5 replies to this topic

[Bockcara]

Final Table of $22 on Full Tilt Poker, five people left.Blinds 2,500/5,000 500 anteMy stack (approx. 80,000) BB stack (approx. 90,000)On the button I am dealt [7 :spade: , 8 :spade: ]I limp, the small blind folds, big blind checks. Flop comes [T :spade: , 5 :spade: , 9 :heart: ] big blind bets out 15,000 and I push all-in for about 60,000 more.Question 1: Is this the right move in your opinion, or are there better options?Question 2: If you are the big blind with [K :diamond: , 9 :diamond: ] are you going to call??Of course the real result is he did call, (instantly) and his pair of nines held up in the end. Courtesy of twodimes.net, I found out I was about a 55/45 favorite, but since I am trying to learn to break through (3rd $500 + finish in the last 2 months, no victories) I am wondering what I can change to get the illusive first victory. Thanks so much for your input...

[Canada]

You played it OK by getting all your money in with the best hand.Keep doing that and you will get there.The only improvement to the way you played that hand I can see is to open raise or fold. I know suited connectors are a drawing hand and you want to see the flop for as cheap as possible, however that late in the tourney you've got to do everything to win the pot if you are going to play - even if the pot is just the blinds/antes.First into the pot, raise or fold. Double the blinds (ie 10k to go) here is fine. It gives your hand greater strength post flop, and you know any hand that reraises preflop is strong.If the BB had completed after you opened for 10k and the hand had played the same, your push would have been applicable to a wider range of hands. He may still have called, however a hand like AT or over pairs would have opened for a raise, so he must now think a bit harder.I would suggest after you limped he has seen the 2 spades and the 10,9 and hoped you were on a straight/flush draw, hence his call. (I doubt he would have expected the straight and flush draw :wink: )All that said, if it's not your style to raise holding 87s on the button, fold it.

[Bockcara]

Thanks for the advice, I suspected that after I posted this, the bulk of the criticism would be on my play preflop. However, I am still quite confused with his instant call with only second pair and no re-draws...

[Canada]

Bockcara said:

Thanks for the advice, I suspected that after I posted this, the bulk of the criticism would be on my play preflop.  However, I am still quite confused with his instant call with only second pair and no re-draws...

I agree his play was a bit suspect. I would have expected him to think about it a bit longer before calling, and he should've arguably folded.Perhaps he felt commited with a quarter of his stack out there (?) or maybe he is just an idiot...

[krup24]

Actually this is a pretty bad call on his part. Especially an instant call like that. Unfortunately for you the pair of 9's held up. Oh well you played it properly except for protecting your "limp" with a preflop raise. If you raise preflop, possibly representing pocket 10s or better. I think the blind folds to your all in.Good luck

[Petoria]

It doesnt matter whether it's an instant call or not, maybe he had a read on you. He probably called though just because it was only 5 handed at the time. Middle pair isnt too bad in this situation, but it was ballsy. You got in with the best hand so dont be too worried about it.