I NEVER know what to do here...

Colombo · #1 09-20-2005, 08:23 PM

hands like this seem to always get me in trouble. The line i lose for them sometimes allows me to win big ones picking off bluffs, but it also fucks me over alot too..

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t50 (6 handed) converter

MP (t1270)
CO (t1020)
Button (t1790)
SB (t1495)
Hero (t2195)
UTG (t1230)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 9[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img].
UTG raises to t100, 1 fold, CO calls t100, 2 folds, Hero calls t50.

Flop: (t325) Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 3[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 9[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets t150, CO folds, Hero calls t150.

Turn: (t625) 2[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets t250, Hero calls t250.

River: (t1125) 2[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG checks.

Final Pot: t1125

How should I have played that? Assume folding preflop is not an option.

Patrick del Poker Grande · #2 09-20-2005, 08:38 PM

I don't like the flop check. You have no idea where you stand and this gives you absolutely no information. You're in the same position on the turn. Put a bet out there and see where you stand.

lem45216 · #3 09-20-2005, 08:55 PM

Yeah i like the idea of putting out a bet on the flop maybe about 1/2 pot to see where you're at, you can get away with it if the villain fights back.
To be honest though i'm quite passive in these situations between levels 1-3 and would probably fold after the villain bet on the flop because there will most likely be more lucrative spots later on so no point risking a significant % of your stack at the moment. But who knows, that might be a leak in my game. But thats how i'd play it.

To be really honest i do fold this pf.

lacky · #4 09-20-2005, 09:59 PM

stop calling, raise to see where your at, or fold and save the chips. calling is usually the worst option.

Steve

#5 09-21-2005, 03:08 AM

[ QUOTE ]
stop calling, raise to see where your at, or fold and save the chips. calling is usually the worst option.

Steve

[/ QUOTE ]

Excellent advice!

I was helping a friend/student yesterday going over some HH's from the 5+1s and this something I kept repeating over and over.

If you are calling here you're probably calling in many similar situations, stop now and your results will improve.

tomtemor · #6 09-21-2005, 04:41 AM

I usually check-call the flop and bet out on the turn in these situations. I have no idea why I do it and if it's good or not, it's just something I do. [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Matt R. · #7 09-21-2005, 08:34 AM

tomtemor,
I actually like this line, and will use it a lot in situations like this where I'm OOP and may have the best hand. It favors keeping the pot small, which is good with a marginal hand in short stacked sng's. Leading out on the flop is inviting villain to come over the top of you to "test" you and try to take it down. If he's aggressive, it's often bad to lead out IMO.

Edit: But.. in a sitiation like this where villain doesn't have too many chips to raise you with air to "test" you, it may be better to lead out as you can threaten a good chunk of his stack with a medium sized bet. So, my check/call, lead out on the turn line is very stack dependent and player dependent as well. I think it's reasonable in this case, but I wouldn't always do it, depending on how aggressive your opponent is.

#8 09-20-2005, 10:01 PM

Fold on all streets except the river.

lastchance · #9 09-20-2005, 10:03 PM

I think you need to check to UTG here and expect a contuination bet.

I think the way you played it is fine, calling down his bluff, though it may not be perfect.

I don't like betting out because it folds hands you are ahead of, and only lets hands you have beat come in, so the way I see it on the flop is you can either check-call, check-raise, or check-fold to a bet and a call.

bigt439 · #10 09-20-2005, 11:13 PM

I fold preflop and I don't know why it's "not an option". Your hand sucks, and you're out of position. Since you didn't you can lead the flop, check raise it, or stop and go, but I wouldn't be folding when it gets back to me. I'd lead the turn for 1/2 pot and see what happens. Check the river.

EDIT: To be a little clearer, I sometimes will fold when it gets back to me, but that dinky little bet looks weak.