[Dante]

The cast of characters in this $10-$20 game includes 3 other solid players, about 5 too-loose-ish players (4 of which are very passive), and 1 ok-ish player. Typical pots were 3-5 players for 1-2 bets and an early limper or would set off a limp-fest.

It was funny, one of my friends came with tonight for his first time at Hold Em in a casino (he played $3-$6) and on the way over, he told me that he had read just last week for the first time about pot odds and odds to make your draws, etc. I told him in the loose $3-$6, to count the odds carefully, because he might have odds to call a gutshot, especially if the pot was raised.....

This hand is a half-kill about 2 hours into the session (the small blind had the $15 posted)

Pre Flop: The first 3 players limp to me (see what I mean) I look down at 4h4s and call. Ok-ish player to my immediate left raises to $30 in a nervous/anxious “I have a good hand in a kill pot” kind of way. Both blinds call. Two players from the $3-$6 game call. Three players from Harrah’s down the street call. 7 players to the flop in a 14 sb pot.

Flop: Ah 3d 5s

small blind bets, call, call, call, call, I call, pre-flop raiser (PFR) raises, all call.

The small blind is the type of player who would lead out with a 3 or 5 hoping someone with a draw would raise out the PFR. Even if the PFR raises behind me, if everyone calls, which they would at this point, I would be getting 26-2 odds, more than enough to call for my gutshot. Also, I wasn’t sure my set outs were tainted yet, so I figure those “2” outs were really about 0.75 or 1 out.

I also wasn’t concerned about anyone 3 betting. The SB is someone who would 3bet with a good hand, but usually only against the LAG-type players, which the PFR is not. The 4 players I wasn’t concerned about call-re-raising at all. Seven players to the turn for 14 big bets.

Turn: 9c

Everyone checks to me.

What would you do and why? Comments on the flop play? If it makes any difference, I was 99% sure the PRF had AA or AK and would raise me 100% of the time I bet the turn.

River and results later..