Monday, August 20, 2007
Chinese Poker
I've recently started playing Chinese poker before and after my regular home game. While there is more of a luck factor in this game, skillful play can beat a novice player. We normally play the variety with a 2-7 lowball hand in the middle. Chinese poker is more of a relaxing form of poker as there is no bluffing involved. You are just trying to play your hand as best as possible knowing what your opponents like to do with their hands. If you play a lot of poker, I recommend trying a few hands of Chinese for variety.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
A triple draw mistake
I recently played in a 2-7 triple draw tournament. I wanted to capitalize on my good finish earlier in the year as I knew there would be a lot of bad play early on. And indeed there was. It seemed like every hand would be at least 4 way with at least 2 players drawing two cards on every draw. I played tight early and stole a couple of pots against aggressive opponents who would miss their draw after the third draw. I won two pots with pairs and never had to show it down. I then went on a horrible streak when I would make good hands (8-6 or better) and ran into a player who kept drawing two cards and hitting the nuts. This happened three times. After that, i was a bit short stacked. I managed to win a pot with an 8-5 low to keep afloat. I then picked up the fourth nut (7-6-5-4-2) and got good action on it.
After my table broke, I was moved to the table with the chip leader. Still short stacked, I managed to double up with third nut low against the chip leader's 8 low. I now had enough chips to feel comfortable. I proceeded to have a run of paint cards that would have been great for draw high poker, but I was folding a lot of hands. I finally got dealt a pat 8-5 low and slow played it and got an extra bet out of my opponent. I then picked up a couple more small pots. We were finally down to 7 players and at the final table. I lost one pot early after I bet a 9-8 lo after the second draw and got check raised. I folded that one. I was starting to get marginally short stacked. I knew I had to find a hand and go with it soon.
Action was folded to me on the button. I usually don't always raise on the button in triple draw as that play is very obvious to a good player. However, I looked at A-J-8-6-4 and decided stealing the blinds was worth it at this point in the tournament. I raised. The small blind made it 3 bets. The big blind folded. I called. I thought about why the small blind made it 3 bets. Was he trying to keep this pot heads up and shut out the big blind? Did he think I was on a total steal with absolutely nothing? My opponent drew two cards. I obviously did the same. I now knew that he started with 3 wheel cards. I drew a Q and a 3. My opponent checked. I improved my hand so I bet. With the pot this big, I didn't think he would fold. He didn't and then drew two more cards. I took one off and picked up a 7. I now had a good, but vulnerable hand: 8-7-6-4-3. My opponent led out and bet.
Why would he lead out after drawing two when I drew one? If he checks, I'm almost certain to bet there as I was down to two big bets. Did he really hit two perfect cards? I'm guessing he has a one card draw to a 7. I have a made hand so I decided to raise and get all in. He called. Then he stood pat. This totally confused me as I was almost certain he was going to draw since I could tell that he didn't like my raise after the second draw. Now I'm in a very tough spot. Did I make a wrong read? Did he hit two perfects to make a or a smooth 8 and lead out with it? If he made a 7 or 8, my hand is no good. If he has a 7, I'm practically drawing dead. Even if I hit a 2, I only have 4th nut. If he has an 8, I'm still in bad shape as I'm still drawing to the 2 if I throw away the 8, or drawing to a 2 or a 5 if I throw away the 7. If I hit an 8-6 low, it might not be good either. I'm really in a tough spot. I decided to go with my read that I was beat. I threw away the 8. As soon as I did that my opponent said, "I think you just broke the winner." I was crushed. My read was wrong. He turned over 10-8-7-5-2. At least I had a few outs to stay alive. I drew a jack and it was over.
My mistake was not considering how much worse my hand could get if I drew. Sure, I was going with the read, but nobody is ever perfect in their reads. After raising all in with my 8-7-6, I should have been content with it. If I'm beat, I'm beat. What is even more frustrating is that this mistake is all on me. I didn't get sucked out on or have a bad run of cards. I simply made the wrong decision and it cost me. If I win that pot, I'm up to 2nd or 3rd in chips and have a good chance to win it all. While I haven't played too many triple draw tournaments, I shouldn't have made that mistake.
After my table broke, I was moved to the table with the chip leader. Still short stacked, I managed to double up with third nut low against the chip leader's 8 low. I now had enough chips to feel comfortable. I proceeded to have a run of paint cards that would have been great for draw high poker, but I was folding a lot of hands. I finally got dealt a pat 8-5 low and slow played it and got an extra bet out of my opponent. I then picked up a couple more small pots. We were finally down to 7 players and at the final table. I lost one pot early after I bet a 9-8 lo after the second draw and got check raised. I folded that one. I was starting to get marginally short stacked. I knew I had to find a hand and go with it soon.
Action was folded to me on the button. I usually don't always raise on the button in triple draw as that play is very obvious to a good player. However, I looked at A-J-8-6-4 and decided stealing the blinds was worth it at this point in the tournament. I raised. The small blind made it 3 bets. The big blind folded. I called. I thought about why the small blind made it 3 bets. Was he trying to keep this pot heads up and shut out the big blind? Did he think I was on a total steal with absolutely nothing? My opponent drew two cards. I obviously did the same. I now knew that he started with 3 wheel cards. I drew a Q and a 3. My opponent checked. I improved my hand so I bet. With the pot this big, I didn't think he would fold. He didn't and then drew two more cards. I took one off and picked up a 7. I now had a good, but vulnerable hand: 8-7-6-4-3. My opponent led out and bet.
Why would he lead out after drawing two when I drew one? If he checks, I'm almost certain to bet there as I was down to two big bets. Did he really hit two perfect cards? I'm guessing he has a one card draw to a 7. I have a made hand so I decided to raise and get all in. He called. Then he stood pat. This totally confused me as I was almost certain he was going to draw since I could tell that he didn't like my raise after the second draw. Now I'm in a very tough spot. Did I make a wrong read? Did he hit two perfects to make a or a smooth 8 and lead out with it? If he made a 7 or 8, my hand is no good. If he has a 7, I'm practically drawing dead. Even if I hit a 2, I only have 4th nut. If he has an 8, I'm still in bad shape as I'm still drawing to the 2 if I throw away the 8, or drawing to a 2 or a 5 if I throw away the 7. If I hit an 8-6 low, it might not be good either. I'm really in a tough spot. I decided to go with my read that I was beat. I threw away the 8. As soon as I did that my opponent said, "I think you just broke the winner." I was crushed. My read was wrong. He turned over 10-8-7-5-2. At least I had a few outs to stay alive. I drew a jack and it was over.
My mistake was not considering how much worse my hand could get if I drew. Sure, I was going with the read, but nobody is ever perfect in their reads. After raising all in with my 8-7-6, I should have been content with it. If I'm beat, I'm beat. What is even more frustrating is that this mistake is all on me. I didn't get sucked out on or have a bad run of cards. I simply made the wrong decision and it cost me. If I win that pot, I'm up to 2nd or 3rd in chips and have a good chance to win it all. While I haven't played too many triple draw tournaments, I shouldn't have made that mistake.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Heads Up
I recently played heads up on one of those PokerTek heads up machines against a well known female professional. We were playing a $100 freeze out of $1/$2 no limit hold 'em. I would have preferred razz, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to play against a great player for only $100. I feel pretty good about my heads up play and I reasoned that she would give me credit for a hand more times than not so I played a bit more aggressively than I normally do to start out the match. I got off to a good start and won a few pots without a showdown. While I did hold a few good hands, I also bluffed at a few pots. I was up about $135 to $65 when I raised on the button and bet on every single street with a 9-4 off suit. A King hit the river and I made a value bet on the river to represent a hand like A-K. I figured that would win me the pot as I had fired the third bullet at the pot. I was getting called down by K-rag with no draw and had the king not hit, I think I would have won the pot.
That was the first showdown of the match, so I knew I had to adjust my play accordingly. I know knew that my opponent knew I was capable of betting with absolutely nothing. I tightened up a bit and after folding a few hands, I was down about $90 to $110. I then picked up A-2 on the button. Normally, this is a spot where I raise. However, I wanted to set up a bit of a trap as I knew my bets would not gain me as much respect as they did earlier in the match. I limped on the button and then got minimum raised. This sent off a few warning signs in my head as she had not minimum raised all match. Her standard opening raise was anywhere from $7 to $10 (mine was only $6). I chose to call the raise as I did not want to play a big pot with a weak ace pre-flop.
The flop came K-Q-2. She checked. I wasn't sure if I was getting set up for a check raise, so I put out a feeler bet to see where I was at with my pair. There was $8 in the pot and I bet $7. She called. The turn was an ace. There is now $22 in the pot. She moves all in for $99 and has me covered. I just turned aces up. I had to think this one through. Here is a list of the hand she could have that beat me: A-K, A-Q, K-K, Q-Q, 2-2, J-10. Of these six hands, the only likely hands she would have held are 2-2 and J-10. Against those hands, I'm drawing thin, but not dead. I would not expect a minimum raise and a check-call on the flop with the monster starting hands. Here is a list of other hands she might move in with that I could beat: K-Q, K-2, Q-2, A-J thru A-2. Her small pre-flop raise led me to believe that she held a hand like K-Q or an ace. If I was right about her hand, I stood to be in good shape.
I made the call. She turned over J-10. I didn't fill up on the river. Game over. I'll give her credit for over betting the pot with the nuts and getting a call out of me. I still think it is very difficult to fold my two pair in that spot. Based on my analysis of her likely hands, I win more times than I lose. That is what making a read is all about. It is not necessarily putting your opponent on a specific hand, but correctly analyzing the range of hands they might have and determining where your hand stands. Although I didn't win the match, I confirmed to myself that I can hold my own against the best.
That was the first showdown of the match, so I knew I had to adjust my play accordingly. I know knew that my opponent knew I was capable of betting with absolutely nothing. I tightened up a bit and after folding a few hands, I was down about $90 to $110. I then picked up A-2 on the button. Normally, this is a spot where I raise. However, I wanted to set up a bit of a trap as I knew my bets would not gain me as much respect as they did earlier in the match. I limped on the button and then got minimum raised. This sent off a few warning signs in my head as she had not minimum raised all match. Her standard opening raise was anywhere from $7 to $10 (mine was only $6). I chose to call the raise as I did not want to play a big pot with a weak ace pre-flop.
The flop came K-Q-2. She checked. I wasn't sure if I was getting set up for a check raise, so I put out a feeler bet to see where I was at with my pair. There was $8 in the pot and I bet $7. She called. The turn was an ace. There is now $22 in the pot. She moves all in for $99 and has me covered. I just turned aces up. I had to think this one through. Here is a list of the hand she could have that beat me: A-K, A-Q, K-K, Q-Q, 2-2, J-10. Of these six hands, the only likely hands she would have held are 2-2 and J-10. Against those hands, I'm drawing thin, but not dead. I would not expect a minimum raise and a check-call on the flop with the monster starting hands. Here is a list of other hands she might move in with that I could beat: K-Q, K-2, Q-2, A-J thru A-2. Her small pre-flop raise led me to believe that she held a hand like K-Q or an ace. If I was right about her hand, I stood to be in good shape.
I made the call. She turned over J-10. I didn't fill up on the river. Game over. I'll give her credit for over betting the pot with the nuts and getting a call out of me. I still think it is very difficult to fold my two pair in that spot. Based on my analysis of her likely hands, I win more times than I lose. That is what making a read is all about. It is not necessarily putting your opponent on a specific hand, but correctly analyzing the range of hands they might have and determining where your hand stands. Although I didn't win the match, I confirmed to myself that I can hold my own against the best.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Running Bad
Sometimes, you just can't win a pot. However, after losing pot after pot to poor players who make bad plays, poker can be frustrating. This May, I had the worst month I had in about 20 months. I wasn't playing bad; the cards were just not cooperating with me. While I am still in process of getting out of this funk, I have found a few methods that can be helpful.
- Don't play. It sounds simple enough, but take some time away from the table to clear your head.
- Avoid fancy play. Go back to a more basic, ABC approach to the game. You might not win as much, but you should be able to right the ship and book a win.
- Play a different game. After taking a brutal beat in a $1/$2 no limit hold 'em game, I hopped into a $1-$5 stud game and ended up a small winner. It wasn't much, but it was a win.
The purpose of having a bankroll is to be able to make it through the times when you run bad. As long as you are playing well and getting your money in with the best of it, you will win in the long run. Short run variances are just a part of the game. The best advice if you keep getting knocked down, is to get back up again and keep playing. As long as you are not letting your emotions take over, you will eventually start running better.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Heads Up Pot Limit Omana in Six Hands
I recently played a heads up Pot Limit Omaha tournament. As the title indicates, the tournament was over in six hands. I only lost one pot where I was in the big blind and folded to a bet on the flop. My win was largely due to the overaggressiveness of my opponent. I am in seat #2 and my comments are in italics.
Heads Up Sit & Go 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [5h Tc Th As]
Seat 2 calls 10
Seat 1 raises to 60
Seat 2 calls 40
I want to see a flop here. I'm in position with a decent hand, but I don't like the pot sized raise preflop. I'll proceed cautiously.
*** FLOP *** [Ah Jc 9c]
Seat 1 bets 60
Seat 2 calls 60
The half pot bet here could just be a continuation bet. I have top pair. I'll just call as this is a draw heavy board and I don't want to invest too much early in the match.
*** TURN *** [Ah Jc 9c] [7h]
Seat 1 bets 120
Seat 2 calls 120
This is a good card as I have now picked up a flush draw. The half pot bet won't scare me away.
*** RIVER *** [Ah Jc 9c 7h] [5s]
Seat 1 checks
Seat 2 bets 260
I just made a strong hand--aces up. I need to value bet this. It looks like my opponent missed a flush or straight draw.
Seat 1 calls 260
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Seat 2 shows [5h Tc Th As] (two pair, Aces and Fives)
Seat 1 shows [Kd 2c Ts Ks] (a pair of Kings)
Seat 2 wins the pot (1,000) with two pair, Aces and Fives
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 1,000 Rake 0Board: [Ah Jc 9c 7h 5s]
Seat 1 (big blind) showed [Kd 2c Ts Ks] and lost with a pair of Kings
Seat 2 (small blind) showed [5h Tc Th As] and won (1,000) with two pair, Aces and Fives
I guess my opponent was value betting the kings and a gutshot. I'm glad I got paid off here as better players would easily fold that hand.
Heads Up Sit & Go 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha
Seat 1 (1,000)
Seat 2 (2,000)
Seat 1 posts the small blind of 10
Seat 2 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [Jh 3h 8h 6s]
Seat 1 calls 10
Seat 2 checks
No need to raise here. Let's see a flop.
** FLOP *** [4c Qd Ad]
Seat 2 checks
Seat 1 bets 40
Seat 2 folds
This a no brainer. I missed the flop completely. Time to fold.
Uncalled bet of 40 returned to Seat 1
Seat 1 mucks
Seat 1 wins the pot (40)
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 40 Rake 0Board: [4c Qd Ad]
Seat 1 (small blind) collected (40), mucked
Seat 2 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Heads Up Sit & Go 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha
Seat 1 (1,020)
Seat 2 (1,980)
Seat 2 posts the small blind of 10
Seat 1 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [6s 2c Ts 4d]
Seat 2 calls 10
I'll just limp in and try and see a cheap flop.
Seat 1 checks
*** FLOP *** [5h 8s 2h]
Seat 1 checks
Seat 2 checks
*** TURN *** [5h 8s 2h] [Qs]
Seat 1 checks
Seat 2 bets 20
I have a flush draw, gutshot straight draw and a pair. Maybe I can win the pot by betting.
Seat 1calls 20
*** RIVER *** [5h 8s 2h Qs] [3c]
Seat 1 checks
Seat 2 bets 40
Seat 1 folds
Uncalled bet of 40 returned to Seat 2
Seat 2 mucks
Seat 2 wins the pot (80)
I had to value bet the nuts.
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 80 Rake 0Board: [5h 8s 2h Qs 3c]
Seat 1 (big blind) folded on the River
Seat 2 (small blind) collected (80), mucked
Heads Up Sit & Go 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha
Seat 1 (980)
Seat 2 (2,020)
Seat 1 posts the small blind of 10
Seat 2 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [Ah 7c Ac 6c]
Seat 1 calls 10
Seat 2 raises to 40
Seat 1 calls 20
I like the minimum raise with aces in PLO--especially heads up. I don't want to invest too much with just one pair at this point.
*** FLOP *** [Ad As Ts]
Seat 2 checks
I like it when I flop the nuts. I hope my opponent catches up a bit.
Seat 1 checks
*** TURN *** [Ad As Ts] [Th]
Seat 2 checks
Please have quad 10s......
Seat 1 checks
*** RIVER *** [Ad As Ts Th] [2s]
Seat 2 bets 40
Time for a value bet.
Seat 1 calls 40
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Seat 2 shows [Ah 7c Ac 6c] (four of a kind, Aces)
Seat 1 mucks
Seat 2 wins the pot (160) with four of a kind, Aces
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 160 Rake 0Board: [Ad As Ts Th 2s]
Seat 1 (small blind) mucked [Qh 8h 2d 9s] - two pair, Aces and Twos
Seat 2 (big blind) showed [Ah 7c Ac 6c] and won (160) with four of a kind, Aces
This player is not that good. I don't see anyway that Aces and twos with a queen kicker would be good in that spot.
Heads Up Sit & Go 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha
Seat 1 (900)
Seat 2 (2,100)
Seat 2 posts the small blind of 10
Seat 1 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 2[5d 4h Js Ts]
Seat 2 calls 10
I want to see a cheap flop with a hand like this.
Seat 1 checks
*** FLOP *** [3d Tc 8h]
Seat 1 checks
Seat 2 bets 40
I have not led out with a pot sized bet yet. My opponent should respect this bet. I hold top pair but nothing more. I'm just using my big stack more than anything else to win the pot here.
Seat 1 folds
Uncalled bet of 40 returned to Seat 2
Seat 2 mucks
Seat 2 wins the pot (40)
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 40 Rake 0Board: [3d Tc 8h]
Seat 1 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2 (small blind) collected (40), mucked
Heads Up Sit & Go 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha
Seat 1 (880)
Seat 2 (2,120)
Seat 1 posts the small blind of 10
Seat 2 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [9h As 3s 2d]
Seat 1 raises to 60
Seat 2 calls 40
I'll try and flop big. I'm out of position, but I have enough chips to gamble a bit at this stage.
*** FLOP *** [2s 5s 3d]
Seat 2 checks
I flopped big. I have not check raised yet. That is my plan.
Seat 1 bets 120
Seat 2 raises to 480
I'm a bit worried about a pot sized bet here. I know I have outs regardless of what my oppoent holds. I'll play a big pot with a hand like this.
Seat 1 raises to 820, and is all in
Seat 2calls 340
Pot committed with this hand. Easy call.
Seat 1 shows [Kd Ad 8s 8d]
Seat 2 shows [9h As 3s 2d]
Wow, going all in with just the overpair. Must be an omaha rookie.
*** TURN *** [2s 5s 3d] [4s]
I win.
*** RIVER *** [2s 5s 3d 4s] [Ts]
Seat 1 shows a pair of Eights
Seat 2 shows a straight flush, Five high
Seat 2 wins the pot (1,760) with a straight flush, Five high
Seat 1 (small blind) showed [Kd Ad 8s 8d] and lost with a pair of Eights
Seat 2 (big blind) showed [9h As 3s 2d] and won (1,760) with a straight flush, Five high
That was about as quick of a heads up tournament as I have ever played.
Heads Up Sit & Go 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [5h Tc Th As]
Seat 2 calls 10
Seat 1 raises to 60
Seat 2 calls 40
I want to see a flop here. I'm in position with a decent hand, but I don't like the pot sized raise preflop. I'll proceed cautiously.
*** FLOP *** [Ah Jc 9c]
Seat 1 bets 60
Seat 2 calls 60
The half pot bet here could just be a continuation bet. I have top pair. I'll just call as this is a draw heavy board and I don't want to invest too much early in the match.
*** TURN *** [Ah Jc 9c] [7h]
Seat 1 bets 120
Seat 2 calls 120
This is a good card as I have now picked up a flush draw. The half pot bet won't scare me away.
*** RIVER *** [Ah Jc 9c 7h] [5s]
Seat 1 checks
Seat 2 bets 260
I just made a strong hand--aces up. I need to value bet this. It looks like my opponent missed a flush or straight draw.
Seat 1 calls 260
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Seat 2 shows [5h Tc Th As] (two pair, Aces and Fives)
Seat 1 shows [Kd 2c Ts Ks] (a pair of Kings)
Seat 2 wins the pot (1,000) with two pair, Aces and Fives
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 1,000 Rake 0Board: [Ah Jc 9c 7h 5s]
Seat 1 (big blind) showed [Kd 2c Ts Ks] and lost with a pair of Kings
Seat 2 (small blind) showed [5h Tc Th As] and won (1,000) with two pair, Aces and Fives
I guess my opponent was value betting the kings and a gutshot. I'm glad I got paid off here as better players would easily fold that hand.
Heads Up Sit & Go 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha
Seat 1 (1,000)
Seat 2 (2,000)
Seat 1 posts the small blind of 10
Seat 2 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [Jh 3h 8h 6s]
Seat 1 calls 10
Seat 2 checks
No need to raise here. Let's see a flop.
** FLOP *** [4c Qd Ad]
Seat 2 checks
Seat 1 bets 40
Seat 2 folds
This a no brainer. I missed the flop completely. Time to fold.
Uncalled bet of 40 returned to Seat 1
Seat 1 mucks
Seat 1 wins the pot (40)
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 40 Rake 0Board: [4c Qd Ad]
Seat 1 (small blind) collected (40), mucked
Seat 2 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Heads Up Sit & Go 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha
Seat 1 (1,020)
Seat 2 (1,980)
Seat 2 posts the small blind of 10
Seat 1 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [6s 2c Ts 4d]
Seat 2 calls 10
I'll just limp in and try and see a cheap flop.
Seat 1 checks
*** FLOP *** [5h 8s 2h]
Seat 1 checks
Seat 2 checks
*** TURN *** [5h 8s 2h] [Qs]
Seat 1 checks
Seat 2 bets 20
I have a flush draw, gutshot straight draw and a pair. Maybe I can win the pot by betting.
Seat 1calls 20
*** RIVER *** [5h 8s 2h Qs] [3c]
Seat 1 checks
Seat 2 bets 40
Seat 1 folds
Uncalled bet of 40 returned to Seat 2
Seat 2 mucks
Seat 2 wins the pot (80)
I had to value bet the nuts.
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 80 Rake 0Board: [5h 8s 2h Qs 3c]
Seat 1 (big blind) folded on the River
Seat 2 (small blind) collected (80), mucked
Heads Up Sit & Go 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha
Seat 1 (980)
Seat 2 (2,020)
Seat 1 posts the small blind of 10
Seat 2 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [Ah 7c Ac 6c]
Seat 1 calls 10
Seat 2 raises to 40
Seat 1 calls 20
I like the minimum raise with aces in PLO--especially heads up. I don't want to invest too much with just one pair at this point.
*** FLOP *** [Ad As Ts]
Seat 2 checks
I like it when I flop the nuts. I hope my opponent catches up a bit.
Seat 1 checks
*** TURN *** [Ad As Ts] [Th]
Seat 2 checks
Please have quad 10s......
Seat 1 checks
*** RIVER *** [Ad As Ts Th] [2s]
Seat 2 bets 40
Time for a value bet.
Seat 1 calls 40
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Seat 2 shows [Ah 7c Ac 6c] (four of a kind, Aces)
Seat 1 mucks
Seat 2 wins the pot (160) with four of a kind, Aces
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 160 Rake 0Board: [Ad As Ts Th 2s]
Seat 1 (small blind) mucked [Qh 8h 2d 9s] - two pair, Aces and Twos
Seat 2 (big blind) showed [Ah 7c Ac 6c] and won (160) with four of a kind, Aces
This player is not that good. I don't see anyway that Aces and twos with a queen kicker would be good in that spot.
Heads Up Sit & Go 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha
Seat 1 (900)
Seat 2 (2,100)
Seat 2 posts the small blind of 10
Seat 1 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 2[5d 4h Js Ts]
Seat 2 calls 10
I want to see a cheap flop with a hand like this.
Seat 1 checks
*** FLOP *** [3d Tc 8h]
Seat 1 checks
Seat 2 bets 40
I have not led out with a pot sized bet yet. My opponent should respect this bet. I hold top pair but nothing more. I'm just using my big stack more than anything else to win the pot here.
Seat 1 folds
Uncalled bet of 40 returned to Seat 2
Seat 2 mucks
Seat 2 wins the pot (40)
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 40 Rake 0Board: [3d Tc 8h]
Seat 1 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2 (small blind) collected (40), mucked
Heads Up Sit & Go 10/20 - Pot Limit Omaha
Seat 1 (880)
Seat 2 (2,120)
Seat 1 posts the small blind of 10
Seat 2 posts the big blind of 20
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [9h As 3s 2d]
Seat 1 raises to 60
Seat 2 calls 40
I'll try and flop big. I'm out of position, but I have enough chips to gamble a bit at this stage.
*** FLOP *** [2s 5s 3d]
Seat 2 checks
I flopped big. I have not check raised yet. That is my plan.
Seat 1 bets 120
Seat 2 raises to 480
I'm a bit worried about a pot sized bet here. I know I have outs regardless of what my oppoent holds. I'll play a big pot with a hand like this.
Seat 1 raises to 820, and is all in
Seat 2calls 340
Pot committed with this hand. Easy call.
Seat 1 shows [Kd Ad 8s 8d]
Seat 2 shows [9h As 3s 2d]
Wow, going all in with just the overpair. Must be an omaha rookie.
*** TURN *** [2s 5s 3d] [4s]
I win.
*** RIVER *** [2s 5s 3d 4s] [Ts]
Seat 1 shows a pair of Eights
Seat 2 shows a straight flush, Five high
Seat 2 wins the pot (1,760) with a straight flush, Five high
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 1,760 Rake 0Board: [2s 5s 3d 4s Ts]
Seat 1 (small blind) showed [Kd Ad 8s 8d] and lost with a pair of Eights
Seat 2 (big blind) showed [9h As 3s 2d] and won (1,760) with a straight flush, Five high
That was about as quick of a heads up tournament as I have ever played.
Friday, June 22, 2007
A monster with a suited connector
Much has been written about the value of playing small suited connectors in no-limit hold 'em. I won't reiterate any of those themes here. Instead, I have posted how one of the suited connectors I recently played in a low stakes cash game turned out. I only had about 30 minutes to play, so I bought in to a six handed $0.25/$0.50 no limit hold 'em game. I had just got done folding both blinds and was now on the button. I am in seat #1 and my comments are in italics.
$0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em
Seat 1: ($19.25)
Seat 4: ($21.55)
Seat 6: ($19.60)
Seat 9: ($9.95)
Seat 4 posts the small blind of $0.25
Seat 6 posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [5h 4h]
Seat 9 folds
Seat 1 calls $0.50
I'm in position. I want to see a flop as cheap as I can.
Seat 4 raises to $1
Seat 6 folds
Seat 1 calls $0.50
A minimum raise is a bit suspicious. I'm surprised that the BB didn't call. I'm getting a good price and I am in position. I'll call.
*** FLOP *** [7h 6h 3c]
Seat 4 bets $1.50
Seat 1 calls $1.50
I just flopped the nuts with a redraw to the super nuts. I'm just going to call.
*** TURN *** [7h 6h 3c] [3h]
Seat 4 bets $3
Seat 1 calls $3
I just turned a monster. I'm hoping my opponent has the Ace high flush. There is no value in raising here. I hope my opponent catches up some on the river.
*** RIVER *** [7h 6h 3c 3h] [Tc]
Seat 4 bets $6
Seat 1 raises to $13.75, and is all in
I have to raise here. If I raised the minimum, I'm left with just $1.75. I'm all in.
Seat 4 has 15 seconds left to act
Please call. Please call.
Seat 4: QQ tough spot
Seat 4 folds
Uncalled bet of $7.75 returned to Seat 1
Seat 1 mucks
Seat 1 wins the pot ($22.35)
I can believe that my opponent had QQ. Good fold.
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot $23.50 Rake $1.15
Board: [7h 6h 3c 3h Tc]
Seat 1: (button) collected ($22.35), mucked
Seat 4: (small blind) folded on the River
Seat 6: (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 9: didn't bet (folded)
Thursday, June 21, 2007
A Pot Limit Omaha Royal Flush
When you play as much poker as I do, you are bound to hit some monster hands from time to time. I was fortunate enough to hit this royal flush about 3 weeks before I hit the one in stud 8/b. Again, I'm in seat #1 and my comments are in italics. To start this hand, I was down about 2 to 1 in chips. At the end of the hand, I had a small chip lead. Here is how it went down:
Heads Up Sit & Go - 20/40 - Pot Limit Omaha
Seat 1 (900)
Seat 2 (2,100)
Seat 2 posts the small blind of 20
Seat 1 posts the big blind of 40
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [4h Tc Js Jc]
Seat 2 calls 20
Seat 1 checks
I rarely raise preflop in PLO--that is just the nature of my game. The blinds are still small enough that I don' t need to gamble.
*** FLOP *** [Kd Ac Qc]
Seat 1 bets 40
Seat 2calls 40
I just flopped the nuts with a great redraw. I want to find out where I am at, so I'll bet half of the pot. I didn't get raised, so I probably have the best hand.
*** TURN *** [Kd Ac Qc] [Kc]
Seat 1 bets 80
Seat 2 calls 80
At a full table, I definitely check the royal here. However, I'll disguise my hand by leading out for another half pot bet. If my opponent hit his flush, I'll probably get paid off on the river too. I'm really hoping that he is full at this point.
*** RIVER *** [Kd Ac Qc Kc] [9d]
Seat 1 bets 160
Seat 2calls 160
I'll put in a half pot value bet here. The 9 makes for more straight possibilities. I hope to get paid off or raised.
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Seat 1 shows [4h Tc Js Jc] (a Royal Flush)
Seat 2 mucks
Seat 1 wins the pot (640) with a Royal Flush
The blinds are now 25/50
*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 640 Rake 0 Board: [Kd Ac Qc Kc 9d]
Seat 1 (big blind) showed [4h Tc Js Jc] and won (640) with a Royal Flush
Seat 2 (small blind) mucked [Ts Ad 4c 2c] - a flush, Ace high
I got called down by a weak flush. I love donkeys in heads up play.
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