NL hand analysis

Angel · #1 08-23-2003, 04:48 PM

Southern California has developed a sudden rash of small NL games in an attempt to satiate the sudden NL desires of the WPT audiences and my local casino is no exception. Blinds of $2 and $3 (over the games lifespan of 3 months it's also been $1, $2 and $3 - and last night they made it $2 and $5), and a minimum buy in of $100 and a maximum of $200 - can RB up to $200 more any time one falls under $100. (I tend to buy in $100 - tip the dealer $1 in advance - and rebuy $200 before the first hand to allow me to effectively start with a $299 buyin).

The maximum buy-in coupled with the generally poor play at the table has caused me to make some adjustments, ie: if I've built my stack up to $1000 or so; I'm a lot less likely to push small edges against someone who can bust me because I can't then buy-in $2000 and match his stack. Enough background on the game...

Last night I've worked my stack up to about $515 when I look down and find aces UTG. I probably limp more often then not simply because many players in this game will put in a small raise with any two paints, a glance left saw it coming from the 2-seat (the only one at the table who had a bigger stack) and so I limped. 2-seat made it $15, 6-seat and BB called although neither was thrilled with the idea. I raised $100, 2-seat called instantly, 6-seat and BB folds. I had never played with the 2-seat prior but so far in this session I hadn't alot to go on; he was winning most hands w/o a showdown. Those he did have to show down weren't very illustrative, little looser calling requirements than I would have expected maybe - but aggressive - doesn't like giving up the lead. So I'm trying to put him on a hand - he gave up the lead when I raised $100 by just calling, I'm leaning away from him having aces - although I don't want to rule out him trying to hide the fact that he has them. Now's not the time imo to hide it but he may not agree... Most likely KK or perhaps QQ, thats my thinking. Flop comes KQ6. Not exactly a flop I wanted to see. I decided to stall and check, was just too likely that he had hit a set in my opinion, but in case I was wrong...I thought an uncharacteristicly long stall might prevent a steal attempt - I checked and he checked behind me. I haven't been able to improve my read after his check much, I still believe a set is likely and he's slowplaying, am reconsidering aces - maybe he's even out of line with JJ - I fiqure AK would have bet something... I feel more lost on where my opponent is at then I usually do. Turn brings an (KQ6) A. Oh really... how nice it is to realize that you are in the lead! I've got $400 left, I got a certain tell that he's prepared to bet. I checked, he bet $100 and I came over the top the rest of my chips ($300 raise) to which he mucked after a bit of thought.

I'm questioning the way I played the hand and would appreciate any constructive comments.

Thank you,
Angel

R.Rains · #2 08-23-2003, 06:11 PM

If he had a hand, and he did unless he was on tilt or had JJ, he should have come at you on the flop. You probably led him around good on that one. I would not have given him a chance to burn me on the river for free in a large pot. Good players can fake tells, and they are probably overated at best...Just an opion, Roger

Angel · #3 08-23-2003, 06:27 PM

I can appreciate your being unwilling to let him burn you for free on the turn by not betting - however, each of his likely holdings (KK, QQ and maybe AK or JJ) were such dogs that I was considering (in hindsight) that instead of raising his $100 turn bet $300 all-in, I might have raised $100. If he had KK or QQ (his most likely holdings - he's got one out. If he's got AK he's drawing dead; and if he's got JJ he's dead to a ten (four outs). The $100 check raise may have brought him with a better chance of doubling through by leading with my remaining $200 on the river. I raised $300 into a $460 pot on the turn but if the action had gone as I just speculated - he would have faced a $200 bet on the river into a $660 pot - perhaps inducing a call. I do give him the chance to catch - but in any case he's not getting the right price any way I slice it. Just speculating...

Thanks for your response,
Angel

R.Rains · #4 08-23-2003, 08:01 PM

I give. Your logic is right on and you are obviously an accomplished player. I am fairly new to hold'em, have played a lot of bridge and local poker. If you were new to hold'em and now had the time to take the game very seriously, would you concentrate on tournaments or no limit cash games? Is there enough difference to matter? My instincts tell me I should concentrate on either one or the other and pass on a lot of limit play. In my area no limit is limited to online options or home games with mostly strangers. I would look forward to your opinion or anyone else who has time...Roger

lonehunter · #5 08-24-2003, 02:51 AM

How would you respond if your opponent bet out on the flop?? You put him on KK,QQ, JJ,(AA) with a flop of KQ6. If he bet $200, $250 or $300 with a pot of $245, would that freeze you in your tracks? Is it worth a call when you are getting 2:1 or would you reraise all in?

FishyWhale · #6 08-24-2003, 08:21 AM

reraise less, 400 makes is very obvious that you have a strong hand, but about 200-250 might still earn you a call from a lesser hand, while also destroying the odds of him hitting a gut-shot, the only hand the you have to worry about apart from JT (which he would bet the flop with imo)