What the hell has he got??

[GreekStein]

Why didn't you bet the flop or turn Evil?

I didn't bet the flop because I wanted to give him a chance to make a move on the turn. I assume I'm ahead on the flop because he reraises me from the BB with most aces. However, if I bet there is a strong chance that he will raise me knowing that I'm on a standard "find out where I am" type bet which will put me to a big test. I expect him to take a shot on the turn but when the K comes my hand is now a lot more vulnerable so I'm pleased with the chance to check and keep the pot small.

When he bets the river I just don't think he's that strong. The way he played the hand made me feel that I could get him off the pot. If he was strong he would be betting earlier because he has a good chance of getting my chips. I can't imagine that I'm ahead though so it's either raise it or pass.

I know that this is one of those hands where I'm turning a big hand in to a bluff but I was well aware of this at the time. I might as well have had nothing but I still think the call would be poor as I can only beat a bluff. I thought the raise would see off a lot of hands that were beating me.

Oppo was Ben Vinson btw.  He's a very good player and knows what he's doing so I needed to be very careful how I played this hand. Unfortunately I wasn't careful enough 

Reason I asked the question was exactly what you mentioned - we're likely to be reraised by a BB with an ace pre flop especially given your history with him. Such a dry flop I'm assuming most live players at this level won't often raise you without it and on this flop he's so unlikely to have connected at all.

However, the fact that it's Ben Vinson does make a difference as he isn't exactly your normal £75 freezeout player and capable of putting you in an awkward spot. I'm still betting this flop I think though - as its also equally hard for him to rep an ace or something that's hit that board hard and I just don't want to give him free cards.  

[EvilPie]

If you raised pre with A-10 what would you do on the flop when it was checked to you?

Against this oppo. I think I check giving him a chance to do a few chips on the turn. Obviously the King wouldn't be a scare card for me in this situation so I would bet the turn when it was checked to me.

I may also bet to make it look like a c bet rep of the ace hoping for a raise out of him which would be highly likely.

It's difficult to answer this but looking back at the situation I think I check.

Thinking about it now I should probably bet the flop hoping for a raise anyway. I didn't put him on the ace from the outset so if I do get the raise I'm hoping for I can just shove my QQ. Problem here is that with 2 cards to come there's no FE against weak aces if he happens to have one.

[EvilPie]

Why didn't you bet the flop or turn Evil?

I didn't bet the flop because I wanted to give him a chance to make a move on the turn. I assume I'm ahead on the flop because he reraises me from the BB with most aces. However, if I bet there is a strong chance that he will raise me knowing that I'm on a standard "find out where I am" type bet which will put me to a big test. I expect him to take a shot on the turn but when the K comes my hand is now a lot more vulnerable so I'm pleased with the chance to check and keep the pot small.

When he bets the river I just don't think he's that strong. The way he played the hand made me feel that I could get him off the pot. If he was strong he would be betting earlier because he has a good chance of getting my chips. I can't imagine that I'm ahead though so it's either raise it or pass.

I know that this is one of those hands where I'm turning a big hand in to a bluff but I was well aware of this at the time. I might as well have had nothing but I still think the call would be poor as I can only beat a bluff. I thought the raise would see off a lot of hands that were beating me.

Oppo was Ben Vinson btw.  He's a very good player and knows what he's doing so I needed to be very careful how I played this hand. Unfortunately I wasn't careful enough 

Reason I asked the question was exactly what you mentioned - we're likely to be reraised by a BB with an ace pre flop especially given your history with him. Such a dry flop I'm assuming most live players at this level won't often raise you without it and on this flop he's so unlikely to have connected at all.

However, the fact that it's Ben Vinson does make a difference as he isn't exactly your normal £75 freezeout player and capable of putting you in an awkward spot. I'm still betting this flop I think though - as its also equally hard for him to rep an ace or something that's hit that board hard and I just don't want to give him free cards.  

I was happy giving a free card because I thought my QQ was good and don't want him to pass hands that I'm beating. I didn't expect the free card to be a king unfortunately. I was hoping to let him catch up with a 10 or J or maybe make him feel his 9 was good if he had that.

I guess his check on the turn is quite strong as I expected him to lead out to steal following my check on the flop. This is why I checked behind because I suspect he could now be ahead.

I didn't really understand his bet on the river and it just seemed weak so I thought I could nick it.

[GreekStein]

Why didn't you bet the flop or turn Evil?

I didn't bet the flop because I wanted to give him a chance to make a move on the turn. I assume I'm ahead on the flop because he reraises me from the BB with most aces. However, if I bet there is a strong chance that he will raise me knowing that I'm on a standard "find out where I am" type bet which will put me to a big test. I expect him to take a shot on the turn but when the K comes my hand is now a lot more vulnerable so I'm pleased with the chance to check and keep the pot small.

When he bets the river I just don't think he's that strong. The way he played the hand made me feel that I could get him off the pot. If he was strong he would be betting earlier because he has a good chance of getting my chips. I can't imagine that I'm ahead though so it's either raise it or pass.

I know that this is one of those hands where I'm turning a big hand in to a bluff but I was well aware of this at the time. I might as well have had nothing but I still think the call would be poor as I can only beat a bluff. I thought the raise would see off a lot of hands that were beating me.

Oppo was Ben Vinson btw.  He's a very good player and knows what he's doing so I needed to be very careful how I played this hand. Unfortunately I wasn't careful enough 

Reason I asked the question was exactly what you mentioned - we're likely to be reraised by a BB with an ace pre flop especially given your history with him. Such a dry flop I'm assuming most live players at this level won't often raise you without it and on this flop he's so unlikely to have connected at all.

However, the fact that it's Ben Vinson does make a difference as he isn't exactly your normal £75 freezeout player and capable of putting you in an awkward spot. I'm still betting this flop I think though - as its also equally hard for him to rep an ace or something that's hit that board hard and I just don't want to give him free cards.  

I was happy giving a free card because I thought my QQ was good and don't want him to pass hands that I'm beating. I didn't expect the free card to be a king unfortunately. I was hoping to let him catch up with a 10 or J or maybe make him feel his 9 was good if he had that.

I guess his check on the turn is quite strong as I expected him to lead out to steal following my check on the flop. This is why I checked behind because I suspect he could now be ahead.

I didn't really understand his bet on the river and it just seemed weak so I thought I could nick it.

It's always easier in hindsight for me to say bet the flop but with QQ i dont think checking back is horrible.

When he bet 2k on the river how often do you think he does this without an ace or king? Just trying to decipher whether there is any merit just calling here.

[MANTIS01]

If you raised pre with A-10 what would you do on the flop when it was checked to you?

Against this oppo. I think I check giving him a chance to do a few chips on the turn. Obviously the King wouldn't be a scare card for me in this situation so I would bet the turn when it was checked to me.

I may also bet to make it look like a c bet rep of the ace hoping for a raise out of him which would be highly likely.

It's difficult to answer this but looking back at the situation I think I check.

Thinking about it now I should probably bet the flop hoping for a raise anyway. I didn't put him on the ace from the outset so if I do get the raise I'm hoping for I can just shove my QQ. Problem here is that with 2 cards to come there's no FE against weak aces if he happens to have one.

OK bud, well if you had the Ace you say you would either c-bet the flop or bet the turn. With the Q-Q you check the flop and check the turn...and then represent on the river. So you can see a big clue there for your savvy oppo. You said that you weren't careful enough playing this hand, but I reckon you were too careful, maybe because you rate villain. I would play the Q-Q just like an A-10. Would I be wary of the raise from oop villain if I bet the flop with A-10? No. So I can't really not c-bet in case that situation develops...because it probably wont.

[EvilPie]

If you raised pre with A-10 what would you do on the flop when it was checked to you?

Against this oppo. I think I check giving him a chance to do a few chips on the turn. Obviously the King wouldn't be a scare card for me in this situation so I would bet the turn when it was checked to me.

I may also bet to make it look like a c bet rep of the ace hoping for a raise out of him which would be highly likely.

It's difficult to answer this but looking back at the situation I think I check.

Thinking about it now I should probably bet the flop hoping for a raise anyway. I didn't put him on the ace from the outset so if I do get the raise I'm hoping for I can just shove my QQ. Problem here is that with 2 cards to come there's no FE against weak aces if he happens to have one.

OK bud, well if you had the Ace you say you would either c-bet the flop or bet the turn. With the Q-Q you check the flop and check the turn...and then represent on the river. So you can see a big clue there for your savvy oppo. You said that you weren't careful enough playing this hand, but I reckon you were too careful, maybe because you rate villain. I would play the Q-Q just like an A-10. Would I be wary of the raise from oop villain if I bet the flop with A-10? No. So I can't really not c-bet in case that situation develops...because it probably wont.

Yeah this is pretty much how I was thinking afterwards. I couldn't figure out how he makes the call but then when I work the hand through it doesn't really look like I've got the ace.

If I'm deeper stacked here I definitely play the QQ stronger and lead out on the flop. Saying that though I also prolly check with the ace to try to trap. I guess I need to strengthen up my short game a bit.

This was very much an oppo dependant hand and I think I muffed it tbh. I thought that the move on the end was good but looking back it's not too difficult a call especially given his stack size.

Appreciating the input mate. Ta.

[MC]

What is confusing is the check on the turn. I'd only expect him to do this strong if the King improved him.

I dunno, either he has 2 pair or possible set, or he has air. But I guess it's much more likely he's strong in this spot, and you should probably muck.

I can see why your radar was buzzing on this one though...

lol shows you why I should read the whole thread, didn't realise you turned it around my bad.

Looks like you'd have got your bluff through me! But it was a suspicious one so understand his call...

[EvilPie]

What is confusing is the check on the turn. I'd only expect him to do this strong if the King improved him.

I dunno, either he has 2 pair or possible set, or he has air. But I guess it's much more likely he's strong in this spot, and you should probably muck.

I can see why your radar was buzzing on this one though...

lol shows you why I should read the whole thread, didn't realise you turned it around my bad.

Looks like you'd have got your bluff through me! But it was a suspicious one so understand his call...

tbh I was pleased you'd not read the whole thread. This was just the sort of input I was looking for at first. I just wanted to know what he could be putting me on and turning it round seemed the best way to find out.

Cheers.