5 replies to this topic

[Stupidhead]

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.02 BB (8 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)CO ($1.89)Hero ($1.63)SB ($1.89)BB ($3.19)UTG ($3.10)UTG+1 ($0.42)MP1 ($6.47)MP2 ($1.93)Preflop: Hero is Button with A, K. 3 folds, MP2 raises to $0.08, CO calls $0.08, Hero calls $0.08, 2 folds.Flop: ($0.27) 3, A, K (3 players)MP2 bets $0.2, CO calls $0.20, Hero ?The 2 players in the pot have been playing pretty standard. MP2 and CO haven't played a hand in a while, though CO tends to be a little looser than most preflop. MP2 has to have a strong hand to raise any pot, and I don't want to get forced into a coin flip for my stack, which is why I just called preflop (also had position, which helped).Once the flop comes down and MP2 bets I'm putting him on AJ or AQ. CO's range could be a draw, any ace, or a K (he's called post flop bets with second pair before).So, do I just call to try to disguise my hand still and make more money on the turn, or do I raise it right now to force out any potential draws that CO may have?

[Metternich]

3-bet preflop 100% of the time, you lose value not doing it.I raise the flop, they can't put you on AK because you didnt 3 bet pf and they can very well put you on a FD or an ace weaker than theirs.

[potatoman]

Reasons to three bet:As stated- value. Your hand is a bit disguised, so if they do have AQ, AJ or something nasty like QJs, you need to get as much money out of them while you're still ahead.Also, what you don't want is to call and let draws that beat you hit.Slow playing has to be the most overrated play in poker. Let's say one of them has AQ (no diamond) and a diamond hits the turn. They'll probably slow down considerably. However, they may have called or even reraised your three bet on the flop.Not only that, but if a diamond or a Q, J or T hits on the turn, you may have to slow down as well (This could also be a great card for you since it could give one of your opponents two pair, but it will be difficult for either you or your opponent to feel great about their hand.) Two pair is a very strong hand right now, on the flop. I would bet it strong against two opponents.

[CobaltBlue]

Stupidhead, on Friday, February 15th, 2008, 1:24 AM, said:

The 2 players in the pot have been playing pretty standard. MP2 and CO haven't played a hand in a while, though CO tends to be a little looser than most preflop. MP2 has to have a strong hand to raise any pot, and I don't want to get forced into a coin flip for my stack, which is why I just called preflop (also had position, which helped).So, do I just call to try to disguise my hand still and make more money on the turn, or do I raise it right now to force out any potential draws that CO may have?

Re-raising pre-flop is pretty standard in this spot. I'm not sure that I agree with Metternich that it's 100%, but it's probably 95%. If you were just facing MP2's raise, then I can get behind calling more frequently. However, with CO's call, I think you need to take a shot at the squeeze. That said, while you're losing some value, it's not a terrible mistake (as you noted...you have position). Don't be afraid of "flipping" for your stack here...against a reasonable MP2, he'd need a really huge hand to 4-bet you after you'd shown so much strength.On the flop, you really need to raise. The board is pretty drawy, you're facing a bet and a call, and you can get action from hands that you have crushed.

[Acid_Knight]

Cobalt's answer.

[mtdesmoines]

Acid's answer