Polished Poker Vol. I Study Group

[mottotom27]

Hehe.... like I said, there's a lot of bad advice out there. A lot. We had a whole debate on this topic with fknife in this thread didn't we? I've talked about this for years now, and blogged about it not too long ago either:
http://www.acepokersolutions.com/poker-blog/gto-gto-gto-on-bovada/

It's not that they are incorrect in theory. But I notice a lot of these guys have difficulty knowing WHEN to apply theory. It's the classic book smart vs. real world conundrum. Some people can really apply themselves and understand any given topic, but they struggle with the practical use and application of that idea/concept. I'm not saying this is happening with all coaches of course. But I've played with a lot of poker players over the years. I wouldn't ask some of them to try and save me from an empty room with only one window, they might over think it.

Intelligence to me has always been people who can understand the theory AND the application and use. Someone who can adapt quickly, and use a multitude of approaches to solving a problem. It's a more elastic mind.

So it's probably a good time to take a step back and evaluate the use of different ideas you've been learning and studying. GTO itself is good to learn, but again, just make sure you're using it more for understanding ranges and math in certain spots, and less about balancing against opponents who have highly exploitable tendencies.

Thanks John, this really helped me out. i have been applying what you've told me to in game. i cut down to just two tables instead of 3-4 and now i'm actually looking for every spot to try and exploit people instead of just playing in autopilot "GTO" mode and i've come across a lot more profitable spots that i wasn't aware of until now.

on another note, here's an interesting hand

PokerStars - $0.10 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 98.5 BB (VPIP: 27.59, PFR: 23.28, 3Bet Preflop: 22.73, hands: 117)
SB: 113.7 BB (VPIP: 23.07, PFR: 14.21, 3Bet Preflop: 5.93, Hands: 391)
Hero (BB): 100 BB
UTG: 100 BB (VPIP: 21.43, PFR: 17.11, 3Bet Preflop: 5.90, Hands: 950)
MP: 100 BB (VPIP: 12.50, PFR: 12.50, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 8)
CO: 1013 BB (VPIP: 22.00, PFR: 16.29, 3Bet Preflop: 5.07, Hands: 461)

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has Q:diamond: A:diamond:

fold, MP raises to 3 BB, CO calls 3 BB, fold, SB calls 2.5 BB, Hero raises to 15 BB, fold, fold, SB calls 12 BB

Flop: (36 BB, 2 players) 5:diamond: 8:club: J:diamond:
SB checks, Hero bets 20 BB, SB raises to 40 BB, Hero calls 20 BB

Turn: (116 BB, 2 players) J:heart:
SB checks, Hero checks

River: (116 BB, 2 players) 8:diamond:
SB bets 55.4 BB, Hero ?

do you like my squeeze pre? i felt it would be better than flatting since it plays better heads up imo. also the SB looked like a sort of semi-fish and had only a 9% F3B so there's probably also some value to be made from it.

OTF i considered checking back with the nut flush draw and a strong ace high. it's hard to get called by worse or better to fold if we bet, so vs a reg i might just make that play to allow us to still have some flushes in our check back range in case a diamond comes. but vs a fish i just wanted to start building a pot to set up a potential turn shove on a bunch of cards. is this how you'd approach the flop? when he min-raises i didn't know whether to jam or just call.

on the turn i felt like just shoving when he checks but again i felt he'd just fold out all worse hands and call with better. on the river it was really close for me, since he could potentially play Jx this way given he looks somewhat fishy. but i also have the nut flush so if he ever bluffs or "value" bets worse it's probably a horrible fold. what are your thoughts, and what are you putting him on?

 

[rhombus]

2 Easy fold with bet sizes, onmly called 3 bet on 2nd hand as another player came along
***** Hand History for Game 1111111111 ***** (poker stars)
$10.00 USD NL Texas Hold'em - Saturday, June 20, 05:58:30 ET 2015
Table Klinkenberg 2 (real money)
Seat 1 is the button
Seat 1: Hero ( $14.08 USD ) - VPIP: 26, PFR: 19, 3B: 8, AF: 1.9, Hands: 73348
Seat 2: Player2 ( $14.37 USD ) - VPIP: 63, PFR: 47, 3B: 17, AF: 4.0, Hands: 19

Player2 posts small blind [$0.05 USD].
Player3 posts big blind [$0.10 USD].
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Hero [ Ah Ac ]
Player4 folds
Player5 folds
Player6 folds
Hero raises [$0.35 USD]
Player2 calls [$0.30 USD]
Player3 folds
** Dealing Flop ** [ 6d, 8s, Qs ]
Player2 bets [$0.50 USD]
Hero raises [$1.38 USD]
Player2 calls [$0.88 USD]
** Dealing Turn ** [ Tc ]
Player2 checks
Hero bets [$1.70 USD]
Player2 raises [$7.68 USD]
Hero folds

Hand 2
***** Hand History for Game 1111111111 ***** (Poker Stars)
$10.00 USD NL Texas Hold'em - Saturday, June 20, 05:54:08 ET 2015
Table Klinkenberg 2 (Real Money)
Seat 1 is the button
Seat 2: Hero ( $16.08 USD ) - VPIP: 26, PFR: 19, 3B: 8, AF: 1.9, Hands: 73348
Seat 3: Player3 ( $11.80 USD ) - VPIP: 100, PFR: 100, 3B: 100, AF: 0.0, Hands: 1
Seat 5: Player5 ( $10.16 USD ) - VPIP: 23, PFR: 13, 3B: 6, AF: 1.3, Hands: 96

Hero posts small blind [$0.05 USD].
Player3 posts big blind [$0.10 USD].
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Hero [ 9c Tc ]
Player4 folds
Player5 raises [$0.25 USD]
Player6 folds
Player1 folds
Hero calls [$0.20 USD]
Player3 raises [$0.90 USD]
Player5 calls [$0.75 USD]
Hero calls [$0.75 USD]
** Dealing Flop ** [ 4h, 9d, 3d ]
Hero checks
Player3 bets [$2.86 USD]
Player5 folds
Hero folds
Player3 wins $2.86 USD
Player3 wins $2.86 USD from main pot

 

[Figaroo2]

PokerStars - $0.10 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players

SB: 113.7 BB (VPIP: 23.07, PFR: 14.21, 3Bet Preflop: 5.93, Hands: 391)
Hero (BB): 100 BB
SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB
Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has Q♦ A♦

fold, MP raises to 3 BB, CO calls 3 BB, fold, SB calls 2.5 BB, Hero raises to 15 BB, fold, fold, SB calls 12 BB

Flop: (36 BB, 2 players) 5♦ 8♣ J♦
SB checks, Hero bets 20 BB, SB raises to 40 BB, Hero calls 20 BB

Turn: (116 BB, 2 players) J♥
SB checks, Hero checks

River: (116 BB, 2 players) 8♦
SB bets 55.4 BB, Hero ?
do you like my squeeze pre? is this how you'd approach the flop? when he min-raises i didn't know whether to jam or just call.
what are you putting him on?

I think the squeeze is fine. MP looks a little tight so I don't mind finding out where we are with him by raising.
On the flop a re-raise and look to gii is clearly a viable line, but I think we can use our position here. I'd re-raise if I was oop to try and negate the positional advantage, so I don't mind the call here.
I think on the run out you are beaten by a J so I'd fold on the end.
Id put him on in this order AJs KJs QJs 55 88. These hands are likely in his fairly wide calling range which are just strong enough to call the squeeze and fit the betting. For me the min raise on the flop is a bit of a flag that he likes the flop, I'd assume he has at least tpgk maybe a set.
I'm not sure what he is doing on the turn unless he is looking to let you catch up with an overcard but he's happy enough to bet big on the end. Its tough to lay down the nut flush but on a double paired board facing a 50bb river bet its a fold for me. He has shown strength throughout. I'd believe him.

 

[Figaroo2]

Rhom
I'm not sure about the laydown with the AA I'd be really tempted to call down this aggressive whale here. If he has J9 or 79 or a set I'd have to swallow it. There are lots of top pair draw combos that an agg whale will push here. This guys stats tell me he's just a bully trying to force you out. We have a good hand here to take a stand especially as we have invested over 30 bb already. Shame we don't just have 50+ hands to confirm his player type.
Hand 2 with the SC we could easily be beat so I'm more happy to fold that one.

 

[John A]

Thanks John, this really helped me out. i have been applying what you've told me to in game. i cut down to just two tables instead of 3-4 and now i'm actually looking for every spot to try and exploit people instead of just playing in autopilot "GTO" mode and i've come across a lot more profitable spots that i wasn't aware of until now.

on another note, here's an interesting hand

PokerStars - $0.10 NL FAST (6 max) - Holdem - 6 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 98.5 BB (VPIP: 27.59, PFR: 23.28, 3Bet Preflop: 22.73, Hands: 117)
SB: 113.7 BB (VPIP: 23.07, PFR: 14.21, 3Bet Preflop: 5.93, Hands: 391)
Hero (BB): 100 BB
UTG: 100 BB (VPIP: 21.43, PFR: 17.11, 3Bet Preflop: 5.90, Hands: 950)
MP: 100 BB (VPIP: 12.50, PFR: 12.50, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 8)
CO: 1013 BB (VPIP: 22.00, PFR: 16.29, 3Bet Preflop: 5.07, Hands: 461)

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has Q♦ A♦

fold, MP raises to 3 BB, CO calls 3 BB, fold, SB calls 2.5 BB, Hero raises to 15 BB, fold, fold, SB calls 12 BB

Flop: (36 BB, 2 players) 5♦ 8♣ J♦
SB checks, Hero bets 20 BB, SB raises to 40 BB, Hero calls 20 BB

Turn: (116 BB, 2 players) J♥
SB checks, Hero checks

River: (116 BB, 2 players) 8♦
SB bets 55.4 BB, Hero ?

do you like my squeeze pre? i felt it would be better than flatting since it plays better heads up imo. also the SB looked like a sort of semi-fish and had only a 9% F3B so there's probably also some value to be made from it.

OTF i considered checking back with the nut flush draw and a strong ace high. it's hard to get called by worse or better to fold if we bet, so vs a reg i might just make that play to allow us to still have some flushes in our check back range in case a diamond comes. but vs a fish i just wanted to start building a pot to set up a potential turn shove on a bunch of cards. is this how you'd approach the flop? when he min-raises i didn't know whether to jam or just call.

on the turn i felt like just shoving when he checks but again i felt he'd just fold out all worse hands and call with better. on the river it was really close for me, since he could potentially play Jx this way given he looks somewhat fishy. but i also have the nut flush so if he ever bluffs or "value" bets worse it's probably a horrible fold. what are your thoughts, and what are you putting him on?

I'd probably not squeeze against that many people pre with AQ out of the blinds simply because you have to commit a lot of chips, and most likely you'll be OOP. Also is this particular spot you don't have much info on your opponents other than they might be tight and/ or regs.

You end up getting the SB to call which is great, and shows he probably isn't that great either if he's overcalling out of the blinds and then calling a large squeeze. Huge holes in his game.

On the flop, I think a bet is fine. He seems a little fishy, so his range is reasonably wide and you have good equity. You don't have any fold equity so you're stuck just calling the flop CR. I think the turn check is mandatory after the flop action, and I'd fold the river. I don't think this kind of opponent is bluffing often enough in this size pot, and his line just looks like he has a monster. Most likely boat or quads.

 

[John A]

On the flop, I think a bet is fine. He seems a little fishy, so his range is reasonably wide and you have good equity. You don't have any fold equity so you're stuck just calling the flop CR. I think the turn check is mandatory after the flop action, and I'd fold the river. I don't think this kind of opponent is bluffing often enough in this size pot, and his line just looks like he has a monster. Most likely boat or quads.

I wanted to make a quick comment about this type of hand. I'm going to make the assumption that this isn't always considered, but call or fold here on the river isn't the biggest decision in this hand nor is it the one that is potentially the most costly. I see a lot of posts about big bets on the river where the decision is close and the emphasis is put on that call or fold. That's not what you did here specifically, but just bringing this up that the EV of the river decision is close getting the odds you're getting. So call fold here isn't some massive leak either way. The biggest decision, and potentially the most costly is the pre-flop decision (in this specific hand).

Ok, I feel better and can move on with my day now that I've said that.

 

[mottotom27]

Thanks for clarifying this John. And your not the first person who's told me that close river spots are often overvalued and its more preflop and flop play that are important. reason i squeezed pre was i thought if everyone folded id pick up a ton of dead money, and if just the sb called id get to play heads up in position with initiative vs a weaker player. it worked out for me but i agree it was risky.

as for actual river decision, in the end i called cos i decided he could maybe shove worse flushes or occasional bluff, and i also block QJ and AJ. fwiw he did show a bluff (T9s) but as you mentioned this probably was a close call and hence not that important

 

[or3o1990]

I'm not very surprised to see that he made quads here. When he bet the turn I thought although it was unlikely he could have 55. When he shoved I snap called even though I was still thinking he probably has 55. Because I was also thinking that it's more likely he has a worse J, he would possibly play 5x 88 or QQ+ the same way except for on the river. What do you guys think?


PokerStars - $1 NL - Holdem - 9 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

SB: 110 BB (VPIP: 10.53, PFR: 10.53, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 19)
BB: 92.5 BB (VPIP: 50.00, PFR: 5.56, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 18)
UTG: 126.35 BB (VPIP: 14.29, PFR: 6.12, 3Bet Preflop: 4.17, Hands: 99)
UTG+1: 29.9 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 11)
MP: 111.9 BB (VPIP: 16.67, PFR: 5.56, 3Bet Preflop: 3.13, Hands: 126)
MP+1: 104.13 BB (VPIP: 30.95, PFR: 4.76, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 43)
MP+2: 37.67 BB (VPIP: 24.03, PFR: 10.16, 3Bet Preflop: 2.86, Hands: 130)
Hero (CO): 301.9 BB
BTN: 98.5 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 2)

SB posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has J♣ A♥

fold, fold, fold, fold, MP+2 calls 1 BB, Hero raises to 4 BB, fold, SB calls 3.5 BB, BB calls 3 BB, MP+2 calls 3 BB

Flop: (16 BB, 4 players) J♥ 8♣ J♠
SB checks, BB checks, MP+2 checks, Hero checks

Turn: (16 BB, 4 players) 5♥
SB bets 10 BB, BB calls 10 BB, fold, Hero calls 10 BB

River: (46 BB, 3 players) 5♠
SB raises to 96 BB and is all-in, fold, Hero calls 96 BB

SB shows 5♦ 5♣ (Four of a Kind, Fives)

SB wins 235 BB

 

[mottotom27]

i think not betting flop was probably a mistake, and actually would have saved you the heartache of the hand. not sure there's much you can do on river, can't say im too surprised either tho

 

[Figaroo2]

I would have bet the flop here, being 4 way there is a much greater chance that someone catches part of it here with 9Ts, 89s, QTs & wont fold to the first bet with two backdoor draws, if they have Jx you might win a stack.
Id have slow played it HU or if the 8 had been in the 2-6 rainbow range.
You have top boat so obviously can't fold on the end.as you said the case J & maybe even 88 shoving here..its a cooler

 

[or3o1990]

i think not betting flop was probably a mistake, and actually would have saved you the heartache of the hand. not sure there's much you can do on river, can't say im too surprised either tho

I would have bet the flop here, being 4 way there is a much greater chance that someone catches part of it here with 9Ts, 89s, QTs & wont fold to the first bet with two backdoor draws, if they have Jx you might win a stack.
Id have slow played it HU or if the 8 had been in the 2-6 rainbow range.
You have top boat so obviously can't fold on the end.as you said the case J & maybe even 88 shoving here..its a cooler

I think you're both right about betting the flop. The reason i didn't was for pot control. I didn't think that AK aq or 77- would fold here to a c bet. 9 10 and q10 definitely wouldnt have folded but if i bet and two call and a draw completes theres more money in and a tougher decision for me then. I wouldn't have folded 55 but there is some chance that he would have and i could have won a smaller pot insteadof loosing a big one. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[Figaroo2]

Slightly deeper on a zoom table. Only 5 hands on the button 100% steal which doesn't probably mean much

Poker Stars, $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 9 Players

SB: $2.80 (56 bb)
Hero (BB): $11.07 (221.4 bb)
UTG+1: $5 (100 bb)
UTG+2: $12 (240 bb)
MP1: $10.90 (218 bb)
MP2: $5.94 (118.8 bb)
MP3: $6.24 (124.8 bb)
CO: $5 (100 bb)
BTN: $8.07 (161.4 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BB with Q:spade: K:spade:
6 folds, BTN raises to $0.10, SB calls $0.08, Hero raises to $0.40, BTN calls $0.30, SB folds

Flop: ($0.90) 7:spade: 3:diamond: 6:spade: (2 players)
Hero bets $0.43, BTN raises to $0.86, Hero raises to $2.79, BTN raises to $7.67 and is all-in, HERO ?

His 2x open seems a little weak, I'm happy with the squeeze maybe 2bb more. he can obviously be pretty wide here, we are a slight fav versus overpairs. Is getting it in OK?

Spoiler

Hero calls $4.88

Turn: ($16.24) 4:club: (2 players, 1 is all-in)
River: ($16.24) K:diamond: (2 players, 1 is all-in)

[spoil]Results: $16.24 pot ($0.67 rake)
Final Board: 7:spade: 3:diamond: 6:spade: 4:club: K:diamond:
Hero showed Q:spade: K:spade: and lost (-$8.07 net)
BTN showed 7:heart: 7:diamond: and won $15.57 ($7.50 net)

 

[or3o1990]

Well you only have 25% equity on the flop but you can't know he has a set here. I lean more towards calling his 3bet and making a decision on the turn. But given how wide he could be overall, when your k and q are live it can't be that bad. He is sometimes just fooling around with that 3bet and will have to fold.

 

[mottotom27]

squeeze is good but could be a little bigger imo. i wouldn't ever be 3betting the flop looking to get it in, especially this deep. just call his flop raise, 3betting flop just puts you in an awkward spot like this where you're more or less committing yourself in an unnecessarily bloated pot. as played you sorta priced yourself in with the big flop reraise although i expect his range to be pretty strong for raise/shoving 150bb. just call the flop raise and make life much easier for yourself.

 

[Figaroo2]

Well you only have 25% equity on the flop but you can't know he has a set here. I lean more towards calling his 3bet and making a decision on the turn. But given how wide he could be overall, when your k and q are live it can't be that bad. He is sometimes just fooling around with that 3bet and will have to fold.

squeeze is good but could be a little bigger imo. i wouldn't ever be 3betting the flop looking to get it in, especially this deep. just call his flop raise, 3betting flop just puts you in an awkward spot like this where you're more or less committing yourself in an unnecessarily bloated pot. as played you sorta priced yourself in with the big flop reraise although i expect his range to be pretty strong for raise/shoving 150bb. just call the flop raise and make life much easier for yourself.

I agree just calling on the flop makes this hand easier to play but I'm not sure that it makes realising your full equity very easy
Also I'm trying to raise my overall levels of aggression and am looking to take down more hands like this with aggressive play rather than just calling.
All you ever read is two big overs with the flush draw is a hand to go to war with. The problem with calling on the flop is if you miss and check you can guarantee id be priced out of seeing the river.
If we give him a modest 30% steal rate I reckon his flop raise can come from about all pairs 55-AA plus AJs ATs A9s A8s JTs T9s 98s and against that range we are 50-50 but without the initiative and oop. TBH I think I prefer the re-raise on the flop so that I can get my full equity out of the hand. It was just unfortunate that here I ran into a set.
John?

 

[rhombus]

Too Nitty of a fold, I know szing was low but K was only card afraid of and it hit
they 3 bet oop so AK definitley part of range as well as 67 or 78 and light 3betting

Only 2 hands on villain
VPIP: 50, PFR: 0, 3B: 0, AF: 0.5, Hands: 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): $10.45 (104.5 bb)
BB: $9.19 (91.9 bb)
UTG: $19.63 (196.3 bb)
MP: $13.47 (134.7 bb)
CO: $11.09 (110.9 bb)
BTN: $13.97 (139.7 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with A

Q

2 folds, CO raises to $0.25, BTN folds, Hero raises to $0.77, BB calls $0.67, CO calls $0.52

Flop: ($2.31) 2

7

Q

(3 players)
Hero bets $1.10, BB calls $1.10, CO folds

Turn: ($4.51) 7

(2 players)
Hero bets $1.90, BB calls $1.90

River: ($8.31) K

(2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $3, Hero folds

Results: $8.31 pot ($0.37 rake)
Final Board: 2

7

Q

7

K

Hero mucked A

Q

and lost (-$3.77 net)
BB mucked and won $7.94 ($4.17 net)

 

[or3o1990]

Too Nitty of a fold, I know szing was low but K was only card afraid of and it hit
they 3 bet oop so AK definitley part of range as well as 67 or 78 and light 3betting

I don't think it's too nitty. It would seem that you were beat but I agree with the turn sizing being a bit small. If he did bluff you on the river it was probably because of that. Makes your hand look weak there. AK should be folding there to a proper bet unless he just a non believer.


I felt like a D for folding here but I felt like with the raise and re raise pre he was more often on a made hand like a set or K than a flush draw.. Thoughts?

PokerStars - $1 NL - Holdem - 7 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (SB): 81.05 BB
BB: 53.35 BB (VPIP: 9.09, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 11)
UTG: 156.9 BB (VPIP: 28.30, PFR: 1.89, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 54)
UTG+1: 29 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 2)
MP: 107.9 BB (VPIP: 57.14, PFR: 28.57, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 7)
CO: 97.5 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 7)
BTN: 116.3 BB (VPIP: 44.23, PFR: 19.23, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 52)

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has J<font color='black'>♠</font> J<font color='red'>♥</font>

fold, fold, fold, CO raises to 3 BB, BTN raises to 7 BB, Hero calls 6.5 BB, BB calls 6 BB, CO calls 4 BB

Flop: (28 BB, 4 players) 9<font color='black'>♠</font> K<font color='black'>♣</font> 2<font color='black'>♣</font>
Hero checks, BB bets 10 BB, fold, BTN calls 10 BB, Hero calls 10 BB

Turn: (58 BB, 3 players) 5<font color='red'>♥</font>
Hero checks, BB raises to 36.35 BB and is all-in, fold, fold

BB wins 55.1 BB

 

[John A]

Slightly deeper on a zoom table. Only 5 hands on the button 100% steal which doesn't probably mean much

Poker Stars, $0.02/$0.05 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 9 Players

SB: $2.80 (56 bb)
Hero (BB): $11.07 (221.4 bb)
UTG+1: $5 (100 bb)
UTG+2: $12 (240 bb)
MP1: $10.90 (218 bb)
MP2: $5.94 (118.8 bb)
MP3: $6.24 (124.8 bb)
CO: $5 (100 bb)
BTN: $8.07 (161.4 bb)

Preflop: Hero is BB with Q♠ K♠
6 folds, BTN raises to $0.10, SB calls $0.08, Hero raises to $0.40, BTN calls $0.30, SB folds

Flop: ($0.90) 7♠ 3♦ 6♠ (2 players)
Hero bets $0.43, BTN raises to $0.86, Hero raises to $2.79, BTN raises to $7.67 and is all-in, HERO ?

His 2x open seems a little weak, I'm happy with the squeeze maybe 2bb more. he can obviously be pretty wide here, we are a slight fav versus overpairs. Is getting it in OK?

Spoiler

Hero calls $4.88

Turn: ($16.24) 4♣ (2 players, 1 is all-in)
River: ($16.24) K♦ (2 players, 1 is all-in)

[spoil]Results: $16.24 pot ($0.67 rake)
Final Board: 7♠ 3♦ 6♠ 4♣ K♦
Hero showed Q♠ K♠ and lost (-$8.07 net)
BTN showed 7♥ 7♦ and won $15.57 ($7.50 net)

I had a quick 5 day vaca so haven't been around.

Pre-flop, the decision also depends on my SB. He looks weak, and it would be great to get the hands HU's in position against him, but would like more info.

Typically speaking, I think you're better of c/cing and then leading the turn here in these kinds of spots. CR on the flop on these low boards isn't great. As played, I mean you have to call and I'm sure you know that. I'd just have taken a slightly different line because the squeeze is small and your opponents range is still going to be wide and I think you get more FE by taking my line. With deeper stack sizes, you'll get people playing back to often, and then you're just gambling at that point.

 

[John A]

I don't think it's too nitty. It would seem that you were beat but I agree with the turn sizing being a bit small. If he did bluff you on the river it was probably because of that. Makes your hand look weak there. AK should be folding there to a proper bet unless he just a non believer.


I felt like a D for folding here but I felt like with the raise and re raise pre he was more often on a made hand like a set or K than a flush draw.. Thoughts?

PokerStars - $1 NL - Holdem - 7 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

Hero (SB): 81.05 BB
BB: 53.35 BB (VPIP: 9.09, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 11)
UTG: 156.9 BB (VPIP: 28.30, PFR: 1.89, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 54)
UTG+1: 29 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: -, Hands: 2)
MP: 107.9 BB (VPIP: 57.14, PFR: 28.57, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 7)
CO: 97.5 BB (VPIP: 0.00, PFR: 0.00, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 7)
BTN: 116.3 BB (VPIP: 44.23, PFR: 19.23, 3Bet Preflop: 0.00, Hands: 52)

Hero posts SB 0.5 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.5 BB) Hero has J<font color='black'>♠</font> J<font color='red'>♥</font>

fold, fold, fold, CO raises to 3 BB, BTN raises to 7 BB, Hero calls 6.5 BB, BB calls 6 BB, CO calls 4 BB

Flop: (28 BB, 4 players) 9<font color='black'>♠</font> K<font color='black'>♣</font> 2<font color='black'>♣</font>
Hero checks, BB bets 10 BB, fold, BTN calls 10 BB, Hero calls 10 BB

Turn: (58 BB, 3 players) 5<font color='red'>♥</font>
Hero checks, BB raises to 36.35 BB and is all-in, fold, fold

BB wins 55.1 BB

Pre-flop your hand is so face up. Considering the opponents, I probably make a small 4-bet pre to get the hand heads up with the btn fish. As played, w/ only 11 hands and someone betting and shoving into 2 people you have to fold the turn.

 

[John A]

Too Nitty of a fold, I know szing was low but K was only card afraid of and it hit
they 3 bet oop so AK definitley part of range as well as 67 or 78 and light 3betting

Only 2 hands on villain
VPIP: 50, PFR: 0, 3B: 0, AF: 0.5, Hands: 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): $10.45 (104.5 bb)
BB: $9.19 (91.9 bb)
UTG: $19.63 (196.3 bb)
MP: $13.47 (134.7 bb)
CO: $11.09 (110.9 bb)
BTN: $13.97 (139.7 bb)

Preflop: Hero is SB with A

Q

2 folds, CO raises to $0.25, BTN folds, Hero raises to $0.77, BB calls $0.67, CO calls $0.52

Flop: ($2.31) 2

7

Q

(3 players)
Hero bets $1.10, BB calls $1.10, CO folds

Turn: ($4.51) 7

(2 players)
Hero bets $1.90, BB calls $1.90

River: ($8.31) K

(2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $3, Hero folds

Results: $8.31 pot ($0.37 rake)
Final Board: 2

7

Q

7

K

Hero mucked A

Q

and lost (-$3.77 net)
BB mucked and won $7.94 ($4.17 net)

3-bet sizing is a little weak. I don't mind the weak flop bet MW, but the turn against someone who is likely a fish you need to turn it up a little more. On river, bet/fold the same amount the person bet. That's decent sizing to try and get some mid pairs to call 88-JJ. As played call the river. You're likely splitting is he's betting here, but who knows, only 2 hands. What hand were you worried about KQ?

 

[hutzpaf]

I'm going to post up some raw numbers of common spots, Ie, button open and BB/SB defense.

I want to improve my BB defense. PT4 LeakTracker gave me these data and says it's ok but i'm not happy to loose so much money at the BB.
3-bet should be bigger 3,9-14,2,
4500 hands 0,05 6 max Zoom and 500 hands 0,10 6 max Zoom.

 

[mottotom27]

you've only played 800 hands from the big blind and are down 3 buyins, could easily just be variance. wait until you've played a bigger sample before jumping to conclusions

 

[rhombus]

3-bet sizing is a little weak. I don't mind the weak flop bet MW, but the turn against someone who is likely a fish you need to turn it up a little more. On river, bet/fold the same amount the person bet. That's decent sizing to try and get some mid pairs to call 88-JJ. As played call the river. You're likely splitting is he's betting here, but who knows, only 2 hands. What hand were you worried about KQ?

Thanks definitely bet sizing is a problem.

In a couple of videos noticed a few people use the betzizing buttons for cash and tournaments for different streets. i.e 33% 40% 50% 60% 70% etc.

I know its player dependant but in general what are good bet sizes for FLop Turn River against different players.i.e.

 

[rhombus]

althought thinking about it more alot more factors spring to mind.

Mainly texture, then their Range, your Range and what they think your range is

Odds and what you eant to charge for draw etc, probaly alot more things as well ??????

 

[or3o1990]

I want to improve my BB defense. PT4 LeakTracker gave me these data and says it's ok but i'm not happy to loose so much money at the BB.
3-bet should be bigger 3,9-14,2,
4500 hands 0,05 6 max Zoom and 500 hands 0,10 6 max Zoom.

If you want to loose less from the blinds you can start by playing less hands. And playing the ones you choose to defend with more straightforward conservatively.

I know its player dependant but in general what are good bet sizes for FLop Turn River against different players.i.e.

I think you're right, it's super player dependent on the player and the situation and what it is you're trying to accomplish with your bet. We don't want to give cheap draws and we want to extract as much value as possible whenever we can. So I'm thinking what is the most X hand will call here. Or when I'm bluffing what better hands can I get to fold and how what's the least that I can bet that will do that. And so on.

As a default I bet at least half pot on any given street, more if there are a lot of draws. A lot of players i'm running into are very limp cally, so I bet more pre with my good hands. Like 5 or 6 bbs where I would normally bet 4 against a normal limper.