Sniffing out the UTG Limp Reraise

[JustPlayingSmart]

Do you ever raise from the big blind after a UTG limper to try to suss out whether or not UTG has a big pair? I find myself doing this a fair amount.

Example:

In the Party Poker Million Semifinals I played today. UTG had 35k and limped (blinds 1k/2k). Button limped. SB completed. I raised to 8k with TT. UTG pushed, I folded.

I make this play because I think TT in this spot is too strong to check and give a free flop. Sometimes, I win the pot with my preflop raise. Sometimes UTG just calls, and I'm pretty sure TT is good. Rarely, UTG pushes, and I decide to fold or call.

One reason I did this with TT is because I don't want to be worried about my overpair being 2nd best on an 873 flop. I would rather find out now that I am probably beat, then bet out on the flop and have UTG move in. I think his pushing range on the flop is higher than preflop, so I would have a tougher decision.

Am I a retard or does this play have merit?

[JustPlayingSmart]

Bump

Is there really nothing to talk about here?

I've gotten bit in the ass a few times in the lower buyins by having a hand like JJ, AKs etc in dealer or blind position with an UTG limper, I bet, UTG raises all in, and I call to see AA. Has happened a few times to me, so I am now wary of that reraise when I see it happen, and will only play with KK+ if it happens.

[LesJ]

I freak out almost every time I see a decent size stack limp UTG. I am sure I am being too cautious/scared, but I almost always put UTG on a monster in that situation.
Les

[ QUOTE ]
I freak out almost every time I see a decent size stack limp UTG. I am sure I am being too cautious/scared, but I almost always put UTG on a monster in that situation.
Les

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, you are definatly being too cautious/scared.

[LesJ]

Tonight. . just now
<<<<#Game No : 2988605816
***** Hand History for Game 2988605816 *****
NL Texas Hold'em Trny:17172861 Level:5 Blinds (50/100) - Saturday, November 05, 23:31:38 EDT 2005
Table $40,000 Guaranteed(505401) Table #70 (Real Money)
Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 10
Seat 1: Mr_Grove ( $2115 )
Seat 2: mason1b ( $2960 )
Seat 3: catdaddys ( $1005 )
Seat 4: detached1 ( $845 )
Seat 5: billwlct ( $2955 )
Seat 6: DABULL777111 ( $2770 )
Seat 7: LesJ7461 ( $1395 )
Seat 9: razumup ( $495 )
Seat 10: timm_ ( $790 )
Seat 8: bkmfreak ( $1225 )
Trny:17172861 Level:5
Blinds (50/100)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to LesJ7461 [ Ks As ]
catdaddys calls [100].
detached1 folds.
billwlct folds.
DABULL777111 folds.
LesJ7461 raises [400].
bkmfreak folds.
razumup folds.
timm_ folds.
Mr_Grove folds.
mason1b folds.
catdaddys raises [700].
LesJ7461 is all-In [995]
catdaddys is all-In [205]
** Dealing Flop ** [ 8c, 5d, Jh ]
** Dealing Turn ** [ Jd ]
** Dealing River ** [ 8d ]
catdaddys shows [ Ad, Ah ] two pairs, aces and jacks.
LesJ7461 shows [ Ks, As ] two pairs, jacks and eights.
LesJ7461 wins 390 chips from side pot #1 with two pairs, jacks and eights.
catdaddys wins 2160 chips from the main pot with two pairs, aces and jacks.
Game #2988609926 starts.>>>
I guess you are right, AJ!

On a serious note, is there any way to prevent/combat this????
Thanks,
Les

[whiskeytown]

even in this aggression happy poker environment, when I see a limp/reraise - esp. under the gun, I almost ALWAYS see A's or K's - never anything else -

so I think pretty hard about that call - that's a toughie - but I think if you laid down occasionally on that if it's not a play the player normally uses, you wouldn't be bad off...

RB

Actually earlier today, I saw a version that I hadn't seen before. UTG limps, folds around to guy on button who makes a 4x size raise, both blinds fold, and UTG goes all in for about 15bb's. Button instacalls and button turns over AA against UTG's QQ.

[Autocratic]

Raising the limper is a smart move, I make it when I can from the blinds. But when you're re-raised, you have got to be able to lay it down; it means AA around 80% of the time, in my experience.

[the_main]

I often use this mentality against my opponents.
I will often limp UTG with marginal cards and then play them strong from that point. Obviously discretion has to be used, but its a good tool for anyone's game.