Trying to de-donk myself

#1 12-27-2005, 09:46 PM

Reading these boards has definitely helped my play. Unfortunately I still find myself making occassional donk moves. Generally this donk behavior consists of calling raises that I shouldn't call. Losing these hands helps re-enforce how stupid it is to do so. However, sometimes I wind up winning a hand with a questionable play, and do not want to continue to make the same stupid play in the future due to positive results. Villian (UTG+1) has been just plain stupid. Raising with A rag in position. Raising with Q rag out of position. Calling huge overbets. I bought in short this game ($40), and basically doubled up off of him. So anyway, my question is how should I play this flop?. What about if the villian had a bit more skill and was more typical of 0.50/1.00?

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (9 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

MP2 ($52.50)
MP3 ($102.40)
CO ($72.35)
Button ($23.85)
SB ($39)
BB ($59.20)
Hero ($90.95)
UTG+1 ($39.15)
MP1 ($47)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img].
Hero calls $1, UTG+1 raises to $3, 6 folds, BB calls $2, Hero calls $2.

Flop: ($9.50) A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 2[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 8[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (3 players)
BB checks, Hero ?

Fallen Hero · #2 12-27-2005, 10:04 PM

check raises pot

JustToast · #3 12-27-2005, 10:06 PM

Fold PF in full ring, sometimes in 6-max too depending on table.

Nice flop for you. I'm probably playing too aggressive these days (definately too aggro actually), but I'm going to try and get my stack in here, probably with bet/push for the folding equity (plus who knows you might have the best hand).

Lots of ways to play this one - my conservative line is check/call the flop, half-pot the turn regardless of the card and evaluate his action (a blocking bet if you don't hit your draw, and a value bet if you do).

stu-unger · #4 12-27-2005, 10:39 PM

bet/3bet ai all day...

but fold pf...

DJ Sensei · #5 12-27-2005, 10:46 PM

I prefer a bet-3bet line on this hand (half pot, then push), as checkraising leads to a sticky situation when your checkraise is called, and the turn bricks (as in, any card other than a heart or 9). And IF a heart comes, you might not get much action on it.

It helps that he's rather shortstacked, so you'll probably get it in early, or if you make your hand you'll be more likely to stack him.

orange · #6 12-27-2005, 11:01 PM

Fold PF. Bet 3/4-full pot.

#7 12-28-2005, 09:03 AM

I took a line very similar to JustToast's over aggressive style. I figured that this was the perfect place for a semi-bluff, although I agree it was possible that I had best hand. I was basically 50/50 with AK, AQ, etc, and way ahead of all pocket pairs except 22 and 88.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (9 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

MP2 ($52.50)
MP3 ($102.40)
CO ($72.35)
Button ($23.85)
SB ($39)
BB ($59.20)
Hero ($90.95)
UTG+1 ($39.15)
MP1 ($47)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img].
Hero calls $1, UTG+1 raises to $3, 6 folds, BB calls $2, Hero calls $2.

Flop: ($9.50) A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 2[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 8[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $37, UTG+1 calls $36.15 (All-In), BB folds.

Turn: ($82.65) 5[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($82.65) A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $82.65

deaders · #8 12-28-2005, 09:08 AM

I wont play A9, suited or not, UTG unless the table is very weak when you could raise it occasionally to mix things up.

JustToast · #9 12-28-2005, 09:20 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I took a line very similar to JustToast's over aggressive style. I figured that this was the perfect place for a semi-bluff, although I agree it was possible that I had best hand. I was basically 50/50 with AK, AQ, etc, and way ahead of all pocket pairs except 22 and 88.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (9 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

MP2 ($52.50)
MP3 ($102.40)
CO ($72.35)
Button ($23.85)
SB ($39)
BB ($59.20)
Hero ($90.95)
UTG+1 ($39.15)
MP1 ($47)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img].
Hero calls $1, UTG+1 raises to $3, 6 folds, BB calls $2, Hero calls $2.

Flop: ($9.50) A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 2[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 8[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $37, UTG+1 calls $36.15 (All-In), BB folds.

Turn: ($82.65) 5[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (2 players, 1 all-in)

River: ($82.65) A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (2 players, 1 all-in)

Final Pot: $82.65

[/ QUOTE ]

You don't want to totally discourage action and betting 4x pot is definately discouraging it. Just pot the flop if you want him to know you're serious and get it in afterwards if that's your intention.

jsnipes28 · #10 12-28-2005, 10:01 AM

Bet 3/bet. Overbet isnt good as it allows him to get away from a lot of holdings. Ditto on the fold preflop.