Wednesday, March 7, 2007

How Would You Have Played This Hand?


I sat down in Casino Regina this evening and put some money on the $1/$2 no-limit cash table. I was in seat 9. The play was really loose, money flying everywhere - and I noticed that a player in seat 3 would play any Ace from any position. He was young and obviously very new to live poker - he was doing the Phil Laak thing - hoodie and sunglasses. He constantly put money in out of turn and was playing like he believed that any A was destined to win. The table was so loose, that I just hung onto my chips and didn't try to make any plays at all, knowing that if I just hit one hand - I'd make a huge profit.

About an hour into the game, I caught QQ in my pocket. I'm on the button. Several players limp, telling me there is nothing of real strength there. So, of course, I raise, hoping to scare off all those silly little hands. I made it $20 to go - 10X the big blind and about 1.5X the size of the pot (which wasn't a terribly over-sized raise at that table but big enough to tell everyone that I'm good - and drawing hands are getting a terrible price). Seats 10, 1 and 2 all fold. Seat 3 calls. I'm assuming some kind of A in his pocket - but no pairs, at least not big ones. Seat 4 folds. Seat 5 calls - a player I don't have much of a read on yet. Everyone else folds. Flop comes 10 A 2 rainbow.

Player 3 is first to act and he bets $25. He is quickly called by Seat 5. I am now assuming that my Q's are dead - especially considering 3's penchant for playing ANY ace. And seat 5 wouldn't call $25 on that scary of a flop with nothing, would he? So, it hurts, but I fold.

Turn comes K. 3 bets hard, 5 calls. I'm really glad I folded now. River comes 5 - a blank (except for the off chance that someone stayed in with 34 - but with the $20 raise, I doubt it). Again, heavy betting after the river. (That's Betting with a B, Gil) It goes to showdown. Seat 5 showed his cards first and turned over 66. Seat 3 mucked. And I'm stunned. Should I have folded that hand? How could I have possibly played it?

7 comments:

Gil said...

I'd have folded pre-flop. I always assume someone has rockets.

No seriously, for the kind of money on the table and with two over cards on the board... It would have been a tough fold but I would have probably done the same thing.

Paul said...

by growing a pair thats how... :) just messing...sorry wont be able to make it on Saturday...I have this thing i am involved in called ministry...I don't know I'll explain what that is later... :)

Jeffrey said...

i know what that is. it is a transitive verb. let me explain. a transitive verb is a verb that contains a direct object. a direct object is the object receiving the action from the verb. guilt-trip, oh I am sorry, you used the word "ministry," then is not only a verb, or the action performed, but it also is characterized by the direct object, or who or what is experiencing the min....guilt-trip. i could be wrong, but the usage of this transitive verb actually says more about who you are speaking to then what you want them to understand.

Gil said...

Paul talking about someone else 'growing a pair' in poker. Now I have seen everything...

Timothy Nightingale said...

i can't lie, i probably would have kept going, but i dunno i have never played with real money that changes everything....im sorry jeff your explanation of the word ministry left me in the dust...

Anonymous said...

oh man

Gil said...

Looking back on my first comment on this post I have a strange, sickly feeling. It's hard to explain. Andrew, I think you understand.