simo_8ball
Wednesday, June 13th, 2007, 6:07 PM
Poker Stars
No Limit Holdem Tournament
Blinds: t15/t30
7 players
ConverterStack sizes:Hero: t980
BB: t1730
Pre-flop: (
7 players) Hero is UTG+1 with J

J
UTG folds,
Hero raises to t80,
4 folds, BB calls t50
(pot was t125).
Flop: 8

Q

T

(
t175, 2 players)
BB checks, Hero checks.
Turn: 4

(
t175, 2 players)
BB bets t120, Hero calls t120
(pot was t295).
River: 4

(
t415, 2 players)
BB checks,
Hero bets t120,
BB raises all-in t1530,
Hero calls all-in t660Ok, the following comments are obvious:
1) Bet the flop.
2) Check behind on the river.
3) Fold to the shove.
Having said that, I like to play a little kooky at times. I have a passive side to me on occasion, and I like to put myself into odd situations. I'll address the flop first.
My hand is fairly strong at this point against villain's likely range, but if I'm against a draw or even air I can easily be raised off my hand. I also have a gutshot draw, so if villain is looking to c/r me with a queen/set/draw I can take a free card. If villain has air/low pair/draw, it's likely that he will bet the turn drawing slim.
Consider the possible scenarios against a draw:
I bet flop and get raised - I lose $120-$150.
I bet the flop and get called - I would likely check behind on most turns allowing villain to see both streets for $120-$150.
I check the flop - Villain bets turn normally and I call, allowing villain to see both streets for $120-$150.
If it's the same overall result either way but I never get bluffed when I check, then checking is clearly better. I believe this to be the case.
Consider the possible scenarios against a hand that beats me:
Not really important. Checking is clearly better against all hands that beat me.
Consider the possible scenarios against an 8 or a 10:
Villain has about 5 outs against me (assuming it isn't 98 or T9), and I am more likely to get a value bet paid off on the turn. That, or I can call a bet on the turn.
Consider the possible scenarios against air:
Villain has at most 3 outs. I encourage him to take a stab on the turn by checking. I'm not really worried about free cards.
Now, on the river I nearly checked behind, but I couldn't think of a single hand beating me that checks the river. Villain's hand looks like either air or a random 10 or 8. I figured a small value bet could possibly get called.
When he shoved I was pretty clueless. It had to be either the nuts or two napkins, and I couldn't see the river check ever being a trap. Getting 2/1 I think I had to call because my line looked very weak and encouraged a bluff.
Thoughts?