1st WSOP 2005 hand,how would YOU have played it? X-Post

[locutus2002]

Notice that villain got his chips in with the nuts.

It's not my read, but its definitely a possibility.

Whether he reraises or calls,hero must consider JJ as a possibility and be careful as he proceeds. My sense is that most players just call here. I personally call, because I think 77 is likely the best hand and I like to play alot of small pots, but then I probably play alot more hands than you do.

[capone0]

I definitely understand that. The turn is scarier. But honestly on the flop there is 1 better hand. I've watched and played alot of poker, I don't remember anyone ever folding sets on empty boards. Maybe I don't watch enough or don't have enough friends. I can't remember 1 person not playing a set to it's fullest and will take a set way too far. Maybe I'm playing with terrible players and watching terrible players. Maybe I only play cash. But if your always worried about Monsters, you'll never win any money. If I would only push with the Nuts or only played after the flop with the Nuts, I wouldn't make any money. The only hands I'm really afraid of after that flop are as you've pointed out 109c and JJ. 2 hands of all the possible starting hands that beat me. Who would have guessing 109o. The turn is where I would have gotten scared, the flop is something I like, the only thing that could be better is a 3 suited flop.

[SpeakEasy]

I am not scared of JJ on the flop for two reasons:

(1) JJ would VERY likely raise PF.

(2) Your 225 bet into a 350 pot on the flop looks like a typical "Check to me on the button? Well, I'll fire a bet." Given this read of your possible play, he could be check-raising with a wide range of hands, including a bluff or draws.

I would assume I'm way ahead on the flop and raise him back big -- 2300 to go. If its set over set, so be it.

[The Stick]

If the point is "survival on day one", wouldn't it be acceptable to see the turn cheaply and decide then? If villain has 9c Tc or perhaps a pair and straight or flush draw, he could have 14+ outs on that flop. You could be reraising on the flop as only a slight favorite or underdog. Is it wrong to wait for the turn card and decide then, when it's gone from possibly 50-50 to probably 75-25, and you just have to figure out which one you are?

If the goal is "survival", I don't want coinflips, I want to put the money in when I know my opponent is making a mistake by calling. I know it's scared poker in the long run, but for the specific scenario and with the stated goal, I don't see it as wrong.

[Masquerade]

I woulve re-raised hard on the flop and hopefully avoided your fate.

[sammy_g]

My weak-tight, scared, playin'-in-his-frist-10k-tourney ass would have checked the turn, rationalizing it to myself by thinking, "I'm trying to induce a river bluff." But that is a bad poker and not how you win tournaments.

You played it much better.

It's horrible your WSOP ended like this. Poker can be a tough, tough game.