How to play 88?
 

My table image was actually a LAG, I was catching good starting hands, but getting no flop improvement. My stats after 40 hands are 42/12/3. No reads on villain, but he has done noting out of line.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (5 handed) internettexasholdem.com

Hero ($228.25)
MP ($94.95)
Button ($312.70)
SB (villain)/ ($78.25)
BB ($248.25)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with 8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 8[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img].
Hero calls $2, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">SB (villain)/ raises to $10</font>, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, Hero calls $8.

Flop: ($22) 6[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 5[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
villain checks, Hero checks.

Turn: ($22) 6[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">villain bets $4</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to $12</font>, villain calls $8.

River: ($46) 4[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">villain bets $4</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to $25</font>, <font color="#CC3333">villain raises to $56.25</font>, Hero ????

Am I good here? What do you make of the donk bet followed by the reraise? Critique on all streets encouraged.

Re: How to play 88?
 

I would much prefer to make a real turn raise and then not put any more money in

On the river, I would probably fold to his 3-bet, as A-high is more likely to just flat-call, so you're looking at snapping off a bluff. I don't think he's bluffing enough to call

Re: How to play 88?
 

I raise this preflop every time, is that stupid?

On the flop I certainly will bet 2/3 pot or so. If he calls I will probably check behind on the turn.

On a good day he had slowplayd a monster and you hit your 6-outer.

As played a fold is in order to the river 3-bet.

Re: How to play 88?
 

I fold to his 3-bet on the river.

Does anyone lead/bet this flop?

Re: How to play 88?
 

villian is in the blinds

but no, I prefer to check behind and bet/call the turn

Re: How to play 88?
 

I bet this flop after villian checks. Most of the time when some-one raises from SB and then check on a flop like this one it's AK, AQ or so. And even if its not hero has 6 outs 99% of the time.

Problem of course that Villian can c/r Hero outs of the pot with AA, KK that could had drawn out for free, but I think its more important to dont give a free card to 2 high cards.

Re: How to play 88?
 

I'd raise preflop, bet the flop, and just call the river.

Re: How to play 88?
 

What is your thought process on the river? I don't see any worse hands that can call you.

Re: How to play 88?
 

[ QUOTE ]
What is your thought process on the river? I don't see any worse hands that can call you.

[/ QUOTE ]

Villain didn't play many hands so raising out of the blinds indicated strength. My thinking on the river was that if he had AA-TT he played them unconventionally (and -EV) for a semi-tight to tight player.

His $4 donk bet screamed A, hence my raise, his three-bet baffled me. He definitely does not have a 4. I think there is a good chance that his re-raise here is a response to my 'steal attempt' with an A.

I'll give results in a while, but am curious to get comments on this line.

Re: How to play 88?
 

I raise preflop. But hell, it looks like you are pretty loose and pretty aggro preflop so maybe limping every now and then is ok too.

I bet 15-22 on the flop, and if he plays then I know Im beat, and dont lose any more money, checking might let him have a free Ace/King/Queen/whatever

I prefer to raise close to pot on the turn, and I just smooth call the 4 on the river, as if he does have A-high, he is hardly calling my raise, so there is no point. I wonder if you get shown 66 or 44 here [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img].