Made about $75 in a .25/.5 home game today, 5-handed.  Nothing too spectacular, especially because I would have been in the red were it not for a lucky river. I completed the SB with 9cTs, and the flop came TT4 rainbow. I checked and it was checked around to the button who bet $2. I raised to $7 and was called by MP. Button folded. Turn is a blank and I bet $12, and MP raises all in. I call, and he immediately says, “I have you out-kicked” — a bold statement considering he had QT. But he was right. Luckily, the river was a 9, and I dragged a $100+ pot. I felt bad, but didn’t apologize–I never do anyway, but I don’t see how I could get away from it especially considering the fact that I could have had him outkicked based on the crap that was being played and how aggressive this game was.

But here’s the hand I really wanted to discuss:

Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $0.25 BB (6 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

SB ($39.71)
BB ($27.79)
UTG ($7.85)
Hero (MP) ($43.58)
CO ($43.81)
Button ($8.99)

Preflop: Hero is MP with 10, Q
1 fold, Hero bets $0.85, CO raises to $2, 3 folds, Hero calls $1.15

CO here has been rather loose-passive, with a 44/13/1.7. He could be 3-betting a wide range based on the plays I’ve seen made (only 40 hands, so 3B% stat is irrelevant). With suited broadway cards, I want to play, but in hindsight, perhaps not out of position. I’ve been struggling to play hands for a raise out of position.
Flop: ($4.35) 5, J, 6 (2 players)
Hero checks, CO bets $2, Hero raises to $5.50, CO calls $3.50
This is a dry flop, and felt that it was unlikely it improved the villain. I was pretty sure he would bet if I checked to him, and have been trying to play aggressively in situations when I feel it unlikely that my opponent can call a big bet.
Turn: ($15.35) 9 (2 players)
Hero bets $9, CO raises to $36.31 (All-In), Hero…
So here’s the tough part. I turn the OESFD with a full 15 outs (I’m pretty sure they’re all good).  It’s possible that the villain has something with AJ and that my Q overcard is live as well, but I discounted that possibility. With 15 outs, I figure I’m about 30%, or just worse than 1-to-2. $27 to call, and over $60 in the pot.  After much thought, I decided that it was pretty close, so I should make the call.
…calls $27.08 (All-In)River: ($87.51) J (2 players, 2 all-in)
Total pot: $87.51 | Rake: $3Results:
Hero had 10, Q (one pair, Jacks).
CO had A, A (two pair, Aces and Jacks).
Outcome: CO won $84.51
That sucked. I few thoughts come to mind:
  1. Even with the hindsight of knowing what my opponent had, I probably should have tried to be the one to get all the money in on the turn to gain some fold equity (who knows, maybe he would have put me on a set). After my flop check-raise, one of two good things could have happened: 1) the turn gets checked through due to a fear of my aggression and I get a free river to hit my draw; or 2) the villain bets again and I can check-raise all-in. I failed to capitalize on either of these possibilities.
  2. It might have been better to bet out the flop and fold to a raise. If the villain missed, even after 3-betting, there’s a good chance he’ll fold the flop.
  3. It might have been better to fold pre-flop to the 3-bet and live to fight another day. Playing out of position with a drawy hand is recipe for disaster, and it less necessary than at $50NL because the games are less aggressive (i.e., you’re not ALWAYS getting relentlessly re-popped just for the sake of aggression).

I am in desperate need of coaching on the topics of pre-flop play and 3-betting (both making them and responding to them) in order to get back to my old form.

2 Responses to “A hand to review”

  1. A hand to review says:
    January 11, 2010 at 1:31 am

    [...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptFull Tilt No-Limit Hold‘em, $0.25 BB (6 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com. SB ($39.71) BB ($27.79) UTG ($7.85) Hero (MP) ($43.58) CO ($43.81) Button ($8.99). Preflop: Hero is MP with 10 , Q … [...]

  2. KonkeyDong says:
    January 19, 2010 at 1:32 pm

    1. Your out of position, fold. This is a huge leak.
    2. Villain’s 3bet % was right on target. QQ+, AKs is he 3bet range. HUD doesn’t lie. So, don’t over think the situation just because you are getting played back at. 25nl fish like this one don’t think as deeply as you do. Level 2 thinking, floating in position, and strong betting when you smell weakness on multiple streets (until you get caught) is how you play these muppets.
    3. Go from 4 to 5 tables, then 5 to 6.