SSHE hand, page 150

[Pyromaniac]

I've been trying to wrap my head around a hand from SSHE. It's an example of "continuing when you might be drawing dead," but that's not what I'm stuck on. The hand is

Hero has A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 7[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] in MP.

Two players limp. Hero limps. Button limps. SB raises. BB and all limpers call.

J[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 6[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 4[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] flop.

SB bets. BB folds. Limpers call. Hero raises.

...

The part I'm trying to really get down is, Why am I raising? Is it because

a) I want to hit the button with 2 cold and force him to either call 2 (bad), raise (define hand), or fold (and give me position)?

b) I want to be aggressive and, since this is a reasonably good flop for me and I'm staying in the hand, I should raise, not call--and doing so will give me some information on everyone else's hands, which calling won't do?

c) I want to build a pot for the times when the flush draw hits, because if I wait till the third [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] comes it's too late to get people to put money in the pot?

All of these? Some of these? Some other reason that I don't see? Is it too passive/weak-tight to just call here, and since there's no reason to fold, I raise?

Pyro

[milesdyson]

pot equity advantage and free card possibility

[aargh57]

Is another reason, increasing our winning chances when we hit our A?

[car ramrod]

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Is another reason, increasing our winning chances when we hit our A?

[/ QUOTE ]

yes

In order of importance:

1. Equity - Many outs, lots of players
2. Buying outs in an already big pot (make those A outs clean)
3. Free Card Play
4. Disguise your hand

Margon

[Reqtech]

[ QUOTE ]
Is another reason, increasing our winning chances when we hit our A?

[/ QUOTE ]

Not in the case of this hand. The only outs that you might clear is the button's, since they are the only one who hasn't acted. It's highly doubtful that sb, bb, or the limpers will fold to one bet since they have already put money into the pot on the flop.

This raise is pretty much just for value due to equity. Since you are getting basically 3:1 odds to win the pot and you have at least 4 opponents (since you are virtually guaranteed that 4 will call your raise: sb, bb, and limpers) you must raise to push your edge and get the most value.

Edit to add: I also don't like this play for a free card, since taking the free card on the turn practically screams out "CO IS ON THE FLUSH DRAW!!!" With at least four opponents, odds are one of them is probably going to be smart enough to pick up on that and play accordingly on the river [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[ QUOTE ]

Not in the case of this hand. The only outs that you might clear is the button's, since they are the only one who hasn't acted. It's highly doubtful that sb, bb, or the limpers will fold to one bet since they have already put money into the pot on the flop.


[/ QUOTE ]

This is correct as it pertains to the Flop bet, but when you open on the turn.....

[Reqtech]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Not in the case of this hand. The only outs that you might clear is the button's, since they are the only one who hasn't acted. It's highly doubtful that sb, bb, or the limpers will fold to one bet since they have already put money into the pot on the flop.


[/ QUOTE ]

This is correct as it pertains to the Flop bet, but when you open on the turn.....

[/ QUOTE ]

A case can certainly be made for a turn bet clearing out some overcards, yes. But not on the flop which is what I was addressing [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[car ramrod]

equity, maybe folding out some of your A outs, plus you will get a free card a lot of the time.

[ReptileHouse]

I would raise here for two reasons. First, I have the equity that it's a straight value raise for the nut flush draw. Second, I have reasonable position and would like to get a free card on the turn if it's a non-heart.