Some tourney hands

[LuckyLloyd]

HAND ONE:

Villain is Dave Callaghan. Irish pro that beats the biggest Omaha games online for ridiculous amounts of money. Has a solid NLHE tournament record and is well overdue a big, big result in one.

So far Dave has been owning my soul pretty hard. He has called a lot of my opens and has taken me off a couple of three way pots when he check raised me OOP either on the flop or turn and showed me badugi (I didn’t have it on any occasion of course because I never have it).

The hand before this one I 3 bet an UTG open in mp from 450 -> 1300 and took the pot down after going heads up to the flop against the open raiser and getting an 1800 c – bet through on a 8 - 8 – 5 flop with two hearts. I didn’t show.


Anyway, very next hand it folds to me in mp and I make it 450 to play with 66 (every open I will make during the 75 – 150 level will be 450 irrespective of hand strength or position). Dave calls in the small blind and the big blind mutters something about value and also calls. I have 15.5k and Dave covers.

Flop: (1350) 10 – 8 – 5 rainbow. Check, check, I check??

Turn: (1350) a 4 bringing diamonds. Dave leads 1100. Big blind thinks and mucks. I quickly call.

River: (3550). 3 of hearts. Dave bets 2k and I call.

Am I ever good here??



HAND TWO:

Blinds 300 / 600 / 50 and I have about 55k.

We are five minutes from the end of the first level of day two (90 min levels). I started the day with 14.5k and have got back into things after getting a double up two hands into the resumption of play with a flopped flushdraw + gutshot in a multiway limped pot (I raised a flop lead and shoved the remainder of my stack in on the turn getting action from top pair but I got there on the river ftw).

Since that hand I have only played one big pot where I made a button raise when folded to me and triple barrelled the loose laggy chipleader calling station in the big blind on a JcJx10c board for the pot on the flop and turn – and shove of the remaining on the river. She check, called the first two streets and gave up on the end after a Hollywood. I didn’t show, and have done little else of note. I’m opening about twice an orbit but showing some decent starting hands about 60% of the time if uncalled. I have got my c – bets through when necessary and been uncalled when I have 3 bet (3 times). My image should be ok – I’m active and following through but haven’t really been caught out of line whatsoever.

Villain in this hand has played with me quite a bit. He is a regular club player in Dublin. His preflop range is generally tightish and he will adjust it as necessary depending on players per table; table conditions, etc. He will rarely if ever show up on a stone cold bluff post flop but he is capable of taking a stab if he senses weakness. Has above average hand reading abilities.

We are now seven handed.

Villain opens to 2200 second to act with about 45k behind. Folds to me and I 3 bet AKo to 7000. Villain thinks and calls kind of reluctantly after confirming with the dealer that it was another 4800.

Flop: (14650) AsQs10x.

Yuck. I check, he checks after a short pause.

Turn: (14650) 9x.

I check. He thinks and bets 7k. I quickly call.

River: (28650) .

I check. Effective stacks behind now ~ 34k.


How much, if anything, should we call on this river? People like my line? My hand is face up right?


HAND THREE:

Final table, 7 left. Blinds 2k / 4k / 500. Level just got going. I have ~ 300k and Villain in the hand (Roy Brindley) about 240k or so.

I only played with Roy for the first time ever from the start of the final table. We have played 3 levels so far (4.5 hrs). I started with a decent chip lead and Roy second in chips. I have been quite surprised that he hasn’t gone after me more than he has. He has not concentrated on stealing my blind and shown some premium hands about half the time he has when I folded. The last level he raised it twice and I 3 bet him the second time to which he folded.

I was talking to a couple of guys who logged some table time with him during the first day of the tournament. It was mentioned to me that he defends too much oop and likes to go on the odd stone colder every once in a while. Thus far he hasn't been seen to be horribly out of line at the FT. There was one hand where he raised Qd10d in early position and c - bet against Peter Heslin on a ten high board with a flushdraw - then checkraised a board pairing turn card before checking the river and being good. He has folded to 3 bets preflop.

I defended by 3 betting other players the first two times at the FT I was attacked. I have also opened frequently when folded to me in late position. And I have shown a willingness to call quite light on the turn and river in raised headsup pots. Final point is that I have c – bet flops with a lower than normal frequency when called preflop and have instead opted to take a check, call line with marginal hands thus far.


Anyway, folds to Roy in mid position and he open limps (he has done this much more than I would have expected so far). Folds to me in the big blind and I decline to raise Ajo.

Flop: (12800) AsQs8x

I check. He bets 8k, I quickly call.

Turn: (28800) 8x

I check. He bets 16k and I call.

River: (60800)

I check, he bets 25k. I think and call.

Ok?

[TheChipPrince]

Hand 1: Why would you call the turn and not call the river when an undercard comes? The decision is really on the turn call, the river calls itself... (BTW, I think your probably beat before the river card comes, and should either raise/fold the turn)

Hand 2: I think you should fold to any bet, I would lead out on the turn and fold to a raise, once youve checked twice he's bound to fire at it...

Hand 3: You need to call 25k to win 85k, but agin I think your beat and he has AQ, but with the value he's giving you I think this is the toughest call of the 3...

[ACE2M]

1, i've called off to many chips in these spots to think it's profitable overall, so generally you are not good. I also limp 66 here in early levels and mp and you have to c bet it on the flop in a 3 way pot and give up to action or check it down if called usually (i might fire the 2nd bullet sometimes depending on opponent).

2,i don't like your flop line in 2, i bet it solidly on the flop, it's a drawy board so you will almost definately force a set to expose himself and 2 pairs will prob re pop and save you money overall if your behind. your hand is face up so he can value bet perfectly with ease, i think your probably oblidged to call 15k. Again it's one pair and i wan't to kill it immediately either way in a raised pot.

didn't read 3

[LuckyLloyd]

Btw, I didn't bet the flop in hand two because I would have had to stab myself in the eye if he calls or raises.

[boldie]

HAND ONE:

Villain is Dave Callaghan. Irish pro that beats the biggest Omaha games online for ridiculous amounts of money. Has a solid NLHE tournament record and is well overdue a big, big result in one.

So far Dave has been owning my soul pretty hard. He has called a lot of my opens and has taken me off a couple of three way pots when he check raised me OOP either on the flop or turn and showed me badugi (I didn’t have it on any occasion of course because I never have it).

The hand before this one I 3 bet an UTG open in mp from 450 -> 1300 and took the pot down after going heads up to the flop against the open raiser and getting an 1800 c – bet through on a 8 - 8 – 5 flop with two hearts. I didn’t show.


Anyway, very next hand it folds to me in mp and I make it 450 to play with 66 (every open I will make during the 75 – 150 level will be 450 irrespective of hand strength or position). Dave calls in the small blind and the big blind mutters something about value and also calls. I have 15.5k and Dave covers.

Flop: (1350) 10 – 8 – 5 rainbow. Check, check, I check??

Turn: (1350) a 4 bringing diamonds. Dave leads 1100. Big blind thinks and mucks. I quickly call.

River: (3550). 3 of hearts. Dave bets 2k and I call.

Am I ever good here??

Interesting..you're saying the guy has been completey outplaying you and I think that has a big impact on the way you played this hand. On the Flop you are too scared o the checkraise and tat's why you don't stick in a continuation bet I think. I bet out on this flop in position against the blinds most of the times.

As for your question, are you ever good?..you shouldn't be really..and the call is a pretty dire one I think

HAND TWO:

Blinds 300 / 600 / 50 and I have about 55k.

We are five minutes from the end of the first level of day two (90 min levels). I started the day with 14.5k and have got back into things after getting a double up two hands into the resumption of play with a flopped flushdraw + gutshot in a multiway limped pot (I raised a flop lead and shoved the remainder of my stack in on the turn getting action from top pair but I got there on the river ftw).

Since that hand I have only played one big pot where I made a button raise when folded to me and triple barrelled the loose laggy chipleader calling station in the big blind on a JcJx10c board for the pot on the flop and turn – and shove of the remaining on the river. She check, called the first two streets and gave up on the end after a Hollywood. I didn’t show, and have done little else of note. I’m opening about twice an orbit but showing some decent starting hands about 60% of the time if uncalled. I have got my c – bets through when necessary and been uncalled when I have 3 bet (3 times). My image should be ok – I’m active and following through but haven’t really been caught out of line whatsoever.

Villain in this hand has played with me quite a bit. He is a regular club player in Dublin. His preflop range is generally tightish and he will adjust it as necessary depending on players per table; table conditions, etc. He will rarely if ever show up on a stone cold bluff post flop but he is capable of taking a stab if he senses weakness. Has above average hand reading abilities.

We are now seven handed.

Villain opens to 2200 second to act with about 45k behind. Folds to me and I 3 bet AKo to 7000. Villain thinks and calls kind of reluctantly after confirming with the dealer that it was another 4800.

Flop: (14650) AsQs10x.

Yuck. I check, he checks after a short pause.

Turn: (14650) 9x.

I check. He thinks and bets 7k. I quickly call.

River: (28650) .

I check. Effective stacks behind now ~ 34k.


How much, if anything, should we call on this river? People like my line? My hand is face up right?

yeah you're pretty much saying "I've got AK here" ..you're also saying "and I am a weak calling station..call me with any 2 pre-flop and odds are you'll get me off the hand as I sure as hell won't bet any flop" The flop is once again a MUST bet. On a draw heavy flop you do not give out any more free cards...You've told people pre-flop you have a hand..sure you might be behind on this flop but you sure as hell had better find out on the flop...so bet on the flop and then see what he does.

HAND THREE:

Final table, 7 left. Blinds 2k / 4k / 500. Level just got going. I have ~ 300k and Villain in the hand (Roy Brindley) about 240k or so.

I only played with Roy for the first time ever from the start of the final table. We have played 3 levels so far (4.5 hrs). I started with a decent chip lead and Roy second in chips. I have been quite surprised that he hasn’t gone after me more than he has. He has not concentrated on stealing my blind and shown some premium hands about half the time he has when I folded. The last level he raised it twice and I 3 bet him the second time to which he folded.

I was talking to a couple of guys who logged some table time with him during the first day of the tournament. It was mentioned to me that he defends too much oop and likes to go on the odd stone colder every once in a while. Thus far he hasn't been seen to be horribly out of line at the FT. There was one hand where he raised Qd10d in early position and c - bet against Peter Heslin on a ten high board with a flushdraw - then checkraised a board pairing turn card before checking the river and being good. He has folded to 3 bets preflop.

I defended by 3 betting other players the first two times at the FT I was attacked. I have also opened frequently when folded to me in late position. And I have shown a willingness to call quite light on the turn and river in raised headsup pots. Final point is that I have c – bet flops with a lower than normal frequency when called preflop and have instead opted to take a check, call line with marginal hands thus far.


Anyway, folds to Roy in mid position and he open limps (he has done this much more than I would have expected so far). Folds to me in the big blind and I decline to raise Ajo.

Flop: (12800) AsQs8x

I check. He bets 8k, I quickly call.

Turn: (28800) 8x

I check. He bets 16k and I call.

River: (60800)

I check, he bets 25k. I think and call.

Ok?

this again is where my "weak calling station" comment comes in. 2 people in the pot and pre-flop you don't raise AJ? Then when you hit the flop you check call? you could lead out here or check raise here..check calling through hands is just a bad way to play. All three hands you've posted here you've played too weak for my liking. You only bet preflop and after that you turn into a calling station. OK you might not have the best hand every time but odds are that in 2 of the 3 cases on the flop you're ahead...you have never tried to find that out and could be in a world of trouble every time.

btw..I'm not calling you a weak calling station..I am saying though that if I was at your table watching you play 3 hands like this I'd make a note on you saying something like that.

[ACE2M]

Btw, I didn't bet the flop in hand two because I would have had to stab myself in the eye if he calls or raises.

i know what your saying but you have to bet it, you are so unlikely to get bluffed on that flopped in a re raised pot pre flop thats it's an auto raise, i think anything else is just massively over complicating the situation.

[LuckyLloyd]

Boldie - there is no doubt that I'm a weak calling station. Do we not want to create the possibillity that people bluff us or bet hands we beat in the thoughts that they are ahead?

[byronkincaid]

I think hands 1 and 3 are fine. Hand 2 is tough, I think I C-Bet it even though you are turning TPTK into a bluff?

Boldie this doesn't make sense mate

you're also saying "and I am a weak calling station..call me with any 2 pre-flop and odds are you'll get me off the hand

[LuckyLloyd]

I think hands 1 and 3 are fine. Hand 2 is tough, I think I C-Bet it even though you are turning TPTK into a bluff?

Well yeah - this is my question with regards to hand two. If I bet that flop I am bluffing because I can't call a raise, right? And if he calls I will be put in a tough spot on pretty much every turn card and have to check, fold lots and lots.

So, is there more value in just bluffing on the flop here or checking and making a street by street decision on how much we call off depending on the developing board texture?

[boldie]

I think hands 1 and 3 are fine. Hand 2 is tough, I think I C-Bet it even though you are turning TPTK into a bluff?

Boldie this doesn't make sense mate

you're also saying "and I am a weak calling station..call me with any 2 pre-flop and odds are you'll get me off the hand

yeah I know it doesn't make sense chief......should have read "I'm crap" but that would have been way too harsh as it might pay off and there are things like pot-control to consider when OOP...My reply was more of a rant than a reply..I just think all three hands show a massive degree of weakness and it bothers me rotten when pre-flop raisers don't have the balls to atleast stick another bet in.

[ACE2M]

I think hands 1 and 3 are fine. Hand 2 is tough, I think I C-Bet it even though you are turning TPTK into a bluff?

Well yeah - this is my question with regards to hand two. If I bet that flop I am bluffing because I can't call a raise, right? And if he calls I will be put in a tough spot on pretty much every turn card and have to check, fold lots and lots.

So, is there more value in just bluffing on the flop here or checking and making a street by street decision on how much we call off depending on the developing board texture?

more and more difficult decisions for us and easy decisions for our opponent, we give him the entire range of options and if hes any good at all he will make the right decision because he knows your hand.

his bet on the turn is quite weak so i have to call there and we don't know what he bets on the river but i know i'm going to end up calling mostly because of the pot size in realtion to my stack.

I hate check calling this spot, you may as well put up a sign that says smack me about a bit, i haven't got a clue if i'm good here.

[ACE2M]

I think hands 1 and 3 are fine. Hand 2 is tough, I think I C-Bet it even though you are turning TPTK into a bluff?

Boldie this doesn't make sense mate

you're also saying "and I am a weak calling station..call me with any 2 pre-flop and odds are you'll get me off the hand

can you explain why you think hand 1 is fine?

[LuckyLloyd]

I think hands 1 and 3 are fine. Hand 2 is tough, I think I C-Bet it even though you are turning TPTK into a bluff?

Boldie this doesn't make sense mate

you're also saying "and I am a weak calling station..call me with any 2 pre-flop and odds are you'll get me off the hand

yeah I know it doesn't make sense chief......should have read "I'm crap" but that would have been way too harsh as it might pay off and there are things like pot-control to consider when OOP...My reply was more of a rant than a reply..I just think all three hands show a massive degree of weakness and it bothers me rotten when pre-flop raisers don't have the balls to atleast stick another bet in.

Poker isn't about "balls" or appearing "strong" - yada, yada, yada. I'm not going to just lump out a continuation bet because I flopped TPTK. The board texture means that I have flopped good showdown value; but could not possibly continue the hand if he raises a flop bet from me. Same holds for the turn.

Given that he raise, called on a seven handed table, a reasonable range includes plenty of pocket pairs; a lot of aces; KQsuited sometimes maybe; MAYBE some suited connector type hands.

Therefore, he misses this flop a lot and will just fold if we continuation bet when he has like 2 - 5 outs. This is bad for us.

Or he has hit this flop pretty hard and can own us in position given stacksizes. Or he has whiffed completely nut may take a stab at it.

I don't really care if I appear "weak" or "crap" in your or anyone elses eyes. I believed at the time that the EV of checking this flop is much better than betting it.

[ACE2M]

I think hands 1 and 3 are fine. Hand 2 is tough, I think I C-Bet it even though you are turning TPTK into a bluff?

Boldie this doesn't make sense mate

you're also saying "and I am a weak calling station..call me with any 2 pre-flop and odds are you'll get me off the hand

yeah I know it doesn't make sense chief......should have read "I'm crap" but that would have been way too harsh as it might pay off and there are things like pot-control to consider when OOP...My reply was more of a rant than a reply..I just think all three hands show a massive degree of weakness and it bothers me rotten when pre-flop raisers don't have the balls to atleast stick another bet in.

Poker isn't about "balls" or appearing "strong" - yada, yada, yada. I'm not going to just lump out a continuation bet because I flopped TPTK. The board texture means that I have flopped good showdown value; but could not possibly continue the hand if he raises a flop bet from me. Same holds for the turn.

Given that he raise, called on a seven handed table, a reasonable range includes plenty of pocket pairs; a lot of aces; KQsuited sometimes maybe; MAYBE some suited connector type hands.

Therefore, he misses this flop a lot and will just fold if we continuation bet when he has like 2 - 5 outs. This is bad for us.

Or he has hit this flop pretty hard and can own us in position given stacksizes. Or he has whiffed completely nut may take a stab at it.

I don't really care if I appear "weak" or "crap" in your or anyone elses eyes. I believed at the time that the EV of checking this flop is much better than betting it.

against a good player i believe that your decision is -EV all day long.

[boldie]

I think hands 1 and 3 are fine. Hand 2 is tough, I think I C-Bet it even though you are turning TPTK into a bluff?

Boldie this doesn't make sense mate

you're also saying "and I am a weak calling station..call me with any 2 pre-flop and odds are you'll get me off the hand

yeah I know it doesn't make sense chief......should have read "I'm crap" but that would have been way too harsh as it might pay off and there are things like pot-control to consider when OOP...My reply was more of a rant than a reply..I just think all three hands show a massive degree of weakness and it bothers me rotten when pre-flop raisers don't have the balls to atleast stick another bet in.

Poker isn't about "balls" or appearing "strong" - yada, yada, yada. I'm not going to just lump out a continuation bet because I flopped TPTK. The board texture means that I have flopped good showdown value; but could not possibly continue the hand if he raises a flop bet from me. Same holds for the turn.

Given that he raise, called on a seven handed table, a reasonable range includes plenty of pocket pairs; a lot of aces; KQsuited sometimes maybe; MAYBE some suited connector type hands.

Therefore, he misses this flop a lot and will just fold if we continuation bet when he has like 2 - 5 outs. This is bad for us.

Or he has hit this flop pretty hard and can own us in position given stacksizes. Or he has whiffed completely nut may take a stab at it.

I don't really care if I appear "weak" or "crap" in your or anyone elses eyes. I believed at the time that the EV of checking this flop is much better than betting it.

If he's hit it you can get out cheaper on the flop than you can by calling bet after bet.
You decide to give out free cards on all flops and than you decide to call everything down that he does. It really isn't a wonder that oppo has been owning you at the table for three hours as all you've been doing is let him decide whether he takes down a big pot or lets you win a small one. You have no control in any single one of those three hands you've shown..that can not be the wise thing to do in all cases.


The winning player in a tourney has never been the man who called his opponents bets all day long...really it hasn't.