1) Blinds 2000/4000/400 (21 players left, avg stack 83k)
Hero: MP c.95k
Villain BB c.120k
Hero is MP (UTG+3) at an 8 handed table has been playing very tight due to having short stacks to his right and two aggressive big stacks to his immediate left. BB in this hand is fairly new to the table but is a 22-year-old scot/chinese player who a friend who played with him or day 1b has told you is good and aggressive. He has only recently moved to the table, perhaps one orbit and I'm fairly sure he hasn't yet played a hand but neither have you in this period.
Hero makes it 10,500 to go - his standard raise at this level. Folds to BB who dwells it up, takes some chips off his stack riffles them a few times, thinks some more and announces raise. And then raises you 10,000 more. SO there is now 14k+10,500+2000+3200 = 29700 in the pot and it is costing you 10,000 to call in position to see a flop.
You are as close to 100% sure that he willl c-bet any flop + calling 10k extra means you have put 20% of your stack in pre with A-Jo. Also what flop are you rooting for besides J-J-x ot K-Q-10? Or something that gives you say nut flush + gutshot combo.
But, folding looks incredibly weak and with aggressive players to your right does folding mean that you'll get pounded on when you raise in the future?
So do you check your ego and fold? Or call or even shove? Can anyone make a case for open folding pre?
I'm thinking its fold>call>shove
Anyone disagree?
2) There are 13 players left you're playing 6 handed. Blinds 3000/6000/600 due to go 4000/8000/800 in 8 minutes (avg stack 135k).
Hero: Btn - 95k (you've doubled up previous hand)
Villain: Hi-Jack - 50k
Folds to the villain, who shoves all-in. Villain is the tightest living human (the fox/Alastair Findley fyi), since you've been at the table (since 18 left) you've not seen him showdown any hands and he has played one pot in about 4+ orbits, even folding his SB when folded to twice the big blind (fyi the BB - Rory Mafews has him well covered).
Cut-off folds and you look down at A-Jdd. All-in or fold? FYI the BB and SB have you covered and both have around 200k.
FWIW - I spoke to
James Browning about this hand afterwards, he has played a lot more poker against The Fox than I have, and he was of the belief that Alastair doesn't do this with pocket sevens or eights.