So this will be the first of a few threads like this. I've decided to just post the hands I commented on, because there is too much to filter through otherwise. Also, it turned out to be more time-consuming than I'd expected, so I won't be doing another one of these tonight. Maybe tomorrow?

I think c-betting more often is the most important thing I noticed. Checking too often on the flop is not only an equity mistake at the time, but it also gives your opponent information about your hand while gaining very little about his, making it harder to act effectively on later streets.

Finally, please feel free to ask questions about this stuff.





PokerStars Game #13210264223: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/11/13 - 01:12:22 (ET)
Table 'Kassandra IV' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: chitownflea ($30.50 in chips)
Seat 2: kaoz12345678 ($25.55 in chips)
Seat 3: Hero ($25 in chips)
Seat 5: EyeKnows ($26.60 in chips)
Seat 6: Brain175 ($11.25 in chips)
Hero: posts small blind $0.10
EyeKnows: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [9d Jd]
Brain175: folds
chitownflea: folds
kaoz12345678: raises $0.75 to $1
Hero: folds
EyeKnows: calls $0.75
*** FLOP *** [6d Jh 5c]
EyeKnows: checks
kaoz12345678: bets $1.50
EyeKnows: calls $1.50
*** TURN *** [6d Jh 5c] [Ks]
EyeKnows: checks
kaoz12345678: bets $3
EyeKnows: folds
kaoz12345678 collected $4.85 from pot
kaoz12345678: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $5.10 | Rake $0.25
Board [6d Jh 5c Ks]
Seat 1: chitownflea folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: kaoz12345678 (button) collected ($4.85)
Seat 3: Hero (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: EyeKnows (big blind) folded on the Turn
Seat 6: Brain175 folded before Flop (didn't bet)


I would probably 3bet here. It is nice to get a feel of how people are going to react to aggression right away. Also, I would never fold J9s in the CO to a hijack opener, but that’s just me.



PokerStars Game #13210477832: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/11/13 - 01:31:24 (ET)
Table 'Kassandra IV' 6-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 3: Hero ($27.35 in chips)
Seat 4: mhonan981 ($15.15 in chips)
Seat 6: AirZoom ($14.95 in chips)
AirZoom: posts small blind $0.10
Hero: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [Js Ad]
mhonan981: raises $0.55 to $0.80
AirZoom: folds
Hero: calls $0.55
*** FLOP *** [6c 8h Qs]
Hero: checks
mhonan981: checks
*** TURN *** [6c 8h Qs] [Jd]
Hero: bets $1
mhonan981: raises $2.25 to $3.25
Hero: folds
mhonan981 collected $3.55 from pot
mhonan981: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $3.70 | Rake $0.15
Board [6c 8h Qs Jd]
Seat 3: Hero (big blind) folded on the Turn
Seat 4: mhonan981 (button) collected ($3.55)
Seat 6: AirZoom (small blind) folded before Flop


I would almost certainly 3bet AJ 3-handed. Even versus a nit.

I like your line postflop, especially if you were going for a c/r on this checkraisalicious flop.





PokerStars Game #13210489812: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/11/13 - 01:32:31 (ET)
Table 'Kassandra IV' 6-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 3: Hero ($25.80 in chips)
Seat 4: mhonan981 ($16.55 in chips)
Seat 6: AirZoom ($14.95 in chips)
AirZoom: posts small blind $0.10
Hero: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [6d 7h]
mhonan981: folds
AirZoom: calls $0.15
Hero: checks
*** FLOP *** [7s 5c Js]
AirZoom: checks
Hero: bets $0.50
AirZoom: folds
Hero collected $0.50 from pot
Hero: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $0.50 | Rake $0
Board [7s 5c Js]
Seat 3: Hero (big blind) collected ($0.50)
Seat 4: mhonan981 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: AirZoom (small blind) folded on the Flop


Don’t let this guy limp in on your blind. I raise any 2 here, and 67o > any 2.





PokerStars Game #13210502625: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/11/13 - 01:33:46 (ET)
Table 'Kassandra IV' 6-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 3: Hero ($25.95 in chips)
Seat 4: mhonan981 ($16.30 in chips)
Seat 6: AirZoom ($15.05 in chips)
mhonan981: posts small blind $0.10
AirZoom: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [Qh Qd]
Hero: raises $0.75 to $1
mhonan981: raises $2 to $3
AirZoom: folds
Hero: raises $15.25 to $18.25
God Gary joins the table at seat #2
mhonan981: folds
Hero collected $6.25 from pot
Hero: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $6.25 | Rake $0
Seat 3: Hero (button) collected ($6.25)
Seat 4: mhonan981 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: AirZoom (big blind) folded before Flop


I prefer calling 3bets when in position. I also think a small 4-bet is significantly better than a shove here, as he is much more likely to stack off with AJs or something if he can shove rather than call.




PokerStars Game #13210550720: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/11/13 - 01:38:25 (ET)
Table 'Kassandra IV' 6-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: peaceoface3x ($14.60 in chips)
Seat 2: God Gary ($14.75 in chips)
Seat 3: Hero ($25.80 in chips)
Seat 4: mhonan981 ($13.65 in chips)
Seat 6: AirZoom ($15.15 in chips)
Hero: posts small blind $0.10
mhonan981: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [Ac As]
AirZoom: folds
peaceoface3x: folds
God Gary: folds
Hero: raises $0.75 to $1
mhonan981: calls $0.75
*** FLOP *** [3s Jd 4s]
Hero: bets $1.50
mhonan981: raises $3 to $4.50
Hero: raises $14.50 to $19
mhonan981: folds
4WannaPlay joins the table at seat #5
Hero collected $10.50 from pot
Hero: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $11 | Rake $0.50
Board [3s Jd 4s]
Seat 1: peaceoface3x folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: God Gary (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Hero (small blind) collected ($10.50)
Seat 4: mhonan981 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 6: AirZoom folded before Flop (didn't bet)


I don’t mind a call on the flop, since you have the As (without As I think a reraise is mandatory). I also don’t mind a shove, obviously. If you decide to call, though, lead a non-spade turn. This allows him to shove with his draws.




PokerStars Game #13210654469: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/11/13 - 01:48:28 (ET)
Table 'Kassandra IV' 6-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: peaceoface3x ($18.15 in chips)
Seat 2: God Gary ($18.75 in chips)
Seat 3: Hero ($27.45 in chips)
Seat 5: 4WannaPlay ($7.40 in chips)
peaceoface3x: posts small blind $0.10
God Gary: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [3h 3d]
Hero: raises $0.75 to $1
4WannaPlay: folds
peaceoface3x: calls $0.90
God Gary: folds
*** FLOP *** [6d Qc 8d]
peaceoface3x: checks
Hero: checks
*** TURN *** [6d Qc 8d] [Kh]
peaceoface3x: checks
Hero: bets $1.50
peaceoface3x: calls $1.50
*** RIVER *** [6d Qc 8d Kh] [4d]
peaceoface3x: bets $2
Hero: folds
peaceoface3x collected $5 from pot
peaceoface3x: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $5.25 | Rake $0.25
Board [6d Qc 8d Kh 4d]
Seat 1: peaceoface3x (small blind) collected ($5)
Seat 2: God Gary (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: Hero folded on the River
Seat 5: 4WannaPlay (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)


As a rule, I’d recommend always c-betting when you’re in position and villain checks. There are some exceptions however, such as when you’re against an opponent who check-raises a lot, or if the board is very drawy. In this case, the board hits a lot of hands, and villain might c/r with his flush draws and stuff, so this is definitely not a bad time to check behind. Well played.




PokerStars Game #13210662433: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/11/13 - 01:49:15 (ET)
Table 'Kassandra IV' 6-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: peaceoface3x ($20.65 in chips)
Seat 2: God Gary ($18.50 in chips)
Seat 3: Hero ($25 in chips)
Seat 5: 4WannaPlay ($7.40 in chips)
God Gary: posts small blind $0.10
Hero: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [Ah Qh]
4WannaPlay: calls $0.25
peaceoface3x: calls $0.25
God Gary: calls $0.15
Hero: raises $1.50 to $1.75
4WannaPlay: calls $1.50
peaceoface3x: folds
God Gary: folds
*** FLOP *** [8d Kd 8h]
Hero: checks
4WannaPlay: checks
*** TURN *** [8d Kd 8h] [Ac]
Hero: checks
4WannaPlay: bets $2.25
Hero: raises $5 to $7.25
4WannaPlay: folds
Hero collected $8.10 from pot
Hero: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $8.50 | Rake $0.40
Board [8d Kd 8h Ac]
Seat 1: peaceoface3x (button) folded before Flop
Seat 2: God Gary (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: Hero (big blind) collected ($8.10)
Seat 5: 4WannaPlay folded on the Turn


C-Bet!!!!

You have A high on a board where the hand he’ll most likely call your c-bet with is a flush draw. If not, then you could still easily have 6 outs, and very often 3.

He also has equity no matter what his hand is, and checking lets him either steal the pot, or take a free card.




PokerStars Game #13210691412: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/11/13 - 01:52:07 (ET)
Table 'Kassandra IV' 6-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: peaceoface3x ($22.45 in chips)
Seat 2: God Gary ($22.10 in chips)
Seat 3: Hero ($25.95 in chips)
God Gary: posts small blind $0.10
Hero: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [Jd 2c]
peaceoface3x: folds
God Gary: calls $0.15
Hero: checks
*** FLOP *** [Qs Tc Ah]
4WannaPlay leaves the table
leatherfac84 joins the table at seat #6
God Gary: checks
Hero: checks
*** TURN *** [Qs Tc Ah] [Ts]
God Gary: checks
Hero: checks
*** RIVER *** [Qs Tc Ah Ts] [Qd]
God Gary: checks
Hero: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
God Gary: shows [8s 5h] (two pair, Queens and Tens)
Hero: shows [Jd 2c] (two pair, Queens and Tens)
God Gary collected $0.25 from pot
Hero collected $0.25 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $0.50 | Rake $0
Board [Qs Tc Ah Ts Qd]
Seat 1: peaceoface3x (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: God Gary (small blind) showed [8s 5h] and won ($0.25) with two pair, Queens and Tens
Seat 3: Hero (big blind) showed [Jd 2c] and won ($0.25) with two pair, Queens and Tens


Again, don’t let people limp in your blind.

Also, I would bet this flop 100% of the time. He limped in, so big cards don’t make up too much of his range.




PokerStars Game #13210717802: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/11/13 - 01:54:46 (ET)
Table 'Kassandra IV' 6-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: peaceoface3x ($21.35 in chips)
Seat 2: God Gary ($26.30 in chips)
Seat 3: Hero ($25.50 in chips)
Seat 6: leatherfac84 ($19.85 in chips)
leatherfac84: posts small blind $0.10
peaceoface3x: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [Ad As]
God Gary: folds
Hero: raises $0.75 to $1
leatherfac84: folds
peaceoface3x: calls $0.75
*** FLOP *** [Jd 7s 7c]
peaceoface3x: bets $2
Hero: raises $4.50 to $6.50
peaceoface3x: folds
Hero collected $5.80 from pot
Hero: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $6.10 | Rake $0.30
Board [Jd 7s 7c]
Seat 1: peaceoface3x (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: God Gary folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Hero (button) collected ($5.80)
Seat 6: leatherfac84 (small blind) folded before Flop


I think calling here is way better than raising. Unless he has you beat already, he’s drawing to two outs, and calling is going to get a lot more value from his range.





PokerStars Game #13210747079: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/11/13 - 01:57:46 (ET)
Table 'Kassandra IV' 6-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: peaceoface3x ($17.45 in chips)
Seat 2: God Gary ($23.55 in chips)
Seat 3: Hero ($27.95 in chips)
Seat 6: leatherfac84 ($23.40 in chips)
God Gary: posts small blind $0.10
Hero: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [Qh Ts]
leatherfac84: calls $0.25
peaceoface3x: raises $0.75 to $1
God Gary: calls $0.90
Hero: folds
leatherfac84: folds
*** FLOP *** [Kd Jh Kh]
God Gary: checks
peaceoface3x: checks
*** TURN *** [Kd Jh Kh] [6d]
God Gary: bets $1.50
peaceoface3x: folds
God Gary collected $2.40 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $2.50 | Rake $0.10
Board [Kd Jh Kh 6d]
Seat 1: peaceoface3x (button) folded on the Turn
Seat 2: God Gary (small blind) collected ($2.40)
Seat 3: Hero (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: leatherfac84 folded before Flop


This looks like a wonderful spot to do a little squeezin’.




PokerStars Game #13210765086: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/11/13 - 01:59:38 (ET)
Table 'Kassandra IV' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: peaceoface3x ($11.20 in chips)
Seat 2: God Gary ($30.15 in chips)
Seat 3: Hero ($27.60 in chips)
Seat 6: leatherfac84 ($22.80 in chips)
peaceoface3x: posts small blind $0.10
God Gary: posts big blind $0.25
Bonzo59: sits out
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [Qs As]
Hero: raises $0.75 to $1
leatherfac84: folds
peaceoface3x: folds
God Gary: calls $0.75
*** FLOP *** [3d 7d Jh]
God Gary: checks
Hero: bets $1.50
God Gary: calls $1.50
*** TURN *** [3d 7d Jh] [5c]
God Gary: checks
Hero: checks
*** RIVER *** [3d 7d Jh 5c] [Td]
cieri48 joins the table at seat #5
God Gary: bets $1
Hero: folds
God Gary collected $4.85 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $5.10 | Rake $0.25
Board [3d 7d Jh 5c Td]
Seat 1: peaceoface3x (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: God Gary (big blind) collected ($4.85)
Seat 3: Hero folded on the River
Seat 6: leatherfac84 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)


I think this a very good spot to fire a second barrel on the turn. I think he’s going to fold a lot of his non-top pair hands, and call with his flush draws (and check them behind on the river!). Gotta love it when they are folding better hands calling with worse. Plus you often have outs if he has you beat.



PokerStars Game #13210770875: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/11/13 - 02:00:13 (ET)
Table 'Kassandra IV' 6-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: peaceoface3x ($11.10 in chips)
Seat 2: God Gary ($32.50 in chips)
Seat 3: Hero ($25.10 in chips)
Seat 5: cieri48 ($8 in chips)
Seat 6: leatherfac84 ($22.80 in chips)
God Gary: posts small blind $0.10
Hero: posts big blind $0.25
Bonzo59: sits out
cieri48: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [9d Qc]
cieri48: checks
leatherfac84: raises $0.50 to $0.75
peaceoface3x: calls $0.75
God Gary: calls $0.65
Hero: folds
cieri48: calls $0.50
*** FLOP *** [Td Jc 3d]
God Gary: checks
cieri48: checks
leatherfac84: bets $0.75
peaceoface3x: raises $1.75 to $2.50
God Gary: folds
cieri48: folds
leatherfac84: calls $1.75
*** TURN *** [Td Jc 3d] [Qh]
leatherfac84: checks
peaceoface3x: checks
*** RIVER *** [Td Jc 3d Qh] [3s]
leatherfac84: checks
peaceoface3x: bets $3
leatherfac84: calls $3
*** SHOW DOWN ***
peaceoface3x: shows [4h 8h] (a pair of Threes)
leatherfac84: shows [Jd Kc] (two pair, Jacks and Threes)
leatherfac84 collected $13.60 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $14.25 | Rake $0.65
Board [Td Jc 3d Qh 3s]
Seat 1: peaceoface3x (button) showed [4h 8h] and lost with a pair of Threes
Seat 2: God Gary (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 3: Hero (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: cieri48 folded on the Flop
Seat 6: leatherfac84 showed [Jd Kc] and won ($13.60) with two pair, Jacks and Threes


This is another nice squeeze opportunity. Remember that the situation is more important than your hand when bluffing, even preflop.




PokerStars Game #13210828085: Hold'em No Limit ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/11/13 - 02:06:16 (ET)
Table 'Kassandra IV' 6-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: peaceoface3x ($3.25 in chips)
Seat 2: God Gary ($38.90 in chips)
Seat 3: Hero ($25.75 in chips)
Seat 4: MEC2210 ($24.65 in chips)
Seat 6: leatherfac84 ($38.95 in chips)
peaceoface3x: posts small blind $0.10
God Gary: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [Kc Qh]
cormaggie joins the table at seat #5
Hero: raises $0.75 to $1
MEC2210: folds
leatherfac84: calls $1
peaceoface3x: folds
God Gary: calls $0.75
*** FLOP *** [4c 9s 7d]
God Gary: checks
Hero: checks
leatherfac84: checks
*** TURN *** [4c 9s 7d] [Th]
God Gary: checks
Hero: checks
leatherfac84: checks
*** RIVER *** [4c 9s 7d Th] [7h]
God Gary: bets $0.50
Hero: folds
leatherfac84: folds
God Gary collected $2.95 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $3.10 | Rake $0.15
Board [4c 9s 7d Th 7h]
Seat 1: peaceoface3x (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: God Gary (big blind) collected ($2.95)
Seat 3: Hero folded on the River
Seat 4: MEC2210 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: leatherfac84 (button) folded on the River


Continuation bet that ish! You have like, minimum six outs against a caller, and almost no showdown equity.



Overall, I think you played very well. I don't think I saw a single significant mistake other than your c-betting frequencies.

ty for looking

i generally dont 3bet weaker hands from the blinds as often preflop, as in the lower limits the players are more stationy, and theres not much fold equity pre and post, and im OOP on top of that, but i could be mistaken there. similarly the BB play, but without the OOP

i think i would have 3bet the J9s if i had a little more info about the PFR though, i think that table was pretty new at that point...

and yeah i still need to learn to recognize good c-bet spots, especially multiway.

The 3-betting is just suggestion; I'm pointing out that they are good spots to do it, but not that you should or anything.

I encourage you to play aggressively on earlier streets at the beginning of a session. I find it's nice to find out how people respond to aggression before getting into big pots with them. Then they don't know anything about you (pushing people out of pots doesn't reveal much about your play), but you have some idea of how they play.

Again, I was quite impressed by your play. You're already pretty much ready for ssnl imo.

hmm, good point. i tend to be the opposite, wait to see what they do before i make moves. i should probably be aggressive earlier in sessions as well...would be about essential were i to play HU

both of the shove hands you mentioned (QQ pf, AA on J43), i shoved because he was a shorter stack, and a shove is about 5x their raise, not far above a standard one

the J2 hand i think was a case where i would have led the flop had i played the hand today, but when i play i tend to stay for at least a couple hours so i dont have many where i only played the number of hands you preferred

by ty for the compliments, ive got the roll to be playing 50NL, but ive been kinda hesitant for some reason

if this matters at all, I think in hand one kaoz is really tight on the PFR.. like 4 or 5%.. so 3betting him might be spewing as he's probably going to call/4bet most of his raising range

Yes, that certainly matters

yeah, as this table was played a few weeks ago i dont remember the players stats

lets see what ive got on him in pt...

17.5/9.5 over 63...steal percent 16.6%

his position stats are funny though

button: 8/8
CO: 16/8
MP: 20/10
UTG: 16/16

so likely not positionally aware

When you just call on the flop with AA, do you plan on raising the turn if we can get him to bet?

I've heard debate as to whether or not we should let them continue to bet when we think we have the best hand. Some people say raise for value because they're stations, others say let them bet because their betting range is wider than their calling range. But I like what I read in the "My 25NL Adventure/Pilgrimage" thread. Are you taking this idea from what was expressed in that thread?

PS: Thank you for taking the time to post this kind of analysis. I like reading the thoughts of a good player instead of reading a whole bunch of one line answers in most of the strat posts.

It depends on the turn, and the player. On a blank, vs very aggro players I'd call, and vs more passive players I'd raise. A passive player is more likely to have a hand he wants to stack off with when he fires two barrels, and is also less likely to keep firing with weaker holdings. On a K turn I'm probably not raising vs anyone, unless there are meta-game things in play.

I've never read the 25nl Adventure/Pilgrimage.

yw.

cowpig,

Thanks for doing this. Good stuff, imo.

In hand 2, AJ hand, you said, "I like your line postflop, especially if you were going for a c/r on this checkraisalicious flop."

I suspect the main reasons is because of the flop texture. The board has only one high card and is relatively drawless, so villain will miss the majority of the time and cannot call. I agree that it is a great candidate flop for a c/r. I would think that we wouldn't c/r every flop that is favorable, but rather a % of the time. Kinda like we wouldn't squeeze at every opportunity, just what we think we can get away with. What I am wondering is how often would you make this c/r against different player types? Does being 3 handed change the c/r ratio? Is floating oop ever an option, even if rarely?

thanks for that cowpig, i enjoyed reading your comments, and looking forward to the next ones (wish i'd replied to the thread now).

would it be possible for you to run the hands through a converter next time? maybe use the inbuilt hand converter on the new forums?

i'm also interested in cato's question about frequencies for making aggressive plays in good spots.

That's what I tought! Good stuff btw!

You nailed the reasoning right on the head. The texture is perfect for a c/r, and the fact that villain has the betting lead makes it especially so. The type of player I am most likely to check-raise is one who is very aggressive. The wider his PFR range and c-betting range, the more often I'm going to try and take the pot from him.

Like you said, we aren't going to check-raise every time in this spot. Only a certain % of the time, based on our image, villain, and recent history at the table. For example, if we've already check-raised this villain twice and he tanked both times, I wouldn't check-raise. The frequency is not going to be predetermined or random; it is going to be dictated by table conditions and situations.

I think floating OOP without a very solid, specific reason is suicide. I almost never do it, because it has to work so very often to be profitable, and every condition has to be perfect for it to work.


The problem I have with converting hands is that it screws things up so often. Plus, I find raw HHs really easy to read after months of reviewing my sessions, talking to other people about hands, etc etc.

If you guys want me to convert the next one, however, and there is a way to convert the whole thing I'll be happy to do it.

The built in hand converter works well. Just click the 'click to expand' button in the upper right and paste everything into it. I tried it with the hands in the OP and it worked great. It will strip out any comments you have though, so those would need to be put in afterwards. Nice review by the way, I am eagerly looking forward to mine.

OK, I'm going to do another one of these today

Thanks.

I am flawed, I think.

Will you detail your thoughts on squeezing?

cowpig,

Thanks for doing this

The great thing about a squeeze is that the original raiser is under a lot of pressure because he won't necessarily be in position postflop, won't have control of the hand, and god knows what those to act behind him will do. The guys behind are often weak because they didn't 3bet.

If there is a raise and two+ callers, the same pressure also applies to the callers in the middle, except they didn't even raise in the first place. And now the last guy is even less likely to have a strong hand because almost everyone knows better than to overcall with a premium hand.

Plus, there is extra money in the pot. So squeezing has the benefits of a regular 3bet, plus a bunch more.


The downside is that, because it is so profitable to squeeze, people will immediately assume you are squeezing and play back at you a lot, plus sometimes they smoothcall with AA because I'm acting behind them and they know how much I love to squeeeze. But at lower stakes, especially vs more passive players, these downsides don't even apply at all.

COWPIG IS AWESOME!


in hand 2 you suggest 3betting AJ against a nit. I'm struggiling to get my head around that because we have no FE and worse isnt calling/shoving. So everytime we see a flop we are a huge dog IMO, against a nit. Thoughts?

We are 3 handed. I wouldnt 3b this if we were sitting with 5 others unless villain is loose. But hand values obviously increase dramatically as the number of players decrease.

oh yeah, oops, didnt realise 3handed.