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Question on a no-limit hand


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I was playing no-limit the other day (something i very rarely do), and i was in middle position with pocket 9's. I simply called the $2 blind, and the button raises to $20. Everyone folds around to me, i call, and the rest fold. Heads-up now. Flop comes all low cards (rainbow), and i check because i'm fearing an over-pair. Button bets $100. Bet seemed pretty steep to me, indicating that he's just as likely trying to push me out because he's got AK, or something akin to that. But i didn't feel safe calling $100 with only 9's, and in fact with only about $180 in front of me i'd have been better off moving all-in over the top of him instead of just calling (that way maybe he mucks a non-pair?). I gave myself about a 50/50 chance of having the best hand, but even if i'm right i figure he had at least two overcards. So i folded. Seemed like the right move at the time, but later i saw the same guy push a lot of money in trying to buy a pot with a bluff, and he got caught. I've been kicking myself because, like i said, i don't play much no-limit, and i think i got bullied. I may well have been beat, but it's really bothering me. Any thoughts on whether i made the right decision, or what i could've done differently? Perhaps i should've bet out after the flop?

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I'll have to agree with you here, on both your assessment as well as your play... It's one of the reasons I don't play much NL myself. The big raise screams 'no hand' or 'semi-bluff' at most, and I think you had him beat.. if he had a strong over pair I think he would have bet less to try and get more action from you. But $100 or all in just to see him turn or river out over your 9's? That's a lot of money to me, and I would have folded too. For me.. It would have taken K's to go all in.

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If it was me I wouldve avoided the whole thing and put in the raise UTG. If the flop was all rags then you have an overpair to the board and are leading into the pre-flop raiser. I mean unless he had an overpair himself he wouldve had a real hard time calling your raise in fear of an overpair or you hitting your set. Plus it kinda shows you where you are in the hand regardless- if he goes over the top your prolly beat-or if he just calls he may be chasing something or just have a couple overs-or he folds and you win :-) . I think that would be a better way to go rather than putting yourself into a $100 decision when you may have the best hand but the price is just too high to find out :D

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Raise Pre-Flop, with a hand like 99 you need info to take to the flop incase the flop is all rags. You raise preflop and if he comes over the top of you can probably get away from the hand much easier. Also if he calls your raise and you lead out into that flop your putting the pressure on him. You have a questionable holding out of position with no information on your opponent. Not the way you want to play No-Limit.Don’t limp with 99 in an unraised pot....it will only be trouble, a raise will help you play the other streets.

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I don't play NL ring games, but in any hold-em game small pocket pairs san often lead to trouble. Face it, your looking for a set on the flop which will only happen some like 14% of the time. If not, you're susceptible to all kinds of overcards etc. One of the biggest improvements someone can make to their game is mucking small pairs unless in late position and can get in cheaply.

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That's a very good point, Stein. I guess i just threw away 20 bucks, 'cause he's not gonna check after a flop like that after i show weakness. I guess i just didn't expect him to bet so much. Like i said, i don't play much no-limit. I really don't think i belong in that game, as i feel like a fish out of water. I do pretty well in limit games, and as far as those go, i would definitely have bet out after the flop in this situation...

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I actually think you got what you wanted without knowing it. Before the flop limping with the wired 9's is never a good idea, I agree with DwayneWayne you have to raise to know where your at. However, by getting the more aggressive player to raise, you had the opportunity to reraise there representing an early position trap play with a big pocket pair. I personally do not like to limp with big pocket pairs because it allows too many people to draw at your hand if no one raises to reopen the betting for you. But, I see lots of people use the play to their advantage.

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