One of the overlooked ploys to controlling pot size in pot limit omaha (or any pot limit game for that matter) is checking. Now this is a bit contrary to a "raise or fold" style of play. I wouldn't recommend habitually checking in a pot limit game and if you are inexperienced with pot limit games, I wouldn't check too often. A check can be a useful tool when the pots are small and heads up. Because the size of the pot can grow exponentially, you may prefer to check and call rather than bet out.
Lets say you have a good draw such as a gut shot straight draw and flush draw to go along with a pair. While your hand is strong, you don't want to get priced out in a tournament situation. Lets say blinds are 100-200, you have 3,500 in chips and the pot size is 500. If you bet 300, your opponent could raise you to as much as 1,400. Essentially, you now have to commit to the pot or fold. If you get it all in, you can't be a huge underdog (unless you are up against better draws) but if you fold, you have lost your bet.
However, if you choose to check in this situation, the most you would have to pay to see the next card is 500. If you are in a situation where you feel your hand is beat, but want to draw cheaply, a check call may be right in some situations. Betting out may raise the price of the draw to a level that is too high for your stack and then you either fold or play a huge pot where you are behind. A check call is just another tool one can add to their bag of tricks in a pot limit game.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Did this guy know we were playing razz???
I just don't get what this guy was thinking on this hand. Gotta love the razz donkeys. If you can't figure it out, I'm in Seat 2. This one doesn't even require any comments from me. It is just that bad.
Seat 1: (1,485)
Seat 2: (1,515)
Seat 1 antes 5
Seat 2 antes 5
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [9s]
Dealt to Seat 2 [4h 5h] [9d]
Seat 1 is high with [9s]
Seat 1 completes it to 30
Seat 2 calls 30
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [9s] [Js]
Dealt to Seat 2 [4h 5h 9d] [7h]
Seat 2 bets 30
Seat 1 raises to 60
Seat 2 calls 30
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [9s Js] [Td]
Dealt to Seat 2 [4h 5h 9d 7h] [6c]
Seat 2 bets 60
Seat 1 raises to 120
Seat 2 raises to 180
Seat 1 raises to 240
Seat 2 calls 60
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [9s Js Td] [Jh]
Dealt to Seat 2 [4h 5h 9d 7h 6c] [As]
Seat 2 bets 60
Seat 1 raises to 120
Seat 2 raises to 180
Seat 1 raises to 240
Seat 2 calls 60
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [4h 5h 9d 7h 6c As] [Kd]
Seat 2 bets 60
Seat 1 raises to 120
Seat 2 raises to 180
Seat 1 raises to 240
Seat 2 calls 60
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Seat 1 shows [4s Ah 9s Js Td Jh Ac] J,T,9,4,A
Seat 2 shows [Kd 5h 9d 7h 6c As 4h] 7,6,5,4,A
Seat 2 wins the pot (1,630) with 7,6,5,4,A
Seat 1: (1,485)
Seat 2: (1,515)
Seat 1 antes 5
Seat 2 antes 5
*** 3RD STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [9s]
Dealt to Seat 2 [4h 5h] [9d]
Seat 1 is high with [9s]
Seat 1 completes it to 30
Seat 2 calls 30
*** 4TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [9s] [Js]
Dealt to Seat 2 [4h 5h 9d] [7h]
Seat 2 bets 30
Seat 1 raises to 60
Seat 2 calls 30
*** 5TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [9s Js] [Td]
Dealt to Seat 2 [4h 5h 9d 7h] [6c]
Seat 2 bets 60
Seat 1 raises to 120
Seat 2 raises to 180
Seat 1 raises to 240
Seat 2 calls 60
*** 6TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 1 [9s Js Td] [Jh]
Dealt to Seat 2 [4h 5h 9d 7h 6c] [As]
Seat 2 bets 60
Seat 1 raises to 120
Seat 2 raises to 180
Seat 1 raises to 240
Seat 2 calls 60
*** 7TH STREET ***
Dealt to Seat 2 [4h 5h 9d 7h 6c As] [Kd]
Seat 2 bets 60
Seat 1 raises to 120
Seat 2 raises to 180
Seat 1 raises to 240
Seat 2 calls 60
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Seat 1 shows [4s Ah 9s Js Td Jh Ac] J,T,9,4,A
Seat 2 shows [Kd 5h 9d 7h 6c As 4h] 7,6,5,4,A
Seat 2 wins the pot (1,630) with 7,6,5,4,A
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Online Table Selection
You can find an assortment of writings that explain which games you may want to play in on line based on hands per hour or average number of players seeing a flop (or fourth street). What I want to address is heads up play (and to a lesser extent sit and gos). If you play a lot on line, you should be keeping notes about those with whom you play. I'll admit that I'm not the best at this, but you'd prefer to play against weaker players as opposed to playing stronger ones. This is basically the same principle with regard to table selection. You may be the best razz player in the world, but why play against 6 or 7 other top razz players when you (a good omaha 8/b player) can play omaha 8/b against 8 weak players? It just makes more sense in my opinion to attack the weaker players.
If I'm playing online and want to play heads up, I rarely open a table and let people come to me. Instead, I go to players that are already seated. This may seem like a trivial point, but by selecting your opponent you avoid a stronger player coming to sit with you. Instead, you have control over who you play against and who you may avoid. There are skilled players that I'd rather not play if there is an option of playing against a weaker player. This same principle can be applied to sit and gos. Don't open a table--try to be one of the last 3 to sit. Look for tables full of weak players and you'll find that your results should improve.
If I'm playing online and want to play heads up, I rarely open a table and let people come to me. Instead, I go to players that are already seated. This may seem like a trivial point, but by selecting your opponent you avoid a stronger player coming to sit with you. Instead, you have control over who you play against and who you may avoid. There are skilled players that I'd rather not play if there is an option of playing against a weaker player. This same principle can be applied to sit and gos. Don't open a table--try to be one of the last 3 to sit. Look for tables full of weak players and you'll find that your results should improve.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Straight Flush
The purpose of this post is not to gloat in my straight flush but to make the point that players need to raise and bet enough to prevent draws from calling you. I was in my regular $1-$2 no limit hold 'em game and picked up 9s-7s in late position. The pot was not raised so I limped in for the $2. There were about 6 players in the pot as is typical for a low stakes game. I know some people would argue to play my position and raise the pot pre-flop, but that is just not my style. I know I can out play my opponents after the flop and if I happened to hit a monster flop I would probably get paid off.
The flop came Js-10s-x. That is a great flop for my hand. I figured I would win with any spade or any 8--that is 12 outs. After a couple of checks a player led out with a bet about 3/4 of the size of the pot. I know raising is definitely an option, but I didn't want to go crazy without a made hand. I flat called and so did a player to my left. Everyone else folded. I hit my 8 on the turn--it was the 8 of spades. I just turned the nuts. The player to my right moved all in. You just can't ask for a better situation. Now I still had a player behind me so I didn't instantly call. I debated raising, but figured my best chance for the other player to get involved was if I just called. I called, the player to my left folded and the player to my right turned over a jack. He was drawing dead and I took down a nice pot.
The flop came Js-10s-x. That is a great flop for my hand. I figured I would win with any spade or any 8--that is 12 outs. After a couple of checks a player led out with a bet about 3/4 of the size of the pot. I know raising is definitely an option, but I didn't want to go crazy without a made hand. I flat called and so did a player to my left. Everyone else folded. I hit my 8 on the turn--it was the 8 of spades. I just turned the nuts. The player to my right moved all in. You just can't ask for a better situation. Now I still had a player behind me so I didn't instantly call. I debated raising, but figured my best chance for the other player to get involved was if I just called. I called, the player to my left folded and the player to my right turned over a jack. He was drawing dead and I took down a nice pot.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Big Tournament
A few months ago, I took a stab at a 4 figure buy in tournament. I was confident in my game and wanted to see how I fared against some better competition. I got off to a rocky start. I lost almost half of my chips in the first level. It wasn't due to bad play--I was just getting cold decked. I limped in the small blind with 9-2 off suit. My opponent flopped two pair and trapped me while I turned a lower two pair. I held A-2 in the small blind. My opponent on the button held A-Q and didn't raise the pot. We both make trip aces on the river and I lose the minimum.
I was struggling for chips when I picked up K-K in the second level. I raised and then got reraised. I raised again (of course, the third bet is always aces or kings) and got called in two spots. I didn't like that at all. The flop came jack high and action was checked to me. I moved all in and got called instantly by Q-Q. The kings held up and I was back in it. I picked up a couple more pots at that level and things were going well. In the third level, I raised with 7-7 and flopped an open end straight draw. My opponent led out and I raised with my pair and draw. My opponent called and then moved all in when an ace hit the turn. I had to fold and gave up a big pot.
For the next few levels, I was treading water. I really went card dead, but did manage to pick up a pot here and there. However, I proceeded to get short stacked. I was in the small blind with K-J and faced a minimum raise. I felt as if was dominated here, so I just folded the hand. I later picked up A-J and raised all in and won a pot pre-flop. I called a raise with 3-3 on the button. The flop came all clubs and my opponent led out. I probably should have reraised all in pre-flop, but that is hard to do with a small pair. I finally made a move by limping in and then reraising all in with 6-6. Of course, I ran into K-K and was out after surviving about 50% of the field.
If anything, that tournament taught me that I can hold my own against solid amatures and professionals. I was surprised that there was some extremely bad play in the early levels. While I'm not planning on playing bigger buy in events on a regular basis, I will certainly play one every now and then.
I was struggling for chips when I picked up K-K in the second level. I raised and then got reraised. I raised again (of course, the third bet is always aces or kings) and got called in two spots. I didn't like that at all. The flop came jack high and action was checked to me. I moved all in and got called instantly by Q-Q. The kings held up and I was back in it. I picked up a couple more pots at that level and things were going well. In the third level, I raised with 7-7 and flopped an open end straight draw. My opponent led out and I raised with my pair and draw. My opponent called and then moved all in when an ace hit the turn. I had to fold and gave up a big pot.
For the next few levels, I was treading water. I really went card dead, but did manage to pick up a pot here and there. However, I proceeded to get short stacked. I was in the small blind with K-J and faced a minimum raise. I felt as if was dominated here, so I just folded the hand. I later picked up A-J and raised all in and won a pot pre-flop. I called a raise with 3-3 on the button. The flop came all clubs and my opponent led out. I probably should have reraised all in pre-flop, but that is hard to do with a small pair. I finally made a move by limping in and then reraising all in with 6-6. Of course, I ran into K-K and was out after surviving about 50% of the field.
If anything, that tournament taught me that I can hold my own against solid amatures and professionals. I was surprised that there was some extremely bad play in the early levels. While I'm not planning on playing bigger buy in events on a regular basis, I will certainly play one every now and then.
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.
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