Kleath, I think it looks fine. I'd consider check/raising that flop though more likely, CO is going to c-bet so often there even if he is generally passive. Jebuz those cake hh are aweful...took me a while to decifer what was going on and who was where.

When you are raising UTG with a big fish in the blinds with a hand like J8s, you're intent isn't to steal. Stealing the blinds is just a bonus if it happens. You're plain and simply trying to play the pot with him. That was more my point.

Kleath I think leading out and check-raising are both ok. Turn bet is mandatory with either line imo.

In the J8 hand not really enough is known about villain to be going too far out of your way to play a hand with him. There are lots of different kinds of bad and his stats aren't really conclusive. If he is just a big calling station J8 is a hand that will often let you take yourself to valuetown. If he's calling, floating and folding a lot, then connectors are good hands to find spots for semibluffs.

Ok sorry can't find a converter that works with AP. So villain seems pretty aggressive good thinking player. He has 3 bet me several times and I have 3 bet him several times as well. We have seen 3 flops with 3 bet pots and those were ones where I 3bet and he called, I took down all three without showdown. Only one significant hand has gone to showdown, I flatted 44 from the BB and picked off a double barrel. AP allows you to rebuy up to 200 BB's and whenever I got up on him he would rebuy to slightly larger than me. He has shown he can fold hands and I have not called a 3 bet yet this match. What do you think of this play?

Stage #977275705: Holdem (1 on 1) No Limit $0.50 - 2008-05-09 17:40:31 (ET)
Table: TAMARACK ST (Real Money) Seat #6 is the dealer
Seat 6 - TITS_OR_GTFO ($82.30 in chips)
Seat 4 - GIVEN1982 ($91.80 in chips)
TITS_OR_GTFO - Posts small blind $0.25
GIVEN1982 - Posts big blind $0.50
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to TITS_OR_GTFO [4s 4d]
TITS_OR_GTFO - Raises $1.25 to $1.50
GIVEN1982 - Raises $4.50 to $5
TITS_OR_GTFO - Calls $3.50
*** FLOP *** [3h 2h Qc]
GIVEN1982 - Bets $7
TITS_OR_GTFO - Raises $19 to $19
GIVEN1982 - Calls $12
*** TURN *** [3h 2h Qc] [8h]
GIVEN1982 - Checks
TITS_OR_GTFO - Bets $31

bet 3-bet, is good, turn is fine too. You don't want to c/r here because the PFR is not likely to cbet air on this board very often at all 3-way.

Okay, I've been meaning for the last 1 1/2 years to put in a chunk of cash hands, so...better late than never. My PAHUD isn't up and running yet, so no great reads (which obv. makes a big difference). Curious as to what the thinking is as to what "standard" lines are for any of these hands against somewhat typical opponents at NL $200.

Hand 1:

MP seems to open wider, and button hasn't yet done anything funky. Hero's multi-street plan? (if it involves something other than folding)

Poker Stars $1/$2 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players
2+2 Hand Converter Powered By DeucesCracked

UTG: $63.85
MP: $276.70
CO: $208.65
BTN: $168.20
Hero (SB): $322.00
BB: $184.45

Pre Flop: Hero is SB with 8 8
1 fold, MP raises to $6, CO calls $6, 1 fold, Hero calls $5, BB calls $4

Flop: ($24.00) 6 4 7 (4 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, MP checks, CO bets $14, Hero (?)

Hand 2:

I've raised this limper a number of times, he limps some stronger hands (completed AK in SB with limper in), and does some odd funky stuff (i.e. is showing he's more apt to playback at me).

Poker Stars $1/$2 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players
2+2 Hand Converter Powered By DeucesCracked

BTN: $60.85
SB: $271.70
BB: $303.65
UTG: $171.20
Hero (MP): $236.00
CO: $177.45

Pre Flop: Hero is MP with 2 2
UTG calls $2, Hero calls $2, 3 folds, BB checks

Flop: ($7.00) 5 J 2 (3 players)
BB checks, UTG bets $4, Hero raises to $14, BB folds, UTG calls $10

Turn: ($35.00) A (2 players)
UTG bets $4, Hero raises to $26, UTG calls $22

River: ($87.00) T (2 players)
UTG bets $4, Hero raises to $30

Do I still raise PF here and inflate the pot? Flop/Turn/River bet sizing? When I have a big hand I'm trying to find that balance b/n betting small enough to get paid/keep someone in, and not giving too much of reverse implied odds/ensuring I get paid properly from worse hands that will pay off.

Hand 3:

UTG seems to be raising semi-wide, and is laying down to aggression (I think I've 3-bet him 3 times already across tables and he's folded so far).

Poker Stars $1/$2 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players
2+2 Hand Converter Powered By DeucesCracked

UTG: $255.00
CO: $279.45
BTN: $71.30
SB: $316.85
Hero (BB): $320.10

Pre Flop: Hero is BB with Q K
UTG raises to $6, CO calls $6, 1 fold, SB calls $5, Hero calls $4

Flop: ($24.00) 7 5 K (4 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $15, UTG folds, CO folds, SB calls $15

Turn: ($54.00) T (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks

River: ($54.00) 8 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $35

Too loose PF to call? Flop lead okay? What's SB's likely range of worse hands that C/C that flop and checked Turn & River? River bet-sizing? Bet River and insta-muck to any raise? I didn't have much clarity in any part of this hand.

Hand 4:

3-bettor has been aggressive so far (not many hands) - I think he's 3-bet 2 or 3 times in the ~10 minutes I've been with him. I've been opening a lot of pots and playing aggressively as well. My recollection is SB is pretty loose/foolio (in a loose-passive sort of way).

Poker Stars $1/$2 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players
2+2 Hand Converter Powered By DeucesCracked

BB: $205.65
UTG: $938.35
MP: $116.80
Hero (CO): $198.60
BTN: $196.60
SB: $121.70

Pre Flop: Hero is CO with 5 6
2 folds, Hero raises to $7, BTN raises to $26, SB calls $25, 1 fold, Hero calls $19

Flop: ($80.00) 4 T K (3 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, BTN checks

Turn: ($80.00) 8 (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $60

Is this just spew to call the 3-bet with suited connector here OOP of initial 3-bettor? Is the Turn bet-sizing okay?

Hand 5:

I believe the two callers in this hand are the looser-calling type (PF).

Poker Stars $1/$2 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players
2+2 Hand Converter Powered By DeucesCracked

MP: $105.35
CO: $41.50
BTN: $194.00
SB: $78.00
BB: $189.10
Hero (UTG): $202.35

Pre Flop: Hero is UTG with T Q
Hero raises to $7, MP calls $7, 2 folds, SB calls $6, 1 fold

Flop: ($23.00) T A Q (3 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, (with the intention of C/R'ing a bet by MP).

I don't like risking the free card, and I don't like betting, getting called, and seeing close to half the deck on the Turn.

Hand 6:

This opponent has been coldcalling some raises, 3-betting a fair amount, raising postflop in spots, etc. - I'm suspecting he's a floater/playmaker on some boards.

Poker Stars $1/$2 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players
2+2 Hand Converter Powered By DeucesCracked

BTN: $205.25
SB: $219.00
BB: $197.00
UTG: $170.10
Hero (MP): $224.40
CO: $195.95

Pre Flop: Hero is MP with J T
1 fold, Hero raises to $7, 1 fold, BTN calls $7, 2 folds

Flop: ($17.00) 4 K K (2 players)
Hero bets $12, BTN calls $12

Turn: ($41.00) 6 (2 players)
Hero bets $24, BTN raises to $52, Hero calls $28

River: ($145.00) 8 (2 players)
Hero bets $77

When I pick up a draw on the Turn and this player small raises, is this a good time to mimic a King-holding, or is it a bit spewey here? What about the Turn bet-size if I'm going to lead as played? Should I check Turn and take a different line against this player?

__

Okay, that was long, ty in advance for any responses.

1: Call and see a turn, most likely if its a brick he will check anything that you beat. If everyone else calls too you're done if the turn is not an 8 or a 5 though. If it's HU on the turn it should go c/c and you can either c/c another river brick or bet if you hit. C/R a 5 turn and c/c an 8.

2: Raise him anyway, but limping isnt so bad here. Turn is good, turn Id make more like $32 but only because you can put more in on the river that way. River Id make more as well, probably around $44-$50. I think he calls with close enough to the same range to make it more profitable.

3: Id Squeeze preflop a decent amount here, b/c 4 way when you flop a pair it's hard to get value from worse. Here when it gets 2 handed after your flop bet you're in good shape though and turn and river look good.

4: PF is OK, but you can fold here given SB's shortish stack (def. call if both are 100bbs deep). turn bet is good, but if BTN calls Id probably shove river since he can peel turn with JJ/QQ/AT type hands. You have to call a shove from SB on the turn.

5: Do not like this check on a monotone board. I know a lot of turns suck, but much less of them suck HU vs someone who calls a bet on this flop than 3-way vs 2 players

6: Either fold the turn or ship it in, given your read shoving is fine. River you need to shove if you're bluffing, but c/f is probably better than both after you just flat the turn.

Back to 50NL for me...I've run 100 above expectation in 50NL this month and ran 250 below in 100NL...

Agree with FD on everything but 5. I'd rather go for the c/r and have to fold a lot of turns if we whiff on it than bet out and get ourself in a crappy spot on so many turns.

6...When someone makes moves a lot...the last thing you want to do is flatcall with a weakish drawing hand unless you are planning to bluff if you miss the river.

Gracias.

1. Agree with FD, peel in these spots. Note, you have a ton of equity vs pair plus straight draw, more than AA.
2. FD +1, need to get More Value and then get Some More after that.
3. FD +1
4. FD +1, closing the action, it's just fine with good Relative position.
5. ****ty spot. However, that connects with Your range, Not Their range. So lead and you can play a turn intelligently when called in a smaller pot than if you c/r.
6. I would bet more on turn if I was to bet and I might c/r turn if he is real floaty. Fold or shove is prolly good advice when called unless you are confident getting value from this opp on a river J or T?

Also, please only post 2 hands at a time Gramps. Preferably 1 good one.

20/15 opens UTG 4bb, loose half stack calls UTG+1
butt is 23/18/1.6/582 makes it 16 bb. You are in SB with JJ, You?

Flatting in position?

My PAHUD is still flaky, but it appears that PFR is a regular and aggressive - maybe 15-20% PFR overall, seems cbet every flop HU, but seems reasonable - is it okay to mix in flats here? Bet some Rivers? I'd 3-bet others twice in the last 10 hands, and figured he might 4-bet lighter here.

Poker Stars $1/$2 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players
2+2 Hand Converter Powered By DeucesCracked

UTG: $270.05
MP: $200.00
Hero (CO): $287.00
BTN: $593.35
SB: $198.00
BB: $190.00

Pre Flop: Hero is CO with Q Q
1 fold, MP raises to $8, Hero calls $8, 3 folds

Flop: ($19.00) J 4 T (2 players)
MP bets $16, Hero calls $16

Turn: ($51.00) 6 (2 players)
MP checks, Hero bets $31, MP calls $31

River: ($113.00) T (2 players)
MP checks, Hero checks

Preflop question:

Do I "normally" make this call? How much would the button being the other caller affect things?

Poker Stars $1/$2 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players
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BTN: $50.75
SB: $218.65
Hero (BB): $198.40
UTG: $388.95
MP: $224.20
CO: $191.00

Pre Flop: Hero is BB with 7 8
1 fold, MP raises to $8, 2 folds, SB calls $7

No reads. It was in the first few hands at the table

Poker Stars $0.50/$1.00 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players
2+2 Hand Converter Powered By DeucesCracked

Hero (BB): $99.85
UTG: $146.50
MP: $173.50
CO: $35.00
BTN: $220.55
SB: $88.00

Pre Flop: Hero is BB with Q A
2 folds, CO calls $1, BTN raises to $5, 1 fold, Hero calls $4, CO calls $4

Flop: ($15.50) A 6 3 (3 players)
Hero checks, CO checks, BTN bets $9, Hero calls $9, CO folds

Turn: ($33.50) 9 (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

River: ($33.50) K (2 players)
Hero bets $20, BTN raises to $70

PFR is like 20/16/5 over 174 hands - we've played a few pots but have been pretty reasonable with each other - seems like he'd check bricked flops 3-way much of the time when he's OOP. PF Caller is maybe a little more passive, but seems solid/non-funky.

Poker Stars $1/$2 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players
2+2 Hand Converter Powered By DeucesCracked

BB: $289.35
UTG: $453.20
MP: $198.00
CO: $250.75
Hero (BTN): $235.50
SB: $198.00

Pre Flop: Hero is BTN with Q A
UTG raises to $8, 1 fold, CO calls $8, Hero calls $8, 2 folds

Flop: ($27.00) 2 3 J (3 players)
UTG bets $22, ,1 fold, Hero calls...

-3bet PF > flatting in position?
-If calling the flop is okay, how shallow would the effective stacks have to be for raising/shoving to be a better line?
-Turn/River plan?

SB Donker is loose passivish (some previous limp-calling of my raises PF), don't have stats on him or the button - is it standard to just call the small donk bet on the Turn scare card here?

Poker Stars $1/$2 No Limit Hold'em - 4 players
2+2 Hand Converter Powered By DeucesCracked

BTN: $70.75
SB: $135.00
BB: $194.00
Hero (CO): $230.40

Pre Flop: Hero is CO with 8 8
Hero raises to $7, BTN calls $7, SB calls $6, 1 fold

Flop: ($23.00) 6 7 5 (3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $16, BTN calls $16, SB calls $16

Turn: ($71.00) 3 (3 players)
SB bets $12, Hero calls $12, BTN raises to $47.75 all in, SB folds, Hero calls $35.75

Gramps is posting only 1 hand at a time

Gramps - the QQ I think calling in position preflop is fine, flop & turn are fine, I might try to squeeze some value out on the river. JX and 77-99 might be paying you off.

The 78s - I would usually dump this preflop, regardless of if the button comes along. I think some of our better postflop players are going to say calling there is fine, but playing sootid connectors well OOP is hard.

Gramps, I'll try to help. Still learning myself so take it fwiw.


QQ hand - You need to 3 bet pf especially vs a reg that might 4 bet you light. I'd definitely value bet river.

87s hand - I'd prefer to 3 bet than to call. Depends on MP but I think 3 bet > calling > folding.

AQ hand - Yeah, I'd probably just 3 bet it unless UTG is a huge nit from EP(this is where the new PT3 and Holdem manager really help out). I wouldn't ever raise/fold if UTG had less than 50 bbs. I think raising and flatting on the flop are both fine.

88 hand - I'd play it the same. However, the 3 might be the worst card in the deck for your hand because guys with stacks lilke this could easily have a 4.

How often does button 3 bet? Even if he does a lot I can't see any better option than folding. 20/15's usually are super nits utg.

Seems fine as long as you folded the river. Only thing you beat on river is complete air and without reads you can't call and hope he is the village idiot.

Gramps - on the QQ hand with your read I would prefer to 3-bet. As played I think you can still bet the river for value. If you get 4-bet I think you should be happy to go with it based on your description of table dynamics.

As played I think you can bet the river for value.

The 7,8s hand looks like a good spot to squeeze depending on how aggressive the opener is but I think squeezing, folding, and calling are all reasonable depending on table dynamics.

right. my stealing comment was a general comment, not hand specific.

All my thoughts on the J8 hand are 100% correct. I've also failed to write them out properly 100% adding in a bunch of comments that were not related to the hand so I'll now stfu.

It must be due to your ever advancing age... Happy birthday you senile bat.

Poker Stars $0.50/$1.00 No Limit Hold'em - 6 players
2+2 Hand Converter Powered By DeucesCracked

CO: $104.60
Hero (BTN): $110.15
SB: $227.15
BB: $174.40
UTG: $72.80
MP: $105.45

Pre Flop: Hero is BTN with K K
1 fold, MP raises to $3.50, 1 fold, Hero raises to $13, 2 folds, MP calls $9.50

Flop: ($27.50) 2 6 A (2 players)
MP bets $20, Hero folds

Villain is 20/6/0.45 but only 70 hands. This is the first strange play from him I've noticed. My only real read is the one hand I happened to notice him open he failed to c-bet the flop and folded on the turn.

Should I be calling off at least one street here even with his profile?