$5 SNG at Paradise. Into level II, starts with T1000, I'm at T950. It's been a limpfest up until this point. Blinds are now at 10/20.

I'm in LP, dealt pocket 10 10 . I raise 5X the bb to T100. Get two callers, the BB and MP.

Flop is Q Q 7 with two clubs.

Where do I go from here?

Assuming they both checked to you, bet 2/3 the pot (220 or so) and fold to a push over the top.

You have position so it will depend on what BB and MP do.

1. They both check, bet around 200 which would make the flush draw unprofitable if either player has two clubs. If they raise it back at you with strength, then I would fold.

2. One of them bets out; tougher situation. You either re-raise or fold. If it's been a limpfest, then strength could indicate a stronger hand than what you have. Based on your read, make a decision.

thank you both for your responses. But now I have a part two:

They check to me, So I bet out (I bet more than you suggested), and I get one caller, the BB.

Turn is a blank. Now what?

Check behind or push. I'm inclined to push since I'm pretty sure I have the best hand. I don't think a Q would let me have a free shot at making the flush here after the flop action.

I am posting my opinion based on the Part II to your question only.

The BB has called everything so far, so you are either way ahead (they are on a draw perhaps) or way behind (they have a pocket pair higher than your sor something like that). Seeing as you don't know which one it is right now, I would be inclined to check the turn, seeing what the river card brings us.
Why put your tourney life at risk when you don't know where you sit? Sure, you may be giving your opponent the card they are looking for if on a draw, but if it is a scare card, you can always fold to a bet, risking nothing further...or go over-the-top, depending on your read yadda yadda yadda.
This may seem weak, but with mediocre holdings and no idea where you are at in a hand, the safe (weak) play is the best play.

IMO. :wink:

So if I assume you bet out 300 and got called, there is now about 900 in the pot and you have 550 left. Check or Push.

Pushing is ok but I would check behind to see the river card; fold to a bet.

In this type of either-or situation If you decide to bet, I like a smaller flop bet, 1/2 pot, you get the same information as a 2/3 pot-pot sized bet with less commitment.

Or, maybe you check flop in position. Don't worry about free cards for a possible flush draw, he likely doesn't have it, and if he does you are going to get either check-raised all in, or called, either way you will be totally in the dark as to whether he has the Q or the flush draw. The check makes it look like you could be bagging the Q, since a continuation bet would be expected. The BB would probably check again on the turn in this scenario, or make a probe bet (which would probably be about the size of the flop bet you made). You should call this bet if he makes it and re-evaluate on the river. He likely will give up without the Q on the river, fearing you have been sandbagging in position. Obviously if he pushes river you give it up. If he checks river check behind and show it down. This way you get to show down the hand for the same price as making your vulnerable flop bet. In these hazy situations, figure out the cheapest way to show the hand down in tournaments.

If you pay close attention to the way the top pros play tricky hands after the flop, you are going to notice a lot of checking and small betting, even with good looking hands, because they want to get the hand shown down without worrying about plays being put on them.

I'm inclined to push since I'm pretty sure I have the best hand.


That's horrible.

If he's drawing to overcards make him pay to draw. Pushing is just a good way to get an early exit. The flop call should worry you guys a lot more than it seems to. Good hands push to protect. Monsters call.

So you string him out a bit more on the turn? Give up the lead? Fold preflop? :-)

So you string him out a bit more on the turn? Give up the lead? Fold preflop?


I definately don't pay off AQ and go out of a SnG in 10th place at 10/20.

Good point.

I'm really thinking that the 5x preflop raise with TT boxed me in here.