Question on a 2003 WSOP Final Table hand

AdamL · #1 06-12-2005, 09:27 PM

Farha on the button raises to 80,000 with A9o, Jason Lester calls in the SB with J9s (diamonds)

Flop is 8 8 A with two clubs. Check check.

Turn T diamonds. Check Check.

River T clubs. Farha bets 100k, Lester calls.

Why is Farha taking this line? What is he trying to do?

Hypothesis: trying to avoid a checkraise and allow a worse hand to bluff?

Thanks.

PS - the level of analysis in Harrington's book is amazing. Very impressive. No idea if this hand is in there or not, sorry if it is - haven't gotten too far in the book yet.

ClaytonN · #2 06-12-2005, 09:31 PM

Farha was likely applying the WA/AB line due to the fact that Lester is a good thinking aggressive player who just coldcalled a raise in the SB.

Farha figures if Lester has a T at this point he's raising, if he has an 8 he's calling, and if he has ANYTHING else he's calling the river bet.

Farha has a wide range of hands he raises with preflop, so Lester has a good reason to believe the pot will be split with both having two pair ace-kicker.

AdamL · #3 06-12-2005, 10:09 PM

I'm not sure why he didn't bet the flop still. Farha is an aggressive player, a bet isn't going to just make Lester fold anyhow.

*Since* he checked the flop, wouldn't a bet on the turn get called?

How aggressive is Jason normally? Is a check from Jason really suspicious?

nath · #4 06-13-2005, 12:16 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not sure why he didn't bet the flop still. Farha is an aggressive player, a bet isn't going to just make Lester fold anyhow.

[/ QUOTE ]

My guess is he wants to trap Lester if he has a worse hand and hits it somehow but doesn't want to deal with being check-raised (if Lester does have an 8), which puts him to a difficult decision regarding the board pair, his kicker, etc.

It's a marginal situation and Farha's probably trying to keep the pot small because of it.

AdamL · #5 06-13-2005, 12:28 AM

I'm no Farha, but fear an 8? Nah.

Fear a check-raise bluff, possibly. But then, isn't getting check-raised by a bluff good?

I still don't get it.

Maybe he wants to preserve chips or something.

nath · #6 06-13-2005, 05:39 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I'm no Farha, but fear an 8? Nah.

Fear a check-raise bluff, possibly. But then, isn't getting check-raised by a bluff good?

I still don't get it.

Maybe he wants to preserve chips or something.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe not. Maybe it was simply wanting Lester to bluff at the turn or let him catch up.

If he does check-raise the flop, though, that might make a sticky situation depending on how Farha has Lester's play pegged. If his image is tight/solid enough it becomes a tough call.