calling with any two cards in the sb

[cowboyinexile]

HOH2 states that head up, the correct mathematical play is to call with any two cards in the small blind. Obviously there are other factors to consider, but its something I have taken to heart. Generally, if I am sb in an unraised pot early, I'm going to take a turn with the hand. Its easy to play-usually its a check fold, occasionally you flop a monster, and sometimes you either get trappy with AQ or flop top pair with 10-6 and are forced to some sort of awkward decision.

This time though, it was my turn to flop a monster.

My only read was on CO-LAGish and he liked to make small bets when he was bluffing.



Full Tilt No-Limit Hold'em, 1+0.25 Tournament, 20/40 Blinds (8 handed) - Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

Hero (SB) (t1095)
BB (t1380)
UTG (t2430)
UTG+1 (t1560)
MP1 (t1210)
MP2 (t1290)
MP3 (t1560)
CO (t2975)

Hero's M: 18.25

Preflop: Hero is SB with 4, 9
1 fold, UTG+1 calls t40, 3 folds, CO calls t40, Hero calls t20, BB checks

Flop: (t160) 9, 9, J (4 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, UTG+1 checks, CO checks

The flop was great yet a tad bit scary with the multi-way action into the pot. I really thought with 3 other guys in this pot someone was going to bet at it. No flush draws, but with the limpers and BB, figured someone had caught some sort of the flop. I was hoping for a check/raise but didn't get it.

Turn: (t160) 9 (4 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, UTG+1 checks, CO bets t40, Hero calls t40, BB calls t40, 1 fold

I hit the money card-not only did it kill any draw someone might have had, if any of my opponents were sitting on a pocket pair, they had to figure they were good. I was very dismayed when it checked to CO and he bet the minimum. I had him on A high at this point and assumed his bet would be all I was going to get from the hand. BB calling the min-bet made me think he might be holding a jack and maybe I could get some value out of this hand.

River: (t280) 8 (3 players)
Hero bets t100, 1 fold, CO calls t100

Whats my bet based on the action here? I wanted to go 1/3rd the pot, but was thinking a t100 bet would make it think I was making some sort of move with A high or something like that. Should I have bet more and made it seem like a bluff or bet something like t80 and maybe suckered BB into a crying call?

Total pot: t480

[ciaran]

Don't have HOH in front of me, but I think he's suggesting HU as in at the end of the tournament and/or HU with the BB's random hand. Here, you're a significant dog to whatever UTG and CO have voluntarily decided to play, and you should be folding pre-flop 100% of the time in a SNG.

Anyway, as played flop is probably fine, though you can lead against many players. Having not led the flop, I think you can lead the turn since no J will fold and many pairs will call. You can probably check-raise the turn and bet the river and get action from most Js as well, though you'll probably lose the pairs and anyone still drawing. Bet more on the river, I can't think of a lot that will call 100 that wouldn't call 200. Shoving the river isn't out of the question, either...

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $55+$5 Tournament, 10/20 Blinds (9 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

CO (t1500)
Button (t1490)
Hero (SB) (t1480)
BB (t1500)
UTG (t1530)
UTG+1 (t1500)
MP1 (t1500)
MP2 (t1500)
MP3 (t1500)

Hero's M: 49.33

Preflop: Hero is SB with ,
UTG calls t20, 1 fold, MP1 calls t20, 4 folds, Hero calls t10, BB checks

Flop: (t80) , , (4 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, UTG checks, MP1 checks

Turn: (t80) (4 players)
Hero bets t40, BB calls t40, UTG calls t40, 1 fold

River: (t200) (3 players)
Hero bets t1420 (All-In), BB raises to t1440 (All-In), 1 fold

Total pot: t3040

Results:
Hero had , (four of a kind, Jacks).
BB had , (four of a kind, sevens).
Outcome: Hero won t3040

[ikeee]

[the_hawk]

Most players at low limits would c/r the flop in your shoes (or c/c with a view to "waking up" on the turn) which makes leading the flop clearly best IMO. This will maximise value on most turn cards, especially overcards. You'll get a ton of value from aces up when an ace falls on the turn. Leading the flop also works best when the miracle turn card falls - simply lead again and they'll put you squarely on a jack.

[jrmdes]

Personally i will not play any 2 out of the SB. And im sure cirian was right about the HU in HOH2. It's actual heads up. In this case you were not HU, this was a multiway pot. HOWEVER... That being said i will call with alot more hands in the situation where there are a few limpers.

I preffer suited cards.. I will actually play K2 suited from the SB if i have a few limpers however remember you cannot get too crazy if you hit the flush cause for me there always seems to be an Ace lurking in the closet.

IMHO - suited/non suited connectors even 1 gappers are ok from the sb. Suited paint. Sometimes i might play an Ace rag however i'm not getting too nuts unless i hit my 2 pr. And get even more cautious if the board pairs above my kicker.

Dependant on my reads and my stack i love raising from the SB vs limpers. I know i'm gonna be told it's risky but i have found it to be profitable, if i get played back at then i obv have to fold unless i actually have a legit hand to play.