Protecting my hand - flopped a straight

Messy Harry · #1 03-17-2005, 10:13 PM

What do you guys think of my play here? People checked, but didn't fold or raise so I assumed they were drawing to something - the diamonds and the straight draw were out there. I didn't have reads (sorry).

I was in the cutoff and wasn't sure if the button would bet, so I kept betting when it was checked to me.

Party Poker 0.5/1 Hold'em (8 handed) converter

Preflop: Hero is CO with J[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], K[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img].
UTG calls, UTG+1 calls, 2 folds, Hero calls, Button calls, 1 fold, BB checks.

Flop: (5.50 SB) Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 9[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], T[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (5 players)
BB checks, UTG checks, UTG+1 checks, Hero bets, Button calls, BB folds, UTG calls, UTG+1 calls.

Turn: (4.75 BB) 6[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (4 players)
UTG checks, UTG+1 checks, Hero bets, Button calls, UTG calls, UTG+1 folds.

River: (7.75 BB) T[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (3 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets, Button raises, UTG calls, Hero calls.

Final Pot: 13.75 BB

shadow29 · #2 03-17-2005, 10:20 PM

Why did you just call the river raise? This can easily mean trips. And you're last to act.

DeadManJay · #3 03-17-2005, 10:21 PM

I think you played this hand the only way that you could.

edit: oops didn't notice the river raise, I would have 3-bet there.

Entity · #4 03-17-2005, 10:21 PM

I'd raise preflop and 3-bet the river.

Aaron W. · #5 03-17-2005, 10:22 PM

When you flop a straight, you're betting "for value". And you basically want to bet it as much as possible as possible until the board brings something bad. In this case, the extra ten isn't enough to stop me from 3-betting the river. You only lose if he poorly played QT, 9T, 6T, QQ, TT, 99, or 66. You've also got a caller hanging around, adding more value to the 3-bet. (Although your tone and the fact that you asked this question leads me to believe that you lost. Don't worry about it.)

shadow29 · #6 03-17-2005, 10:22 PM

I normally just call this hand at CO at 2/4.

Do you think I should raise?

Entity · #7 03-17-2005, 10:23 PM

[ QUOTE ]
When you flop a straight, you're betting "for value".

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you for saying this.

I'm really tired of everyone asking "how do I protect my hand?" when they flop a monster. It's like hand protection is the new black.

Rob

Entity · #8 03-17-2005, 10:23 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I normally just call this hand at CO at 2/4.

Do you think I should raise?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm like the cookie monster, only for buttons. Give me Buttons!

But yeah, I think your hand has plenty of value against two limpers and I prefer it 3-ways for 2bets (+initiative, +position) to 5-ways for 1bet.

Rob

shadow29 · #9 03-17-2005, 10:26 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Give me Buttons!

[/ QUOTE ]

Honestly, I'm not sure how much value "raising for the button" has. I can't quantify it, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it isn't all that it's cracked up to be.

Entity · #10 03-17-2005, 10:28 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Give me Buttons!

[/ QUOTE ]

Honestly, I'm not sure how much value "raising for the button" has. I can't quantify it, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it isn't all that it's cracked up to be.

[/ QUOTE ]

Having absolute position over the rest of the field with a decent hand has a lot of value dude, trust me.

First of all, your hand has value. You should be confident in that if you're playing it.

Secondly, you'll be able to represent a wide range of hands when you take initiative in the pot. If you raise preflop, you can often take credit for an Ace (when it flops) against two bad limpers and steal a decent-sized pot.

It's not just for position, but position is one of the concerns that makes the raise worthwhile.

Rob