I NEVER know what to do here...
 

hands like this seem to always get me in trouble. The line i lose for them sometimes allows me to win big ones picking off bluffs, but it also fucks me over alot too..


PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t50 (6 handed) converter

MP (t1270)
CO (t1020)
Button (t1790)
SB (t1495)
Hero (t2195)
UTG (t1230)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 9[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img].
<font color="#CC3333">UTG raises to t100</font>, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, CO calls t100, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, Hero calls t50.

Flop: (t325) Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 3[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 9[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(3 players)</font>
Hero checks, <font color="#CC3333">UTG bets t150</font>, CO folds, Hero calls t150.

Turn: (t625) 2[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
Hero checks, <font color="#CC3333">UTG bets t250</font>, Hero calls t250.

River: (t1125) 2[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
Hero checks, UTG checks.

Final Pot: t1125


How should I have played that? Assume folding preflop is not an option.

Re: I NEVER know what to do here...
 

I don't like the flop check. You have no idea where you stand and this gives you absolutely no information. You're in the same position on the turn. Put a bet out there and see where you stand.

Re: I NEVER know what to do here...
 

Yeah i like the idea of putting out a bet on the flop maybe about 1/2 pot to see where you're at, you can get away with it if the villain fights back.
To be honest though i'm quite passive in these situations between levels 1-3 and would probably fold after the villain bet on the flop because there will most likely be more lucrative spots later on so no point risking a significant % of your stack at the moment. But who knows, that might be a leak in my game. But thats how i'd play it.

To be really honest i do fold this pf.

Re: I NEVER know what to do here...
 

stop calling, raise to see where your at, or fold and save the chips. calling is usually the worst option.

Steve

Re: I NEVER know what to do here...
 

Fold on all streets except the river.

Re: I NEVER know what to do here...
 

I think you need to check to UTG here and expect a contuination bet.

I think the way you played it is fine, calling down his bluff, though it may not be perfect.

I don't like betting out because it folds hands you are ahead of, and only lets hands you have beat come in, so the way I see it on the flop is you can either check-call, check-raise, or check-fold to a bet and a call.

Re: I NEVER know what to do here...
 

I fold preflop and I don't know why it's "not an option". Your hand sucks, and you're out of position. Since you didn't you can lead the flop, check raise it, or stop and go, but I wouldn't be folding when it gets back to me. I'd lead the turn for 1/2 pot and see what happens. Check the river.

EDIT: To be a little clearer, I sometimes will fold when it gets back to me, but that dinky little bet looks weak.

Re: I NEVER know what to do here...
 

Bet the flop (2/3 the pot), fold to a raise. As has already been said, you have no idea where you are if you just call.

$.02

Re: I NEVER know what to do here...
 

This is always a tricky spot.
A. folding pre flop would be a big mistake getting 5-1.

Betting out is probably best, you may miss out on a continuation bet when you are ahead but should save some money when you are beat. it is awkward on the turn when they call but check calling can be expensive and just as awkward. I have often checked too in these spots but usually end up regretting not betting out.

If you know theplayers are a bit passive and will not continue to bluff the turn and riv then perhaps check calling and seeing how much is bet is ok, but you risk giving free cards that way.

Re: I NEVER know what to do here...
 

not so fondly of a hand like this either. knowing me i would probably check/call flop and bet on turn planning to fold to a raise. but since he bitch raised preflop utg, i think a fold on the flop is fine also.