Played a weird hand at my 1/2 home game, probably one of the worst in a while.

Hero (BB): Viewed as tight/passive by the table, basically a nit. All the players here know each other very well.

V1 (UTG): Short stack, $46 effective. Crazy gambler, we have a lot of history. I know for a fact that if I try to show interest in the pot he will shove with ATC.

V2 (BTN): More of a solid reg, LAGGY player. Definitely winning in this field. $330 effective. Very active 3-betting and 4-betting.

OTTH

V1 straddles UTG, everyone else folds, V2 raises to $12, SB folds, Hero 3-bets to $46 with JT, V1 immediately ships it in blind, V2 calls.

Flop: AQ2 Pot = $139

Hero bets $30, V1 calls

Turn: Q Pot = $199

Hero bets $55, V2 calls.

River: 6 Pot = $309

Hero jams for $200

Analysis:

Preflop: So the 3-bet pre was to try and isolate V1 heads-up as I know he didn't look at his cards and was prepared to shove. I wanted to collect the dead money and hopefully be ahead of him.

Flop: Pretty great flop for our hand and range, my reasoning was to bet small to try and build a pot for when/if I hit, or be able to bluff on later streets by showing strength now.

Turn: Definitely not the best card, Q's are in his range but I felt it was still worth a bet as I am repping AK+, and I know this player is good enough to fold a A on the river, maybe even the turn. Hard to be bluffing here except with my exact hand.

River: I guess I just shove for value? I had less than a PSB and checking seemed way too nitty. I don't really know.


Results were pretty surprising, I'll post them after a bit.

I just feel like my thinking is messed up somewhere in the hand, but I can't figure out where.

I not in love with PF. I think JTs plays better as a call than a 3 bet bluff. But I guess not horrible vs a loose button range if he's calling fairly wide.

I like a bigger bet on the flop vs a laggy player or a CR. I don't like a small bet esp vs an aggro player as it just invites action you're not looking for. A bigger bet you are targetting a fold from hands like 33-88/99 maybe even TT, KJ/KT.

AP on the turn I slow down. He has a lot more Qs than you do.
Also this decision would've been less murky if your flop bet was bigger since his range would be alot more narrow.

River is fine, you hit your card.

Once V2 raises the straddle with position, it's not likely you can isolate V1 with $46 3bet that puts V1 all-in. Board's paired and you indicate V2 is a decent player, why are you shoving the river with only a Jack high flush? Do you want a call? or do you think he will fold? Is he likely to call with just a Q? Or is he likely to fold worse and only call better? Doesn't feel like you thought this thru and had a plan, just liked the flop and started betting and shoved river even though board paired and AQ is definitely in V2 range.

If you are really sure that V1 will jam blind every time, raise pre-flop to like $26 or so. Then the jam will re-open the action, and I am guessing V2 will be less likely to call if he knows that you can raise again.

I agree with MrSpy, either make a normal bet on the flop, or go for the CRAI.

Weird hand to be sure.

Preflop, I’m not sure why your 3 betting here when Villian 1 is short stacked. There are three reasons to 3 bet. For value, as a bluff, and to isolate with a hand that plays better heads up. Jack/10 suited is the type of hand that plays better multiway. So I wouldn’t 3 bet this hand often unless an opponent is getting a little out of line. And, even then I would prefer to use hands with some card removal like A/X, or AK so I can block Aces and Kings.

The turn, I think betting isn’t terrible, and I’m okay with the bet.

The river on the other hand I’m not a fan of the shove. Essentially you’re turning your hand in to a bluff by shoving, instead of betting for value. What hands that you beat are going to call here? Lower flushes? Aces up? I think single paired hands will fold, and most likely lower flushes because the board is paired. Maybe not though. I think it depends on your perception of Villian 2. If he’s a calling station, then I like the shove. If he’s more of a thinking player I would say bet $100 for value.

I don't like pre but the rest is fine. River shove is good since V's will check a ton of hands behind here and we aren't folding anyway (since V2 only has $200 left and we aren't folding our flush getting over 2.5-1. Sorry he had AA...

I think AK hearts or AQ is more likely given how the hand played out. But given how OP described hand, I would not be surprised if short stack had pocket twos or queens for quads (or Ax hearts for nut flush) - Basically, can't blame the push but as described and played out, Im guessing OP came in third!!

I don't wanna spoil the results just yet, I'll post in another hour or so.

V2 ended up tank-folding Ah9h face-up and I felt embarrassed as I had to show down my hand against V1 (who had 94o lol)

Yowza what a brutal fold by him. Yet ANOTHER reason to shove...you get nut flushes to fold WOOT!!!