Two hands for critique

Akimka · #1 09-20-2004, 07:27 AM

Hand #1 - Should i or should not check-raise on river?

Party Poker 2/4 Hold'em (9 handed)

Preflop: Hero is SB with T[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img].
UTG calls, UTG+1 folds, MP1 folds, MP2 calls, MP3 calls, CO folds, Button folds, Hero completes, BB checks.

Flop: (5 SB) Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], T[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (5 players)
Hero bets, BB folds, UTG calls, MP2 calls, MP3 calls.

Turn: (4.50 BB) 3[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (4 players)
Hero bets, UTG calls, MP2 calls, MP3 calls.

River: (8.50 BB) 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (4 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets, MP2 calls, MP3 calls, Hero raises, UTG calls, MP2 folds, MP3 calls.

Final Pot: 15.50 BB

Hand #2 - Is it properly played?

Party Poker 2/4 Hold'em (9 handed)

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with 8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 8[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img].
UTG folds, UTG+1 folds, MP1 calls, MP2 folds, Hero calls, CO folds, Button folds, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: (4 SB) T[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 3[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 6[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (4 players)
SB checks, BB checks, MP1 bets, Hero raises, SB calls, BB calls, MP1 calls.

Turn: (6 BB) 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (4 players)
SB checks, BB checks, MP1 checks, Hero checks.

River: (6 BB) 4[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (4 players)
SB checks, BB checks, MP1 bets, Hero calls, SB folds, BB folds.

Final Pot: 8 BB

kslghost · #2 09-20-2004, 07:35 AM

Hand #1 - I personally go for the check-raise on the flop. I think you get lost in this hand by continually betting the flop and turn. You manage to get 0 people out, and also get almost no information on the other people's hands. The risk you have when check-raising the flop, is that no one bets and you give a free card. However, with a coordinated high flop, you can probably expect to see a bet on the flop, where you can raise and possibly get a hand that is a little weaker out. I am interested in what the others had.

Hand #2:
This is a bit tricky. Middle pocket pairs are very difficult to play, but you did have the button in the end. I honestly think you played it fine. I understand why you raised (or at least I hope its for a free card), and I understand why you check the turn. Although you may be able to lay this down on the river, it is not a bad play to call.

Akimka · #3 09-20-2004, 07:54 AM

About first hand - i lose to veeery strange hand:

Results in white below: 
UTG has 8c Js (straight, queen high).
UTG+1 doesn't show.
MP1 doesn't show.
MP2 doesn't show.
MP3 has 4c Ah (one pair, aces).
Button doesn't show.
Hero has Ts Qc (two pair, queens and tens).
Outcome: UTG wins 14 BB. 

About second hand - after ICQ discussion with my fellow poker friend i thought that may be river fold was OK... But call isn't bad either... I don't have clear vision about perfect play here - and you are quite right - middle poket pairs is difficult to play, espesially when overcard flops and you have some backdoor draws...

kslghost · #4 09-20-2004, 08:04 AM

I see. I think the check-raise on the flop should have gotten mr. j8 out, but he had a virtual open-ender (9 or k). Tough luck.