AAA heads up: Should I try to get as much in on the flop as I can?

[JTG51]

.50/1 PLO. I start the hand with $170, my opponent has $350+. I haven't been at the table all that long, but I suspect he's a good player.

My PLO game has no finesse. My strategy is usually to just bet or raise the pot when I think I have the best hand. I wonder if maybe this hand was a good time to do something else?

UTG limps, I'm next and limp with A [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] 6 [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] 9 [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] A [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. Villian limps in MP. Two other players limps and the blinds come along. Seven to the flop.

Flop: A [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]6 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]2 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]

Checked to me, I bet the pot ($6.65 because of the rake). Folded to the villian who raises the pot, making it $26.60 to go. Folded back to me. Another pot sized raise would make him have to call $60 and would leave me with $60.

Like I said, I think he's a solid player, but I don't know him well enough to know if he could have a big draw on the flop or if he could fold a set to another pot sized raise. What's my best default play?

[nicky g]

He could have you on a range of hands here given you;re lack of PF raise and consequently could have a wide range himself - two pair, a set (though the six in your hand makes sixes farily unlikely), a big draw or a bluff. I think either play is probably OK here - a reraise is much safer, and he may play with a poor hand given his large stack, but if he's a thinking player he'll probably put you on a set of sixes or aces and might fold. I'd be tempted to just call and checkraise the flop unless a diamond came down (I might occasionally bet out here), to make sure I win more money if he has a made hand or is bluffing. I think it;s unlikely he has some kind of big low straight draw.

[Smasharoo]

I think you'd have to put him on AdXd and maybe two pair. Possibly Ad3d.

I think I'd call it down if there was no third diamon, or a pair to fill you up obviously.

[turnipmonster]

it's pretty hard to construct a hand where he would have a big draw on the flop with. Ad 3d 4x 5x? aside from diamonds it's not a superdraw flop, and I think it less likely he would raise the pot here with only a draw. I think it looks like a made hand, and you beat all those, so I think you can give him some rope here, no?

the only thing is if he does have a big draw he also has at least top pair, so he might be willing to push a flush draw a little harder. I suck at PLO hand reading, don't listen to me [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]. I think if he has a made hand you are so far ahead you can slowplay. thoughts on my thoughts?

--turnipmonster

[Smasharoo]

Wrong thread, NT

[Mikey]

I'm just learning this game so I may err.... in my adviace

I think that at this juncture in the hand after you bet the pot and your opponent raised the pot, If it were me I would reraise the pot and be happy to take down the money right in there and reraise him back, because usually players get tied into the hand once this type of action occurs and they usually won't let it go.

Also the fact that you didn't raise preflop could cross his mind and he probably won't put you on top set. I'm pushing it all in here.

If he wants to draw... he's going to pay.
If he thinks he has the best hand he's going to pay to find out.

There may also be another arbitrary amount you can raise here that someone else may give but I think raising the pot up will suffice.

How'd you play it?

I reraise pot.

[turnipmonster]

note that if he is against a made hand, the money is going in almost no matter what with two streets remaining. I think what JTG is saying is while most players would raise the pot, it allows the thinking player to get away from a hand like two pair.

--turnipmonster

[Zag]

I predict that he has two pair and the nut flush draw. Note that, if he has two pair, that kills a lot of your redraws if he does hit the flush. If you throw in a gutshot, then you are only a little bit ahead:

http://twodimes.net/h/?z=428948
Omaha Hi: 820 enumerated boards containing Ac 6d 2d
cards win %win lose %lose tie %tie EV
As 6s 9c Ah 453 55.24 367 44.76 0 0.00 0.552
6c 5c Ad 4d 367 44.76 453 55.24 0 0.00 0.448

I am surprised at how much that gutshot helped him. Here are the results without it
http://twodimes.net/h/?z=428950
Omaha Hi: 820 enumerated boards containing Ac 6d 2d
cards win %win lose %lose tie %tie EV
As 6s 9c Ah 521 63.54 299 36.46 0 0.00 0.635
6c 5c Ad Jd 299 36.46 521 63.54 0 0.00 0.365

I think that I would just call him, here, and take a look at the turn. If it is safe, then you are putting your money in with a MUCH bigger edge. Also, if he really does have two pair, I think you get more out of him by waiting for the turn. Here is the gutshot hand, but after a safe turn card:
http://twodimes.net/h/?z=428956
Omaha Hi: 40 enumerated boards containing Js Ac 6d 2d
cards win %win lose %lose tie %tie EV
As 6s 9c Ah 29 72.50 11 27.50 0 0.00 0.725
6c 5c Ad 4d 11 27.50 29 72.50 0 0.00 0.275

[playerfl]

he could have a 4 straight/4 flush/lower set or any combination of those and still 2 cards to come.

I think you just call and see the turn.

[JTG51]

it's pretty hard to construct a hand where he would have a big draw on the flop with. Ad 3d 4x 5x?

That hand may not be all that likely but it's certainly possible, and it would make him a favorite. Something like 5d 5x 4d 3x is about a coin flip with my hand. So I think big draws should at least be conidered.

I think if he has a made hand you are so far ahead you can slowplay. thoughts on my thoughts?

Yeah, I think if he has a made hand like a smaller set I need to do whatever I can do make sure I double up, which might mean check raising the turn. The problem with that plan is there are tons of scare cards that could come on the turn and keep him from giving me a lot of action.