I wasn't planning to post this hand from last weekend. But, it's very appropriate to this thread. The hand is from the 20-40 Bellagio game and was playing typical (somewhat loose and aggressive)
The hand:
UTG (a mid-stakes mixed game player) limps in.
There's one fold and the next player raises. He's new to the game and brought several large denomination chips. That suggests to me he's a NLHE player (possibly 10-20 or higher).
A loose player calls. A 20-40 reg (possibly over-aggressive) calls. Chau Giang(!) calls (he's been playing mid-stakes games since the WSOP). The Button folds.
I'm in the small blind with J
J
and consider the situation. With only the Big Blind (very loose) and the UTG limp as players I could possibly knock out, I elect to call.
The Big Blind called.
UTG (a mid-stakes mixed game player) looks up from his phone and reassess the situation. He decides to three-bet. I was certain at the time that his decision to three-bet was made at that moment (based on body language and playing with him in the 20-40 O/8 game where he often jams with draws). In fact, it wasn't until after the hand that I realized that I didn't really consider that he limp-reraised with AA/KK.
Four players call the three-bet and the action was on me.
At this point, I'm certain Jacks are the best hand since the initial raiser didn't four-bet and nobody else has shown strength. But, I elected to call. The Big Blind called to close the action. If I had four-bet, I'm extremely confident the UTG player would have five-bet for the same reasons he three-bet.
Seven players saw the flop with 21 small bets in the pot.
The flop is: T
5
2
I checked. Big Blind checked.
UTG checked (largely confirming he doesn't have AA/KK). The initial pre-flop raiser checked. Loose player checked.
The 20-40 reg (possibly over-aggressive) bet. Chau Giang called.
The action is back on me and I raise.
The Big Blind who had calling chips in his hand says "Thanks!" and folds. UTG calls two bets cold (confirming he didn't flop a set since he'll surely choose to jam with it).
Initial pre-flop raiser folds. Loose player folds.
The 20-40 reg three-bets. Chau Giang folds.
I call and UTG calls.
Three players see the turn with 15.5 big bets in the pot.
The turn is: T
5
2
4
I check. UTG checks.
The 20-40 reg bets. I raise.
UTG briefly considers while gathering chips and says "Everyone's going to wonder how I got there if I win this pot." (yeah, that's a big tell and not an act)
The 20-40 reg calls.
Three players see the river with 21.5 big bets in the pot.
The river is: T
5
2
4
Q
I bet. UTG folds quickly. The 20-40 reg calls.