3 Hands - M,Q,and Zones

[closer2313]

I felt really stupid about how I played these 2 hands. The last couple of tournaments, I always got blinded away once the blinds get above 600-1200. My stack would just dwindle away and I would finish around 25th out of 850 people. I got HOH2 today and was trying to read what he had to say about this part of the tournament. I understand how to calculate M and Q and Im trying to learn how to apply them with the different zones. So here are 3 hands where I tried to use that information to help myself from being blinded away. All comments appreciated. I didn't get to finish the book yet, but ill try tomorrow. Hopefully doing all the hand problems and your comments will help. All comments appreciated. Thanks alot guys.

Hand 1

In this hand my M rating was 8. Its not quite red zone, but I had a good hand and it was folded to me in the CO.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t800 (8 handed) converter

BB (t10438)
UTG (t37431)
UTG+1 (t25180)
MP1 (t3250)
MP2 (t15880)
Hero (t14119)
Button (t18318)
SB (t43945)

Preflop: Hero is CO with A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img].
<font color="#666666">4 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to t14119</font>, <font color="#666666">3 folds</font>.

Final Pot: t14469

Hand 2

My M is 6 and I am going to have to post the blinds again soon. I figure K9 is better than avg and with the table playing tight If I pick up the blinds here I can survive another orbit and stay out of the red zone.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t1200 (8 handed) converter

CO (t9088)
Button (t37681)
SB (t21930)
BB (t7000)
UTG (t15730)
Hero (t15569)
MP1 (t18168)
MP2 (t43395)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with 9[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], K[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img].
<font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to t15494</font>, <font color="#666666">5 folds</font>, BB calls t5725 (All-In).

Flop: (t21744) 8[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 3[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players, 1 all-in)</font>

Turn: (t21744) 2[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players, 1 all-in)</font>

River: (t21744) 7[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players, 1 all-in)</font>

Final Pot: t21744

Hand 3

I think I just butchered this hand. My M rating is 3 and I have to post the blinds the next hand. I know J5 is really terrible hand, but I was just praying everyone would fold.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t1200 (8 handed) converter

MP2 (t9013)
CO (t37606)
Button (t21255)
SB (t15050)
BB (t15655)
Hero (t8569)
UTG+1 (t18093)
MP1 (t43320)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with 5[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], J[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img].
<font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to t8494</font>, <font color="#CC3333">UTG+1 raises to t18018</font>, <font color="#666666">6 folds</font>.

Flop: (t26962) Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 6[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 3[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>

Turn: (t26962) J[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>

River: (t26962) J[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>

Final Pot: t26962

[Pat Southern]

Hand 1, you're risking too much to win too little. Make a standard 3BB raise.

Hand 2, be more patient, you're not out of time yet. Fold.

Hand 3, you still have some time. If you feel that you have to make a stand (which I dont think you do yet), I'd much rather take my chances with a random hand in the BB than panic with J5 here.

I think you need to adjust Harrington's recommendations a little since online tournaments you have a lot less folding equity.

[closer2313]

Hand 1, I didn't mention something. The Small blind would call any standard raise from his blind. So I figured if I raised to 3000, and missed the flop, I would have to lead out with a 4000 bet which is about half my stack. So I thought it would be best if I moved all in to get the SB to fold.

If I got reraised I would have to fold, if the sb called, would it be best to lead the flop if checked to? I hate risking a huge portion of my stack when I dont really know where I stand. (in other words I suck playing after the flop if I miss and if he calls a continuation bet).

Hand 2/3 I see your point in being patient. How low does my M have to be before getting real desperate? 2? If I picked up a better hand than J5 in the BB in Hand 3, would I move all in with it ( provided someone limped or small blind completed?)

Thanks.