Blind defense or spewing?

Guthrie · #1 12-15-2005, 05:01 PM

My blind defense has always sucked in limit poker. There are usually so many limpers that the situation rarely comes up, so I don't get much practice at it. After several hundred NL SnGs I've started paying a lot more attention to the blinds. Today the situation did come up, three times in short order.

I would have never defended blinds with weak aces in the past, but again, all those SnGs changed my mind.

Comments?

Hand 1. Villain is 18/7.4/2.36 over a lot of hands. He knows how to steal blinds.

PokerStars 1/2 Hold'em (10 handed) converter

Preflop: Hero is SB with A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 3[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img].
6 folds, CO raises, 1 fold, Hero calls, 1 fold.

Flop: (5 SB) A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 5[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (2 players)
Hero bets, CO raises, Hero 3-bets, CO caps, Hero calls.

Turn: (6.50 BB) 4[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets, Hero calls.

River: (8.50 BB) 8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets, Hero calls.

Final Pot: 10.50 BB

Hand 2. Villain is unknown, just sat down.

PokerStars 1/2 Hold'em (10 handed) converter

Preflop: Hero is SB with A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 2[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img].
7 folds, Button raises, Hero calls, BB calls.

Flop: (6 SB) J[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], J[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (3 players)
Hero bets, BB folds, Button raises, Hero 3-bets, Button folds.

Final Pot: 5.50 BB

Hand 3. Villain is 40/2.13.

PokerStars 1/2 Hold'em (10 handed) converter

Preflop: Hero is BB with A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img].
7 folds, Button calls, 1 fold, Hero raises, Button calls.

Flop: (4.50 SB) 5[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 players)
Hero bets, Button calls.

Turn: (3.25 BB) 3[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 players)
Hero bets, Button calls.

River: (5.25 BB) Q[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets, Hero ?

shant · #2 12-15-2005, 05:09 PM

I fold small Axo in the SB and BB to steal raises unless the player is getting very out of line with his steals. If I'm going to play Axs from the SB or BB I am 3-betting preflop.

I think you have to call the river in hand 3.

Also, I've mentioned this like 9million times but again, I think adding ASB%, Folded BB to Steal and Folded SB to Steal numbers to your HUD's popup is important for these situations.

Greg J · #3 12-15-2005, 05:14 PM

Hey what is ASB%? EDIT: Attempt to steal blinds? If so, how is that calculated -- if you know?

#4 12-15-2005, 05:22 PM

grunch

hand 1 & 2 - don't play Acrap from the SB in a blind steal situation. If you are going to, which please don't, you need to hit the raise button.

hand 3 - I am happy you found the raise button finally [img]/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img], why is it that the button only called preflop, is he a huge fish or is he playing sneakily? I hope you called the river how you played it, why did you decide to not pop it?

shant · #5 12-15-2005, 05:23 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Hey what is ASB%? EDIT: Attempt to steal blinds? If so, how is that calculated -- if you know?

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm no authority on PT calculations or math in general, but I believe it just takes the times that it is foled to you in the CO or Button and makes a percentage from the times you raise or fold. It may or may not include the HJ.

This would help because someone with a 42% ASB is going to be more likely to be stealing than a guy with a 13% ASB who is probably just raising a premium hand.

#6 12-15-2005, 05:23 PM

First, I am trying to learn blind defenses too, and I suck at it. First hand - well played. Hand 2 - I play it the same though I'm not sure it's right. The flop is perfect for you and I think your hand is good most of the time. Obviously, in this case villian's raise was to see if you were serious. I hate not 3-betting here, but would it be better to wait until the turn or river? Hand 3 - I would fold. The pot is small and I don't think you're good very often.

#7 12-15-2005, 05:41 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I fold small Axo in the SB and BB to steal raises unless the player is getting very out of line with his steals. If I'm going to play Axs from the SB or BB I am 3-betting preflop.

I think you have to call the river in hand 3.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, what he said.

I've had trouble in these spots too. Since adopting a 3-bet or fold mantra it has been better. I usually ditch the A-rags here and sometimes reraise A9+ to a possible steal (depending on who the raiser is). If I reraise, then bet a flopped A and get raised, I've found it's usually best to fold the turn UI against most players.

mojobluesman · #8 12-15-2005, 07:13 PM

I'm not 100% sure I would have defended in hands #1 and #2, but if I did I would probably raise to get the BB out.

I tend to call the river in hand #3 but I think it's a leak. They usually have a weak pair.

#9 12-15-2005, 07:14 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Hey what is ASB%? EDIT: Attempt to steal blinds? If so, how is that calculated -- if you know?

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm no authority on PT calculations or math in general, but I believe it just takes the times that it is foled to you in the CO or Button and makes a percentage from the times you raise or fold. It may or may not include the HJ.

This would help because someone with a 42% ASB is going to be more likely to be stealing than a guy with a 13% ASB who is probably just raising a premium hand.

[/ QUOTE ]

Glad you posted it again, I missed the first bizillion times. I'll add it to my HUD tonight. Seems obvious, I should've thought of it myself.

crovax4444 · #10 12-15-2005, 07:20 PM

*grunch*

Hand 1:

Hero needs to reraise PF to isolate BB. Show him that you ain't getting pushed around

Flop: Call CO's bet, don't 3-bet it, it's excessive

Turn: Nice, now you have a gutshot and the 3 3's as outs. Even possible Ace outs. Calling is good

River: Fold, possible flush completed, you have pair of Ace 8 kicker. His bet on the river means he wants you to call.

Hand 2:

Fold preflop. I like the flop. Good job.

Hand 3: Fold river, everything else was well done.

Edit: On further consideration, I like hand 1's 3-bet. I would still fold at the river.