Playing 1/2nl in a local casino last week and came across this hand which was puzzling to me. To set it up, I don't have a ton of live cash experience, we were 7 handed at the time. Most pots had multiple callers and pre flop raises were anywhere between $10-$20. I had built my $100 buyin to about $320 in less than and hour, just betting my good hands for value and being called down by 2nd pair and the like. Witnessed some unbelievable preflop allins as well AJ vs QJ 50-100 bb deep...

Dealt A3ss in the sb, 3 limpers in front of me, I called, bb checked, 5 see the flop of A-3-2 rainbow (pot $10). I Check, next three check, cutoff bets $15, I min raise to $30 (trying to isolate and get info.) everyone folds back to the cut off who re-raises allin for his remaining $237 (pot $292). I had about $290 behind.

This one player is the only player at the table I don't have much info. on. I hadn't been involved in any hands with him, saw him showdown and win with a baby flush in a big pot with 4 of the suit on the board and listened to him complain how he was down $600 on the day.

What would you do, or do differently?

It is a very tough spot because although most 1/2 players will over play a hand like AK or AQ, I think the majority would just call in that spot. You say the player was down 600which makes it tough to fold due to the possible tilt factor, and just the size of the over bet all in tells you that the player is a donk. If the player wasn't stuck and possibly on tilt I would say it is a fold but because of the player I don't think it is a bad play either way. Personally I would call based on the info you have given me.

Also I would check raise more on flop maybe make it somewhere between 45-60

Like jhawk said I make a bigger c/r - I think this is one time I would call. There is a lot of AX hands he could have here and even smaller two pair hands.

this is a call. you should be good here most of the time as all you are really afraid of awre AA and 22 and 45 which he probably wouldnt play like that

Youre probably ahead. Unless he has 22, 33 (less likely) or 45.


I think your raise should be atleast to 45-60. Given your reads, I may make the crying call here but even then I'm uneasy about it.


I follow the "DONT GO BROKE IN A LIMPED POT" rule.

That sounds like a good rule.

My first instinct was a set likely 22, but why would he play it so wild? Possible TPTK but again the overbet just seemed so fishy. The thing is do I want to call off the majority of my stack in such a questionable spot...esp. since I only have $32 invested in it to this point?

lol. very good rule and agree with everything here. such a large over-bet makes no sense... i guess if i wanted to avoid variance i'd fold and if i was feeling brave i'd call.