Keeping the pot small OOP

jonnyUCB · #1 06-12-2005, 05:02 PM

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (4 handed) converter

UTG ($278.30)
Button ($232.45)
SB ($174.60)
Hero ($198.55)

Preflop: Hero is BB with J[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], K[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img].
1 fold, Button raises to $4, 1 fold, Hero calls $2.

Flop: ($9) K[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 3[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 players)
Hero bets $4, Button calls $4.

Turn: ($17) 6[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets $8, Hero calls $8.

River: ($33) 8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets $35, Hero calls $35.

Final Pot: $103

My turn and river play is what I'm concerned with. His preflop min-raise followed by his flatcall of the flop (after a second's pause) made me think he had aces, though a weaker king came into mind. Villian has not been that aggressive in past hands - do I fold this river or make a blocking bet? What's the best line for a hand with showdown value here?

xorbie · #2 06-12-2005, 06:17 PM

Unless you've seen him bet like that with air, I think a river fold is probably in order.

jonnyUCB · #3 06-12-2005, 06:39 PM

So you like check/call small bet?

xorbie · #4 06-12-2005, 07:15 PM

I'll tell you what I really like which is lead out river for $10-$15 or so (if you are going to play the hand this way).

soah · #5 06-12-2005, 07:57 PM

You say you were keeping the pot size small, but what it actually seems that you are doing is letting your opponent decide how big the pot will be.

swolfe · #6 06-12-2005, 08:08 PM

fold preflop

jonnyUCB · #7 06-12-2005, 09:34 PM

6h game. I play 5Ks here

meleader2 · #8 06-12-2005, 10:00 PM

[ QUOTE ]
fold preflop

[/ QUOTE ]

i take it u think this is 10 handed....

everyone loves folding preflop instead of being aggressive, or even without looking at the game...AA-22 AK, AKs, AQ, AQs. you will be blinded to death.

Ghazban · #9 06-12-2005, 10:04 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I'll tell you what I really like which is lead out river for $10-$15 or so (if you are going to play the hand this way).

[/ QUOTE ]

I think this is too small (1/3 pot for the bottom of your range) I'd like a river lead of ~$18 planning to fold to a raise.

As far as keeping pots small out of position, how often you checkraise other hands can affect that. If your opponents are afraid you'll checkraise them after leading the flop, they will be more likely to check behind when you want them to. If you frequently check/call or check/fold after leading, you will have a hard time keeping the pot manageable without leading yourself on every street.

Snag · #10 06-12-2005, 10:17 PM

If you're going to play KJ here, and you think you're good - here's an easy way to avoid having to make a tough decision on the river like this - Be aggressive.

Lead the flop for at least $6.

If he calls - lead the turn for at least $15, here - anyone with half a brain is going to A.) fold or B.) raise you.

If they're raising your $15 on the turn - you can be fairly sure you're in trouble.

If they call - again - you can be fairly sure you're in trouble: check/fold or check/call a small river bet.