No Set But I Bet

[fizzleboink]

I've thought a little bit about how those low pocket pairs don't necessarily have to hit a set to win, and I happened to come across three situations today that seemed to work out. I used to check/fold almost instantly without the set.

I've found most of the players on AP 1/2 to be weak-tight, but I think that could be because I'm a bit too aggressive (especially on the flop).

Absolute Poker 1/2 Hold'em (8 handed) converter

Preflop: Hero is SB with 3[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 3[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img].
<font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, MP1 calls, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, <font color="#CC3333">CO raises</font>, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, Hero calls, BB calls, MP1 calls.

Flop: (8 SB) 5[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 2[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 7[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(4 players)</font>
Hero checks, BB checks, MP1 checks, <font color="#CC3333">CO bets</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises</font>, BB folds, MP1 folds, CO calls.

Turn: (5.75 BB) 4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">Hero bets</font>, CO folds.

Final Pot: 6.75 BB

<font color="#0000FF">I figured with the SB discount I was getting enough odds here pre-flop. I put the CO on whiffed overcards, although he could have a higher PP. So I raised to protect my hand... specifically anyone holding a 5, gutshots, and maybe even a 7?</font>

Absolute Poker 1/2 Hold'em (7 handed) converter

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with 7[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img].
<font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, Button calls, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, BB calls.

Flop: (6.50 SB) K[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 9[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 6[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(3 players)</font>
BB checks, <font color="#CC3333">Hero bets</font>, Button folds, BB folds.

Final Pot: 3.75 BB

<font color="#0000FF">This is a more coordinated flop than the first one, and I wouldn't have bet if I hadn't done a PFR. I almost always bet the flop after a PFR, so I play it like I have AK.</font>

Absolute Poker 1/2 Hold'em (9 handed) converter

Preflop: Hero is UTG with 7[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img].
Hero calls, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, MP1 calls, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP3 raises</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, SB calls, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, Hero calls, MP1 calls.

Flop: (9 SB) T[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 4[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 5[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(4 players)</font>
SB checks, <font color="#CC3333">Hero bets</font>, MP1 calls, MP3 calls, SB calls.

Turn: (6.50 BB) 9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(4 players)</font>
SB checks, <font color="#CC3333">Hero bets</font>, MP1 calls, MP3 calls, SB calls.

River: (10.50 BB) 6[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(4 players)</font>
SB checks, <font color="#CC3333">Hero bets</font>, MP1 folds, MP3 folds, SB folds.

Final Pot: 11.50 BB

<font color="#0000FF">Boy did I ever feel iffy betting the flop and turn. Looking back I don't like it at all with 4 other players - did I just get lucky?</font>

I am not confident at all with these situations but so far my adjustment has seemed to pay off.