Short Stack Opponent - AK

[djoyce003]

Want to re-affirm my line on this short stack stuff. My thinking is that they'll push with considerably less than the nuts. What do you guys think?

Hand 1 - No real reads, he's only played a few hands, hasn't done anything real bad or good so far...he's been active post flop though and hasn't been afraid to raise.

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (6 max, 6 handed) converter (http://www.selachian.com/tools/bisonconverter/hhconverter.cgi)

Button ($73.05)
SB ($18)
BB ($31.35)
Hero ($532.83)
MP ($81.75)
CO ($91.10)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with A/images/graemlins/heart.gif, K/images/graemlins/club.gif. SB posts a blind of $0.50.
<font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to $4</font>, <font color="#666666">4 folds</font>, BB calls $3.

Flop: ($8.50) 6/images/graemlins/diamond.gif, A/images/graemlins/diamond.gif, 2/images/graemlins/diamond.gif <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
BB checks, <font color="#CC3333">Hero bets $7</font>, BB calls $27.35 (All-In), Hero calls $20.35.

I figured I was dodging diamonds.

Turn: ($63.20) 6/images/graemlins/heart.gif <font color="#0000FF">(2 players, 1 all-in)</font>

River: ($63.20) 5/images/graemlins/spade.gif <font color="#0000FF">(2 players, 1 all-in)</font>

Final Pot: $63.20

Hand 2 - One of my first hands of the session, no real reads, except after 20 or 30 hands opponent is 50/12 or so.

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (6 max, 6 handed) converter (http://www.selachian.com/tools/bisonconverter/hhconverter.cgi)

UTG ($86.40)
MP ($307.04)
CO ($91.08)
Hero ($110.15)
SB ($167)
BB ($139.95)

Preflop: Hero is Button with K/images/graemlins/heart.gif, A/images/graemlins/diamond.gif. SB posts a blind of $0.50.
<font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, CO calls $1, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to $4</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, CO calls $3.

Flop: ($9.50) K/images/graemlins/diamond.gif, A/images/graemlins/club.gif, 9/images/graemlins/heart.gif <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">CO bets $12</font>, Hero calls $12.

Turn: ($33.50) 4/images/graemlins/diamond.gif <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
CO checks, <font color="#CC3333">Hero bets $14</font>, CO calls $75.08 (All-In), Hero calls $61.08.

I was thinking set....but these weird overbets puzzle me. His stack is relatively short, and this is one of those bets that looks like it doesn't want a call. I debated but finally called...obviously with that river I won, but I'm wondering about thoughts on this turn...anyone think i'm behind, anyone think its a bluff?

River: ($183.66) A/images/graemlins/heart.gif <font color="#0000FF">(2 players, 1 all-in)</font>

Final Pot: $183.66

[erby]

Hand 1...did you give any credence to the fact that he might have a set?

I think Hand 2 is fine... why would he make such a big bet with a set??? is he scared you're gonna backdoor flush after you bet at a rainbow board?

ERBY /images/graemlins/spade.gif

[djoyce003]

i considered it, but thought some sort of pair + flushdraw was more likely.

[Bukem_]

Hand 1: Shortstacks are rarely tricky, and don't cr with draws. They just open shove their chips in. But they might cr all in with any ace...

Hand 2: His play is strange, If I'm folding to a turn bet them I'm 100% checking there. If I think he'll bluff, or has a9 or worse, I'm trying to get the money in there pre river.

[Benholio]

I would have played both of these hands the same.

Hand #1
I tend to make loose calls against shorties because of all the times you see them give away the rest of their stack once they get short. I think this is why the short-buy-system crap turns a profit, because people don't respect the shortstack.

Hand #2
Against a known tight player I can probably find a fold here, but against a potentially loose player (50vpip, but small sample) I am calling. I would be really suprised to see 99/KK/AA given his action, but I guess he could have donked his way into a set of 4's. I expect K9/A9/or some sort of draw/pair combo a lot more often.

I play them the same. I wouldn't necessarily be happy about having to call, but I think you have to. You're getting 2 to 1 on your money in both hands. Both hands, I'd expect you to be ahead around half the time, so I'd call. And you know you don't have to put any more money in. Short stacks do all kinds of crazy [censored], so I'm comfortable calling in both spots.