Choose your own adventure.
 

Villain is a bit of a tricky LAG. He reraises preflop a decent amount with AK and big pairs, but a regular raise can be anything, and he randomly changes size but I've seen say a $5 raise with crap.

Postflop he bets a lot, but doesn't often bet big. He will also bluff three streets no problem. He generally seems to respect my raises though, except for this one time when he inexplicably called my checkraise on a 992 flop with KTo, then when I checked to him on the turn only bet like 1/6 pot and checked behind on river.

About two hands ago, I raise TT on the button, he calls in BB. Flops comes K9x rainbow, he bets I call. Turn comes a K, he bets small I call. River is something small, he bets near pot I call. He had Q high.

So, onto the hand.

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (6 max, 6 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Hero ($146)
BB ($262.82)
UTG ($19)
MP ($380.70)
CO ($199.90)
Button ($130.65)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. Hero posts a blind of $0.50.
<font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP raises to $3</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero... ?

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

reraise.

This is one of those players where if you start trying to outtrick them you can lose your stack with a hand like this when they make a strange 2 pair.

If he wants to see the flop make him pay, since you have the best hand here something like 98% of the time.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

he could have any two at this point... I isolate by raising to $10...

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

I'd make it $10. There's a good chance hero is ahead, and I'd like to get more money in as a favorite and narrow the range of hands the villain is likely to hold.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

I make it about $8 or $9 to go here.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

[ QUOTE ]

he could have any two at this point... I isolate by raising to $10...


[/ QUOTE ]

Villain is already isolated, but I understand what you're saying. In general I agree that raising here is correct, especially because this villain seems to have no problem bluff after getting raised.

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (6 max, 6 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Hero ($146)
BB ($262.82)
UTG ($19)
MP ($380.70)
CO ($199.90)
Button ($130.65)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. Hero posts a blind of $0.50.
<font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP raises to $3</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero (poster) raises to $8.5</font>, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, MP calls $6.

Flop: ($19) 3[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 5[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>

Hero?

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

I'm with the $10 crowd.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

I bet out here, maybe $12 - $15. I think a check might look a little obvious based on your past experience with him (with the c/r intent), and you've already defined your hand.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

[ QUOTE ]
Villain is a bit of a tricky LAG. He reraises preflop a decent amount with AK and big pairs, but a regular raise can be anything, and he randomly changes size but I've seen say a $5 raise with crap.

Postflop he bets a lot, but doesn't often bet big. He will also bluff three streets no problem. He generally seems to respect my raises though, except for this one time when he inexplicably called my checkraise on a 992 flop with KTo, then when I checked to him on the turn only bet like 1/6 pot and checked behind on river.

About two hands ago, I raise TT on the button, he calls in BB. Flops comes K9x rainbow, he bets I call. Turn comes a K, he bets small I call. River is something small, he bets near pot I call. He had Q high.

So, onto the hand.

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (6 max, 6 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Hero ($146)
BB ($262.82)
UTG ($19)
MP ($380.70)
CO ($199.90)
Button ($130.65)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. Hero posts a blind of $0.50.
<font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP raises to $3</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero... ? </font>

[/ QUOTE ]

I call. this will probably be a hu pot anyway and I rather keep it small since I'll be oop with a hand i want to see a showdown with.

PS: but this is one of those spots where I'd like to be convinced I'm wrong :|

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

reraise.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

No reason to slow down or think you are behind right now. I make it about 16 here on the flop.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

Reraise to $10. I like $15-16 on the flop.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

I make it 12-15 preflop. I would bet/3-bet the flop.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

[ QUOTE ]

I call. this will probably be a hu pot anyway and I rather keep it small since I'll be oop with a hand i want to see a showdown with.

PS: but this is one of those spots where I'd like to be convinced I'm wrong :|



[/ QUOTE ]

We like to play big pots with our big hands preflop.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

I reraise pf more like $10. Also I bet 3/4 pot at least. If you think he is tricky, you should cut his implied odds as much as possible.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

I bet $10-15 on the flop and hope Mr Maniac decides to challenge me. I think you want to sell AK here to get paid.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

[ QUOTE ]
I bet $10-15 on the flop and hope Mr Maniac decides to challenge me. I think you want to sell AK here to get paid.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is what I was thinking. To whoever said call PF, there are people against whom this is fine, i.e. if they are willing to go broke postflop with any pair and will bluff off heavily. However, with a $6 pot on the flop (if I smooth call) and a not completely crazy villain, I'm raising here.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (6 max, 6 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Hero ($146)
BB ($262.82)
UTG ($19)
MP ($380.70)
CO ($199.90)
Button ($130.65)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. Hero posts a blind of $0.50.
<font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP raises to $3</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero (poster) raises to $8.5</font>, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, MP calls $6.

Flop: ($19) 3[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 5[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">Hero bets $15</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP raises to $30</font>, Hero...

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

To me it seems like a flush draw, or 88 - TT. Calling/checking the turn could lead to giving him a free turn/river, and I cannot see folding. I'm inclined to re-raise to about $60 - $70.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

minraise? i'm guessing this is a WA/WB situation, but this guy is tricky.

if you think he doesnt this crazy stuff with less than marginal holdings, i say push.

if you just reraise here, you'll pretty much have to push your stack on the turn regardless of what falls.

too aggro? what am i missing?

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

So you either fold(pansy) or plan on how to get your stack in.

I think I like the smooth call and push turn. I think you get more FE on the turn if a spade hits and the pot has become large enough I'm happy to take down at this point.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

[ QUOTE ]
Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (6 max, 6 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Hero ($146)
BB ($262.82)
UTG ($19)
MP ($380.70)
CO ($199.90)
Button ($130.65)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. Hero posts a blind of $0.50.
<font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP raises to $3</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero (poster) raises to $8.5</font>, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, MP calls $6.

Flop: ($19) 3[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 5[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">Hero bets $15</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP raises to $30</font>, Hero...

[/ QUOTE ]

I like a push...

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

This flop was very tricky. I've never seen villain play draws, so I have no idea if this minraise is him drawing or just a bluff raise with J high or something. I thought that all things considered, it was far more likely villain had a lower pair or high card than any sort of draw and just called, but I'm still not sure this is right.

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (6 max, 6 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Hero ($146)
BB ($262.82)
UTG ($19)
MP ($380.70)
CO ($199.90)
Button ($130.65)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. Hero posts a blind of $0.50.
<font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP raises to $3</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero (poster) raises to $8.5</font>, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, MP calls $6.

Flop: ($19) 3[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 5[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">Hero bets $15</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP raises to $30</font>, Hero calls $15.

Turn: ($79) A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
Hero checks, <font color="#CC3333">MP bets $25</font>, Hero..?

Does anyone lead this turn? I figure at that point it's tough for me to get called if behind (he has to put me on A high so unless he has an A himself or a good draw he's not calling here). Due to villain's combined low betting tendancies and high bluffing frequency, I decided to check.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

As long as he has you on AK, that turn is g00t. I can't fold here and I think your stack is going in. I lead push that turn. I think you fold out any weak A and KK. Yes, I know you fold hands that you beat, but the pot is large enough and the board can only get more scary from here.

As played you either push now or push lead the river. Your stack is committed.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

Hi might already has you crushed on flop, if not he might get help from the turn now he decide to value bet his ace. It's unlikely he is still value betting his over pair that you beat on turn because that ace scares him too.
So unless you want to bluff representing ace youself, I check fold.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

By calling the flop raise, I think you are communicating two overs -- I push the turn.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

[ QUOTE ]

As long as he has you on AK, that turn is g00t

[/ QUOTE ]

You think so? I thought I was still likely ahead on the flop, I think this turn totally impedes my ability to get value out of my hand. I just called the turn, which I'm still not sure about. I was planning on check raising all in on anything but a [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] or an A, so I sort of froze up here.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (6 max, 6 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Hero ($146)
BB ($262.82)
UTG ($19)
MP ($380.70)
CO ($199.90)
Button ($130.65)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. Hero posts a blind of $0.50.
<font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP raises to $3</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero (poster) raises to $8.5</font>, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, MP calls $6.

Flop: ($19) 3[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 5[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">Hero bets $15</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP raises to $30</font>, Hero calls $15.

Turn: ($79) A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
Hero checks, <font color="#CC3333">MP bets $25</font>, Hero calls $25.

River: ($129) Q[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>

Push or check?

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

After hero kicks himself for not open pushing the turn, he has to check call. By pushing this river, he gets no better hand to fold so he needs to just get to a showdown. At least checking allows villain the chance to bluff.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

As long as he has you on AK, that turn is g00t

[/ QUOTE ]

You think so? I thought I was still likely ahead on the flop, I think this turn totally impedes my ability to get value out of my hand.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you got all the value you are going to get at this point. I push and am happy to induce a fold. If he doesn't see my cards, then I can pull this stunt again when I really have the A.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

Sounds like he'll bet almost no matter what if you check? I'd let him hang himself again on the river.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

As long as he has you on AK, that turn is g00t

[/ QUOTE ]

You think so? I thought I was still likely ahead on the flop, I think this turn totally impedes my ability to get value out of my hand.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you got all the value you are going to get at this point. I push and am happy to induce a fold. If he doesn't see my cards, then I can pull this stunt again when I really have the A.

[/ QUOTE ]

Pushing this turn is pretty bad, IMO. Pot is only $80 or so, I have more than that left. If I am behind when he calls, I generally have just 2 outs, maybe even just one, and he will pretty much never call when I'm behind.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

[ QUOTE ]
Push or check?

[/ QUOTE ]

obviously depends on if he'll bet into you.

i say push.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

[ QUOTE ]
Pushing this turn is pretty bad, IMO. Pot is only $80 or so, I have more than that left. If I am behind when he calls, I generally have just 2 outs, maybe even just one, and he will pretty much never call when I'm behind.

[/ QUOTE ]

I assume you mean when he's behind. If he is as loose as you say, he may be playing any A which would be happy to see a cheap showdown at this point. I am advocating a push as more of a stone cold bluff than a value move.

Fold equity is something I've been focusing on lately. Where do you think you had the most FE in this hand?

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

turn: Ace hits and he keeps betting - shows he's not scared of that ace, no one here advocates a check-fold? I think you're behind here against a weak ace and have two outs. Either fold or c/r attempting to get him to fold.

river: I put him on an ace - based on your line, looks like a flush draw, so I think he will check behind. I say push hoping for a call

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

[ QUOTE ]
Postflop he bets a lot, but doesn't often bet big. He will also bluff three streets no problem.

[/ QUOTE ]

As the play thus far is completely consistent with something on the order of A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]K[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] I don't feel too comfortable playing for my whole stack here. Unfortunately, based on what you have left, a reasonable bet from him puts you all-in, as well as any blocking bet commits you.

If he bets a lot, and not big often, let him do his thing - especially if he can bluff three streets.

If he doesn't have the flush, I don't see him calling a big bet from you - though I do find it odd he gave you odds to draw to one on the turn. Did he make that turn bet to price himself in?

I think I check call. I don't see him calling with much you beat, but will bet more losing hands into you.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

[ QUOTE ]
Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (6 max, 6 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Hero ($146)
BB ($262.82)
UTG ($19)
MP ($380.70)
CO ($199.90)
Button ($130.65)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. Hero posts a blind of $0.50.
<font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP raises to $3</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero (poster) raises to $8.5</font>, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, MP calls $6.

Flop: ($19) 3[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 5[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">Hero bets $15</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP raises to $30</font>, Hero...

[/ QUOTE ]

Why are we not pushing here? Calling puts $79 in the pot and leaves us with ~$107. Pushing here forces him to make a decision and probably the wrong one. The turn holds at least 15 cards we don't really want to see (spades plus other Aces or Kings). The villain is tricky so it's hard to know where we stand after his min-raise.

The pot after his min raise is almost 50% of our stack. I say it's big enough to win now. Help me see why pushing here is wrong.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

[ QUOTE ]

I assume you mean when he's behind. If he is as loose as you say, he may be playing any A which would be happy to see a cheap showdown at this point. I am advocating a push as more of a stone cold bluff than a value move.

Fold equity is something I've been focusing on lately. Where do you think you had the most FE in this hand?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm a bit confused. I have the most FE on the flop obviously, but I don't want a fold, because I think this guy is bluffing far more often than he holds a hand with any actual outs, and he has shown that he will continue to bluff. I highly doubt he is folding an A on the turn.

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

Okay, if he isn't folding an ace than I can see calling the turn. I guess I am overestimating villain. I understand why FE is greatest on the flop so I think I am getting there.

Did you check/call the river?

Re: Choose your own adventure.
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (6 max, 6 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Hero ($146)
BB ($262.82)
UTG ($19)
MP ($380.70)
CO ($199.90)
Button ($130.65)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. Hero posts a blind of $0.50.
<font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP raises to $3</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero (poster) raises to $8.5</font>, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, MP calls $6.

Flop: ($19) 3[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 5[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">Hero bets $15</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP raises to $30</font>, Hero...

[/ QUOTE ]

I like a push...

[/ QUOTE ]

I feel the same. What are we missing?