12-21-05, LearnTexasHoldem:

All-In Against Chip Leader

Question: I am curious if you think this was a decent play. I was playing in a home tourney that started with nine players. We were down to three where the money started. I had near $30,000 in chips in the BB, SB had $90,000, and the Button had $40,000. Blinds were $1500/$3000 Ante $400 Preflop the button folded, SB called, I rasied to $12,000 with A-9 unsuited. SB called. The flop came 10-7-K rainbow. SB checked to me. I know the guy fairly well so I am pretty sure he would have bet if he had the King. I raised all in for almost $20,000.

SB Called and had Q-10 unsuited. The turn and river were no help to me. I give the guy credit for making a tough call and the right call. I don't think It was good call since I showed strength preflop and post flop and it would have made a huge impact on the outcome of the tourney had he been wrong, All three of us left were the better players out of the group so every hand mattered.

I feel like the only chance I had at winning that pot was my all-in move. Sure I could have checked. Then hope he makes a bet on the turn and come over the top. Only problem would be I had $20,000 left, the pot was $24,400, if he bet into me it would probably be a bet like $8,000-$14,000 since he did not know if his 10 was good. I could then reraise all-in, but only $6,000- $12,000 to see a pot of $32,400-$38,400 which is an easy call at that point.

What do you think about this play?

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Answer:

I think you have two options:

1. Check in the big blind. The hope here is to actually hit a flop or bet if your opponent checks. The problem with this play is that you leave yourself open to getting bluffed by a bigger stack, regardless of what the flop is. Also, if the flop does come back Ace high, chances are that you won't get any action from the other player. Even if the flop was A-Q-4, the Ace would probably scare him enough that you wouldn't get a call. Next, A9 most likely is the favorite against the other player and a raise seems like a better play -- especially when it is three handed. The clock is ticking and you probably won't get another A9 or better hand, so making a stand now is correct.

2. Go all-in preflop. Many times in situations like this, you would prefer all the money to go in preflop than raise some and see a flop, only to have to make a semi-bluff after and try to chase your opponent away. AK is the perfect example. If you go all-in preflop when you know you have the best hand, you get 5 cards total, not just the flop. Plus, your bet has some power to it still for driving out a weaker hand that may outflo you.

Compare if you go all-in against someone who has QT to betting only some and letting them hit a pair, before you bet the rest. Next, the more chips have, the more options you have. In this situation, after you made your initial preflop raise, you built a pot large enough that you are basically committed. In hands where you are going to be committed anyway, the correct move is to get the money in as quick as you can when it still has a punch. Remember the point above, that even if the flop does hit you with an Ace, it is unlikely the person will call you anymore anyway, so it is best to get the money in now while you still can. The two realistic outcomes by playing it the way you did were to first raise and hit the flop, then not get anymore action, or you would raise and miss the flop, only to put the money in with the worst hand and get called.

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