it over and over, but wanted some feedback.

I was dealt 69 in the hijack and the table folded to me. I had not raised in good position the previous orbit. I go all in and the SB (130k) calls with 1010. Lose the pot and half my stack. No problem with the call obviously. Here is my reasoning for the play: 1.) I need to severely chip up soon to have a shot at the prize 2.) I have encountered little resistance from any players still in the pot 3.) Just the blinds and antes will increase my stack about 33% 4.) Based on the previous play at the table, nobody was calling with less than a top 20 hand 5.) I did not consider anyone (including the shortest stack, the small blind) committed preflop.

My cards had absolutely no influence in the play (even though its my favorite hand); okay, maybe just a little bit. By the way, congrats to DHopper from RENO, NV, for taking the baby down. Look forward to responses from u playas.]]> legendkiller Hand AnalysisSat, 23 May 2009 21:21:57 -0700 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,10064,10064#msg-10064 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,10064,10064#msg-10064
This was a single table SNG. Villain is UTG and has a VPIP of 23% and Preflop Raise % of 13%. Fairly solid player.

Hero (MP1) (t2790)
MP2 (t1245)
CO (t1790)
Button (t1830)
SB (t1420)
BB (t1630)
UTG (t2795)

Hero's M: 18.60

712154.gif

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with

ad.gif

,

kd.gif

UTG opens for t400, Hero reraises to t1200, 5 folds, UTG reraises to t2795 (All-In),

Total pot: t2550


HERO??? Call or Fold? Why?
]]> DonkeyKong Hand AnalysisThu, 30 Aug 2012 17:10:07 -0700 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,9819,9819#msg-9819 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,9819,9819#msg-9819The Setup.
I was in a MTT at SC 500 nightly II. about midway through im sitting at about 19k chips and the blinds are 250/500 cant remember the ante. anyways i figured my "M" to be borderline green or upper yellow zone. The player to my left is a female player who i pinned as a little loose and very passive. i have seen her call everytime to the river then quickly fold every hand. probably chasing something. she was around 8000 chips when we played this hand.

The play.
I was dealt 99 on the button. UTG+1 limps in. the cutoff This woman limps in. with good position i raise 4X the BB or 2K. Both the blinds fold and so does UTG+1. She calls.

The Flop.
out comes 7s8h9c rainbow. Im thinking ok i have a set with a straight possible on the board. She called me on the preflop raise and i really had no idea what she had. i was thinking possibly a high pair or a Ax. To get a better feel for what she was playing i watched her check and i bet 1/2 the pot. She quick calls. now im thinking ok she is now pot committed with that call so no matter what i bet she will call all in no matter what the outcome.

The turn.
out comes a Jc. now im thinking with that quick call she could have a straight 10/J or maybe high pocket pair. She checks the turn. and i think ok she has been playing very passive and shows signs of weakness but doesnt want to let this pot go. I check to fire at the river.

The River.
Out comes a 5c. So the board now has a flush possible a str8 possible and i have a 9 set. I feel i still have a great chance to take down this pot but i could be 2nd best. i still feel like she has an overpair cause she limped in and checked called. then checked the turn. i couldnt pin her on a flush cause who would chase a flush with a rainbow flop. and i could pin her on the str8 but she would have raised me all in off the flop rather than just call me. Im not scared of any hand she could have cause i could call her all in and still have a good stack of chips to keep playing. so i fire away on the river pushing her all in. she calls!!

What she had was a 2 6 clubs!!!

Who wants to take a crack at this one!! yes it was a donk move but i am not complaining i already confronted her about that and was satisfied with her answer. she stated that she was short stacked and needed a hand to win and just picked that one cause it was suited. after the flop she said that she had me pegged for A high. or maybe A9. reguardless she said after the flop she just chased it down.

anyways i told her i couldnt congradulate her on this hand cause it was a donk hand to play and that any good player would have folded to a 4x BB bet preflop with that hand.

So after that i tightened up my game and continued on. later that hand she donked on me again just check calling to the river. then i was moved to another table. That was the turning point of my game that put me on a downward spiral to being eliminated at 104th place.

How can i play against a passive player like this? and what can i do differently next time i come accross one that i find im playing heads up in a hand with?]]> MrM89 Hand AnalysisMon, 13 Apr 2009 12:13:05 -0700 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,9707,9707#msg-9707 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,9707,9707#msg-9707
Villain in SB is playing weak, tight. How would you play it?

Button (t80200)
Villain SB (t170900)
BB (t5500)
UTG (t66150)
UTG+1 (t17570)
MP1 (t84270)
MP2 (t30890)
Hero (MP3) (t91995)
CO (t46330)

Hero's M: 7.67

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with

th.gif

,

tc.gif

UTG calls t5000, 3 folds, Hero calls t5000, CO calls t5000, 1 fold, SB calls t2500, BB checks (is all in)

Flop: (t29500) (5 players)

7d.gif

6c.gif

jh.gif

SB checks, BB is all in, UTG checks, Hero checks, CO checks

Turn: (t29500) (5 players)

5d.gif

SB bets t10000, 2 folds, Hero calls t10000, 1 fold

River: (t49500) (2 players)

qc.gif

SB bets t5000, Hero ?????
]]> DonkeyKong Hand AnalysisWed, 08 Apr 2009 15:04:09 -0700 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,9351,9351#msg-9351 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,9351,9351#msg-9351
For the long version see the two hands below. There are 10 players left so it is the final table bubble, hand for hand, and people are playing tight. I posted the first one because, even though I wasn't in it, it gave me my read (which was wrong :o ) It was the same player (Lion 64), same preflop and same board a few minutes before the second hand posted which is the fateful hand. Have a look.


Full Tilt No-Limit Hold'em, Tournament, 800/1600 Blinds 200 Ante (5 handed) - Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

saw flop | saw showdown

Lion 64 UTG (t24672)
MP (t45589)
DonkeyKong (Button) (t14761)
SB (t47988)
BB (t54723)


Lion 64 calls t1600, 2 folds, SB calls t800, BB checks

Flop: (t5800)

qc.gif

,

as.gif

,

3s.gif

(3 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Lion 64 checks

Turn: (t5800)

4d.gif

(3 players)
SB bets t1600, 1 fold, Lion 64 calls t1600

River: (t9000)

7d.gif

(2 players)
SB checks, Lion64 bets t1600, SB calls t1600

Total pot: t12200

Results:
SB had

8d.gif

,

qs.gif

(one pair, Queens).
Lion 64 had

ts.gif

,

tc.gif

(one pair, tens).
Outcome: SB won t12200


So here I see Lion 64 limp preflop with a pocket pair. A Q on flop, where he check calls, and then looses to a showdown where they guy had a Queen. So now look at the next hand.


Full Tilt No-Limit Hold'em, Tournament, 800/1600 Blinds 200 Ante (5 handed) - Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

saw flop | saw showdown

Lion 64 Button (t16872)
SB (t37789)
DonkeyKong (B.B.) (t18361)
UTG (t66388)
MP (t48323)

DonkeyKong's M: 5.40

Preflop: DonkeyKong is BB with

th.gif

,

4h.gif

2 folds, Lion 64 calls t1600, 1 fold, DonkeyKong checks

So here I put lion 64 on a pocket pair again since he limped again. I'm in the BB so I check.

Flop: (t5000)

4d.gif

,

ad.gif

,

qh.gif

(2 players)
DonkeyKong checks, Lion 64 checks

Yea i hit a pair, but I'm putting him on a middle pair like 66-99, and think he might call here on the flop. I check to see if he checks behind me to confirm my read. If he has an ace he would bet. If the turn looks good, it's a better time to bluff.

Turn: (t5000)

qs.gif

(2 players)
DonkeyKong bets t3200, Lion 64 calls t3200

The turn in my mind is a beautiful card. If he has a medium pair, this is the ultimate scare card. Plus he just lost a pot earlier to someone holding a Q, so that should still be in his head. I also have him covered (barely) and we are on the bubble. A 3/5 pot bet should do the trick. But he calls...hmmm.

River: (t11400)

ac.gif

(2 players)
DonkeyKong bets t13361 (All-In), lion 64 calls t11872, and is all in

Well the river brings an even scarier card! What could be a better card to bluff than that? If he has a medium pair he just got counterfeited and my 10 high is good, I don't want to check and get bluffed off the best hand. And if he somehow has a queen, he can't like that ace. If this is the case, I can only win by betting. It's Final Table bubble, so there is added pressure on him. Put it all together, and Max Power- All in!

Total pot: t35144

Results:
Lion 64 had

qd.gif

,

ah.gif

(full house, Aces over Queens).
DonkeyKong had

th.gif

,

4h.gif

(two pair, Aces and Queens).
Outcome: Lion 64 won t35144

...shit...

DK
]]> DonkeyKong Hand AnalysisThu, 02 Apr 2009 00:07:15 -0700 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,9149,9149#msg-9149 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,9149,9149#msg-9149
What would you do? Now, the player is a Dusty Septa, a Canadian CPT main evnet winner...should I play him with caution?

Do I open the door? The hand is realized, he has shown passiveness and I have a bluff oppurtunity, but he knows. Do I give he a chance to resteal?

I check behind he shows QQ and his table friends say..."That river so saved your ass" and we chop.

Too passive? I don't want to get stupid this early even with top set, which might be the 3rd best hand on this board.

Lets hear them!]]> jontm Hand AnalysisTue, 19 May 2009 12:29:41 -0700 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,8728,8728#msg-8728 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,8728,8728#msg-8728Example In 5k blinds are 50/100 3rd player limps, rest folds to me on the button I put standard 3x raise the both blinds call and the limper .. I have Qc Kc flop comes Kh 8c 4d big blind bet min 100 the limper goes allin and I end up
folding the allin had plenty of blinds left. This happened several times in 5k. Don't want to call with 1 pair but after several times of this it left me short stacked. Any suggestions?]]> mskitty00 Hand AnalysisMon, 23 Mar 2009 12:43:05 -0700 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,8707,8707#msg-8707 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,8707,8707#msg-8707
Flop A 3 8 , 2 hearts

I raise one folds the other reraises

I figure he also has an A with a good kicker not an 8. Heres my mistake, I reraise all in. Why? No need for it, first its early, second if my hand holds up and I just call I get a decent sized pot.

When I reraised all in I was thinking his A might have been suited and if he had an A giving me one pair, and a flush draw I could make him fold with shoving this early also dumb. If I had what he had top pair and a flush draw with 2 cards to come I might called. I don't know. .

Wrong wrong wrong think to do.

He calls, 8 on the turn giving him top 2 pair and he had a K kicker, Im done
Now how dumb was that
Live and learn]]> monmiss Hand AnalysisMon, 23 Mar 2009 08:43:58 -0700 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,7814,7814#msg-7814 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,7814,7814#msg-7814
A guy behind me raises, the BB calls the raise and the original raiser goes All-in. The 2 callers go All-in and it's back to me. Surely they don't all have pocket rockets! As a matter of fact, even K K would have trouble calling a pre-flop All-in against A A or A Q or A K or something, so what does everyone have?

Since there are so many of them, I figure hands like A K and A Q which makes the odds of A A VERY slim. As a matter of fact, every Ace may be in play leaving no Aces left in the deck! This leaves me with a made hand, unlikely to improve, but at least in 1st or 2nd place. I call All-in and take a deep breath.

Two behind me also call All-in, the pot is HUGE!

As predicted, there were Aces all over the place and one guy had pocket Jacks. Luckily, one guy had Ace Jack (knucklehead!) and took an out away from 1st place.

Needless to say, a red nine comes in the window and no one else improved to win me a monster pot. There were so many chips in front of me after that hand, I had to pick my cards off of the table to see them!

Now, you would think this is a very enviable position to be in, but it actually was extremely nerve wracking. I was a huge target and if I somehow lost the lead, I was SuperDonk! I could afford to take extra chances, but was scared to double or triple someone up. I decided to play Solid Aggressive Play (SAP), and after a couple of hours and a lot of turbulence, I was able to coast over the finish line having never relinquished my lead. WHEW!

What would you have done differently, having ample time to think through a mine field of problems?

TheSyphon]]> TheSyphon Hand AnalysisSat, 28 Feb 2009 08:07:42 -0800 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,7808,7808#msg-7808 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,7808,7808#msg-7808Here is an example of a hand where playing a big pair in early position against a tough opponent can be difficult.

The setup: 1-3 NL cash game with no cap on the buy in. Average stacks around the table were about $500. This was at a private club, and although the stakes are low, the level of play is high. A young lady recently joined the game two to my left. I'd never played with her before but she came in with a local game runner and seemed to know most of the players. The few hands I did see her play, she was aggressive and tough. In this hand I was UTG.

Players
UTG (Hero) - $1,000 -I'd Been playing TAG.
Villain - $400 New young lady. Tough player.


Preflop
UTG (Hero) raises preflop to $20 with QQ
Villain Calls

Comments: I decided to play this hand very straight forward and make a large raise ( almost 7BB ) from upfront to cut down implied odds and try to get a heads up or 3 way pot. The downside is that a big raise from UTG makes my hand range narrow, so my opponents can get an accurate read on my hand.


Flop - J-6-3 rainbow Pot is $40
Hero - Bets $30
Villain - Calls $30

Comments: A great flop for my overpair. I lead out a standard bet of 3/4 the pot. It's a dry board. She flat calls and so I am giving her AJ or 10-10.

Turn 8. Board reads J-6-3-8. Pot is $100
Hero - Bets $50
Villain - Raises to $150
Hero - ???.

Comments: The Turn looks safe. I have one pair out of position. I'm thinking that I want to try to control the pot size. I was either going to bet half the pot on the turn and check call the river, or check the turn and value bet the river. For whatever reason, I decide to bet the turn, but when I get raised, I go in the tank. Here is what I'm thinking:

What do I have? Just one pair, albeit an over pair. I hate getting into this situation with one pair.

What can I put her on? Given she cold called a stiff raise preflop, I'd say a pocket pair or big Ace. So post flop, could be a set, top pair or a bluff due to my weakish bet on the turn.

What do I think she puts me on? Given my big raise under the gun, and aggression throughout the hand, she should put me on a medium to big pair or AK.

So to put it all together, if she is putting me on this range, then her raising with top pair like AJ makes no sense, because AJ is either way ahead or way behind my range, so if she had AJ, she would be calling, not raising the turn. Besides, most players would raise on the flop with that hand. So I ruled out top pair.

That leaves a pocket pair that hit a set or is an overpair to mine, or maybe 10-10 or 9-9, or a delayed bluff. I rule out 10's or 9's or a bluff because I've played this hand pretty much straight forward, and 'most' players that raise on the turn are strong. My hand screams of a big pair/top pair so her raise seems to be wanting a call. My gut is leaning toward a set.

I also know that she has another $200 left in chips, so if I call here, there is no turning back; I will be committed. So essentially the decision is to put in $300 to win $400. Given that most of the time I'm beat, and sometimes I am ahead, say 70% lose vs 30%win; it's a negative expectation situation (something like -$210 + $120= -$90). Commitment decisions are based on if you have a positive expected value. Commitment theory also postulates that if you are at the commitment threshold, don't put big bets or calls out there if you aren't committed. More simply stated, when your getting close to someone having to move all in, don't put a lot of chips in the pot unless it's a profitable situation. This was not.

So I'm forced to fold my overpair. Such are the perils of being out of position.
So what did she have? A-Q. A total bluff. Apparently my attempt at pot control on the turn backfired because by betting half the pot, it smelled weak to her and she put me on A-K or a medium pair and decided to raise me off the turn after floating the flop.

I probably should have taken a more defensive standard line and checked the turn and then pick up a bet on the river, especially if I think my opponent is tough or tricky.

But I didn't and so I got outplayed. Live and learn.]]> DonkeyKong Hand AnalysisFri, 20 Mar 2009 00:01:43 -0700 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,7481,7481#msg-7481 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,7481,7481#msg-7481
The setup: Same 1-3 NL cash game with no cap on the buy in. Average stacks around the table were about $500. This was at a private club, and all the players are pretty tough.

MP(Hero) - $1100 Tight aggressive image.
LP(Villain) - $300 Loose Aggressive player


Preflop
Hero Limps. Villain raises to $15. Hero calls with KcJc. We go to the flop heads up.

Comments: Calling with KJ suited out of position is usually not a great play, but the raiser has been very loose aggressive and I'm hoping to hit a big hand and stack him. I can get away from a dominated one pair type of hand..

Flop - Ac-10s-4s. $34
Hero Checks
Villain Bets $25

Comments: All I have is a gut shot, or so it would seem. With two spades on the flop, I decide that those are potentially some of my bluffing outs. So now instead of 4 outs I have 9 more spades I can bluff at. So I call to see what develops on the turn, with the intention of betting the turn if a spade falls. I'm just putting him on a big ace at best. I am also aware of stack sizes. For this type of play to work, the villain has to be deep enough for me to be able to fire two barrels on a bluff, because if the turn is a spade and he has something like an ace with a spade kicker, he is going to call to see the river but then hopefully fold to another bet on the river. So if he is short stacked, he is going to get committed and the bluff won't work.


Turn 9c. Board reads Ac-10s-4s-9c. Pot is $84
Hero Checks
Villain Bets $50
Hero Calls

Commetns - So now I turned a real flush draw, which is even better because it's a hidden backdoor draw. So now I have 4 Queens for my gutshot, 9 clubs for a flush, and 9 spades for a bluff. That's 22 outs. Getting almost 3:1 I make the call pretty easily, with the intention of check folding if I miss and betting out if I hit. In any situation a check raise on the river won't work here because if he truly has just one pair, he will not bet it.

River 3s. Board reads Ac-10s-4s-9c-3s. Pot is $184

Hero bets $100
Villain Folds

Commetns - Well I hit a bluff out, a spade. Time to sell it like I was on that draw all along. Because I had planned for this situation throughout the hand, the past action fits with me being on the spade draw from the flop. I decide to bet an amount roughly half the pot. Not too little and not too much. I'm trying to say "I finally made my flush and I want to get paid for it". The Villain showed Ace Queen before mucking while making some comment to the effect of "I know you have a flush so I'm laying this down you river rat. Did you really expect me to pay you off on the river?"
I just sat quietly thinking to myself "No Mr Villain, I expect you to fold. Muahhahaha!"

So don't forget your bluff outs. And as always, plan your hand. Like chess, you should be thinking a couple moves ahead.

DonkeyKong]]> DonkeyKong Hand AnalysisMon, 23 Feb 2009 15:25:27 -0800 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,7463,7463#msg-7463 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,7463,7463#msg-7463
The setup: Same 1-3 NL cash game with no cap on the buy in. Average stacks around the table were about $500. This was at a private club, and all the players are pretty tough.

EP1 - $600 -A solid seasoned player.
EP2(Hero) - $1200 Tight aggressive image.
MP1 - $500 Tight Straightforward player
Button - $1000 - Tricky experienced player

Preflop
Everyone limps (6 players) for $3 including hero with A6 suited (hearts)

Comments: Not much to say here. I could fold pre here in EP but was looking to take a cheap flop multiway. I limp with intention of folding to a significant raise.

Flop - 6c-5h-4h. $18
SB Checks
BB Checks
EP1- Leads for $15
EP2 (hero)- Calls $15
MP - Calls $15
Button - Calls $115
Blinds fold.
Comments: So I flopped top pair, top kicker with the nut flush draw. I actually had to tank for a second to figure out if I should call or raise here. Some things to factor. Position:I'm in the worst spot with the aggressor immediately to might right and 4 players to my left. Preflop action: It was a limped pot, so there are all kinds of hands out there. Board Texture: This board is nasty. Lots of possibilities in a limped pot for straights, sets, and two pairs. Stacks: Everyone is pretty deep so big implied odds. My hand: Top pair top kicker may be good, but I also have the nut flush draw. So based on all these factors, I decide calling is the best option here. I can't stand up if I raise and get reraised, and I'm currently drawing to the nuts so I don't want to get blasted out of the hand by someone trying to protect 2 pair or making a strong play with a pair and a draw. I want to make my hand and hope someone else makes second best and take advantage of my implied odds.

Turn 6s. Board reads 6c-5h-4h-6s. Pot is $78
EP1 Bets $15 again
Hero Raises to $75
MP - Folds.
Button - Calls
EP1 - Reraises $225 to $300.
Hero Folds

Commetns - I turn trip sixes with an ace kicker. The original better bets a very small $15. It smells very weak to me to bet only $15 into nearly $80. I think I have the best hand, but am no longer drawing to the nuts and there are still other draws out there. I size my raise to fold out the draws but get called by a weaker trips. When the button just calls, I put him on a six. But then the original better in EP1 reraises! I go in the tank. Here is what I'm thinking:
His range: : He's solid and limped in under the gun. Pocket Pairs 22-JJ, AK, AQ. Suited Connectors. Of these hands, I'm only beating overpairs, which I can't see him playing this way. Otherwise I'm up against a straight or a boat. I can catch up to a straight, but not a boat. I rule out the possibility of a bluff in this spot too. And I rule out the possibility of him having trips. Stacks: He has another $200 behind left in his stack. It's a leveraged bet. I know that if I call here I'm going to have to call off the next $250 on the river. I know it and he knows it. So it's essentially a $425 call. After thinking it through, I fold which turned out to be a good laydown.

The button actually called the $225, river came a brick (Qc). EP1 shoves, button calls reluctantly. EP1 shows pocket fives for a full house. Button had 6-7. One of the good things about live play is that you can take more time to think through a decision. I've been trying to figure out how I could have played the hand differently to have lost less, but I'm grateful that I only lost $100 instead of $600. I'd love to hear how others would play it.



DonkeyKong]]> DonkeyKong Hand AnalysisWed, 18 Feb 2009 13:26:00 -0800 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,7460,7460#msg-7460 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,7460,7460#msg-7460
The setup: 1-3 NL cash game with no cap on the buy in. Average stacks around the table were about $500. This was at a private club, and all the players are pretty tough.

EP1 - $1,000 -A Tricky experienced player that buys in deep to bust people.
EP2 - $500 A very aggressive player that his been stuck and been trying to get even with blind aggression
Hero - $500 Tight image.

Preflop
EP1 raises preflop to $12.
EP2 Calls
Hero Reraises from the button to $45 with QQ.
Both players call
Comments: I only saw EP1 raise preflop this same amount with a big pocket pair. I had every intention of folding preflop if he reraised. EP2 is super loose so he could have anything, but nothing two strong given he passed on two opportunities to reraise preflop.


Flop - Q-4-3 rainbow Pot is $135
EP1- checks
EP2 - Bets $100
Hero - Smooth calls $100
EP1 - Calls $100.
Comments: I have the nuts on the flop and someone is betting into me! There are no draws so I am smooth calling to try to trap EP1 into the hand. If he folds, I know EP2 will stack off on the turn anyways so no need to raise. When EP1 calls I'm putting him on an over pair. I'm putting EP2 on either a Q at best, or a bluff into a dry board, a play I know he is capable of.

Turn Q. Board reads Q-4-3-Q. Pot is $435
EP1 Checks
EP2 Bets $200
Hero - Call.
EP1- Call
Commetns - Quads on the turn! Now my goal is to make sure I get as much into the pot. Luckily the original better fires again, 200. Obviously I know he has no queen. So I'm figuring he sees the queen pair, and will bet to represent trips to fold out over pairs. I don't expect EP1 to call but he might with AA or KK, but I don't raise because if EP1 is bluffing, he will fold to anything. Surprisingly EP1 calls. Cha-ching.

River 3. Board reads Q-4-3-Q-3. Pot is $1035
EP1 Checks
EP2 Checks
Hero- Shoves for $150
EP1 Calls
EP2 Folds
Comments: At this point I only have $150 left into a huge pot, so I'm getting called. EP1 knows he's beat but can't fold. EP2 was bluffing the whole way so he can't call a $1. A rake in a $1300 pot with Quad Queens. Turned out to be the perfect storm. EP1 had KK and trapped himself. EP2 had AK and fired a double barrel bluff on a dry board and a scare card turn. This was a great start to a great night of poker! Although this hand was pretty easy, there were a couple more that were more interesting. Stay tuned.

DonkeyKong]]> DonkeyKong Hand AnalysisMon, 16 Feb 2009 20:27:51 -0800 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,7210,7210#msg-7210 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,7210,7210#msg-7210
PokerStars Game #24722181478: Tournament #139381614, $5.00+$0.50 Hold'em No Limit - Level I (10/20) - 2009/02/08 10:16:33 ET
Table '139381614 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: 777django (2080 in chips)
Seat 2: wax slinger (1080 in chips)
Seat 3: keysyboy (1410 in chips)
Seat 4: scubamick68 (1100 in chips)
Seat 5: ALGORN (1360 in chips)
Seat 6: J.Junior77 (1660 in chips)
Seat 7: Squis (1730 in chips)
Seat 8: candy-cane-c (1470 in chips)
Seat 9: Carlos_glaza (1610 in chips)
777django: posts small blind 10
wax slinger: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to wax slinger [Kd Qd]
keysyboy: folds
scubamick68: folds
ALGORN: calls 20
J.Junior77: folds
Squis: calls 20
candy-cane-c: folds
Carlos_glaza: folds
777django: calls 10
wax slinger: checks
*** FLOP *** [Td Jd Ad]
777django: checks
wax slinger: checks
ALGORN: checks
Squis: checks
*** TURN *** [Td Jd Ad] [6c]
777django: checks
wax slinger: bets 40
ALGORN: calls 40
Squis: folds
777django: calls 40
*** RIVER *** [Td Jd Ad 6c] [6d]
777django: checks
wax slinger: bets 120
ALGORN: folds
777django: folds
Uncalled bet (120) returned to wax slinger
wax slinger collected 200 from pot]]> TexasTerry Hand AnalysisFri, 06 Mar 2009 13:07:47 -0800 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,6532,6532#msg-6532 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,6532,6532#msg-6532
I will keep each very short. First off, I went to play 4/8 but couldn't get a table going. So I entered the $60nl freezeout 20 minutes late. 5500 starting stack. I was in no rush.

With blinds at 100, I pick up 77 on my BB. Two players limp at me, I promptly raise to 400, to send a message and take it down. Never would have played them that way 2-months ago.

I hold EVERY hand dealt to me for at least 5 seconds. Before I made any decision, I find the button and scan how many players are in the hand, note posture, look for tells. I then considered the odds and the potential the hand might hold.

Even if I was raised hard and held rags, I never laid down without making sure they knew I was considering everything.

With blinds at 200. I hold a Jack 4 spades and the flop comes down K QQ. Time to get to know my table and table Image. In the small, I act stunned and check in a slow soft voice. I bet 400 on the turn (9). A player says " sounds like an action bet to me". Perfect. I get called and the Player checks the river, I check and he shows JJ. Perfect.

With blinds at 400, I look down at k3 clubs on the button. 5 players limp. I never would have called in my TAG only days. I say, gonna have too and see a flop. I only flop a back door flush and straight, with one over. Guy last to act before me bets 500, but I don't believe him. I call and 2 other players call. Everyone checks the turn. The Ace hits the river and I fumble my chips (intentionally) and quickly fire 1k. Based on their level of aggresion in previous hands, I felt that if they had even had ace high on the turn they fire. They all fold around and I slap my king high down in front off the guy that had bet first and had held the JJ in the other hand. FAT POT and a few moans

Next playable hand and spot is 10 10. I make it 1k pre get 1 caller rag flop and bet 1200. I take it down. DIDN"T OVER BET.

An ultra aggresive and highly skilled player, with a stack sits down. I have AQ. I am out of position aginst him so limp. He makes it 1500. (400 blind). I stall this one out for effect, say tough one and fold it face up. He shows one queen. I say best I could hope KQ? He says best you could hope sir. Its funny that he didn't have to check which of the two cards was a queen.

By now, my table should be very confused about my hand range. I pick up 10 7 off on the small, in another multi way pot. I call and flop is 10, 7, 4 rainbow. I resist the urge to bet and check. A player puts in 900. I smooth call and so does one other. A (6) hits the turn and I dart 2k into the pot. I hope they remember my bluffs and am trying to sell another shitty story. One folds one calls. I shyly bet 1500 on the river (A king) and he moves all in. I snap call and before he sees my hand says good 1. Sitting about 15k now.

Blinds at 1000. I move on a tight but local proffesional players blinds for 2.5 K. I have A3. He reraises to 4200 (all in) and I call for the size of the pot. He has QQ and it holds.

I had folded a-rag several times on the small blind earlier, expecting Mr chips and aggression to raise and he did. I felt good about this spot and you will note he did not call. My first small on his big after he sat down, I folded and said, "You don't seem the type to let me limp on your BB." I mucked SB junk a few more times, so he folded to this raise. 9 out of ten times mr tight BB will not have a hand he can call with. Another move I am comfortable with now.

Blinds at 1600. 2 tables left. A player moves all in for 6.5k, I hold AK diamonds out of position and shove to isolate. I ask if he is made and he opens up 10,10. It holds. I am now sitting beside the old grinder. He says "hate that spot". "I say kinda tough not to race." He says, "If you fold in that situation, why would you be here?" I feel good about my play.

Now short, I stop and go a hand to chip up with 45 off.

I pick up 78 in a multi way pot on the button. We limp to a flop. I miss the flop but notice a young lady looking like shes kickin it on the beach. (A J x, two clubs). I turn the 7 and min bet. She smooth calls. I haven't quite decided yet.

Did she check the Jack? Is she slowplaying the Ace? Is she drawing to the clubs? Can I bluff the draw if it hits?

The river helps nothing, a (9), no club. I smell a rat. I want to try to represent a slow played ace or push her off a jack or busted draw, but I don't like it and check.

She asks "Did you miss your flush?" I say "Nope." She bets 2500. If I call I will be left with nothing, and best I can hope for is a busted flush. Doesn't look good for reraise and why is she so far back in her chair?. I fold to keep equity.

She shows AA for a flopped set and I say, "appreciate the speach, without it you probally get my chips."

Last one. I pick up q 10 on the button again and its folded around to me. The local grinder, (playing an ultra tight game), is on the small and the BB I don't think will offer any resitance. I shove all in for 6500. He thinks long and hard, plays, looks for his read, picks them up, puts them down and says "I guess" and calls. I say, "if you can call, your good" He has about 2 blinds more. He shows AJ.

Flop is AQA, no help, no help. I say "Nice hand Murrey, Good luck Sir!"

Not the game I was playing even 2-months ago. Considering my pot odds, position, opponents and tournement stage way more than before. Felt extremely comfortable. Last year, I would have said, card dead.

You will note, for a TAG, I only picked up AQ, which had to be folded and pocket 10s. Very pleased to be learning to play POKER here and not just the cards. These few hands, where almost the only ones I played.

The discussions, the Live Section, Switching Gears to apply pressure, pot odds, fold equity and Small Pot are all starting to really dictate that whole, It depends thing.]]> jontm Hand AnalysisWed, 21 Jan 2009 14:13:00 -0800 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,6265,6265#msg-6265 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,6265,6265#msg-6265
We want to know if anyone has a diffrent way it could have been played.

Sometimes its a monster and we want to know if we could have squeazed more chips!

Try to leave as much detail as possible, position, chips, size of game.

We don't want to look at if the opponent was a donk or if it was a bad beat, there is the poker court section for that.

There are some great members that can really break things down. Player DonkyKong has a way of ripping hands down to their skeletons.

So if you just gotta ask your fellow players; "What would you do here?" Post em here!]]> jontm Hand AnalysisSun, 11 Jan 2009 10:23:45 -0800 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,5679,5679#msg-5679 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,5679,5679#msg-5679


Pushed the wrong button lost a piece, I wish I knew who the author was but the thread explains a very common situation;

Pushing with mid pockets shortstacked and deep in a tourney; in this case 77]]> jontm Hand AnalysisTue, 30 Dec 2008 17:27:06 -0800 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,5210,5210#msg-5210 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,5210,5210#msg-5210
.....please no bad beat stories or conspiracy theories about card randomizers....

-goblin]]> goblingamer Hand AnalysisThu, 09 Apr 2009 15:04:07 -0700 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,595,595#msg-595 http://www.drcheckraise.com/phorum/read.php?67,595,595#msg-595My stack 10k
villain 4k
Blinds 200/400 can't remember what the ante was.
I'm on the button and have a very loose aggressive table image.
villain is on the BB had a callingstation image and had just won the last hand with A5 allin on the flop with middle pair against top pair, hitting 3 of a kind on the river to knock out the SB
Table folds to me, I look down to find KhQh and raise to 1600. Villain calls. Pot size is approx. 3700
Flop comes Jh 6h Td. Villain moves allin for 2400.
I put him on JT. . .do I gamble? WELL SURE! Getting 2.5 to 1 on my money when I have a coinflip with 21outs. I'm actually a favorite in this hand slightly, but not a significant favorite. So I call, low and behold he has JT, Turn 8h river 4h.
Villain decides this is the right time to call me a suckout. I tell him gg.
The hand calculator on SC put me at 50% to his 49% after the flop.

What do you think, am I wrong for calling here?]]> Hayloftkid Hand AnalysisThu, 26 Feb 2009 07:39:45 -0800