I was 0 for 3 entering into the 4th of 4 tournaments I planned on playing in a recent series. I went deep in an Omaha 8/b tournament but didn't cash. I got extremely unlucky in a stud tournament and was the first one knocked out. I made the second best hand a few too many times in a 2-7 triple draw tournament and failed to cash there also. I figured luck would be on my side going into this HORSE event.
I was slowly accumulating chips and maintaining an average stack early in the tournament. We were playing stud and I made Kings and sevens on 4th street. I led out on 4th - 6th streets and got called by a player with split nines. My opponent caught the case 9 on 7th and I was now a short stack. Two hands later I get priced in with an A-Q in the hole and an exposed 2. I had the bring in bet and there were so many players involved, I figured I could draw and try and make a big pair with my live cards. I was almost committed to the pot, but I folded to one bet on 4th after a player led out and everyone else folded. I didn't like that two queens, an ace and a 2 came out on 4th. I had to fold as I essentially had 2 outs. My opponent had pocket jacks. I was now crippled. I get it all in on the next hand with 3 hearts on 3rd street. I squeezed my fifth heart on 7th to win the main pot, but I was still short. Two hands later, I start with split kings and make two pair on 5th. I win the pot on 5th by check raising. The game changed to stud 8/b and I picked up pocket kings with a low card exposed. I'm still short at this point and I get involved in a pot where I 4 bet 3rd street and run into an opponent with pocket aces. I get a 1o on 4th and 5th to take the lead and go on to win a large pot and double up. I out played my opponents in the stud 8/b round to accumulate a lot of chips and was among the leaders at break time.
I ride my big stack and play solid poker for the next few levels. When we were down to two tables, I win a nice omaha 8/b pot where I make the dumb end of the straight on the river. Due to the escalating stakes, the last 7 players agreed to a large save and leave a little extra cash for first place. Of course, I'm playing for the win at this point. My problem was that a couple of other players were doing the same and I was completely card dead. I finally go bust in razz in a pot where I was drawing dead on 6th.
I'm still amazed with the poor play in HORSE events. It is amazing that players will enter a tournament where they don't even know how to play all of the games. I guess I really shouldn't be complaining though as I was glad to finally get my first HORSE cash.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Close But No Cigar
I recently played one of the best Omaha 8/b tournaments I've ever played. I was definitely in the zone and I think that taking a bit of time off from poker helped. While I didn't win it (I came in 3rd), I was quite satisfied with my play and got a bit unlucky at the end. I held on to an above average chip stack for most of the tournament. I was picking up a few hands here and there and picking off some bluffs. I was fortunate to avoid being in desperation mode until I got to the final table.
The money bubble burst with two players being eliminated on the same hand which prevented us from playing hand for hand. With 10 players to go I was about 5th or 6th in chips and wanted to let some of the short stacks bust before making a big move. When we got down to the final table, I raised in the one hole with A-A-K-2 and doubled up a short stack. As players got eliminated, I carefully chose my spots to raise and took down enough pots to prevent losing a lot of chips. I was also beginning to slightly open up my starting hand range which is normally pretty selective. By the time we were down to 3 players, I was the short stack. I also had nothing to lose at that point. It was time to change gears.
I began to bet, raise and reraise much more liberally. The player in 2nd position was playing too tight for 3 handed in my opinion. By the time the chip leader knew what hit him, I held the chip lead and the original chip leader was in desperation mode. I 3 bet with A-2-3-K and ran into the short stack's A-A-8-9. The aces held for the high and I couldn't make my low. A few hands later I raised on the button with A-2-9-9 double suited (spades and clubs). I flopped a set of 9s and the nut low draw on a board of 9-8-4 with two hearts. Action was checked to me and I knew at least one of my opponents was going for the check raise as I had gotten very aggressive. I led out with the set and was raised. I promptly 3 bet and got called in both spots. I wasn't too thrilled about this as I didn't want to see a heart. The turn brought a deuce which was not the low card I wanted. I still held a set for high and I had a live ace to draw to for low. Action checked to me again and I bet and was called in both spots again. The river was the seven of hearts. All draws got home and I now had a live ace for the low. The last heart killed the action and I run into the nut low and a backdoor straight. Losing that big pot cost me the chip lead. However, I was not out of it yet.
After a raise of the blind levels, I had to make a move soon. I called on the button with 2-3-4-6 double suited (spades and diamonds). The flop brought A-9-K with two diamonds and one spade. My opponent and I checked the flop and the turn card brought the eight of spades. My opponent led out and I raised all in. My opponent tabled A-9-J-J. Top and bottom pair with a draw to a better two pair, set and boat. I win the high with any spade or diamond that doesn't pair the board (14 outs). I take the low with any 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. I'm about 40% to win the high and about 60% to make the low with one card to come. One of the poker odds calculators said I had about 58% equity in the pot with my monster draw. The river was a 9 and I missed everything and was out in 3rd.
I'm disappointed in my luck as I was the best player with 3 to go and the best or 2nd best of the final table. It hurts more when you get so close and don't finish the deal, but there is always a tournament tomorrow.
The money bubble burst with two players being eliminated on the same hand which prevented us from playing hand for hand. With 10 players to go I was about 5th or 6th in chips and wanted to let some of the short stacks bust before making a big move. When we got down to the final table, I raised in the one hole with A-A-K-2 and doubled up a short stack. As players got eliminated, I carefully chose my spots to raise and took down enough pots to prevent losing a lot of chips. I was also beginning to slightly open up my starting hand range which is normally pretty selective. By the time we were down to 3 players, I was the short stack. I also had nothing to lose at that point. It was time to change gears.
I began to bet, raise and reraise much more liberally. The player in 2nd position was playing too tight for 3 handed in my opinion. By the time the chip leader knew what hit him, I held the chip lead and the original chip leader was in desperation mode. I 3 bet with A-2-3-K and ran into the short stack's A-A-8-9. The aces held for the high and I couldn't make my low. A few hands later I raised on the button with A-2-9-9 double suited (spades and clubs). I flopped a set of 9s and the nut low draw on a board of 9-8-4 with two hearts. Action was checked to me and I knew at least one of my opponents was going for the check raise as I had gotten very aggressive. I led out with the set and was raised. I promptly 3 bet and got called in both spots. I wasn't too thrilled about this as I didn't want to see a heart. The turn brought a deuce which was not the low card I wanted. I still held a set for high and I had a live ace to draw to for low. Action checked to me again and I bet and was called in both spots again. The river was the seven of hearts. All draws got home and I now had a live ace for the low. The last heart killed the action and I run into the nut low and a backdoor straight. Losing that big pot cost me the chip lead. However, I was not out of it yet.
After a raise of the blind levels, I had to make a move soon. I called on the button with 2-3-4-6 double suited (spades and diamonds). The flop brought A-9-K with two diamonds and one spade. My opponent and I checked the flop and the turn card brought the eight of spades. My opponent led out and I raised all in. My opponent tabled A-9-J-J. Top and bottom pair with a draw to a better two pair, set and boat. I win the high with any spade or diamond that doesn't pair the board (14 outs). I take the low with any 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. I'm about 40% to win the high and about 60% to make the low with one card to come. One of the poker odds calculators said I had about 58% equity in the pot with my monster draw. The river was a 9 and I missed everything and was out in 3rd.
I'm disappointed in my luck as I was the best player with 3 to go and the best or 2nd best of the final table. It hurts more when you get so close and don't finish the deal, but there is always a tournament tomorrow.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Shorthanded Omaha 8/b
I recently sat down in a $10/$20 Omaha 8/b game with a full kill (this means you play $20/$40 on the next hand if someone scooped a pot and the winner has to post). We were short handed after a Hold 'Em player went bust and I was clearly the rock at the table. While no particular hand was interesting enough to warrant its own entry, one observation I had was that in limit games as opposed to no limit or pot limit you won't scare away an aggressive player when you bet. In a no limit or pot limit game if a rock starts betting at a flop everyone usually dumps their hand. However, in a limit game (and especially omaha 8/b) aggressive players will tend to call you to try and catch their draw. It is hard to bet someone out of a pot in limit games. Thus, if you are a rock, you do need to mix up your play from time to time and get in with a non-premium hand. This is even more important when short handed.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Continuation Betting
I think the one "play" that everyone is now aware of is continuation betting. For example, leading out on the flop (or 4th street) after making a raise pre-flop (or on 3rd street). This is so common that the continuation bet does not nearly get the respect that it once did. What I've found is that leading out on the turn (or 5th street) after making the normal continuation bet will get the respect that continuation bets once did.
That being said, you have to prepare to defend against those players who will raise any continuation bet you make. Of course, when you have the nuts, this is a profitable situation, but if you missed, you are usually folding to a raise. The best way to defend against this in my opinion is to not make the continuation bet as often. Checking behind will add a bit of deception to your game and keep your opponents guessing. Now that continuation betting is the "obvious play", do something that is not obvious, like checking, and see what that gets you. The only warning to this is to watch out for the draw that hits on the turn--you may have to proceed cautiously after that (or it may be a perfect bluff card ;) ).
That being said, you have to prepare to defend against those players who will raise any continuation bet you make. Of course, when you have the nuts, this is a profitable situation, but if you missed, you are usually folding to a raise. The best way to defend against this in my opinion is to not make the continuation bet as often. Checking behind will add a bit of deception to your game and keep your opponents guessing. Now that continuation betting is the "obvious play", do something that is not obvious, like checking, and see what that gets you. The only warning to this is to watch out for the draw that hits on the turn--you may have to proceed cautiously after that (or it may be a perfect bluff card ;) ).
Thursday, June 19, 2008
World Series of Poker
I decided to play the $1,500 Razz event at this year's WSOP. If you are a serious poker player, you should at a minimum attend the festivities. Even if you are not playing, there is plenty to do. I was not successful in cashing in the event despite a great Level 1 where I was among the chip leaders. I get back to around my starting stack level after getting coolered with a 7 low running into a 6 low. However, it was one interesting pot that I played that crippled me and I'm still trying to figure out my opponents logic on this one.
It is folded to me with only 1 or 2 wheel cards dead and I have a 3 up and there are 2 players between myself and the bring in. One player is showing a 10 and one is showing a 9. I make the standard completion with my and and get called by the 9. I have my opponent covered and he is somewhat shortstacked.
3RD STREET
Me: (Q-2)-3
Opponent: (x-x)-9
I think my play is automatic and I figured my opponent was defending with a rough 9 draw, a hand like 5-7-9 or 4-8-9. I don't think defending with a 9 is that bad of a play, but at that point in the tournament, I wouldn't want to play a big pot where I started with a rough 9.
4TH STREET
Me: (Q-2)-3-8
Opponent: (x-x)-9-3
I bet on 4th and get called. We both caught a good card. Because I got called, I didn't think the 3 paired my opponent. This further confirmed my read of a rough 9 draw. I figured I can easily represent an 8 low or take the pot away on 5th if we both catch bad. This is why I bet with my hand. If my opponent put me on an 8 draw, calling with a rough 9 draw is not a good play. However, my opponent might have thought that the 8 paired me.
5TH STREET
Me: (Q-2)-3-8-J
Opponent: (x-x)-9-3-J
This is actually a good card for me as nothing has changed from 4th street. I led out representing a made J-8 low and to my surprise I got called again by my opponent. I don't know if my opponent picked up a read on me, but I had not pulled off any moves like this the entire tournament. If my opponent was going with the read that I was paired, then the call is fine, but with very few dead wheel cards out, it would appear that I held two wheel cards in the hole.
6TH STREET
Me: (Q-2)-3-8-J-J
Opponent: (x-x)-9-3-J-Q
This is where it gets interesting. Again, nothing changes on 6th street as far as the hand strength goes. I'm still representing a made J-8 low and the best my opponent can make is a 9 low. Since I'm paired my opponent has the lead. He checks to me and I bet. Then, I get check-raised and my opponent is all in. I guess my opponent wanted to gamble, but putting in a raise there just doesn't make any sense, even if he can't make a full bet on 7th. I just don't understand the raise. If he is beat, he gets called instantly. If he waits until 7th to bet, he gets called if he is beat and the J-8 low that I was representing would also have to call. However, if he checks 7th, I would likely check behind him with the J-8 low I'm trying to represent and if he hand was no good, he would still have chips.
I took a while to make the call and it was obvious that I was paired or had a high card. He thought I was paired, but was surprised when I showed the Q-2 in the hole. Of course, my opponent had a made J-9 low and I had to improve my hand.
7TH STREET
Me: (Q-2)-3-8-J-J-(Q)
Opponent: (5-7)-9-3-J-Q-(J)
My opponent turned up his 7th street card first and showed the J. That was a good sign for me as I knew I was drawing live. I needed an A, 4, 5, 6 or a 7. I didn't like seeing a dead 5 and 7 in my opponent's hand and I recalled a dead ace from another player's upcard on 3rd. That is 17 outs (assuming all cards are live). I missed and hit a Q on 7th. My Q-J low lost to a J-9 low.
I don't think I played this hand in a poor fashion. I guess the only spot where I could have gotten away from it was on 4th street when we both caught good. I can check on 4th and fold to a bet. In hindsight, that is the safer play, but I'm still surprised by my opponent's play on 5th and 6th streets on this hand.
A few hands later, I get it all in with 5-6-7 against 2-4-8. I make an 8-7 low on 5th and my opponent (same guy) makes an 8-5 low on 7th. All in all, I was happy with my play. I know I can play with the best in the world and I hope to return to the WSOP in future years.
It is folded to me with only 1 or 2 wheel cards dead and I have a 3 up and there are 2 players between myself and the bring in. One player is showing a 10 and one is showing a 9. I make the standard completion with my and and get called by the 9. I have my opponent covered and he is somewhat shortstacked.
3RD STREET
Me: (Q-2)-3
Opponent: (x-x)-9
I think my play is automatic and I figured my opponent was defending with a rough 9 draw, a hand like 5-7-9 or 4-8-9. I don't think defending with a 9 is that bad of a play, but at that point in the tournament, I wouldn't want to play a big pot where I started with a rough 9.
4TH STREET
Me: (Q-2)-3-8
Opponent: (x-x)-9-3
I bet on 4th and get called. We both caught a good card. Because I got called, I didn't think the 3 paired my opponent. This further confirmed my read of a rough 9 draw. I figured I can easily represent an 8 low or take the pot away on 5th if we both catch bad. This is why I bet with my hand. If my opponent put me on an 8 draw, calling with a rough 9 draw is not a good play. However, my opponent might have thought that the 8 paired me.
5TH STREET
Me: (Q-2)-3-8-J
Opponent: (x-x)-9-3-J
This is actually a good card for me as nothing has changed from 4th street. I led out representing a made J-8 low and to my surprise I got called again by my opponent. I don't know if my opponent picked up a read on me, but I had not pulled off any moves like this the entire tournament. If my opponent was going with the read that I was paired, then the call is fine, but with very few dead wheel cards out, it would appear that I held two wheel cards in the hole.
6TH STREET
Me: (Q-2)-3-8-J-J
Opponent: (x-x)-9-3-J-Q
This is where it gets interesting. Again, nothing changes on 6th street as far as the hand strength goes. I'm still representing a made J-8 low and the best my opponent can make is a 9 low. Since I'm paired my opponent has the lead. He checks to me and I bet. Then, I get check-raised and my opponent is all in. I guess my opponent wanted to gamble, but putting in a raise there just doesn't make any sense, even if he can't make a full bet on 7th. I just don't understand the raise. If he is beat, he gets called instantly. If he waits until 7th to bet, he gets called if he is beat and the J-8 low that I was representing would also have to call. However, if he checks 7th, I would likely check behind him with the J-8 low I'm trying to represent and if he hand was no good, he would still have chips.
I took a while to make the call and it was obvious that I was paired or had a high card. He thought I was paired, but was surprised when I showed the Q-2 in the hole. Of course, my opponent had a made J-9 low and I had to improve my hand.
7TH STREET
Me: (Q-2)-3-8-J-J-(Q)
Opponent: (5-7)-9-3-J-Q-(J)
My opponent turned up his 7th street card first and showed the J. That was a good sign for me as I knew I was drawing live. I needed an A, 4, 5, 6 or a 7. I didn't like seeing a dead 5 and 7 in my opponent's hand and I recalled a dead ace from another player's upcard on 3rd. That is 17 outs (assuming all cards are live). I missed and hit a Q on 7th. My Q-J low lost to a J-9 low.
I don't think I played this hand in a poor fashion. I guess the only spot where I could have gotten away from it was on 4th street when we both caught good. I can check on 4th and fold to a bet. In hindsight, that is the safer play, but I'm still surprised by my opponent's play on 5th and 6th streets on this hand.
A few hands later, I get it all in with 5-6-7 against 2-4-8. I make an 8-7 low on 5th and my opponent (same guy) makes an 8-5 low on 7th. All in all, I was happy with my play. I know I can play with the best in the world and I hope to return to the WSOP in future years.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Getting Quartered
A lot has been written about getting quartered (or worse) when you and an opponent both have the nut low in omaha 8/b. However, there is also the unfortunate situation where you and your opponent will both have the same high hand. I think this aspect of getting quartered is not given the attention that it deserves. While you are more likely to get quartered on the low half of the pot, beware of getting quartered on the high end.
This should help reiterate the fact that you need to have a hand that can play both ways when you enter a pot in omaha 8/b. Obvious exceptions are in very loose games where you are practically priced in to see the flop with any reasonable starting hand. Inexperienced players will make the fatal mistake of jamming a pot with the nut straight or top full house and think that they are a lock to win the pot. If you get a lot of action, you should slow down as you don't want to get quartered on the high. Of course, the best situation is if you have the nuts both ways; in that case, jam away.
I know this isn't any kind of new revelation, but just one of those forgotten little items that we all need to be reminded about to keep our games sharp.
This should help reiterate the fact that you need to have a hand that can play both ways when you enter a pot in omaha 8/b. Obvious exceptions are in very loose games where you are practically priced in to see the flop with any reasonable starting hand. Inexperienced players will make the fatal mistake of jamming a pot with the nut straight or top full house and think that they are a lock to win the pot. If you get a lot of action, you should slow down as you don't want to get quartered on the high. Of course, the best situation is if you have the nuts both ways; in that case, jam away.
I know this isn't any kind of new revelation, but just one of those forgotten little items that we all need to be reminded about to keep our games sharp.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Play of the Day
Situation: Home game; 5 handed; No Limit Hold 'Em; $0.25/$0.50 blinds
Player under the gun raises in the dark to $1.50. I look down at Qs-Qc and reraise to $4.50. The button folds, the small blind and big blind call the $4.50 as does the dark raiser. The pot is now at $18. The flop comes Ks-6h-6c. Action checks to me and I bet $9. The small blind now raises me $9 more, for a total of $18. Both remaining players fold. I reraise another $9 to make it $27 total. The small blind raises $20 more, for a total of $47. I reraise all in for about $80 total. Small blind folds, I win the pot.
Analysis: The small blind knew I was making a feeler/continuation bet when I led out for $9 on the flop with my 2 pair. So, a good play is to check-raise to represent at least kings up and get me off of the hand. At the same time, a minimum raise is a feeler raise just as my initial bet was a feeler bet. I didn't think the small blind could call another raise, but I didn't want to over value my hand in case I was beat. I also felt that if I was beat by a hand like A-K or 6-x, the small blind would reraise me all in. So, when I was only reraised $20, I felt like the small blind was up to some thievery and I pushed all in. The small blind admitted to having A-J and complimented me on my good play/read.
Player under the gun raises in the dark to $1.50. I look down at Qs-Qc and reraise to $4.50. The button folds, the small blind and big blind call the $4.50 as does the dark raiser. The pot is now at $18. The flop comes Ks-6h-6c. Action checks to me and I bet $9. The small blind now raises me $9 more, for a total of $18. Both remaining players fold. I reraise another $9 to make it $27 total. The small blind raises $20 more, for a total of $47. I reraise all in for about $80 total. Small blind folds, I win the pot.
Analysis: The small blind knew I was making a feeler/continuation bet when I led out for $9 on the flop with my 2 pair. So, a good play is to check-raise to represent at least kings up and get me off of the hand. At the same time, a minimum raise is a feeler raise just as my initial bet was a feeler bet. I didn't think the small blind could call another raise, but I didn't want to over value my hand in case I was beat. I also felt that if I was beat by a hand like A-K or 6-x, the small blind would reraise me all in. So, when I was only reraised $20, I felt like the small blind was up to some thievery and I pushed all in. The small blind admitted to having A-J and complimented me on my good play/read.
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