blonde poker forum

Seem to have lost the hand history for this hand, so will have to do it as best as I can from memory.  Down to last 18 of a MTT, and I am about 14th in chips with about 15bbs.  Blinds are 12000/24000.  11-18 get the same money.

I am dealt  2d 2c on the BB.  Table chip leader raises from the button to 72000 and I call.  (CL has been at table for a few rounds and not played many hands, but has raised from late position a few times and consistently bet or raised in position post flop).  Flop comes  6d 3s 9h.  My thinking is that CL most likely has two overcards, and I bet out for 72000.  CL raises to 144000.  I call and push my last 100000 in when the turn comes 4c.  Insta call from CL with  Ad Ac.

What could/should I have done differently here?  Should I have pushed all my chips in earlier, or folded to the flop raise? 

I would fold to his raise Claire. Im not risking all my chips with 22. you dont know if he has cards. most anything is better than 22

better luck next time:)

i just wanna know where you get such a great structure!!!!!!!!!

analysiswise you call with that hand to hit, you missed so it's a dead hand.
His range with the button is wide, with the button AND the chiplead its much wider, so you ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO LET GO.
No offense intended but it's a really bad play on your part.

Push or fold preflop

id ship it preflop most likely, if his range is wide enough its pretty hard for pushing to be exploitable here, but folding isn't bad if he has been quite tight. The problem with calling is that you are betting into the wind with your hand, and in effect 22 is about the worst hand to play like this because if he calls, he pretty much always has you beat, and you have 2/6 outs max, and he very rarely folds a better hand.

Thanks all. I've just realised this is almost identical to the last hand I posted in this thread so it's obviously a weakness I need to get sorted out.  I think if it had been several hours earlier I would have folded to the preflop raise and waited for a better opportunity to get my chips in, but I do find my judgement gets clouded when I'm tired.

I'm pushing pre-flop most times here, particularly against a frequent raiser.

If I know the player doesn't fold to re-raises then I might call and push on a low flop.

If he's a calling station who won't pass whatever I do, then I just fold.


15 big blinds about perfect for an all-in reraise, in this case the raiser has aces, so he's never going to lay it down, which pretty much cooks your goose...

You don't reallly have an idea what the raisers range is as he's only been at the table for a few rounds as you say, I think pushing pre-flop very reckless given you have 15 big blinds and the fact there are no antes.  This is an auto-fold for me unless I've been at a table with the CL for a long time and know how likely a pass is. 

That said, pushing is still better than flat calling.  Just fold next time and wait for better spots.

This is exactly the reason i HATE 22, its so tempting to call his raise to try and hit the magic 'set'... Then once you call and the flop comes raggy then with the value of the pot already its easy to lose chips here. Personnally i fold after seeing the flop, but I can see why you tried this play...

Yes, I agree with most of the posts here.

With 14xBB and the same money for 11-18 there is a need to gamble and add to your stack. Picking up a pp in the BB when facing a raise is certainly an opportunity to gamble.

However, flat-calling just isn't an option here.

You are calling to see a flop. But what sort of flop are you hoping to see? Flopping a set is about 9-1 and you will be playing this pot heads-up....so you will never actually be paid anywhere near the true value of hitting this unlikely outcome.

Taking 2-1 on a 9-1 shot is not a good gamble and so should be avoided. What compounds this bad gamble is the fact that you will be oop after the flop, playing against the chip leader, and have little play in your own stack. All these factors suggest calling is a non-starter.

Pushing pre-flop is a better play because...you may have the best hand, you do have enough chips to get your opponent to fold if he was stealing and you negate your positional disadvantage in the hand.

Folding is another viable alternative however.

when u lead out at flop 72k and he doubles u know 100% ur beat here.... fold on flop if not pre flop.