Polished Poker Vol. I Study Group

[rhombus]

In general, we need to get your WTSD down a little. At least the hands you post in here, you continue a lot w/ hands you should be folding, and folding some hands you should be continuing with a good amount. Your wtsd is on the high side, although in an acceptable range, it's still on the high side, and your agg needs to go up a bit. Those are the two things that really need to be worked out primarily.

EEK Im confused now thought WTSD was better as it showed as A+
So whats the key difference betwen the hands I should fold and the ones I need to continue with.

As for aggression its the balance I struggle with as alot of hands I post Especially If I hit top pair good kicker and get stuffed when trying to go for 3 streets so I tend to back off abit more now maybe 2 streets.

Are you suggesting upping aggression in terms of more CBETs/double barrels more bluffing etc

heres a typical hand from tonight. so in case below maybe semibluff the flop but then in case belwo im probably gonna have to call if they shove.

Maybe If I just had the flush draw and no overs then semibluff and fold to their shove??

poker stars, $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $9.96 (199.2 bb)
BB: $5.92 (118.4 bb)
Hero (UTG): $9.26 (185.2 bb)
MP: $22.78 (455.6 bb)
CO: $5.21 (104.2 bb)
BTN: $5.81 (116.2 bb)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with Q

J

Hero raises to $0.15, MP calls $0.15, CO folds, BTN calls $0.15, SB folds, BB calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.62) 8

7

3

(4 players)
BB checks, Hero checks, MP bets $0.44, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.44

Turn: ($1.50) 7

(2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $0.94, Hero calls $0.94

River: ($3.38) J

(2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $1, Hero calls $1

Results: $5.38 pot ($0.22 rake)
Final Board: 8

7

3

7

J

Hero mucked Q

J

and lost (-$2.53 net)
MP showed 7

8

and won $5.16 ($2.63 net)

 

[John A]

EEK Im confused now thought WTSD was better as it showed as A+
So whats the key difference betwen the hands I should fold and the ones I need to continue with.

As for aggression its the balance I struggle with as alot of hands I post Especially If I hit top pair good kicker and get stuffed when trying to go for 3 streets so I tend to back off abit more now maybe 2 streets.

Are you suggesting upping aggression in terms of more CBETs/double barrels more bluffing etc

heres a typical hand from tonight. so in case below maybe semibluff the flop but then in case belwo im probably gonna have to call if they shove.

Maybe If I just had the flush draw and no overs then semibluff and fold to their shove??

Poker Stars, $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $9.96 (199.2 bb)
BB: $5.92 (118.4 bb)
Hero (UTG): $9.26 (185.2 bb)
MP: $22.78 (455.6 bb)
CO: $5.21 (104.2 bb)
BTN: $5.81 (116.2 bb)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with Q

J

Hero raises to $0.15, MP calls $0.15, CO folds, BTN calls $0.15, SB folds, BB calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.62) 8

7

3

(4 players)
BB checks, Hero checks, MP bets $0.44, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.44

Turn: ($1.50) 7

(2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $0.94, Hero calls $0.94

River: ($3.38) J

(2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $1, Hero calls $1

Results: $5.38 pot ($0.22 rake)
Final Board: 8

7

3

7

J

Hero mucked Q

J

and lost (-$2.53 net)
MP showed 7

8

and won $5.16 ($2.63 net)

It shows as A+, but it's on the high side. And based on your game, that I know from having read your hands, you need to bring that down so you're eliminating more mistakes. As far as aggression, it's more about what hands you should be value betting thin, and which hands you should just be c/fing.

You have all the knowledge. Your stats are solid. It's more about the big hands you're going too far with and the marginal hands you're not getting value from. What are your other top leaks in leak buster though? Outside of just the stats?

 

[Figaroo2]

EEK Im confused now thought WTSD was better as it showed as A+
So whats the key difference betwen the hands I should fold and the ones I need to continue with.

As for aggression its the balance I struggle with as alot of hands I post Especially If I hit top pair good kicker and get stuffed when trying to go for 3 streets so I tend to back off abit more now maybe 2 streets.

Are you suggesting upping aggression in terms of more CBETs/double barrels more bluffing etc

heres a typical hand from tonight. so in case below maybe semibluff the flop but then in case belwo im probably gonna have to call if they shove.

Maybe If I just had the flush draw and no overs then semibluff and fold to their shove??

Poker Stars, $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $9.96 (199.2 bb)
BB: $5.92 (118.4 bb)
Hero (UTG): $9.26 (185.2 bb)
MP: $22.78 (455.6 bb)
CO: $5.21 (104.2 bb)
BTN: $5.81 (116.2 bb)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with Q

J

Hero raises to $0.15, MP calls $0.15, CO folds, BTN calls $0.15, SB folds, BB calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.62) 8

7

3

(4 players)
BB checks, Hero checks, MP bets $0.44, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.44

Turn: ($1.50) 7

(2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $0.94, Hero calls $0.94

River: ($3.38) J

(2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $1, Hero calls $1

Results: $5.38 pot ($0.22 rake)
Final Board: 8

7

3

7

J

Hero mucked Q

J

and lost (-$2.53 net)
MP showed 7

8

and won $5.16 ($2.63 net)

Just a couple of points. There doesn't appear to be a fish at this table so I'd leave it. Our edges are small against the regs, table selection is a key skill and your winnings come from fish.
Last night for the sweat I spent 10 minutes identifying 6 tables with one or two fish and where I could sit close to them. This time was well spent as four fish donated their stacks. Getting money from the regs is tough you've pretty much got to cooler them to get their stacks.
On a tough table QJ UTG looks pretty but it is a trouble hand guarantee you will get into awkward dominated spots in hands where we are hitting and playing pairs. You can rarely be sure your flushes are the nuts. Personally I'm folding pre, my leak buster analysis brings up this hand as a trouble losing hand for me. Check out your trouble hands in LB and see how you are doing with it.
As played I don't mind the flop check but I'm probably leading out on the flop to thin the field and avoid giving free cards on this board.
The river card is a tease I can see why you called but we could easily be being milked by a set especially with three callers behind us. We lacked info on what we were facing because of the way we played it.
I had a sweat with Vinyl a few days ago and his aggression levels playing zoom are very high and his folds were easy and obvious. Betting gives us more information and the more strength you can get your opponent to show in response to our betting the easier it is for us to be happy they have a hand.

 

[or3o1990]

I agree with Fig on the QJ at full ring. Unless I have no respect for the table or there's a fish in the blinds I'm folding QJs utg. I think I'd open it in 6max tho. We were talking a lot about table selection yesterday because it's so crucial especially at stars, the games are just tough there. I went as far as to say that site selection is just as important as table selection which is as important as which opponents at the table we choose to play pots with.

Our edge against regulars was also something that me a Fig were talking about yesterday during our sweat. While many of them do have holes in their game that can be exploited they're just not going to make as many mistakes and therefore we make far less from them than the fish. My question was then to what extent do we avoid tangling with the regs?

I think that as long as we're not being exploited that it can't be a bad idea to steer clear of them if possible until we have the reads to decide where their holes are and then tear at them.

 

[fishinthesea]

Definitely start folding QJs UTG in full ring. UTG is so hard to play in full ring i try to play only QQ+ from there so I don't have so many leaks. I've told a lot of my friends who play poker this and they don't believe me but the thing with playing KJs KQs QJs UTG is that we're dominated almost all the time by a 3bet by later positions and if we limp these hands and players limp behind we're trapping our own hand vs pocket pairs, other draws, etc.. Rarely will it show profit and the key thing is we're thinking LONG TERM.

 

[rhombus]

It shows as A+, but it's on the high side. And based on your game, that I know from having read your hands, you need to bring that down so you're eliminating more mistakes. As far as aggression, it's more about what hands you should be value betting thin, and which hands you should just be c/fing.

You have all the knowledge. Your stats are solid. It's more about the big hands you're going too far with and the marginal hands you're not getting value from. What are your other top leaks in leak buster though? Outside of just the stats?

Posted Leakbuster Stats https://www.cardschat.com/forum/cas...er-vol-i-study-group-227214/post-2803722.html but image doesnt seem to show for me anymore. Ive started to type a lot of them to compare against previous report.
Think its showing more critical than the last time because I included all last years, instead of when I started playing properly again in August

Critical (7)
50 - Lines - Check Call 3 Streets
38 - Bluffed River (bet)
46 - Triple Barrel
Check/Calling with weak made hands on all 3 streets
17 - Calling Flop Cbet Raise
Check and Call OOP with a flush draw
W$SD%

Very Important (1)
Check/Call with middle or bottom pair in 3Bet Pot, not as the 3Bettor

Important (11)
40 - Called Flop Cbet wo Strong Hand
AKo-ATo/AQs-AKs Open Raised - CO
ATo - AKo/AQs - Aks Squeeze - BTN
19 - Turn
3 - TPGK or worse by turn + Seen Showdown
23o-9To/23s-T9s Open Raised - EP
22-66 - Cold Call MP
Check/Calling with draws on the turn
37 - Naked Flop Floats
32o-T9o/32s-T9s Cold Call - CO
48 - Lines Snap Bluffs Bet Bet Call

 

[rhombus]

Definitely start folding QJs UTG in full ring. UTG is so hard to play in full ring i try to play only QQ+ from there so I don't have so many leaks. I've told a lot of my friends who play poker this and they don't believe me but the thing with playing KJs KQs QJs UTG is that we're dominated almost all the time by a 3bet by later positions and if we limp these hands and players limp behind we're trapping our own hand vs pocket pairs, other draws, etc.. Rarely will it show profit and the key thing is we're thinking LONG TERM.

All my hands are 6Max, I very rarely play Full Ring. I dont always play hands like these even though it does look pretty . I tend to play them If I see a big Fish in the BLinds.

 

[Sneaky Feet]

EEK Im confused now thought WTSD was better as it showed as A+
So whats the key difference betwen the hands I should fold and the ones I need to continue with.

As for aggression its the balance I struggle with as alot of hands I post Especially If I hit top pair good kicker and get stuffed when trying to go for 3 streets so I tend to back off abit more now maybe 2 streets.

Are you suggesting upping aggression in terms of more CBETs/double barrels more bluffing etc

heres a typical hand from tonight. so in case below maybe semibluff the flop but then in case belwo im probably gonna have to call if they shove.

Maybe If I just had the flush draw and no overs then semibluff and fold to their shove??

Poker Stars, $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $9.96 (199.2 bb)
BB: $5.92 (118.4 bb)
Hero (UTG): $9.26 (185.2 bb)
MP: $22.78 (455.6 bb)
CO: $5.21 (104.2 bb)
BTN: $5.81 (116.2 bb)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with Q

J

Hero raises to $0.15, MP calls $0.15, CO folds, BTN calls $0.15, SB folds, BB calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.62) 8

7

3

(4 players)
BB checks, Hero checks, MP bets $0.44, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.44

Turn: ($1.50) 7

(2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $0.94, Hero calls $0.94

River: ($3.38) J

(2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $1, Hero calls $1

Results: $5.38 pot ($0.22 rake)
Final Board: 8

7

3

7

J

Hero mucked Q

J

and lost (-$2.53 net)
MP showed 7

8

and won $5.16 ($2.63 net)

Can I ask a question about this hand? Why would this be a bad spot to c/raise on the flop?

 

[Sneaky Feet]

River sizing? What's my best course of action? I was looking to steal this pot pre so that's why I played this hand.

pokerstars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - PokerStars Converter Tool from http://poker-tools.flopturnriver.com/Hand-Converter.php

UTG ($5.64)
MP ($9.11)
Hero (CO) ($5.05)
Button ($3.56)
SB ($7.94)
BB ($5)

Preflop: Hero is CO with Q

, 10

2 folds, Hero raises to $0.15, 2 folds, BB calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.32) 10

, 6

, 5

(2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.20, BB calls $0.20

Turn: ($0.72) 4

(2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.50, BB calls $0.50

River: ($1.72) 6

(2 players)
BB checks, Hero???

 

[rhombus]

River sizing? What's my best course of action? I was looking to steal this pot pre so that's why I played this hand.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.05 BB (6 handed) - PokerStars Converter Tool from http://poker-tools.flopturnriver.com/Hand-Converter.php

UTG ($5.64)
MP ($9.11)
Hero (CO) ($5.05)
Button ($3.56)
SB ($7.94)
BB ($5)

Preflop: Hero is CO with Q

, 10

2 folds, Hero raises to $0.15, 2 folds, BB calls $0.10

Flop: ($0.32) 10

, 6

, 5

(2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.20, BB calls $0.20

Turn: ($0.72) 4

(2 players)
BB checks, Hero bets $0.50, BB calls $0.50

River: ($1.72) 6

(2 players)
BB checks, Hero???

Id just check back as the BB could have anything and you have good showdown value.

You have to ask yourself what are you getting value from, maybe 22, 33, 77-99, A4. Hes gonna fold most air apart from maybe Aces and raise any straight or 6. Other option Bet fold $1

 

[rhombus]

2 hands from tonight. 1st hand I had a feeling he was trying to steal when I checked back 20/20 50 Ag% (11 hands) , although first mistake I made with this hand I didnt look at starting stacks. Note to oneself - Dry flop once called showdown mode

2nd hand - again dry flop against passive opponent although only 13 hands 23/15 AG% 20. Was abit worried on River for flopped sets or QK

Is this guy actually passive i.e. 20% AG or maybe TAG i.e. 23/15 ??

Hand1
Poker Stars, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

Hero (SB): $15.03 (150.3 bb)
BB: $9.95 (99.5 bb)
UTG: $5.93 (59.3 bb)
MP: $17.41 (174.1 bb)
CO: $13.89 (138.9 bb)
BTN: $10 (100 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with J

A

2 folds, CO raises to $0.30, BTN folds, Hero raises to $1, BB folds, CO calls $0.70

Flop: ($2.10) A

9

7

(2 players)
Hero bets $1.20, CO calls $1.20

Turn: ($4.50) 5

(2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $2.86, Hero ???

Hand 2

Poker Stars, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

Hero (SB): $15.67 (156.7 bb)
BB: $10 (100 bb)
UTG: $8.99 (89.9 bb)
MP: $10.41 (104.1 bb)
CO: $12.40 (124 bb)
BTN: $10 (100 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with A

A

2 folds, CO raises to $0.25, BTN folds, Hero raises to $0.85, BB folds, CO calls $0.60

Flop: ($1.80) 2

6

Q

(2 players)
Hero bets $1.14, CO calls $1.14

Turn: ($4.08) 8

(2 players)
Hero bets $2.59, CO calls $2.59

River: ($9.26) K

(2 players)
Hero ???????? less than a pot bet left so wasnt sure whether to Bet or just check call

 

[fishinthesea]

AJ- I wouldn't check your hand on the turn for one reason. You play with your hand face up if you do call his bet. You have given him initiative of the pot in a 3bet pot, not to mention out of position also. If you do check/call the river won't get any more pretty. You're going to check/call river also? As played probably call, then blocker river?

AA- Good sizing preflop. I feel villain here has Qx often. As played I would blocker the river here for ~$3 because the king is a scare card and fold to jam. You can't bet for value because if you do we're committed.

 

[fishinthesea]

John, here is the rest of the hand, and to anyone else who was wondering. I looked back at this hand, and I do agree completely that I should have folded the turn. I tanked for a while on the river before making the call. Is it worthy to note that he has less 5x combos because of 2 4's and a 6? The pot size bet on the river was one of the reasons why I called and was really happy a 4 came to pair the board because it counterfeits all his fishy 2p combos.

***** Hand History for Game 1111111111 ***** (Poker Stars)
$25.00 USD NL Texas Hold'em - Monday, January 04, 05:15:24 ET 2016
Table Haskins (real money)
Seat 6 is the button
Seat 1: Player1 ( $14.93 USD ) - VPIP: 37, PFR: 10, 3B: 3, AF: 1.3, Hands: 79
Seat 2: Player2 ( $22.94 USD ) - VPIP: 24, PFR: 9, 3B: 0, AF: 0.6, Hands: 111
Seat 3: Player3 ( $9.68 USD ) - VPIP: 69, PFR: 8, 3B: 14, AF: 2.3, Hands: 13
Seat 4: Player4 ( $31.25 USD ) - VPIP: 36, PFR: 24, 3B: 4, AF: 1.3, Hands: 70
Seat 5: Player5 ( $52.55 USD ) - VPIP: 52, PFR: 8, 3B: 10, AF: 3.0, Hands: 60
Seat 6: Hero ( $44.63 USD ) - VPIP: 15, PFR: 12, 3B: 7, AF: 2.2, Hands: 44084
Player1 posts small blind [$0.10 USD].
Player2 posts big blind [$0.25 USD].
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Hero [ Ts Th ]
Player3 folds
Player4 folds
Player5 calls [$0.25 USD]
Hero raises [$0.80 USD]
Player1 calls [$0.70 USD]
Player2 folds
Player5 calls [$0.55 USD]
** Dealing Flop ** [ 4s, 6d, 3d ]
Player1 checks
Player5 bets [$2.65 USD]
Hero calls [$2.65 USD]
Player1 folds
** Dealing Turn ** [ 7h ]
Player5 bets [$7.95 USD]
Hero calls [$7.95 USD]
** Dealing River ** [ 4c ]
Player5 bets [$23.85 USD]
Hero calls [$23.85 USD]
Player5 shows [3s, 6s ]
Hero shows [Ts, Th ]
Hero wins $69.55 USD from main pot

 

[No Brainer]

2 hands from tonight. 1st hand I had a feeling he was trying to steal when I checked back 20/20 50 Ag% (11 hands) , although first mistake I made with this hand I didnt look at starting stacks. Note to oneself - Dry flop once called showdown mode

Hand1
Poker Stars, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

Hero (SB): $15.03 (150.3 bb)
BB: $9.95 (99.5 bb)
UTG: $5.93 (59.3 bb)
MP: $17.41 (174.1 bb)
CO: $13.89 (138.9 bb)
BTN: $10 (100 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with J

A

2 folds, CO raises to $0.30, BTN folds, Hero raises to $1, BB folds, CO calls $0.70

Flop: ($2.10) A

9

7

(2 players)
Hero bets $1.20, CO calls $1.20

Turn: ($4.50) 5

(2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $2.86, Hero ???

Are you 3 betting for value here? If so we must see him calling with worse aces right? Then I think we should be betting at least 2 streets for value.

Personally I would prefer calling with AJs in this spot. We have a fairly strong hand, able to flop a lot of draws and a lot of medium strength made hands but we are also out of position against a fairly unknown opponent. Because of this I would rather keep the pot small and play post flop rather than inflating the pot, flopping a medium strength hand and not knowing where we are.

 

[No Brainer]

Are you guys using different post flop bet sizes for value and bluffs at the micros? I currently have my bet slider set up for 58%, 68% and 78% of pot and basically using them depending on how strong my hand is and it seems to work a charm. I actually think I could make them wider and have it work just as well.

When the situation arises I do vary the sizes to exploit the fish even more, betting very close to pot with made hands and bluffing 20% pot on the river when draws miss and getting just as many folds as betting 50%.

I know that if anyone picks up on it it is very exploitable but there are so few players at 10NL that I think would ever catch on that I am not too worried about it.

 

[John A]

Posted Leakbuster Stats https://www.cardschat.com/forum/cas...er-vol-i-study-group-227214/post-2803722.html but image doesnt seem to show for me anymore. Ive started to type a lot of them to compare against previous report.
Think its showing more critical than the last time because I included all last years, instead of when I started playing properly again in August

Critical (7)
50 - Lines - Check Call 3 Streets
38 - Bluffed River (bet)
46 - Triple Barrel
Check/Calling with weak made hands on all 3 streets
17 - Calling Flop Cbet Raise
Check and Call OOP with a flush draw
W$SD%

Very Important (1)
Check/Call with middle or bottom pair in 3Bet Pot, not as the 3Bettor

Important (11)
40 - Called Flop Cbet wo Strong Hand
AKo-ATo/AQs-AKs Open Raised - CO
ATo - AKo/AQs - Aks Squeeze - BTN
19 - Turn
3 - TPGK or worse by turn + Seen Showdown
23o-9To/23s-T9s Open Raised - EP
22-66 - Cold Call MP
Check/Calling with draws on the turn
37 - Naked Flop Floats
32o-T9o/32s-T9s Cold Call - CO
48 - Lines Snap Bluffs Bet Bet Call

And those top leaks all make sense based on what you've posted here, what you struggle with and your stats. Your stats are pretty good overall. You're making the big mistakes in the wrong spots instead of mitigating them and making them smaller than they should be.

You have to clearly know when it's a good bluff. When someone is at the top of their range, and you can get them to fold, otherwise you shouldn't be bluffing beyond an occasional double barrel. You need to be value betting your hands thinner in the right spots. You need to be playing more honest in 3-bet pots.

You're on the right path. You just need to get into the refinement areas of your game and you'll be fine. Dedicate yourself to learning these parts above, and that will be your next major leap forward.

 

[John A]

Are you guys using different post flop bet sizes for value and bluffs at the micros? I currently have my bet slider set up for 58%, 68% and 78% of pot and basically using them depending on how strong my hand is and it seems to work a charm. I actually think I could make them wider and have it work just as well.

When the situation arises I do vary the sizes to exploit the fish even more, betting very close to pot with made hands and bluffing 20% pot on the river when draws miss and getting just as many folds as betting 50%.

I know that if anyone picks up on it it is very exploitable but there are so few players at 10NL that I think would ever catch on that I am not too worried about it.

Yes, you can do this and I encourage it. I was on the forefront of poker theory advocating wide betting amounts, when common accepted theory was keep your best sizing the same as to not give off betting tells (or rarely vary it much). At micros especially, when you won't build much history w/ your opponents, you should be taking full advantage of this.

 

[Figaroo2]

In the 25nl sweat session Tues there was a fish willing to limp call pretty much anything preflop. In the first hand against him he got it all in preflop for 60bb with 67s against my KK (and he got there hitting a flush on the river). We joked that he was just temporarily looking after my money. He continued to limp call to all the regs so the next time I had the chance I made it 12bb to go preflop and he still called. We did eventually stack him KK v AK.
So just bet as big as you think they will call.

Remember everyone is very welcome to join in a group sweat Tuesdays around 2130 for me UK time. 1630 EST.

 

[fishinthesea]

Breaking news, I think bovada doesn't work with the bovada card catcher or HM2 anymore..

 

[rhombus]

2 hands I posted yesterday AJ which I butchered. I thought he has full of %^&* so virtually shoved the turn and he had flopped a set 140BB up in smoke.

AA Hand, I though about check calling the River but then thought if he bets Im going to call anyway so might as well bet. He had flopped a set as well Overall not sure how I could have played it better. Dont often get AA so try to maximise value especially on a dry flop, then once you get to river with less than pot bet left

both hands kind of spoiled a good session was doing ok then lost nearly 3 buyin wth 2 hands

AJ HAND
Poker Stars, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Hero (SB): $15.03 (150.3 bb)
BB: $9.95 (99.5 bb)
UTG: $5.93 (59.3 bb)
MP: $17.41 (174.1 bb)
CO: $13.89 (138.9 bb)
BTN: $10 (100 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with J

A

2 folds, CO raises to $0.30, BTN folds, Hero raises to $1, BB folds, CO calls $0.70

Flop: ($2.10) A

9

7

(2 players)
Hero bets $1.20, CO calls $1.20

Turn: ($4.50) 5

(2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $2.86, Hero raises to $9.53, CO raises to $11.69 and is all-in, Hero calls $2.16

River: ($27.88) 3

(2 players, 1 is all-in)

Results: $27.88 pot ($1.25 rake)
Final Board: A

9

7

5

3

Hero showed J

A

and lost (-$13.89 net)
CO showed 7

7

and won $26.63 ($12.74 net)


AA Hand
Poker Stars, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

Hero (SB): $15.67 (156.7 bb)
BB: $10 (100 bb)
UTG: $8.99 (89.9 bb)
MP: $10.41 (104.1 bb)
CO: $12.40 (124 bb)
BTN: $10 (100 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with A

A

2 folds, CO raises to $0.25, BTN folds, Hero raises to $0.85, BB folds, CO calls $0.60

Flop: ($1.80) 2

6

Q

(2 players)
Hero bets $1.14, CO calls $1.14

Turn: ($4.08) 8

(2 players)
Hero bets $2.59, CO calls $2.59

River: ($9.26) K

(2 players)
Hero bets $5.89, CO raises to $7.82 and is all-in, Hero calls $1.93

Results: $24.90 pot ($1.12 rake)
Final Board: 2

6

Q

8

K

Hero showed A

A

and lost (-$12.40 net)
CO showed 6

6

and won $23.78 ($11.38 net)

 

[rhombus]

Are you 3 betting for value here? If so we must see him calling with worse aces right? Then I think we should be betting at least 2 streets for value.

Personally I would prefer calling with AJs in this spot. We have a fairly strong hand, able to flop a lot of draws and a lot of medium strength made hands but we are also out of position against a fairly unknown opponent. Because of this I would rather keep the pot small and play post flop rather than inflating the pot, flopping a medium strength hand and not knowing where we are.

So do you call/suggest call AJS and 3Bet AJ from a late raiser when OOP

 

[Figaroo2]

2 hands I posted yesterday AJ which I butchered. I thought he has full of %^&* so virtually shoved the turn and he had flopped a set 140BB up in smoke.
AA Hand, I though about check calling the River but then thought if he bets Im going to call anyway so might as well bet. He had flopped a set as well Overall not sure how I could have played it better. Dont often get AA so try to maximise value especially on a dry flop, then once you get to river with less than pot bet left
both hands kind of spoiled a good session was doing ok then lost nearly 3 buyin wth 2 hands

Buddy these are the big mistake hands that John is referring two. On both occasions you end up on the river with a 1 pair hand and a ton of money in the pot.
Remember the mantra... "Don't get stacked with 1 pair".
The AJ hand in particular, it looks like a spewing tilt bluff shove on the turn, nothing worse is calling here and few are laying down AK on this dry a board. Once he calls on the dry flop and bets the turn you have to consider you might be beaten at least by AK AQ. Fold the turn if he's tight or call the turn and check call or check fold the river depending on his river sizing.
AA hand is harder but your river sizing is pot committing, a blocking bet of around $2 and fold to a shove looks better.
This is 5nl right, most can't tell the difference between a blocker and a suck bet. If they shove they can beat top pair. You can still get away with half of your stack here

 

[rhombus]

Buddy these are the big mistake hands that John is referring two. On both occasions you end up on the river with a 1 pair hand and a ton of money in the pot.
Remember the mantra... "Don't get stacked with 1 pair".
The AJ hand in particular, it looks like a spewing tilt bluff shove on the turn, nothing worse is calling here and few are laying down AK on this dry a board. Once he calls on the dry flop and bets the turn you have to consider you might be beaten at least by AK AQ. Fold the turn if he's tight or call the turn and check call or check fold the river depending on his river sizing.
AA hand is harder but your river sizing is pot committing, a blocking bet of around $2 and fold to a shove looks better.
This is 5nl right, most can't tell the difference between a blocker and a suck bet. If they shove they can beat top pair. You can still get away with half of your stack here

Definitely agree with the AJ, some people do mess about with junk but probably alot less than I think they do.

AA hand If i did a blocker bet or say about a 1/3 and they shove I would find it hard to fold as they could see the bet as weakness and shove all his Kings and bluffs. Id only have to be correct around 20% to break even.

Even if I bet $2 into 9.26 Id have to be right 22.5% to call a shove

 

[rhombus]

Caled 3Bet in position. Called Flop 2nd pair 2 backdoors, once they checked turn tried to take initiative back and get thin value or deny them their equity with smallish bet.Would fold to a shove from likely Set, TJ, KQ or possible Semi BLuff with something like AJclubs. Good or Bad Turn Bet??

Poker Stars, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $10.50 (105 bb) 38/38 33% AG 8 hands
BB: $21.30 (213 bb)
UTG: $32.22 (322.2 bb)
MP: $14.54 (145.4 bb)
Hero (CO): $10 (100 bb)
BTN: $7.69 (76.9 bb)

Preflop: Hero is CO with A

Q

2 folds, Hero raises to $0.30, BTN folds, SB raises to $1.20, BB folds, Hero calls $0.90

Flop: ($2.50) Q

2

K

(2 players)
SB bets $1.50, Hero calls $1.50

Turn: ($5.50) 9

(2 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $2

 

[No Brainer]

I would be checking the turn back and calling a river bet on everything except a T or J, by checking the turn we give him room to bluff the river and our hand is basically a bluff catcher by that point.

If he checks river you could look at a value bet as you may get calls from worse queens, TT, JJ, T9, J9 etc. From these initial 8 hands it looks like he could be quite aggro pre, meaning he could have quite a wide resteal range.

So do you call/suggest call AJS and 3Bet AJ from a late raiser when OOP

It really depends on the situation, but as a general rule I would rather play my medium strength hands AT, AJ, KQ, KJ etc in a small pot out of position rather than a large one. The only problem with it is you obviously never pick up these pots pre flop. It may also depend on the player who raised pre, if I don't feel confident that I can play against them out of position I may just 3 bet, trying to take it down there.