What should I do?

[Ikke]

It's folded to the button and he open-raises to $40. He has $3 left after that raise. The BB is tightish. You hold J9o in the SB.

Suppose button raises all but his truly worst hands here. What should be your course of action?

Regadrs

[Jason Pohl]

Reraise. You've certainly got odds to put him all-in; but you don't want the big blind in the hand obviously.

J9 vs AA wins 16.46%
J9 vs AKs wins 33.46%
J9 vs A8o wins 42.29%
J9 vs 55 wins 48.30%
J9 vs T8 wins 63.64%

Opponent is likely no more than a 2:1 favorite, probably less. You're laying 1.5 bets to win 3.5 assuming the big blind will fold. In other words, you need to average 30% winning. So you have odds.

The chance that the big blind stays in is fairly small, but you're probably in trouble if he does.

--Jason

[J_V]

Hey Ikke,

What's going on? Still womping those 20-40 short games...?

Intuitively, I would call... and bet any flop that hits you if the big blind calls. It doesn't seem like the big blind will fight you for the showdown...or most tighties don't. Just call...you are getting odds IMO.

[Ikke]

Thanks Jason, this was the answer I was looking for.

I intuitively reraised, figuring I would be about even money against a (nearly) random hand and the "dead" money of the BB would make it a profitable reraise.

Still wondering...what would be your cut-off to reraise here? Would you ever coldcall (AA, KK for instance)?
And, if it's not too much trouble ;-), about what percentage should the BB fold to a reraise to make the raise profitable?

Thanks again!

Regards

[Ikke]

Hi JV,

Yeah...still stuck in the matchstick game at Paradise. What limits do you play right now? Are you playing the 100/200 at Pokerstars?

And about the call...that would seem my least favourite option. As Jason shows, it seems of quite an importance to get the BB out and get the dead money. IMO calling could only have value with hands like AA,KK etc. Not sure though.

Regards

[J_V]

If the BB is tight, he's likely out anyway. It's not worth playing this crap for three bets if he has a hand IMO.

I'm playing Party and Pokerstars. 30/60 mainly at stars but I have hopped into the 100/200 a few times.

Actually I stopped playing short for a while. Im back playing a little 5-6 handed now. I've gone to the war room given to figure out heads up. When I come outta the cave...I'll be unstoppable.

I'd be interested to know who the short sharks are at paradise...i'm sure I see them at stars.

Later Ikke.

[Ikke]

Check your PM for some names.

[Renaud]

Hey, that's no fair
Anyway, I think a few sharks have deserted the place for some time.
I haven't played a lot with u, but my guess is that you are one of the very best there.
Moreover, "shorthanded shark" is usually an hyperbolic sentence.
I will probably surprise u, but in a 4 handed match
erik, playboy, fedex, ipecac, I will take ipecac.
Headsup is very different I agree.