You fold too damn much! - Ed Miller

[jedi]

A hand that I played a few weeks ago at a B&M casino that had me thinking about Ed Miller's line about folding in big pots.

What do you think of the play in this hand?

I had 7 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]8 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] in late, middle position. There were a couple of limpers and I limped. CO limped behind me and the button raised. Everyone else called, I think the blinds folded. (Unfortunately this was close to a month ago now and I don't quite remember the details). Button is fairly solid and won't raise with complete garbage.

Flop comes 734, 2 spades. It's checked to me. I have top pair and bet out, trying to see what button does. CO calls, button raises, forcing out the others between us. I call, CO calls. It's roughly 16 SB (8 BB) when you factor in the rake going into the turn. (Is this a "big pot?")

Turn is 9 [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] I figure I'm beaten right now, with only 4 outs. Check, with the intention of folding since 9:1 isn't enough to justify my odds right now. I put button squarely on a high pocket pair, Ace or Kings right now and I'm ready to get out. CO checks and button checks. Hmmm, interesting.

River puts out another [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img](possibly the 2). I'm first to act and think that button MIGHT have been overplaying AK. Surely he would have bet the turn if he had a high spade, so I'm taking a shot at this pot right now. I bet, knowing that I can fold to a raise.

CO folds, mumbling something about a spade. Button FOLDS his KK face up because I "obviously" have a spade in my hand. CO says that all low spades were out there, I must have had a high one which beat his low spade.

They all wanted to see my cards, but I gave them some hokey line about "paying to see them."

Yikes! First off, is this pot big enough that button should be calling me? Second, how badly did he screw up by not betting the turn? I'm certain that I misplayed this on every street, yet still won the pot uncontested on the river. Is this one of those disasters that Ed's talking about?

[hypermegachi]

the guy with KK screwed up by not betting the turn because a 3 flush doesn't mean anyone has a flush, and he should bet the find out.

he's getting over 10:1 to call that last bet, AND he's closing the action. he only has to win 9% to break even...horrible fold!

[Hoi Polloi]

I think this qualifies as an official SSHE big pot since it was raised pre-flop and 4-5 players saw the flop.

I think those guys made big mistake giving up 9BB to save 1. And as a bonus they provided commentary!

CO should have called and Button would then be correct to fold. But with CO out, Button should have called. Nice steal!

[ugly24]

Against ordinary opponents they would be wrong to fold, but since you clearly used your jedi mind tricks on them ("this little one's not worth the effort") you can't fault them for folding.

And yes, this is precisely what Mr. Miller is referring to when he encourages us to call down for 1 bet on the river.

Nice Play!
The Ugly One