[golferbrent]

[ QUOTE ]
I observed the following hand Friday night at Commerce. It took place in a 40/80 game that was unusually tough by SoCal standards. How well/poorly did each player play their hand? I'd be interested to hear how folks would have played differently in the respective situations.

UTG, an extremely solid regular, raises with QQ. Folded around to button, who doesn't play many hands and apparently doesn't recognize UTG as extremely solid, who flat calls with AdQh. SB calls, BB calls with KTo. BB is a young pro who is exceptional at hand-reading.

Flop: QdTdTh

SB checks, BB bets, UTG calls, button calls, SB folds.

Turn: 6h

BB bets, UTG calls, button raises, BB shows his hand to the SB and folds, UTG 3-bets, button calls.

River: blank

UTG bets and is called.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is an interesting post...

I think the BB played the hand poorly from a purely statistical matter, but layed his 2nd best hand down at the appropriate time. It is hard for me to say he played the hand poorly... but yet he seems to have layed down a little too soon.

However, I think you described the game correctly in that the game was playing very tough and straight-forward. The turn is a complete brick but the button has a big enough hand that he can raise an initial raiser and another player (the BB) on the turn when an innocuous card comes on the turn... and especially when the player plays few hands...

I can see how the BB found a laydown... especially if he is as strong at hand reading as you say... I really think this kid probably made a fortune in this game. Personally I find that tough and TAG games are great games b/c if you can read hands you can make some great plays that really can net you a lot more profit with less variability b/c you always know where you are at in a hand. In a loose wild game like a typical SoCal game... you often have to make the best hand and that can increase your volatility.

Personally, it sounds like a great game to play IMHO!