9 replies to this topic

[Rocketwadster]

I am absolutely baffled on how to play pocket jacks in a NL tourney.here's what just happened to confirm to me that I am clueless on how to play them.NL tourney - down to 8 players. Very early, still have about 800 chips (from 1000). Have yet to play a hand (except fromthe blinds). Big stack is one position to our left, on the button. Blinds are 25/50. Folded around to me, I raise 4X BB (200), big stack calls from the button, SB calls, BB folds. Flop comes Q 7 2 rainbow. SB checks, I bet 200 (leaving me with 400), button calls, SB folds. Turn is a 5. What do I do here???I come across this problem a lot with queens through nines, with pretty good flops/turns (ie. only one overcard showing, only 1 or 2 opponents), and rarely do I get it right in these tourneys.

[cdddc75]

Push before the button does. I would have probably pushed the flop. What's a guy holding Q-T going to do then?

[Rocketwadster]

cdddc75 said:

Push before the button does. I would have probably pushed the flop. What's a guy holding Q-T going to do then?

Remember though that the big stack is next to act, and has us well covered (did I say that, or was it implied?) I've only got 600 left after the flop, so is a feeler bet not more appropriate? See, I have no clue with thse damn jacks. :?

[cdddc75]

Rocketwadster said:

cdddc75 said:

Push before the button does. I would have probably pushed the flop. What's a guy holding Q-T going to do then?

Remember though that the big stack is next to act, and has us well covered (did I say that, or was it implied?) I've only got 600 left after the flop, so is a feeler bet not more appropriate? See, I have no clue with thse damn jacks. :?

I don't care that SB has us covered. In fact, that just gives me more reason to push fast before he decides to put me to the test. The only other option that makes sense to me is check/folding to that scare card. With this hand, that's weak/tight. What does a feeler bet of 1/3 pot accomplish here, other than pot committing you to the hand? A blank came on the next street, and you didn't know what to do. The feeler bet obviously didn't help.

[Rocketwadster]

Quote

I don't care that SB has us covered. In fact, that just gives me more reason to push fast before he decides to put me to the test. The only other option that makes sense to me is check/folding to that scare card. With this hand, that's weak/tight. What does a feeler bet of 1/3 pot accomplish here, other than pot committing you to the hand? A blank came on the next street, and you didn't know what to do. The feeler bet obviously didn't help.

I agree that the feeler bet did nothing in this example, but it won't always be that way. Not sure I want to commit all my chips after that type of flop either. :(Maybe the answer is to just push pre-flop?

[Randy Reed]

No it's early and though pushing preflop is an option, it's not the best. The 200 bet was fine, but you have to be prepared to push on a flop like that. One other option if you don't want to risk it here is just checking the flop. If he pushes you can fold and hope for a better spot, if he limp raises you then you can push and put him back to the test. I like pushing here with that flop though.

[Rocketwadster]

Looking back, I think that pushing after the flop in a scenario such as this (only one overcard to our pocket pair) is definately the way to go. Only hands I am really worried about are A Q, K Q, Q J, Q 10 (that is a stretch), 7 7, 2 2. 6 hands in total has us beat right now, vs a lot more than that where I am leading. Next time... :wink:

[Diboss]

I find this situation arises a lot with me, especially lately. Here's my reasoning for handling these situations. The feeler bet was good, getting one folder, if no one had folded, then you should check/fold. The Button could simply be calling with an Ace, depending on what kind of player you think he is and how much more chips than you he has, so you need some kind of read. On flops with 1 overcard, if it's not an A or K and it's only a few of us in, I'm likely to believe I'm still ahead. I'll bet, if raised, time to let it go (depending on the raiser), but with only a call by the button ( who has enough chips to raise you off your hand if he thought he was best), I'd think pushing here makes sense, sometimes, you just gotta bite the bullet.

[dms26]

cdddc75 said:

Push before the button does. I would have probably pushed the flop. What's a guy holding Q-T going to do then?

Sadly, if its a $5-20 SNG he calls instantly.

[TJ_Eckleburg]

dms26 said:

cdddc75 said:

Push before the button does.  I would have probably pushed the flop.  What's a guy holding Q-T going to do then?

Sadly, if its a $5-20 SNG he calls instantly.

Isn't that the effin' truth.