Hand to Talk About

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi tolbiny:

The flaw in your argument is that you are comparing with how a hand should be played versus how typical players do play them. So while I agree with you that it is probably best to check and call with a weak ace, in my experience most aggressive players rarely do this.

Best wishes,
Mason

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi JV:

While it's true that many players do play differently against me, at the $80 game almost all players are aggressive with some being clearly too aggressive, and many of them try to be tricky.

You need to keep in mind that I'm not in most pots and I do pay attention some of the time.

Best wishes,
Mason

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi JV:

This is actually a different topic. Over the years there has been some animosity displayed towards us on the Internet. In my opinion, one of the main reasons for this is simply that our success does make it more difficult for someone new to break in. We're aware of this and are trying to open the door for some new talented people. Ed Miller is a good example as well as some of the posters whose articles we published in our new Internet magazine.

Thanks for your post and best wishes,

Mason

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Josh:

He had three aces, not a pair of aces. I doubt that anyone in this game, including me, would have made this fold.

Best wishes,
Mason

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi etizzle:

Your scenario is certainly a possibility. However, it's my experience that the unknown players in this game don't think at that level. They assume that if you have some like kings, you'll at least call the flop raise.

Best wishes,
Mason

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi elindauer:

You wrote:

[ QUOTE ]
AJ? No way. Maybe he gets tricky and just calls the flop, but now that he fills up and holds ALL the good cards, he bets out?! I don't think so.

[/ QUOTE ]

I disagree. Given the way he played the flop, ace-jack becomes more likely. Furthermore, if he wasn't mentally prepared for how to handle an ace on the turn, I think a bet now becomes likely.

[ QUOTE ]
Note that you would definitely raise if you knew you could fold to a 3-bet.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is probably correct.

Best wishes,
Mason

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi elindauer:

I think the real value in this discussion are all the variables that need to be considered and the weight each variable should receive. Notice that once all the variables are stated it becomes difficult to disagree with any of them. So if there were any variables that you missed, then there is a lot of value here.

On the other hand, how important each variable is can actually be the subject of a lot of debate and these arguments can be quite confusing even to expert players. So that part of the discussion may or may not have real value for you. This would depend on your experience and general knowledge of the game. Also, slight differences in opinion can dramatically change the way a hand should be played.

Best wishes,
Mason

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Gamblor:

I don't think so. I'm not known to sit in these games for many hours at a time, or day after day. What you're suggesting isn't the right strategy for me, especially against someone I'm not familiar with. There are some other regulars that it might be more appropriate for.

Interesting post nonetheless.

Best wishes,
Mason

[tolbiny]

Mason-
I haven't taken the time to read the whole thread, skimmed about half of it. I didn't see you describe him (or specifically the game) as "aggressive". Lately in my 10-20 games i have seen the few aggressive players around me go for more raises or c/r on the turn, with weaker hands like top pair.
My thinking when i first read your post was that he could have a fairly wide range of hands on the flop- but when he bets out on the turn its screams "Ace" to me. My initial impression was that he saw his trips and didn't want to have the hand checked through, he also doesn't want to get raised, but that thought should come to him second after the, "i don't want this to get checked through" goes through his mind.
That was just my impression reading the post initially, which is probably close to what i would read at the table. If i think he is the type of player to go on first impressions, then i go with mine.

[SA125]

I doubt there's anyone, other than Mason, who can honestly say that they agree the river call is correct and Diablo's take on the play is wrong.