12- 1-04, LearnTexasHoldem:

Going All-In With Flush Draw

Question: I was in a $2.00 online tournament that started with about 300 people. I had about $4800 in chips and the average was $5000. We were down to 60 players and it paid the top 30. There were 9 players at my table somewhat tight 2/3 maybe 4 players on occasion a hand. I was dealt A J diamonds. Blinds were 320/640 and I was small blind. Only one player called before me and I raised to 1200. Both big blind and other caller called. Big blind had about $5000 after the call and other caller had $3300. The flop came Kd Qc 4d. I went all in with my $3600 and they both called. I had a nuts flush draw or top straight draw. Big blind had a K 7 not suited other caller had a Q 9 not suited. The Kings held up and knocked both of us out of the tourney. Did I make the right play at this point in the game? Did either of them make the correct play? Thanks, Doug

Top 3 Beginner Rooms

Answer: Both players clearly played badly at all rounds. First of all, Q9 is not a hand that you want to just limp in with and hope you hit (let alone call a raise with it). K7 is also a really bad hand to play at that point in the tournament. I'm not sure what he thought you had that he could beat. I'm surprised that either one of them called your bet on the flop.

Now whether your play was correct or not, I liked the preflop raise. The size of the raise you made was large enough that both other players should have mucked because chances are that all their money will go in later in the hand if they call (which is exactly what happened). The bet on the flop wasn't a bad bet. At this point there is close to $4000 in the pot and you only have $3600 left.

I would prefer you betting all-in here rather than letting someone else with say a Queen only bet behind you after you check. Against better players, I think your bet on the flop would have won. But let's say the worst case scenario happened --both players called -- you still have a lot of outs: 9 diamonds and 4 tens and 3 Aces. Some of those outs overlap but it still gives you easily over 10 outs. Couple your outs with their weak hands plus your aggressive betting and you were a big favorite to win the hand by either making them fold or by still catching.

I think you played the hand perfectly but their bad play just lucked out; that's part of poker and there is nothing you can do about it but just move on to the next hand or tourney.

Your rating:

Click on the clover of your choice

User Rating: (0 Votes)

  • Share on Facebook
  • Print
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us