Top Pair and 4 Flush hand

[Stagemusic]

I would like some comments on this hand. This is in a $50 NL game online. .50/1.00 blinds.

I am UTG with A [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] J [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] and I make a minimum raise to $2 (I am thinking this might be too little here)

3 callers plus the blinds for 6 players seeing a flop

Flop comes: 5 [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] 8 [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] 3 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]

Blinds check, I make it $5 to go...2 callers both blinds fold

Turn: J [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

I bet out $10 with top pair and my nut flush draw.

Both opponents fold.

My question. Was the bet too strong after my $5 bet on the flop? Should I have bet a little lower to maybe keep one or both in the pot or does the danger of not having anything other than top pair at this point make this the right move?

[Richie Rich]

Your $5 bet into a $12 pot on the flop wasn't very threatening at all. And you're wondering if your $10 bet into a $27 pot on the turn was "too strong"? C'mon...

If you really wanted both opponents to come along for the ride, then you should have c/r'd the turn. But I don't think your less-than-half-the-pot bets were too scary in any way. What's wrong with charging opponents who want to chase?

[schroedy]

There is nothing to criticize.

Your opponents just didn't catch enough of the flop.

All I can imagine is two overcards to the flop, some middle sized pairs or maybe some insane backdoor straight double draw or something.

Although I play in a $20/$40 game where the table motto seems to be, "In for the flop, in for the turn."

[Baulucky]

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Although I play in a $20/$40 game where the table motto seems to be, "In for the flop, in for the turn."

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Where is this game please?. Online?.

[schroedy]

To me, Planet Poker has some of the best games I have run into online. I have won consistently there for three years now. I will post my own review of sites over in the Internet Poker thread.

[Baulucky]

[ QUOTE ]
Blinds check, I make it $5 to go...2 callers both blinds fold

[/ QUOTE ]

Were you trying to pick up the pot here?. What if you are repopped hard?. I'd try to see the next card free, and keep as many players in as possible. It's nice you got the J on the turn, but I'd have kept as many players in as possible AGAIN(flush draws?) to really get paid off if a spade hits the river.

Please let me know why you bet twice?. I may be completely off here.

[Stagemusic]

Thanks for the replies. Exactly what I was looking for. I was not looking to defend my play. I really wanted the info as I am just starting to get into NL ring play. In a NL SNG or tourney I know what my play should have been but I was really unsure here.

Thanks

[Baulucky]

I'm trying to learn from you!... After all you wrote the book on SNG NL play. Why did you bet twice?. I can see why that is correct at tourney play.

[Prevaricator]

You played it fine. You want to get payed off when they do call right? And if you only bet a little and the river comes a Q [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], well you're not gonna be happy about that right?

[Stagemusic]

Exactly my problem here. I am having a hard time it seems switching strategy from NL Tourney play to NL ring play. I found that I was leaking a lot of money and not getting paid off on my good hands in ring play because I was not adjusting to the differences. It's a different world indeed. I think that it is also a clue to the success of very good NL ring players. I seem to notice a bunch of the same players playing in the ring games and the SNG's. The NL ring specialists seem to eat them (and me lol) alive. I just can't help but think that the skills that I learned after getting my azz kicked in many many SNG's would help in any NL game...I welcome comments.