A hand to review - how should I proceed?

[poker_Elmo]

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (8 handed) Hand History converter Courtesy of PokerZion.com

BB ($221)
Hero ($200)
UTG+1 ($208)
MP1 ($106.90)
MP2 ($328.25)
CO ($177.35)
Button ($229.05)
SB ($38

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero raises to $8, 2 folds, MP2 calls $8, 4 folds.

Flop: ($19) , , (2 players)
Hero ????

[Damo_1]

Without reads I cbet here around $12-15 and will usually 3-bet if raised, although going for a C/R if villian is aggro enough can't be too bad.

[emmapeel]

I think I'm checking the flop here as there is little danger. I also think that a better hand will be re-raising which won't be nice.

EP

[blah730235]

I think this defintaly depends on your table image and your impression of villan. I.E. if villan is over-aggresive and hero cbets a modest amount of the time I'd check here or if hero cbets often i'd cbet here to keep villan guessing. Both of the above options are good choices choosing between them depends on table image and the type of villan hero is up against. If I was new to the table and had played no previous hands with villan I'd probably elect to bet here.

[chrisjp]

You have the Ah. I'm checking. I don't expect him to bet but I'll give him a free card. He may check behind with a king and if a non heart comes he might bet the turn. Hopefully he has KdQh.

Against a very good opponent I come right out betting.

Chris

[cowboyinexile]

I'd lead it and if he re-raises me, I'm pushing.

I'm guessing, this is one of those hands with aces where either you win a small pot or lose a big one.

[Cript]

I agree with the checks...you're way ahead or slightly behind.

[chrisjp]

[poker_Elmo]

OK, I bet the flop, and he called - what now?

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (8 handed) Hand History converter Courtesy of PokerZion.com

BB ($221)
Hero ($200)
UTG+1 ($208)
MP1 ($106.90)
MP2 ($328.25)
CO ($177.35)
Button ($229.05)
SB ($38

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero raises to $8, 2 folds, MP2 calls $8, 4 folds.

Flop: ($19) , , (2 players)
Hero bets $16, MP2 calls $16.

Turn: ($51) (2 players)
Hero should ??

[emmapeel]

Part 2

I'm checking the turn. I don't see what can call a second bet except a better hand. KQ with the maybe. Maybe a few others too. Villain didn't re-raise the flop which is interesting, I would think a low flush or a set might do that.

Maybe a small bet of a third of the pot might be good here. I think I'm still checking though.

EP

[chrisjp]

A bet on the turn would be a blocking bet if you are behind--and a value bet if you are ahead. A bet like $34. It can't be small like emma suggests because if villain is like me I'll push the turn to take it away from you if I'm behind.

I think I bet $34. I might be ahead. And if he is ahead I have implied odds to double if a heart comes. If a non heart 7 comes on the river I"m pushing.

If he pushes the turn after my bet I guess I have to fold. Ugh. Makes me wonder whether a c/r all in on the flop is better. If he checks behind on the flop then you bet the turn, but the pot is smaller. And you are much more likely to be ahead here if he checks behind on the flop. So now I can bet the $19 on turn. I think the problem might be the bet on the flop.

Chris

[poker_Elmo]

I should have mentioned this earlier. I only have 28 hands total on villain, and not sure how many I had when this hand occurred. I think for these purposes we can assume he is a standard 1/2 NL player.

Will post the turn action in an hour or two, in case anyone else wants to comment.

[poker_Elmo]

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (8 handed) Hand History converter Courtesy of PokerZion.com

BB ($221)
Hero ($200)
UTG+1 ($208)
MP1 ($106.90)
MP2 ($328.25)
CO ($177.35)
Button ($229.05)
SB ($38

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero raises to $8, 2 folds, MP2 calls $8, 4 folds.

Flop: ($19) , , (2 players)
Hero bets $16, MP2 calls $16.

Turn: ($51) (2 players)
Hero bets $44, MP2 calls $44.

River: ($139) (2 players)
Hero ????

[chrisjp]

I bet $132 on the river. It's why I'm in the hand. If he has the , it's time to go play with the kids for 30 minutes.

Chris

[poker_Elmo]

OK, here is the full hand:

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (8 handed) Hand History converter Courtesy of PokerZion.com

BB ($221)
Hero ($200)
UTG+1 ($208)
MP1 ($106.90)
MP2 ($328.25)
CO ($177.35)
Button ($229.05)
SB ($38

Preflop: Hero is UTG with , .
Hero raises to $8, 2 folds, MP2 calls $8, 4 folds.

Flop: ($19) , , (2 players)
Hero bets $16, MP2 calls $16.

Turn: ($51) (2 players)
Hero bets $44, MP2 calls $44.

River: ($139) (2 players)
Hero bets $132 (All-In), MP2 folds.

Final Pot: $271

Results in white below:
Hero has Ah Ad (flush, ace high).
Outcome: Hero wins $271.


I thought this would be an interesting hand to post, since immediately after the hand, I thought I misplayed it – but for a reason no one mentioned. It was fascinating to hear all the responses here.

First, just looking at the river, I think I should not have pushed. I am probably against a set part of the time, although I expect a set to raise the flop or turn. I would therefore expect to be against AK, KQ, or QQ with Q hearts. Of those, QQ and KQ with Q hearts (half the KQ’s) will call a big bet, although perhaps not a pot bet. I think AK or KQ with no hearts will call a small bet ($50 or less). I am not sure of anything that necessarily calls a river push here.

So I don’t like my river bet, but I don’t mind it too much, since I try to double up with monsters. I was more upset about my play earlier in the hand.
When this flop hit, thoughts of folding never crossed my mind. I was willing to play for my stack on either the flop or turn. A flush is unlikely but possible, same as a set. Both of those leave me with a fair amount of outs. I simply am not going to fold many hands where I am likely ahead and the worst case is I have a reasonable shot of outdrawing.

So, looking at my flop play, I think I should have bet 18-20 instead of 16. What hands are going to fold to 19 that would call 16? I can’t think of any. With a bet of 19, then the pot is 57 on the turn. On the turn then, I should bet 52 or so. This would make the pot at the river $161, and my remaining stack 121. Calling any bet becomes much more attractive, especially a push.

I did some hand planning on the fly, figuring betting close to pot will allow me the ability to get all in by the river. But if instead of betting “close to pot” I chose to bet the pot on the flop and turn, I think I might win $200 instead of $68.