2 replies to this topic

[PMJackson21]

So, I normally limit my discussion of hands that I play personally to a small group of people who's opinions I respect a lot. Partly because it's easier that way, and partly because I'd rather not advertise how I think a hand out too much. This hand though I'm still undecided on, so I decided to post it on RGP and on here just to get a sense of how others view it.------------Here's a hand that I keep changing my mind on whether or not I played correctly. I'd have the HH, but now UB doesn't allow you to access hand histories at a table unless you are sitting at it. So when you bust...no luck.It's about 2:45 into the UB $100+9 last night, and it's down to 46 players I believe. The avg stack size is 9700, I have right about 12k. The blinds are 200/400, and the antes are 25 (I believe). I'm on the BB with QQ, short stack with 2900 goes all-in under the gun, folded to player in MP who has me covered slightly, and he quickly min raises to 5800. It's folded around to me, and after I think it through, I believe I have the best hand and push all-in for like 6200 more. He thinks for a lonnnnng time, and then calls with AK off. The short stack has AJ off, so I'm glad one of his outs is dead of course. The end of the hand is irrelevant really, since once the money is all-in, there is nothing left to discuss. I'm more interested in people's thoughts on the pre-flop action, and whether or not I should have gotten involved in the hand. A few side notes:1. I'd rather bust near the bubble (top 30 pay) then blind off and finish 24th with a slight profit. In other words, anything less then the FT I consider a disappointment. I'm willing to push my edges (perceived) at this point in an attempt to build a stack I can use effectively as it gets later in the tournament (bullying short stacks who are trying to hang on for the money, etc).2. His quick min raise indicated (to me at least) that he did not have KK or AA. My feeling was with either of those hands, he would have had at least a slight pause to consider how to play it. I had played with him before in various tournaments, and nothing about his play had ever led me to believe he was clueless. His quick raise to me said 'I like my hand, but I'd rather play the short stack heads up.' I felt like he had JJ or TT to be honest.3. I felt calling was out of the question (even though the flop missed him, and in hindsight I know it would have worked), because it would have left me with only 6200. Come to think of it though, this is a case that meets Raymer's requirement for the 'stop and go' move, where my re-raise would be less then the size of the pot. I would have first rights to act after the flop as well, but QQ seems strong enough to just jam there, and not get tricky. 4. DO I have any fold equity there? I know he is getting an excellent price,2900 (short stack) + 5800 (his min raise) + 225 (antes) + 200 (sb) + 12,000 (my all-in) = 21,125, with only 6200 more to call...so 3.5 - 1.but I believe he can only put me on a very small range of hands to execute the all-in. AA, KK, QQ, and possibly AK. So, he's a big dog to two of those, a slight dog to the QQ, and most likely going to split the pot with AK. He just happened to run into the one hand of the 3 (I prob would fold AK there) that he has a decent shot against.Anyway, all comments/criticisms are welcome. At first I thought he made a bad call with AK, knowing the range of hands I had to have to make that move, because even though he was getting a great price, losing the pot would have crippled him. Plus, I'm sure he knew at best he was a coin flip, and he was quite possibly a big dog (vs KK or AA). Now, I think I've changed my mind...If he isn't a very, very tight player, then 3.5-1 is almost too good to pass up with AK.So, knowing I would be giving him 3.5-1 with my all-in push, should I have just folded my QQ, even though I was very confident I had the best hand? I can see the argument for both ways, but I still think my push was ok considering my feelings on making the final table or busting out. UB's payout structure is just too top heavy to waste my time for anything less.Patrick

[ek703]

If you honestly feel that anything less than the FT is not worth it, I think you have to play this hand all in or stop/go. The stop in go exclusively for the AK possibility. I actually have started using it more in tourneys when I have first action and know I will go all the way with the hand. Even if you put him on the AK, you should call if you want to exploit the slight edge you have. you are getting bonus money from the Blinds,antes, and shortstack and I would be thinking the shortstack is either on a PP or hopefully an Ax?? don't know for sure, but just some ideas.

[PMJackson21]

ek703 said:

If you honestly feel that anything less than the FT is not worth it, I think you have to play this hand all in or stop/go. The stop in go exclusively for the AK possibility. I actually have started using it more in tourneys when I have first action and know I will go all the way with the hand. Even if you put him on the AK, you should call if you want to exploit the slight edge you have. you are getting bonus money from the Blinds,antes, and shortstack and I would be thinking the shortstack is either on a PP or hopefully an Ax?? don't know for sure, but just some ideas.

Yeah, after discussing it with people, the stop and go sounds like the best choice. Perfect setup, and if he does have a hand like AK, then I can get him to drop it, and if he has a hand like JJ, TT, etc then he will call anyway. Patrick