Polished Poker Vol. I Study Group

[John A]

Gordon packed up at least 4-5 years ago and went into online messaging businesses. I don't think he was anything but an aggressive tourny player, even he thought he was a bit of a fish in cash games

With the extra time I've had I recently did my first video of the key hands played when I took down a CC Freeroll with 430 players in mid Dec. I was using Microsoft expression encoder4 screen capture but the free version is limited to 10 min vids.
Bit of fun, its on you tube but private cos its pretty rough around the edges and my voice is deep and I don't keep my volume up very well. When I've redone it I'll open it up. There is a funny bit where I had AA twice in a row against the same guy.
I'll have a look for some interesting cash hands.

Cool... I'll check it out when you have it up.

 

[Dim4ik555]

Thanks so much!

 

[John A]

Poker Stars, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players

SB: $3.96 (39.6 bb) VPIP: 86, PFR: 17, 3B: 0, AF: 0.9, Hands: 42
BB: $31.60 (316 bb)
UTG: $12.79 (127.9 bb)VPIP: 20, PFR: 12, 3B: 4, AF: 3.8, Hands: 113
MP: $10 (100 bb)
CO: $4.17 (41.7 bb)
Hero (BTN): $13.64 (136.4 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BTN with Q

T

UTG raises to $0.30, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.30, SB calls $0.25, BB folds

Maybe borderline dubious preflop but the fish on my left was really bad and tilting and I wanted to get into hands with him. We were also a little deeper than usual, if the fish wasn't there and almost certainly coming along then this is a fold preflop against the UTG stats.

Flop: ($1) A

8

3

(3 players)
SB checks, UTG bets $0.57, Hero calls $0.57, SB calls $0.57

Turn: ($2.71) 3

(3 players)
SB bets $3.09 and is all-in, UTG raises to $11.86,
Hero??

I was sweating with someone who was shouting "fold fold paired board" at me but after I bit of thought I wasn't happy with folding.
I figured a value hand (boat) wouldn't size like this, they would flat and want to keep me in. A King high flush probably doesn't shove as it has to take into account boats.
His sizing shows he is still scared of the flush arriving and wants to drive flush draws out.

Spoiler

Hero calls $11.86

River: ($29.52) 2

(3 players, 1 is all-in)
UTG bets $0.06 and is all-in, Hero calls $0.06

Results: $29.64 pot ($1.33 rake)
Final Board: A

8

3

3

2

SB showed A

7

and lost (-$3.96 net)
UTG showed J

A

and lost (-$12.79 net)
Hero showed Q

T

and won $28.31 ($15.52 net)

I'd advise to not include spoilers. I never look at them, but I'd just say in general.

Yeah, you're never folding that turn ever. Raising there with your left to act with a boat makes ZERO sense. Not saying maybe 1 in 500 times it won't happen, but in general, you just get it in there with a smile.

 

[Blitzer55]

The backdoor flush is a thing of beauty

Poker Stars, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 4 Players

SB: $11.34 (113.4 bb)
BB: $12.55 (125.5 bb)VPIP: 37, PFR: 7, 3B: 3, AF: 1.9, Hands: 174
CO: $15.35 (153.5 bb)
Hero (BTN): $12.58 (125.8 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BTN with A Q
CO folds, Hero raises to $0.30, SB folds, BB calls $0.20

Flop: ($0.65) 8 5 4 (2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks ( I probably should have cbet here to charge draws but it smacks his range pretty hard)

Turn: ($0.65) 7 (2 players)
BB bets $0.62, Hero calls $0.62

River: ($1.89) 9 (2 players)
BB bets $1.81,
Ok if this guy has a 6 and it looks likely then he's never folding, so we overbet shove...
Hero raises to $11.66 and is all-in, BB calls $9.82 and is all-in

Results: $25.15 pot ($1 rake)
Final Board: 854 7 9
BB showed A6 and lost (-$12.55 net)
Hero showed AQ and won $24.15 ($11.60 net)

Oreo and I had a sweat tonight he has a couple of spots to look at..

Reason for calling on the turn? What do you do, if the flush doesn't hit you?

 

[Figaroo2]

Reason for calling on the turn? What do you do, if the flush doesn't hit you?

I have a nut flush draw and the back door flush is particularly valuable in this spot where he might have a straight, there is all the implied odds you could ever want on this turn.
If we whiff we are folding to any reasonable sizing. I might call a small bet up to 25% pot as we still have a chance he could have a hand similar to us and just be repping the straight.

 

[John A]

The backdoor flush is a thing of beauty

Poker Stars, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 4 Players

SB: $11.34 (113.4 bb)
BB: $12.55 (125.5 bb)VPIP: 37, PFR: 7, 3B: 3, AF: 1.9, Hands: 174
CO: $15.35 (153.5 bb)
Hero (BTN): $12.58 (125.8 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BTN with A

Q

CO folds, Hero raises to $0.30, SB folds, BB calls $0.20

Flop: ($0.65) 8

5

4

(2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks ( I probably should have cbet here to charge draws but it smacks his range pretty hard)

Turn: ($0.65) 7

(2 players)
BB bets $0.62, Hero calls $0.62

River: ($1.89) 9

(2 players)
BB bets $1.81,
Ok if this guy has a 6 and it looks likely then he's never folding, so we overbet shove...
Hero raises to $11.66 and is all-in, BB calls $9.82 and is all-in

Results: $25.15 pot ($1 rake)
Final Board: 8

5

4

7

9

BB showed A

6

and lost (-$12.55 net)
Hero showed A

Q

and won $24.15 ($11.60 net)

Oreo and I had a sweat tonight he has a couple of spots to look at..

Yeah, in an open button spot I like a c-bet here for value. You're ahead of his range, and this doesn't over smack his range.

As played, looks fine. Lots of implied odds if the guy has a straight, and if he doesn't he's probably giving up a ton on the river.

 

[rhombus]

Cant even beat 2nlZ

Hand 1
poker stars, $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $3.02 (151 bb)
BB: $2.04 (102 bb)
UTG: $2 (100 bb)
MP: $2.06 (103 bb) 29/10 1.3AG 21 /hands
CO: $1.93 (96.5 bb)
Hero (BTN): $2 (100 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BTN with 7

9

UTG folds, MP raises to $0.06, CO folds, Hero raises to $0.20, 2 folds, MP calls $0.14

Flop: ($0.43) 9

4

T

(2 players)
MP bets $0.11, Hero calls $0.11

Turn: ($0.65) J

(2 players)
MP bets $0.42, Hero calls $0.42

River: ($1.49) Q

(2 players)
MP checks, Hero ???


Hand 2
Poker Stars, $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $1.24 (62 bb)
BB: $3.88 (194 bb)
UTG: $1.44 (72 bb) 50/50 AG1.0 2 hands
MP: $5.81 (290.5 bb)
Hero (CO): $2 (100 bb)
BTN: $2.02 (101 bb)

Preflop: Hero is CO with K

A

UTG raises to $0.06, MP folds, Hero raises to $0.22, 3 folds, UTG calls $0.16

Flop: ($0.47) 8

A

J

(2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $0.26, UTG raises to $0.75, Hero ?????????


Hand3
Poker Stars, $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $5.04 (252 bb)
BB: $0.88 (44 bb)
UTG: $3.31 (165.5 bb)
MP: $1.21 (60.5 bb)75/50 AG 1.3 8 hands
CO: $0.89 (44.5 bb)
Hero (BTN): $2.27 (113.5 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BTN with A

K

UTG folds, MP calls $0.02, CO folds, Hero raises to $0.10, SB folds, BB calls $0.08, MP calls $0.08

Flop: ($0.31) 6

A

8

(3 players)
BB checks, MP checks, Hero bets $0.20, BB calls $0.20, MP calls $0.20

Turn: ($0.91) 5

(3 players)
BB bets $0.44, MP folds, Hero ??


Hand 4
Poker Stars, $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

Hero (SB): $2 (100 bb)
BB: $4.82 (241 bb) 50/17 AG 2.0 6 Hands
UTG: $3.85 (192.5 bb)
MP: $6.57 (328.5 bb)
CO: $2.04 (102 bb)
BTN: $1.44 (72 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Q

J

3 folds, BTN calls $0.02, Hero raises to $0.10, BB calls $0.08, BTN calls $0.08

Flop: ($0.30) 3

6

J

(3 players)
Hero bets $0.20, BB raises to $4.72, BTN folds, Hero ?????????


General Thoughts

Hand 1
Over played and over fought, was trying to represent something like over pair or AK but hindsight dont think stacks were deep enough once they bet 2/3 on turn. (Maybe Raise Wek Flop CBET??)

Hand2
Common situation
In position as PFR flop Top Pair Top Kicker, as soon as check raised on this flop, do you (100bb eff)

vs Aggro - If No Flush Draw - AJ8 Rainbow - Call once and fold if they barrel
vs Passive - If No Flush Draw - AJ8 Rainbow - FOLD

vs Aggro - If Flush Draw - AJ8 - Call all the way down
vs Passive - If Flush Draw - AJ8 - Call and FOLD if they Barrel Turn

* Stack depths could make hand play diferently

Hand 3
Similar to Hand 2 but MW. In this hand they were shortstacked but if 100Eff do you just call down turn on river or are you always beat once they lead into 2 players

Hand 4
In these scenarios where they just shove on flop is it just straight forward fold with top pair as you haven't commited much and they are going to have at least flush draw or 45 at the very least

 

[Blitzer55]

Hand #1: raise on the flop. His bet sizing tells that he's weak. Folding isn't really a good option imo. By calling, you keep his bluffs in, but on that board, I wouldn't just call. Also, in some cases, you keep hands that hit him. Raising IMO, is ideal here.

Hand #2: it depends, how well you know this particular player. AJ, 88, are 2 possible hands, but at the same time, hands like AQ, AT, QdJd, JdTd, are possible too. Fold, unless you have any kind of reads on him.

Hand #3: it really looks like a flush draw w/ or w/out a straight draw to me more than anything else. Looks like a situation to get it in.

Hand #4: weird spot, because I don't really know with what hand, is he expecting you to call an AI? Again, if you don't have any reads, folding is not too bad of an option. It looks like a big draw here in this hand.

 

[Figaroo2]

Holding my nerve at 50nl Biggest pot post

50 to 60, 60 to 70, and 70 to 140

Pacific, $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 9 Players

SB: $55.07 (110.1 bb)
BB: $105.45 (210.9 bb)
UTG+1: $31.62 (63.2 bb)
UTG+2: $66.82 (133.6 bb)
Hero (MP1): $50 (100 bb)
MP2: $51.27 (102.5 bb)
MP3: $96.68 (193.4 bb)
CO: $18.89 (37.8 bb)VPIP: 57, PFR: 43, 3B: 40, AF: 7.0, Hands: 14
BTN: $90.11 (180.2 bb)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with A

Q

2 folds, Hero raises to $1.50, 2 folds, CO calls $1.50, 3 folds

Flop: ($3.75) 3

9

9

(2 players)
Hero bets $1.87, CO calls $1.87

Turn: ($7.49) 3

(2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $3.74, Hero calls $3.74

River: ($14.97) A

(2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $7.48, Hero calls $7.48

Results: $29.93 pot ($1.49 rake)
Final Board: 3

9

9

3

A

Hero showed A

Q

and won $28.44 ($13.85 net)
CO showed Q

6

and lost (-$14.59 net)

Pacific, $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 8 Players

SB: $19.79 (39.6 bb)
BB: $57.08 (114.2 bb)
UTG+2: $118.62 (237.2 bb)
MP1: $89.57 (179.1 bb)
Hero (MP2): $61.60 (123.2 bb)
MP3: $30 (60 bb)VPIP: 17, PFR: 11, 3B: 4, AF: 3.0, Hands: 2134
CO: $103.42 (206.8 bb)
BTN: $50 (100 bb)VPIP: 16, PFR: 13, 3B: 5, AF: 2.3, Hands: 1573

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with Q

Q

2 folds, Hero raises to $1.50, MP3 calls $1.50, CO folds, BTN raises to $6, 2 folds, Hero calls $4.50, MP3 calls $4.50

Flop: ($18.75) 8

6

J

(3 players)
Hero checks, MP3 checks, BTN checks

Turn: ($18.75) T

(3 players)
Hero bets $9.37, 2 folds

Results: $18.75 pot ($0.93 rake)
Final Board: 8

6

J

T

Hero mucked Q

Q

and won $17.82 ($11.82 net)
MP3 mucked and lost (-$6 net)
BTN mucked and lost (-$6 net)


Pacific, $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 9 Players

SB: $118.12 (236.2 bb)
BB: $50 (100 bb)
UTG+1: $89.57 (179.1 bb)
Hero (UTG+2): $73.42 (146.8 bb)
MP1: $30 (60 bb)
MP2: $103.42 (206.8 bb)VPIP: 17, PFR: 11, 3B: 4, AF: 3.0, Hands: 2134
MP3: $51.73 (103.5 bb)
CO: $18.42 (36.8 bb)
BTN: $56.33 (112.7 bb)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+2 with T

T

UTG+1 folds, Hero raises to $1.50, MP1 folds, MP2 calls $1.50, MP3 folds, CO calls $1.50, 3 folds

Flop: ($5.25) 8

T

2

(3 players)
Hero bets $3.93, MP2 raises to $13.76, CO folds,
This is such a big raise I don't see how he folds
Hero raises to $71.92, MP2 calls $58.16

Turn: ($149.09) Q

(2 players)
River: ($149.09) K

(2 players)

Results: $149.09 pot ($4 rake)
Final Board: 8

T

2

Q

K

Hero showed T

T

and won $145.09 ($71.67 net)
MP2 showed 8

8

and lost (-$73.42 net)
CO mucked and lost (-$1.50 net)

 

[Figaroo2]

Hand 1
Poker Stars, $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
MP: $2.06 (103 bb) 29/10 1.3AG 21 /hands
Hero (BTN): $2 (100 bb)
Preflop: Hero is BTN with 7

9

UTG folds, MP raises to $0.06, CO folds, Hero raises to $0.20, 2 folds, MP

I FOLD PREFLOP, why are you 3betting this hand?

Hand 2

Poker Stars, $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
UTG: $1.44 (72 bb) 50/50 AG1.0 2 hands
Hero (CO): $2 (100 bb)
Preflop: Hero is CO with K

A

UTG raises to $0.06, MP folds, Hero raises to $0.22, 3 folds, UTG calls $0.16
Flop: ($0.47) 8

A

J

(2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $0.26, UTG raises to $0.75, Hero ?????????

I make it 36c on the flop and GII against a guy with his fishy stack size. He could overvalue any Ace. There are a lot of draws here and its not for a full stack, We are going to be beaten a fair amount but I'm going with it.

Poker Stars, $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
BB: $0.88 (44 bb)
MP: $1.21 (60.5 bb)75/50 AG 1.3 8 hands
Hero (BTN): $2.27 (113.5 bb)
Preflop: Hero is BTN with A

K

UTG folds, MP calls $0.02, CO folds, Hero raises to $0.10, SB folds, BB calls $0.08, MP calls $0.08
Flop: ($0.31) 6

A

8

(3 players)
BB checks, MP checks, Hero bets $0.20, BB calls $0.20, MP calls $0.20
Turn: ($0.91) 5

(3 players)
BB bets $0.44, MP folds, Hero ??

They are total fish who think AT is the nuts just GII, if your beat its a temporary loan

Poker Stars, $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Hero (SB): $2 (100 bb)
BB: $4.82 (241 bb) 50/17 AG 2.0 6 Hands
BTN: $1.44 (72 bb)
Preflop: Hero is SB with Q

J

3 folds, BTN calls $0.02, Hero raises to $0.10, BB calls $0.08, BTN calls $0.08
Flop: ($0.30) 3

6

J

(3 players)
Hero bets $0.20, BB raises to $4.72, BTN folds, Hero ?????????

I'm Folding to this bet, we aren't strong enough here, make a note about the massive overshove and keep an eye on him

 

[rhombus]

Hand #1: raise on the flop. His bet sizing tells that he's weak. Folding isn't really a good option imo. By calling, you keep his bluffs in, but on that board, I wouldn't just call. Also, in some cases, you keep hands that hit him. Raising IMO, is ideal here.

Hand #2: it depends, how well you know this particular player. AJ, 88, are 2 possible hands, but at the same time, hands like AQ, AT, QdJd, JdTd, are possible too. Fold, unless you have any kind of reads on him.

Hand #3: it really looks like a flush draw w/ or w/out a straight draw to me more than anything else. Looks like a situation to get it in.

Hand #4: weird spot, because I don't really know with what hand, is he expecting you to call an AI? Again, if you don't have any reads, folding is not too bad of an option. It looks like a big draw here in this hand.

I FOLD PREFLOP, why are you 3betting this hand?



I make it 36c on the flop and GII against a guy with his fishy stack size. He could overvalue any Ace. There are a lot of draws here and its not for a full stack, We are going to be beaten a fair amount but I'm going with it.


They are total fish who think AT is the nuts just GII, if your beat its a temporary loan


I'm Folding to this bet, we aren't strong enough here, make a note about the massive overshove and keep an eye on him

Hand 1
I 3Bet Pre as its what the kids are doing
On River I shoved $1.27 repping AK and he called with flopped set TTT

Hand 2
As they only started with 70bbswith the flush draw I decided to take it down they had another set 888

Hand 3
Yup good read guys Fish with 97 off

Hand 4
Think i was abit tilted at this point and called. They had AA

 

[John A]

Cant even beat 2nlZ

Hand 1
Poker Stars, $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $3.02 (151 bb)
BB: $2.04 (102 bb)
UTG: $2 (100 bb)
MP: $2.06 (103 bb) 29/10 1.3AG 21 /hands
CO: $1.93 (96.5 bb)
Hero (BTN): $2 (100 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BTN with 7

9

UTG folds, MP raises to $0.06, CO folds, Hero raises to $0.20, 2 folds, MP calls $0.14

Flop: ($0.43) 9

4

T

(2 players)
MP bets $0.11, Hero calls $0.11

Turn: ($0.65) J

(2 players)
MP bets $0.42, Hero calls $0.42

River: ($1.49) Q

(2 players)
MP checks, Hero ???

Guys only opening 10% so far. Any solid reason for 3-betting him yet? Not saying it's horrible to do here, but I'd probably just flat or fold.

Raise the flop. If someone bets 1/4th of the pot, just consider it a check.

Turn is fine. I think w/o a lot of info, you don't really know if he can fold 2 pair in this spot, and you can really only most rep KT, maybe KJ/KQ. I don't tend to bluff in these spots when I don't think I know something about my opponent. It's just a crap shoot on a runout like this because your opponent is going to have 2 pair a lot.

Hand 2
Poker Stars, $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $1.24 (62 bb)
BB: $3.88 (194 bb)
UTG: $1.44 (72 bb) 50/50 AG1.0 2 hands
MP: $5.81 (290.5 bb)
Hero (CO): $2 (100 bb)
BTN: $2.02 (101 bb)

Preflop: Hero is CO with K

A

UTG raises to $0.06, MP folds, Hero raises to $0.22, 3 folds, UTG calls $0.16

Flop: ($0.47) 8

A

J

(2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $0.26, UTG raises to $0.75, Hero ?????????

2 hands, and he's short. Yeah, if he was full, I might consider folding because of his opening position. But w/o info and someone who is short stacked, you just need to get it in here. They could have some diamond draws, be a total donk. You just don't know at this point.

Hand3
Poker Stars, $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

SB: $5.04 (252 bb)
BB: $0.88 (44 bb)
UTG: $3.31 (165.5 bb)
MP: $1.21 (60.5 bb)75/50 AG 1.3 8 hands
CO: $0.89 (44.5 bb)
Hero (BTN): $2.27 (113.5 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BTN with A

K

UTG folds, MP calls $0.02, CO folds, Hero raises to $0.10, SB folds, BB calls $0.08, MP calls $0.08

Flop: ($0.31) 6

A

8

(3 players)
BB checks, MP checks, Hero bets $0.20, BB calls $0.20, MP calls $0.20

Turn: ($0.91) 5

(3 players)
BB bets $0.44, MP folds, Hero ??

Same thing. He's short... he can have worse Ax.

Hand 4
Poker Stars, $0.01/$0.02 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.

Hero (SB): $2 (100 bb)
BB: $4.82 (241 bb) 50/17 AG 2.0 6 Hands
UTG: $3.85 (192.5 bb)
MP: $6.57 (328.5 bb)
CO: $2.04 (102 bb)
BTN: $1.44 (72 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Q

J

3 folds, BTN calls $0.02, Hero raises to $0.10, BB calls $0.08, BTN calls $0.08

Flop: ($0.30) 3

6

J

(3 players)
Hero bets $0.20, BB raises to $4.72, BTN folds, Hero ?????????

Strange... but w/ him shoving into two people, his range is probably really draw heavy. If he had a big hand, why would he want to push BTN out in that spot. Guy looks like he might be a donk, so I don't mind a call here. You haven't invested much to this point, so if you folded and moved on for variance / tilt reasons, I don't think it's a huge EV difference in that respect.

General Thoughts

Hand 1
Over played and over fought, was trying to represent something like over pair or AK but hindsight dont think stacks were deep enough once they bet 2/3 on turn. (Maybe Raise Wek Flop CBET??)

Hand2
Common situation
In position as PFR flop Top Pair Top Kicker, as soon as check raised on this flop, do you (100bb eff)

vs Aggro - If No Flush Draw - AJ8 Rainbow - Call once and fold if they barrel
vs Passive - If No Flush Draw - AJ8 Rainbow - FOLD

vs Aggro - If Flush Draw - AJ8 - Call all the way down
vs Passive - If Flush Draw - AJ8 - Call and FOLD if they Barrel Turn

* Stack depths could make hand play diferently

Hand 3
Similar to Hand 2 but MW. In this hand they were shortstacked but if 100Eff do you just call down turn on river or are you always beat once they lead into 2 players

Hand 4
In these scenarios where they just shove on flop is it just straight forward fold with top pair as you haven't commited much and they are going to have at least flush draw or 45 at the very least

 

[John A]

50 to 60, 60 to 70, and 70 to 140

Pacific, $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 9 Players

SB: $55.07 (110.1 bb)
BB: $105.45 (210.9 bb)
UTG+1: $31.62 (63.2 bb)
UTG+2: $66.82 (133.6 bb)
Hero (MP1): $50 (100 bb)
MP2: $51.27 (102.5 bb)
MP3: $96.68 (193.4 bb)
CO: $18.89 (37.8 bb)VPIP: 57, PFR: 43, 3B: 40, AF: 7.0, Hands: 14
BTN: $90.11 (180.2 bb)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with A

Q

2 folds, Hero raises to $1.50, 2 folds, CO calls $1.50, 3 folds

Flop: ($3.75) 3

9

9

(2 players)
Hero bets $1.87, CO calls $1.87

Turn: ($7.49) 3

(2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $3.74, Hero calls $3.74

River: ($14.97) A

(2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $7.48, Hero calls $7.48

Results: $29.93 pot ($1.49 rake)
Final Board: 3

9

9

3

A

Hero showed A

Q

and won $28.44 ($13.85 net)
CO showed Q

6

and lost (-$14.59 net)

NH... well done. Way to apply your info and reads! This kind of hand is really showing your progress. Well played.

Pacific, $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 8 Players

SB: $19.79 (39.6 bb)
BB: $57.08 (114.2 bb)
UTG+2: $118.62 (237.2 bb)
MP1: $89.57 (179.1 bb)
Hero (MP2): $61.60 (123.2 bb)
MP3: $30 (60 bb)VPIP: 17, PFR: 11, 3B: 4, AF: 3.0, Hands: 2134
CO: $103.42 (206.8 bb)
BTN: $50 (100 bb)VPIP: 16, PFR: 13, 3B: 5, AF: 2.3, Hands: 1573

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with Q

Q

2 folds, Hero raises to $1.50, MP3 calls $1.50, CO folds, BTN raises to $6, 2 folds, Hero calls $4.50, MP3 calls $4.50

Flop: ($18.75) 8

6

J

(3 players)
Hero checks, MP3 checks, BTN checks

Turn: ($18.75) T

(3 players)
Hero bets $9.37, 2 folds

Results: $18.75 pot ($0.93 rake)
Final Board: 8

6

J

T

Hero mucked Q

Q

and won $17.82 ($11.82 net)
MP3 mucked and lost (-$6 net)
BTN mucked and lost (-$6 net)

That's fine. Once they check the flop, you have to bet the turn there. Probably a squeeze gone bad. Nh.

Pacific, $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 9 Players

SB: $118.12 (236.2 bb)
BB: $50 (100 bb)
UTG+1: $89.57 (179.1 bb)
Hero (UTG+2): $73.42 (146.8 bb)
MP1: $30 (60 bb)
MP2: $103.42 (206.8 bb)VPIP: 17, PFR: 11, 3B: 4, AF: 3.0, Hands: 2134
MP3: $51.73 (103.5 bb)
CO: $18.42 (36.8 bb)
BTN: $56.33 (112.7 bb)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+2 with T

T

UTG+1 folds, Hero raises to $1.50, MP1 folds, MP2 calls $1.50, MP3 folds, CO calls $1.50, 3 folds

Flop: ($5.25) 8

T

2

(3 players)
Hero bets $3.93, MP2 raises to $13.76, CO folds,
This is such a big raise I don't see how he folds
Hero raises to $71.92, MP2 calls $58.16

Turn: ($149.09) Q

(2 players)
River: ($149.09) K

(2 players)

Results: $149.09 pot ($4 rake)
Final Board: 8

T

2

Q

K

Hero showed T

T

and won $145.09 ($71.67 net)
MP2 showed 8

8

and lost (-$73.42 net)
CO mucked and lost (-$1.50 net)

Yeah, looks fine and std. Nh.

 

[Figaroo2]

To pot control or not to pot control, that is the question!

Pacific, $0.05/$0.10 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 9 Players

SB: $11.18 (111.8 bb)VPIP: 34, PFR: 17, 3B: 8, AF: 0.7, Hands: 64
BB: $10 (100 bb)
Hero (UTG+1): $10.61 (106.1 bb)
UTG+2: $5.63 (56.3 bb)
MP1: $10 (100 bb)
MP2: $1.94 (19.4 bb)VPIP: 25, PFR: 19, 3B: 11, AF: 1.5, Hands: 102
MP3: $10 (100 bb)
CO: $10.09 (100.9 bb)
BTN: $2.90 (29 bb)

Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with J

J

Hero raises to $0.35, 2 folds, MP2 calls $0.35, 3 folds, SB raises to $1.21, BB folds, Hero calls $0.86, MP2 calls $0.86
The SB 3bets a fair amount but looks passive post flop so a flat of his 3bet in position looks ok. 4 betting looks too ambitious here he is raising from the SB against an early position open and folding is out of the question against a player like this who looks like a typical bad preflopping reg with little postflop skills.

Flop: ($3.73) 8

2

5

(3 players)
SB bets $2.66, Hero calls $2.66, MP2 calls $0.73 and is all-in
Villain is likely betting his whole range here inluding all his over cards and pairs, we need more evidence of strength before with consider withdrawing from the hand. Raising I think isolates us against better hands and mostly folds out worse, its a dry flop in a 3 bet pot there will be hardly any draws here. His cbet into 2 players for a player of his passiveness is still a concern and to my eyes indicates an overpair rather than a whiffed AK/AQ

Turn: ($9.78) Q

(3 players, 1 is all-in)
SB checks, Hero checks
This is the point where I'm seeking advice...is it better to bet here or to pot control? I was in the opinion that pot control was better here under the general theme of small hand small pot, but now I'm not so sure. Opinions please.
The villain is very passive post flop, clearly his 3bet and flop lead out into two players indicate a reasonably strong hand but being very passive he probably checks everything but the nuts on the turn. He could still be pretty wide here, this type of player might even be pot controlling AQ KK AA here to go with all of his whiffed AK and other pot controlling hands suchas medium pairs like 99 TT
River: ($9.78) J

(3 players, 1 is all-in)
SB checks,
OK he checks again, not unexpected, but I think even he would have bet top pair or an overpair here. So the question now is how much to bet, if he has a hand like 99 TT they can't call very much, but if he did decided check top pair or an overpair he may call quite a bit.....
Hero bets $2.10, betting small for a crying call from the SB, maybe this was too small, half pot will likely be called by AQ here.
SB calls $2.10

Results: $13.98 pot ($0.69 rake)
Final Board: 8

2

5

Q

J

Hero showed J

J

MP2 showed 9

T

and won $5.63 ($3.69 net) (the J gives us trips but hits a straight for the all in player....sigh!)
SB hand omitted for now

 

[John A]

On the turn, are you folding if he shoves the river? If not, you should just bet. He's ubber passive so far, and the general rule against passive players is, bet to protect your hand since checking won't induce bluffs later. So if you're ahead of someone's range, and they are passive, when you check you just allow them to realize their equity. When you check against an aggressive opponent, you open up their bluffing range and allow yourself to get paid on larger parts of their range.

You only have ~6 into a 9.8 pot on the turn. So I'd lean towards a shove. If you're checking the turn, then you're checking, or betting ubber small on the river for value.

As played, you hit a great card, you should bet about $5 to leave him a little money... it makes calls easier for players like this to make if it's not completely all-in. Most of his calling range is going to be mid pairs, maybe some Qx.

Yikes, just looked at the results... maybe he's a drooler? Why in gods name is he not jamming the river?

 

[Figaroo2]

On the turn, are you folding if he shoves the river? If not, you should just bet. He's ubber passive so far, and the general rule against passive players is, bet to protect your hand since checking won't induce bluffs later. So if you're ahead of someone's range, and they are passive, when you check you just allow them to realize their equity. When you check against an aggressive opponent, you open up their bluffing range and allow yourself to get paid on larger parts of their range.

You only have ~6 into a 9.8 pot on the turn. So I'd lean towards a shove. If you're checking the turn, then you're checking, or betting ubber small on the river for value.

As played, you hit a great card, you should bet about $5 to leave him a little money... it makes calls easier for players like this to make if it's not completely all-in. Most of his calling range is going to be mid pairs, maybe some Qx.

Yikes, just looked at the results... maybe he's a drooler? Why in gods name is he not jamming the river?

look again there are three in the hand

 

[shanest]

Here are a couple of hands that came up one after the other.
Any comments and what do you think is the best play on the river once we whiff?

Pacific, $0.15/$0.30 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 5 Players

SB: $33.48 (111.6 bb)
Hero (BB): $30 (100 bb)
MP: $43.16 (143.9 bb)
CO: $47.03 (156.8 bb)
BTN: $12.08 (40.3 bb) VPIP: 26, PFR: 17, 3B: 5, AF: 3.7, Hands: 53

Preflop: Hero is BB with 5

K

2 folds, BTN raises to $0.60, SB folds,
Button steal is 50%, zero fold to 3bet
Hero calls $0.30

Flop: ($1.35) 4

J

2

(2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.67, Hero raises to $2.01, BTN calls $1.34

Turn: ($5.37) 3

(2 players)
Hero bets $2.68, BTN calls $2.68

River: ($10.73) 3

(2 players)
Hero?

Pacific, $0.10/$0.20 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 9 Players

SB: $10 (50 bb) VPIP: 17, PFR: 13, 3B: 7, AF: 2.5, Hands: 2417
Hero (BB): $20 (100 bb)
UTG+1: $7.55 (37.8 bb)
UTG+2: $7.80 (39 bb)VPIP: 29, PFR: 5, 3B: 7, AF: 3.4, Hands: 103
MP1: $21.91 (109.6 bb)
MP2: $20 (100 bb)
MP3: $23.02 (115.1 bb)
CO: $20.20 (101 bb)
BTN: $14.58 (72.9 bb) VPIP: 32, PFR: 5, 3B: 0, AF: 2.5, Hands: 22

Preflop: Hero is BB with 2

5

UTG+1 folds, UTG+2 calls $0.20, 4 folds, BTN calls $0.20, SB completes, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.80) 7

3

4

(4 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, UTG+2 checks, BTN bets $0.80, SB calls $0.80, Hero calls $0.80, UTG+2 raises to $1.60, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.80 (getting the right express odds)

Turn: ($5.60) T

(2 players)
Hero checks, UTG+2 bets $1.20, Hero calls $1.20 again getting 5-1 (I'm loathe to raise getting such good odds)

River: ($8) T

(2 players)
Hero?

In the 1st hand. I think I just give up. We block them from having flush draws and I don't think he's going to fold a Jack on that run out.

 

[shanest]

I prob fold the turn in the 2nd hand. It's a pretty nutted line by UTG +2. Set of 4s or 3s i guess?

 

[John A]

look again there are three in the hand

Gotcha... ya MP2 has the straight. My advice still holds though. I'd bet the amount I said because it's not going to change the calling range enough to justify a small bet.

 

[John A]

One of my favorite things to do at small stakes was to bet 2BBs on the river in spots where my opponents range was insanely draw heavy. Especially if they were just calling Ip the whole time. It will get even the more conservative players to bluff raise, because who in the world likes to fold to 2 BBs. It tilts people also. I know we've talked about this before, and it doesn't work that great at higher stakes unless you're against aggro fish / whales. But It's fun to do at micro / small stakes when you can.

 

[rhombus]

One of my favorite things to do at small stakes was to bet 2BBs on the river in spots where my opponents range was insanely draw heavy. Especially if they were just calling Ip the whole time. It will get even the more conservative players to bluff raise, because who in the world likes to fold to 2 BBs. It tilts people also. I know we've talked about this before, and it doesn't work that great at higher stakes unless you're against aggro fish / whales. But It's fun to do at micro / small stakes when you can.

Interesting - see it alot on flop and Turn but seems to be villain donk beting with weak hands/draws.

So if there range if they raise is polarised to mostly bs and occasional value, whats your lowest Value bet in terms of hand strength
Top pair weak kicker, Mid pair etc

What happen at Higher Levels - Do they just Fold ?? with occasional Bluff

Can you GTO it lol - If 2 BBs is 10% of Pot then 92% Value/8% Bluff
Does 8% Bluff actually work at higher Levels

River GTO based on Bet Size examples

Size Value Bluff
----- ------ -------
Pot 67% 33%
3/4 70% 30%
1/2 75% 25%

 

[Aces2w1n]

Lower stakes tend to find an excuse to call

higher stakes find excuses to fold

 

[rhombus]

Lower stakes tend to find an excuse to call

higher stakes find excuses to fold

Curiosity killed the cat!!

 

[Aces2w1n]

Curiosity killed the cat!!

I guess the secret is not being on your 9th life

 

[Figaroo2]

Anyone playing this differently?

Pacific, $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 7 Players

Hero (SB): $50.43 (100.9 bb)
BB: $7.35 (14.7 bb)
MP1: $42.78 (85.6 bb) VPIP: 45, PFR: 9, 3B: 2, AF: 6.3, Hands: 248 (aggro fish)
MP2: $99.34 (198.7 bb)VPIP: 16, PFR: 12, 3B: 6, AF: 4.5, Hands: 728 (very good Reg)
MP3: $53.50 (107 bb)
CO: $50 (100 bb)
BTN: $146.64 (293.3 bb)VPIP: 17, PFR: 12, 3B: 3, AF: 1.7, Hands: 250
Half decent reg.

Preflop: Hero is SB with K

K

MP1 calls $0.50, MP2 raises to $2, 2 folds, BTN raises to $7.75,
This is a tricky spot; the good reg MP2 isolates the limping fish in MP1 and has been doing so often, however the button is good enough to recognise this and raise knowing MP2 could be quite wide. However the button isn't particularly aggressive and he's going to have some sort of decent hand here.
If I cold raise again I'm pretty much turning my hand face up and pot committing myself. If I call its going to look like JJ QQ AK nearly always.
I decide to flat and shove all none ace flops.

Hero calls $7.50, 3 folds

Flop: ($18.50) 6

5

6

(2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $11.25, Hero raises to $42.68 and is all-in, BTN calls $31.43

Turn: ($103.86) J

(2 players, 1 is all-in)
River: ($103.86) A

(2 players, 1 is all-in)

Results: $103.86 pot ($4.00 rake)
Final Board: 6

5

6

J

A

Hero showed K

K

and lost (-$50.43 net)
BTN showed A

A

and won $99.86 ($49.43 net)

Apart from folding preflop, which I did actually consider for a moment because the button wasn't that aggrressive, can we ever get away from this?