Two A-J hands from deep in the Gala Poker Tour Main Event

[dino1980]

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.

[LuckyLloyd]

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.

HAND 1) Is an incredibly Gay spot. I think shoving equals Hari Kari (assuming that he is good and aggressive as opposed to LORD SPEWY OF THE SPEWTARDS). I think I just fold and I agree with the order you have put up.

Once you fold here though you have to be aware that your next open is most likely going to be 3 bet if the table is in anyway good and observant. So you need to either 3 bet shove or adjust your range so that you only next open a pot with the intention of being all – in at some point;

HAND 2) Fold given reads. If it is anything else then the info you had on him / perception of his game was wrong.

[Royal Flush]

Both are clear folds.

How did you do in the end m8

[boldie]

Nr2 I can easily fold..Nr1...well I have been known not to like being looking too weak in this spot and doing exactly the wrong thing by flat calling and check folding the flop...I now know it's a fold but that doesn't mean I always fold it..if you know what I mean.

[dino1980]

Both are clear folds.

How did you do in the end m8

13th :-( £1200, winner got £30k (although they chopped 3 handed) in the words of the miners fk my life.

[LuckyLloyd]

2) There are 13 players left

13th :-( £1200, winner got £30k (although they chopped 3 handed) in the words of the miners fk my life.

Oh dear.

[dino1980]

2) There are 13 players left

13th :-( £1200, winner got £30k (although they chopped 3 handed) in the words of the miners fk my life.

Oh dear.

Hey Lloyd,

I folded the A-Jdd in hand 2 FWIW (after tanking it for a minute) I ran a couple of ranges through pokerstove and even giving him a reasonably wide range i was still only 50-50. I did ask him what he had after i'd busted (i busted shoving K-Q utg 6 handed for 75k at 4-8/800) and I was ahead. Results orienatated ftw :-)