Two Pair vs. Raise on the Turn

#1 10-11-2005, 01:23 PM

This is my first HH analysis post (so please correct my posting etiquette as needed). This was the beginning of the 2nd orbit so I have no reads and PT had no stats on any of the players. That said, this was a .25/.50 beginner table at Party (only 6 more days of eligibility there unfortunately, sigh!)

Villian is the SB. I give details of what I was thinking on each street:

Party Poker 0.25/0.50 Hold'em (9 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Preflop: Hero is BB with Q[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 2[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]. CO posts a blind of $0.25.
1 fold, UTG+1 calls, 2 folds, MP3 calls, CO (poster) checks, 1 fold, SB completes, Hero checks.

 As I see Q2o and check as the BB I'm thinking: "Gosh, I hope Q2 DOESN'T come on the flop and I get forced to play this only to lose to a suckout." 

Flop: (5 SB) 2[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], K[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (5 players)
SB checks, Hero bets, UTG+1 calls, MP3 folds, CO calls, SB calls.

 So...what comes on the flop...Q2. I bet for value AND information to see if anyone has a range of hands involving the K on the board. 

Turn: (4.50 BB) 3[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (4 players)
SB checks, Hero bets, UTG+1 calls, CO calls, SB raises, Hero 3-bets, UTG+1 folds, CO calls, SB caps, Hero calls, CO calls.

 I got 3 callers and no raise on the flop after my bet, so I'm feeling pretty confident of best hand. SB checks, I bet, it goes around and SB re-raises. Where did that come from? I'm thinking in the range of KK or trips or a strong flush draw. I 3-bet to protect, he caps but I'm calling this down all the way (Thank you Ed Miller!) 

River: (17.50 BB) 4[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (3 players)
SB bets, Hero calls, CO calls.

 Third spade falls and I'm crying (and calling) thinking one of them got the flush. 

Final Pot: 20.50 BB

See results below in white:

 Hero wins with two pair, queens and twos. SB shows Kc Jd, a pair of kings.
Phew, did I play this correctly or did I slow down unnecessarily? I'm definitely not complaining - I just want to see if I missed something.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

cold_cash · #2 10-11-2005, 01:28 PM

Seems okay to me.

Link774 · #3 10-11-2005, 01:29 PM

I would've played it the same. Just make a note that SB can be very agressive with TPGK. Why not wait until you have reads before you start playing? You can import observed hands, which I think is a big advantage to playing at Party. If I saw that this fellow had an agression factor greater than 2 or so, I'd probably throw in one more raise on the river.

gharp · #4 10-11-2005, 01:30 PM

Nice hand -- I think you played it just fine.

[ QUOTE ]
As I see Q2o and check as the BB I'm thinking: "Gosh, I hope Q2 DOESN'T come on the flop and I get forced to play this only to lose to a suckout."

[/ QUOTE ]
[img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] Don't think like this! That was a fantastic flop for your hand. In general, when you flop two pair, you're going to win a good percentage of the time -- don't worry so much about the occasional suckouts.

lautzutao · #5 10-11-2005, 01:30 PM

I dont like 3-betting this turn(EDIT: AGAINST UNKNOWNS). There's a lot of hands that beat you, I'd just call down. Everything else seems fine.

And don't post your results. It skews the responses you get from others.

imported_The Vibesman · #6 10-11-2005, 01:31 PM

Looks fine.

#7 10-11-2005, 01:32 PM

Thanks much...I'm new to party and PT and didn't know you could import observed hands. Great advice!

gharp · #8 10-11-2005, 01:32 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I dont like 3-betting this turn(EDIT: AGAINST UNKNOWNS). There's a lot of hands that beat you, I'd just call down. Everything else seems fine.

[/ QUOTE ]
Which hands beat you that you're worried about? Don't you want to see the other two fold?

#9 10-11-2005, 01:34 PM

Thanks for your points on the 3-bet vs. unknown. Instead of giving the results is it better to post them after several replies or never? Thanks!

USDaniels · #10 10-11-2005, 01:55 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Nice hand -- I think you played it just fine.

[ QUOTE ]
As I see Q2o and check as the BB I'm thinking: "Gosh, I hope Q2 DOESN'T come on the flop and I get forced to play this only to lose to a suckout."

[/ QUOTE ]
[img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] Don't think like this! That was a fantastic flop for your hand. In general, when you flop two pair, you're going to win a good percentage of the time -- don't worry so much about the occasional suckouts.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed.

Q2 is about the ONLY thing you want to see on the flop. Just a Q and your lowest possible kicker limits you terribly and any single 2 won't be worth playing. The only better flop for you would be 22x (where x=Q would be optimal, but let's not get too picky).