|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
QQ in the small blind
Sat down at a .50/1 NL on PP and received QQ in the SB one cycle into the session. Was unfamiliar with the other players. Everyone mucks and the button makes it $15 to go. We both have $100. What's the right move? Why? Results to follow.
|
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Re: QQ in the small blind
no matter what the button has this is a stupid bet, but it's also tough to read. unless he's very tricky, you have to think he doesn't have AA, or KK, as with only the blinds left he'd be terrified of noone calling. Of course it could be a tricky player with a big hadn hoping that the blinds will get suspicious and take him on with a marginal hand. But it looks to me like a steal by someone who doesn't really understand no limit, or possibly a big ace by someone who doesn't want to get into a "battle of the stealers" post-flop. I think, assuming a stack of $50, all-in is ok here, though if it gets called I'm sweating; so is calling and checkraising/check-calling all-in assuming a reasonable flop. But it's a tough one and I imagine others will have different ideas.
|
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Re: QQ in the small blind
With a stack of $100 though, a check-raise all in on the flop is leaving yourself vulnerable to an overpair, I prefer that play if I have AA or KK hoping that another smaller big pair like QQ will call me thinking I have TPTK or something.
Jon |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Re: QQ in the small blind
Oops - I misread his post, assumed he was on Party and only had 50. But I don't think this is that likely to be AA or KK.
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Re: QQ in the small blind
I really want to see this flop. I like to cold call, and check the flop regardless. If all undercards, I am gonna raise his bet (you know he will bet) since it is more probable that he has AK rather than AA or KK (and he will feel obligated to bet again to pick up the pot). If there is an A or K on the flop I'll muck (with no read on a player).....and hold on if I hit the Q....then I want his stack.
|
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Re: QQ in the small blind
i don't agree with this. checking a flop of low cards will induce a bet from AK/AQ or AA/KK regardless, whereas a bet will induce a raise more often from AA/KK (sometimes JJ/TT if the board is really low, you need a read in this case)
you know where you are much more confidently if you bet the flop, if you bet and he raises, you know more about his hand than vice-versa Jon |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Re: QQ in the small blind
It's either AK, AA or KK raising like that. Call and see a flop, if it's low cards then bet the pot, fold to an all in. Check/fold on a A or K high flop. I'm more wary about getting it all in preflop here in case you end up seeing the bigger pairs and losing $100.
Jon |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Re: QQ in the small blind
[ QUOTE ]
It's either AK, AA or KK raising like that. Call and see a flop [/ QUOTE ] I'm not sure why you think it's AK, AA, or KK, but if you're right then the right play is surely to fold, not call. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Re: QQ in the small blind
I'm not sure why you think it's AK, AA, or KK, but if you're right then the right play is surely to fold, not call.
Well, ok, I'm not sure, but I certainly would expect it. The reason I expect these hands is that people are constantly burned by their big pairs getting beaten by trash and sometimes raise huge to preclude this from happening again, so that only a similar calibre starting hand will take them on, if any. AK would make this raise to get it heads up or take the blinds, both of which are the best situations to be in with that hand. People overplay these consistently. That said and less frequently TT, JJ will do this... It's true you're a dog to AA and KK and it's essentially a coinflip with AK, BUT that's only if you get it all in preflop. So just call... Now, the reasons to call are as follows. You can't go folding big pairs to single large raises, there are a lot of large pots you can win when a substandard or a high cards hand has made this move. There are 16 ways that AK can be made up versus 4 for AA and 4 for KK, so if his range of hands were solely these ones, then you know you're a slight favourite over 2/3 of them. You can easily see if you're still a favourite once you see a flop and play passively if there's an A or K there or if the flop is low and your opponent starting splashing chips all over the place. The times where the flop is low and you opponent is playing passively, you can be more sure of AK and take the pot when you want if the turn and river (if you make it that far) blank. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Re: QQ in the small blind
Jon,
Excellent advice. WJ |
|
|