02-16-05, LearnTexasHoldem:
No Limit Tourney Hand Analysis
Next, I play in a regular poker game once a month. That was converted to a No Limit Texas Hold'em tourney. (some of the same people, but only started with 6)
I wanted to ask your advice on a couple of hands that were crucial to me NOT winning this time.
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We all started with 10K in chips. (60K total at the table)
Playing tight/aggressive, I built up to 25K or so - approximately tied with another guy for chip lead.
3rd player (only 3 of us left at that point) had 10-12K.
blinds were 500/1000 at that point.
I had A-Q unsuited.
Acting first, he made the bet 2K.
Other guy folds.
I come over the top and put him All In.
He has K-Qs - so I'm I strong position.
But on 4th street, he gets his K and I lose half my chips.
I think I played this one ok, but got unlucky. (which happens)
Agree?
Answer: Generally I don't like AQ that much in no limit against most people's preflop raises (when they aren't about to go bust) but you successfully got your money in with the best hand -- you had him dominated -- so I don't think you did anything wrong here. Also, on the AQ topic, you always need to gear your hands relative to the other player's so if you think he would raise with a worse hand, then you made the right move. That was a really bad call on his part for all his chips, he had another 10k left.
Next hand, I think I was over-aggressive - but wasn't on Tilt.
I had 6-6.
Bet comes to me and I went all in.
(thinking was that any pair in 3 man is strong)
Same guy calls.
He has J-10 unsuited.(I'd have never called me with that)
Again, I survive the flop, but he gets me on 4th street.
Did I over-play the pair?
With more players, I'd have never gone all in, but thought aggression with a pair in 3 man made sense.
Anyway, I went from great shape to out in minutes. L
Answer: I'm not sure what the raise was. If you had a lot of chips left, then a good size preflop raise would have been better than an all-in since you could have then applied more pressure on the flop when he missed. If you didn't have many chips left then the all-in move was all you could do and hope for the best. It sounds like this guy just had your number that day. It is frustrating but that's poker.
Next tourney, a different situation.
Was fairly early on.
I had minimal losses and had about 9K left.
Had A-5 suited as the big blind.
Limped in.
Flop brought 2 clubs with no straight look or pairs.
So, I'm a club from the nuts.
I'm up against 4 players at this point.
One guy leads out with 2K bet.
One guy calls, the others fold.
I call the bet thinking 38% chance of catching the nuts in next two cards, plus my ace.
I must say that in the tourneys I won, I never went chasing after straights or flushes against a decent bet.
Probably around 5K in the pot - did I make the right call?
4th street wasn't a club, did not help the board.
Again, he bets 2K, the next guy calls.
I call again. (I hate calling btw)
Logic was 18% chance of the flush, pot odds about right.
No help on the river.
He bets, I fold.
He matched a high card on the flop and wins with a high pair.
The problem with this hand is I over half my stack - it left me weakened.
(I followed that up with some good play followed by a terrible play - one I know I blew so I don't need advice on!)
Answer: Flush draws in no limit holdem are delicate things. In your situation, I would have decided whether I wanted to commit or just fold. I think calling is the worst option. Calling at first seems like the safe choice but what happens is that you put yourself in a spot where if you miss the turn you'll have to call another larger bet and if the club card does hit, you are unlikely to get anymore action from him since you already showed weakness on the flop.
Yes, there were players yet to act behind you but playing out of the big blind gives you some deception. No one has any idea what you have. If you were to raise, they could put you on two pair, a set, or top pair trying to prevent a flush draw from drawing. Also, when I have an overcard with my flush draw I'm much more likely to play it aggressively because I want to make sure if the Ace does hit, it will be good; you don't want someone behind you calling with a hand like AJ. Raising also gives you some options on the turn card that you don't have otherwise.
For example, if you were to raise the flop bet and he just called, you could either check the turn and give up if you missed or you could bet again in hopes to drive him out. Raising in this situation also disguises your hand -- who knows he could have just had a flush draw too. If an Ace or a club hits, he will have no idea what you have and most likely pay you off.
Thanks for the service you are providing!
Rick
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