[odawg09090]

I used to be a hardcore limit player but recently switched over. In limit, when we're probably way ahead or way behind, we're supposed to play like a calling station and just call. Raising does us no good because it lets them escape cheaply while folding might make us fold the best hand. In no limit, taking this theory too far can be expensive. What do you think about these two hands?

Both hands are from 5/10 NL on Full Tilt.

Hand 1:
Stack sizes: Hero has $1200 but villian covers
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Q [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] A [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]]
UTG folds
HERO raises to $30
BUTTON folds
SB folds
BB calls $20
*** FLOP *** [8 [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] A [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 8 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]]
Villian bets $65
Hero calls $65
*** TURN *** [8 [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] A [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 8 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]] [7 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]]
Villian bets $195
Hero calls $195
*** RIVER *** [8 [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] A [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 8 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 7 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]] [T [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]]
Villian bets $585
Hero calls $585


HAND 2:

Stack sizes: Hero has a full buy-in but Villian covers.
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [A [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] K [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]]
UTG folds
HERO raises to $35
SB (Villian) calls $30
BB folds
*** FLOP *** [6 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] A [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 7 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]]
SB bets $80
Hero calls $80
*** TURN *** [6 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] A [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 7 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]] [8 [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]]
Villian bets $240
Hero calls $240
*** RIVER *** [6 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] A [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 7 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 8 [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]] [Q [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]]
Villian bets $720
Hero calls $685.50, and is all in


Comments: The villian in hand 1 seemed a little aggressive so I called him down. The villian in hand 2 seemed tight and rather passive so I figured he had a lower ace. I don't know anymore but I'm starting to think calling POT POT POT on the flop, turn and river with just a pair (with a great kicker) is a losing play EVwise. Maybe a turn mini-raise for a free showdown is cheaper and a better play? Maybe calling the turn and folding the river is a better play beause no reasonable villian fires 3 barrels, right?

What do you guys think?