Series of HH's to discuss/critique

[dsteele02]

I played some of these hands well.
I played some not so well.
In others I just got unlucky.
What I want do to is to stimulate a massive poker strategy conversation and get our creative juices flowing, because as we all know, if you are not thinking creatively as a player then you are not growing, and in this business if you are not growing you're dying. So please, critique, praise, offer advice. No holds barred. I'll number the hands so that you can just RE: to a specific number rather than using quote!


1:

PokerStars Game #44714284333: Hold'em No Limit ($1/$2 USD) - 2010/05/28 4:26:03 WET [2010/05/27 23:26:03 ET]
Table 'Liriope IX' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: Seven Curses ($268.55 in chips)
Seat 2: Craigj247 ($258.35 in chips)
Seat 3: Chiren80 ($200 in chips)
Seat 4: sammyg11 ($238.65 in chips)
Seat 5: Tae Joon Noh ($243 in chips)
Seat 6: BankItDrew ($220.15 in chips)
Seat 7: OMGBentley ($157.10 in chips)
Seat 8: Dsteele02 ($250.10 in chips)
Seat 9: jackk frost ($166.90 in chips)
Dsteele02: posts small blind $1
jackk frost: posts big blind $2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dsteele02 [Qh Jh]
Seven Curses: folds
Craigj247: folds
Chiren80: folds
sammyg11: folds
Tae Joon Noh: folds
BankItDrew: folds
OMGBentley: raises $4 to $6
Dsteele02: raises $9 to $15
jackk frost: folds
OMGBentley: calls $9
*** FLOP *** [Js 7c Jd]
Dsteele02: bets $10
OMGBentley: raises $20 to $30
Dsteele02: calls $20
*** TURN *** [Js 7c Jd] [9c]
Dsteele02: checks
OMGBentley: checks
*** RIVER *** [Js 7c Jd 9c] [Qs]
Dsteele02: bets $45
OMGBentley: calls $45
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Dsteele02: shows [Qh Jh] (a full house, Jacks full of Queens)
OMGBentley: mucks hand
Dsteele02 collected $179 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $182 | Rake $3
Board [Js 7c Jd 9c Qs]
Seat 1: Seven Curses folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: Craigj247 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Chiren80 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: sammyg11 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Tae Joon Noh folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: BankItDrew folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: OMGBentley (button) mucked [Td 9h]
Seat 8: Dsteele02 (small blind) showed [Qh Jh] and won ($179) with a full house, Jacks full
of Queens
Seat 9: jackk frost (big blind) folded before Flop


2:

PokerStars Game #44400759054: Tournament #312010175, $3.00+$0.30 USD Hold'em No Limit - Level IV (50/100) - 2010/05/21 9:49:48 WET [2010/05/21 4:49:48 ET]
Table '312010175 19' 9-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: bammer69 (3980 in chips)
Seat 2: Enrby (2765 in chips)
Seat 3: maxxe777 (2900 in chips)
Seat 4: DW_Sietse (3420 in chips)
Seat 5: xxSKINTxx (2900 in chips)
Seat 6: deganoo (11645 in chips)
Seat 7: charles_axe (2350 in chips)
Seat 8: Mölle6484 (2565 in chips)
Seat 9: Dsteele02 (4955 in chips)
xxSKINTxx: posts small blind 50
deganoo: posts big blind 100
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dsteele02 [Qs Qd]
charles_axe: calls 100
Mölle6484: folds
Dsteele02: raises 400 to 500
bammer69: folds
Enrby: folds
maxxe777: folds
DW_Sietse: folds
xxSKINTxx: folds
deganoo: folds
charles_axe: calls 400
*** FLOP *** [2c 4h 3c]
charles_axe: checks
Dsteele02: checks
*** TURN *** [2c 4h 3c] [Jh]
charles_axe: bets 1850 and is all-in
Dsteele02: calls 1850
*** RIVER *** [2c 4h 3c Jh] [4d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
charles_axe: shows [7s Kh] (a pair of Fours)
Dsteele02: shows [Qs Qd] (two pair, Queens and Fours)
Dsteele02 collected 4850 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 4850 | Rake 0
Board [2c 4h 3c Jh 4d]
Seat 1: bammer69 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: Enrby folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: maxxe777 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: DW_Sietse (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: xxSKINTxx (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 6: deganoo (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: charles_axe showed [7s Kh] and lost with a pair of Fours
Seat 8: Mölle6484 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: Dsteele02 showed [Qs Qd] and won (4850) with two pair, Queens and Fours



3:

PokerStars Game #44626536165: Hold'em No Limit ($0.50/$1.00 USD) - 2010/05/26 6:07:18 WET [2010/05/26 1:07:18 ET]
Table 'Ilioneus VIII' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: 3649125 ($79 in chips)
Seat 2: gutter23 ($127.75 in chips)
Seat 3: wcsquad3 ($100 in chips)
Seat 4: jykke64 ($29.90 in chips)
Seat 5: DaMinkie ($123.05 in chips)
Seat 6: shipoopii ($100 in chips)
Seat 7: ChiseldGlute ($105.05 in chips)
Seat 8: Dsteele02 ($308.15 in chips)
Seat 9: Elbeto87 ($113.05 in chips)
shipoopii: posts small blind $0.50
ChiseldGlute: posts big blind $1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dsteele02 [Ks As]
Dsteele02: raises $3 to $4
Elbeto87: folds
3649125: folds
gutter23: folds
wcsquad3: folds
jykke64: folds
DaMinkie: calls $4
shipoopii: folds
ChiseldGlute: folds
*** FLOP *** [Tc 6h 5d]
Dsteele02: bets $7
DaMinkie: calls $7
*** TURN *** [Tc 6h 5d] [3h]
Dsteele02: bets $14
DaMinkie: folds
Uncalled bet ($14) returned to Dsteele02
Dsteele02 collected $22.35 from pot
Dsteele02: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $23.50 | Rake $1.15
Board [Tc 6h 5d 3h]
Seat 1: 3649125 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: gutter23 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: wcsquad3 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: jykke64 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: DaMinkie (button) folded on the Turn
Seat 6: shipoopii (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: ChiseldGlute (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 8: Dsteele02 collected ($22.35)
Seat 9: Elbeto87 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

[dsteele02]

4:

PokerStars Game #44628539221: Hold'em No Limit ($1/$2 USD) - 2010/05/26 8:07:45 WET [2010/05/26 3:07:45 ET]
Table 'Volpecula II' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: SetzerMason ($200 in chips)
Seat 2: Dsteele02 ($317.55 in chips)
Seat 4: Craigj247 ($335.25 in chips)
Seat 5: yymee ($200 in chips)
Seat 6: sammyg11 ($460.50 in chips)
Seat 7: Masterfrank ($287.25 in chips)
Seat 8: futilewar ($205 in chips)
Seat 9: estimator pr ($91.05 in chips)
sammyg11: posts small blind $1
Masterfrank: posts big blind $2
Army_Dunn: sits out
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dsteele02 [8c Jc]
Dsteele02 said, "we should incorporate the mulligan into poker"
Army_Dunn said, "lol"
futilewar: folds
estimator pr: raises $2 to $4
sammyg11 said, "blackjack also imo"
SetzerMason: folds
Dsteele02: calls $4
Craigj247: calls $4
yymee: folds
Dsteele02 said, "evil game that is"
sammyg11: folds
Masterfrank: folds
*** FLOP *** [9d Th Ks]
Dsteele02 said, "dont do it frank"
SetzerMason said, "ooh i just had an idea"
estimator pr: checks
SetzerMason said, "custom rules tables"
Dsteele02: bets $6
Craigj247: folds
estimator pr: calls $6
*** TURN *** [9d Th Ks] [7s]
SetzerMason said, "like if you want to put in run it twice in the options"
estimator pr: checks
Dsteele02 said, "why do I feel a cooler coming on"
Dsteele02 said, "watch, I called it"
SetzerMason said, "optional bvb chops"
Dsteele02: bets $15
estimator pr: calls $15
*** RIVER *** [9d Th Ks 7s] [6c]
sammyg11 said, "that'd be cool"
sammyg11 said, "i prob wouldnt get around much to palyign it though"
Craigj247 said, "i agree with the blind chops"
Dsteele02 said, "here it comes"
Craigj247 said, "was thinking that earlier"
Dsteele02 said, "I'm coolered"
SetzerMason said, "just saying"
estimator pr: bets $20
Dsteele02 said, "see?"
SetzerMason said, "a fun departure from the norm"
sammyg11 said, "ya for sure"
Dsteele02 said, "fk it. Either you got it or you dont"
Dsteele02 said, "what's $60"
Dsteele02: raises $64 to $84
estimator pr: calls $46.05 and is all-in
Uncalled bet ($17.95) returned to Dsteele02
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Dsteele02: shows [8c Jc] (a straight, Seven to Jack)
estimator pr: shows [8s 8h] (a straight, Six to Ten)
Dsteele02 collected $186.10 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $189.10 | Rake $3
Board [9d Th Ks 7s 6c]
Seat 1: SetzerMason folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: Dsteele02 showed [8c Jc] and won ($186.10) with a straight, Seven to Jack
Seat 4: Craigj247 folded on the Flop
Seat 5: yymee (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: sammyg11 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: Masterfrank (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 8: futilewar folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: estimator pr showed [8s 8h] and lost with a straight, Six to Ten


5:

PokerStars Game #44628065487: Hold'em No Limit ($1/$2 USD) - 2010/05/26 7:36:20 WET [2010/05/26 2:36:20 ET]
Table 'Volpecula II' 9-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: SetzerMason ($211.10 in chips)
Seat 2: Dsteele02 ($198.05 in chips)
Seat 3: ffguitarguy ($200 in chips)
Seat 4: Craigj247 ($365.85 in chips)
Seat 5: proggrezive ($200 in chips)
Seat 6: sammyg11 ($458.15 in chips)
Seat 7: Masterfrank ($204.75 in chips)
Seat 8: futilewar ($200 in chips)
Seat 9: estimator pr ($92 in chips)
ffguitarguy: posts small blind $1
Craigj247: posts big blind $2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dsteele02 [7s 8s]
proggrezive: folds
sammyg11: folds
Masterfrank: folds
futilewar: folds
estimator pr: calls $2
SetzerMason: raises $6 to $8
Dsteele02: calls $8
ffguitarguy: calls $7
Craigj247: folds
estimator pr: folds
*** FLOP *** [2s 6c Js]
ffguitarguy: checks
SetzerMason: bets $20
Dsteele02: calls $20
ffguitarguy: folds
*** TURN *** [2s 6c Js] [4c]
SetzerMason: bets $45
Dsteele02: calls $45
*** RIVER *** [2s 6c Js 4c] [4s]
SetzerMason: checks
Dsteele02: bets $45
SetzerMason: calls $45
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Dsteele02: shows [7s 8s] (a flush, Jack high)
SetzerMason: mucks hand
Dsteele02 collected $245 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $248 | Rake $3
Board [2s 6c Js 4c 4s]
Seat 1: SetzerMason mucked [Ac Ah]
Seat 2: Dsteele02 (button) showed [7s 8s] and won ($245) with a flush, Jack high
Seat 3: ffguitarguy (small blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 4: Craigj247 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: proggrezive folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: sammyg11 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: Masterfrank folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: futilewar folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: estimator pr folded before Flop


6:

Stage #C42209255: Holdem No Limit $0.50 - 2010-06-08 23:38:57 (ET)
Table: MAIN ST (Real Money) Seat #4 is the dealer
Seat 4 - CHINOPAUB ($50 in chips)
Seat 5 - DSTEELE02 ($48.50 in chips)
Seat 6 - TRES73 ($18.50 in chips)
Seat 7 - THEFLYINGC0W ($50 in chips)
Seat 9 - LUCKYRUN ($95 in chips)
Seat 1 - JOHNNYKELONI ($77.25 in chips)
Seat 2 - ZEN24 ($40.25 in chips)
Seat 3 - ASHOOR ($37.40 in chips)
DSTEELE02 - Posts small blind $0.25
TRES73 - Posts big blind $0.50
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to DSTEELE02 [4h 2h]
THEFLYINGC0W - Folds
LUCKYRUN - Folds
JOHNNYKELONI - Raises $1.75 to $1.75
ZEN24 - Calls $1.75
ASHOOR - Folds
CHINOPAUB - Folds
DSTEELE02 - Calls $1.50
TRES73 - Calls $1.25
*** FLOP *** [4c 2c 5s]
DSTEELE02 - Bets $5
TRES73 - Folds
JOHNNYKELONI - Calls $5
ZEN24 - Folds
*** TURN *** [4c 2c 5s] [5c]
DSTEELE02 - Checks
JOHNNYKELONI - Bets $11
DSTEELE02 - Folds (Fold & Show [4h 2h])
JOHNNYKELONI - returned ($11) : not called
*** SHOW DOWN ***
JOHNNYKELONI - Does not show
JOHNNYKELONI Collects $15.65 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($17) | Rake ($0.85) | Jackpot Rake ($0.50)
Board [4c 2c 5s 5c]
Seat 1: JOHNNYKELONI collected Total ($15.65) HI$15.65) [Does not show]
Seat 2: ZEN24 Folded on the FLOP
Seat 3: ASHOOR Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 4: CHINOPAUB (dealer) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 5: DSTEELE02 (small blind) Folded on the TURN
Seat 6: TRES73 (big blind) Folded on the FLOP
Seat 7: THEFLYINGC0W Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 9: LUCKYRUN Folded on the POCKET CARDS



7:

Stage #1988011524: Holdem No Limit $1 - 2010-04-05 19:22:51 (ET)
Table: GARNETT ST (Real Money) Seat #7 is the dealer
Seat 7 - RUSLAN75 ($109.05 in chips)
Seat 8 - GRAMPS65 ($19 in chips)
Seat 9 - DSTEELE02 ($133.50 in chips)
Seat 1 - WAY2TUFF4YOU ($100 in chips)
Seat 2 - OZZMANWINETH ($104.58 in chips)
Seat 3 - JONFROM70775 ($52.95 in chips)
Seat 4 - 1DOLPHAN ($46.60 in chips)
Seat 5 - LUCYY ($27.40 in chips)
GRAMPS65 - Posts small blind $0.50
DSTEELE02 - Posts big blind $1
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to DSTEELE02 [Ad As]
WAY2TUFF4YOU - Folds
OZZMANWINETH - Folds
JONFROM70775 - Calls $1
1DOLPHAN - Folds
LUCYY - Folds
RUSLAN75 - Folds
GRAMPS65 - Calls $0.50
DSTEELE02 - Raises $3 to $4
JONFROM70775 - Calls $3
GRAMPS65 - Calls $3
*** FLOP *** [2s Qd 7c]
GRAMPS65 - Checks
DSTEELE02 - Bets $8
JONFROM70775 - Raises $16 to $16
GRAMPS65 - Folds
DSTEELE02 - Raises $52 to $60
JONFROM70775 - All-In $32.95
DSTEELE02 - returned ($11.05) : not called
*** TURN *** [2s Qd 7c] [7d]
*** RIVER *** [2s Qd 7c 7d] [Ks]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
JONFROM70775 - Shows [7s Jc] (Three of a kind, sevens)
DSTEELE02 - Shows [Ad As] (Two Pair, aces and sevens)
JONFROM70775 Collects $106.40 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot($109.90) | Rake ($3) | Jackpot Rake ($0.50)
Board [2s Qd 7c 7d Ks]
Seat 1: WAY2TUFF4YOU Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 2: OZZMANWINETH Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 3: JONFROM70775 won Total ($106.40) All-In HI$106.40) with Three of a kind, sevens [7s Jc - P:7s,B:7d,B:7c,B:Ks,B:Qd]
Seat 4: 1DOLPHAN Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 5: LUCYY Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 7: RUSLAN75 (dealer) Folded on the POCKET CARDS
Seat 8: GRAMPS65 (small blind) Folded on the FLOP
Seat 9: DSTEELE02 (big blind) HI:lost with Two Pair, aces and sevens [Ad As - P:As,P:Ad,B:7d,B:7c,B:Ks]


8

Stage #146179018 Tourney ID 4820690 Holdem Single Tournament No Limit 10 - 2010-04-15 05:10:57 (ET)
Table: 35689706 (Real Money) Seat #6 is the dealer
Seat 1 - WEPP3145 (1,440 in chips)
Seat 2 - LANLEGEND (2,225 in chips)
Seat 3 - WALLY59 (1,465 in chips)
Seat 4 - FLSUNSHINEUP (1,435 in chips)
Seat 5 - KABANISHE23 (1,568 in chips)
Seat 6 - DSTEELESP (1,360 in chips)
Seat 7 - SIKKO (1,450 in chips)
Seat 8 - HEATHERJBERG (1,097 in chips)
Seat 9 - SPANKIN4EVER (1,460 in chips)
SIKKO - Posts small blind 5
HEATHERJBERG - Posts big blind 10
*** POCKET CARDS ***
Dealt to DSTEELESP [Ad Qc]
SPANKIN4EVER - Calls 10
WEPP3145 - Folds
LANLEGEND - Folds
WALLY59 - Raises 30 to 30
FLSUNSHINEUP - Folds
KABANISHE23 - Folds
DSTEELESP - Calls 30
SIKKO - Folds
HEATHERJBERG - Raises 40 to 50
SPANKIN4EVER - Calls 40
WALLY59 - Raises 90 to 120
DSTEELESP - Folds
HEATHERJBERG - Calls 70
SPANKIN4EVER - Calls 70
*** FLOP *** [7s Ac 5d]
HEATHERJBERG - Checks
SPANKIN4EVER - Checks
WALLY59 - Bets 395
HEATHERJBERG - Calls 395
SPANKIN4EVER - Folds
*** TURN *** [7s Ac 5d] [Ah]
HEATHERJBERG - Checks
WALLY59 - Bets 592
HEATHERJBERG - All-In 582
WALLY59 - returned (10) : not called
*** RIVER *** [7s Ac 5d Ah] [8c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
WALLY59 - Shows [Ks As] (Three of a kind, aces)
HEATHERJBERG - Shows [4s 4c] (Two Pair, aces and fours)
WALLY59 Collects 2,349 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total Pot(2,349)
Board [7s Ac 5d Ah 8c]

[UIIIU]

ok number one great results altho im not 100% sold on the 3bet with the qj yes it does help ya figure out where you are but qj suited is a good drawing hand and you want to be able to see the flop. if he has a high pp here you will likely see a sizable 4 bet which clearly shows ur behind and kills ur odds of drawing.

the good side is with the 3 bet you created a larger pot for your fullhouse but i wouldnt expect to flop trips everytime with the hand youll be put in alot of situations where you will be drawing to str8s and flushes and when you generate that big of a pot pre flop your opponent is not likely to just throw his hand away

Ill take a looksy at the otther ones later, Now obv im not a pro so take the advice for what it is just another player trying to help a fellow player. Ive been trying to get this kind of discussion going for a while but playing styles clash alot of the time and it can lead to arguments which im not here to make this is just my viewpoint and depending on your style it may or may not be good advice

[N2K]

Without being results-oriented, this is how I would play the following hands:

Hand 1: Fold or make a bigger raise preflop to steal. I incline towards folding.
Hand 2: Please bet the flop, a little but still bet.
Hand 3: C-C flop OR Cbet flop and C-F turn.
Hand 4: Fold preflop.
Hand 5: Fold preflop.
Hand 6: Fold preflop.
Hand 7: Standard ul.
Hand 8: Fold preflop.

Playing marginal holdings preflop may turn out to be lucky right now but it is -ev in the long run, especially if you intend to play 1/2nl and up.

[dsteele02]

Originally Posted by UIIIU

Ive been trying to get this kind of discussion going for a while but playing styles clash alot of the time and it can lead to arguments which im not here to make this is just my viewpoint and depending on your style it may or may not be good advice

That's what we're hoping for. Ideally we'd get 10 posters who'd all play the hand a different way. They'd give their logic for their method and maybe one or all of us can learn from it. This is the ONLY reason I post hand histories. I like to take bits and pieces from everyone's game and add them to my own. The only way to do that is to get them talking.

To the QJs hand. You're right, it's dodgy. I had let the guy run over my blinds for like an hour tho and decided to make a statement. If he 4-bets I'm done with the hand but my point is made to him hopefully.

Another reason for the 3-bet was because I had seen him folding to 3-bets, indicating that he was raising in the "Suited Connector/Paint/A-rag" range, so I had hoped to both win the pot outright pre-flop and send him a message at the same time.

When he calls he's showing at least marginal strength, if not a slowplayed monster, and I'll admit this much. Once he called my 3-bet, if I don't flop trips he wins that pot 80% of the time. He's just too aggressive, especially in position. I wasn't going to be able to steal from him, I needed a big hand.

So, as you said, the play was risky to say the least, and I admit I got bailed out on the flop. But meh, when you're dealing with $200 and $300 stacks sometimes it doesn't hurt to sacrifice $6 to send a message.

Again, you're right about the pot odds too. IF he does have a monster and I flop a draw, the pot is so big that I'll likely have to commit my whole stack to chase it, which just is not my style at all.

So, all in all it was a statement raise that backfired, but I got bailed out. Good assessment buddy.

[dsteele02]

Originally Posted by n2kfactor

Without being results-oriented, this is how I would play the following hands:

Hand 1: Fold or make a bigger raise preflop to steal. I incline towards folding.
Hand 2: Please bet the flop, a little but still bet.
Hand 3: C-C flop OR Cbet flop and C-F turn.
Hand 4: Fold preflop.
Hand 5: Fold preflop.
Hand 6: Fold preflop.
Hand 7: Standard ul.
Hand 8: Fold preflop.

Playing marginal holdings preflop may turn out to be lucky right now but it is -ev in the long run, especially if you intend to play 1/2nl and up.

I can't argue with you're assessment. You and I just play different styles is all. I love hands like suited conns and gappers in ring games. In a tournament I fold those, but in a ring game, with those kind of implied odds, suited connectors become as equitable as set mining when you're dealing with deep stacked tables. I get what you're saying about marginal holdings, I do. But in fairness I do feel comfortable postflop and don't always have to hit my straight or flush to win the hand. Now I will say this much, as an argument can be made either way on this subject, and the funny thing is both parties would be correct.

If I invest $8 at 1/2 20 times against an opponent with $300 I have invested $160.
I'm going to catch a piece of that flop 4/10, and I'm going to flop a flush/straight draw about 1/10. Of the 4/10 I catch a piece it will be the best hand about 60% of the time. Of the 1/10 I flop a draw I complete anywhere from 23%-40%.

The draw aspect of the suited connectors is without a doubt -EV against fast company. But the times I hit middle/bottom/weak top pair and am comfortable enough to know where I am in the hand is without a doubt a +EV situation.

The style you're looking at is not easy to play, and it takes experience, and yes sometimes you get it epically wrong, but in the long term it can and is profitable IF you've developed a comfort level after the flop.

The flip side to that is, "why get yourself involved in all those 'sticky situations.'" And that is also a valid point. All I can say is that as of right now this is how I approach cash games, who knows, it'll probably change in 2 months, it usually does.

Still, thank you for taking the time to post.

I will add this. On hand two I put villain on paint, not an ace. So in my mind I thought I'd give him one more street to see if he'd bluff. If he doesn't I for sure bet the turn. I'm not saying I'd play it this way every time, or that it's the correct play, but in my mind at the time it made sense lolz.

[UIIIU]

hand 2 i realize what you were doing and it couldnt of played out more perfect but if this guy has an over or is on any kind of draw ur giving him the odds and minimizing value you can get from your hand. Now if this was just a rare play that you made because this guy was overly aggressive and you had a solid range on what he was holding then i would say its all good but if its a play used somewhat frequently i think you might be setting yourself up to lose. Also i would say the play would be much more acceptable in cash games whereas you have the option to rebuy tourny you dont want to create oppurtunities where you could be put in a tough spot with all your chips at risk.

hand 3 I like good board for the c bet worked out in your favor all good

hand 4 probably would of folded not enough ppl in the pot to give you value

hand 5 would fold

hand 6 woud fold

hand 7 would of played it the same

hand 8 again would have done the same

[dsteele02]

Originally Posted by UIIIU

hand 2 i realize what you were doing and it couldnt of played out more perfect but if this guy has an over or is on any kind of draw ur giving him the odds and minimizing value you can get from your hand. Now if this was just a rare play that you made because this guy was overly aggressive and you had a solid range on what he was holding then i would say its all good but if its a play used somewhat frequently i think you might be setting yourself up to lose. Also i would say the play would be much more acceptable in cash games whereas you have the option to rebuy tourny you dont want to create oppurtunities where you could be put in a tough spot with all your chips at risk.

You're right about hand 2 being a negative EV play if done frequently, but I assure you I don't 3bet QJ out of position too often. Every now and then you just have to let someone know you wont be run over is all.

Both of you guys have a solid handle on strategy and I can't wait to get into more discussions with you. Thanks for posting.

[alby_00]

Hand 1 I think I can and see a flop assuming I am behind at the present time. I think your reraise opens you up the having alot of money invested and having to fold without seeing aflop if he reraises. With QJ suited I think it is better to see the flop cheap and go from there.

Hand 2 u made a big mistake not betting that draw heavy flop.. you found yourself an idiot to give you all his chips..SWEET

Hand 3 seemed fine to me

Hand 4...lmao u got lucky there...why call a raise in middle position with that hand?

Hand 5.. hmmm.. I really don't mind the call preflop especially with both blinds and a limper left to act.. I would probably fold there but I can't criticize the call... After that you start chasing without odds... and when you catch you don't reraise? The only way I could justify a chase like that is because i figured i could stack the guy witha reraise if I caught.. with out the implied odds that is just a bad chase.

Hand 6.. calling a 7x bb raise with 4, 2 is only good if you are willing to do something big if you hit.. I like a preflop fold here

Hand 7...You couldn't have played this 1 better unlucky that the idiot hit.

Hand 8...GF

Just my 2 cents worth

[dsteele02]

Originally Posted by alby_00

Hand 2 u made a big mistake not betting that draw heavy flop.. you found yourself an idiot to give you all his chips..SWEET

I'm with you on all of them but this one. My play is VERY read dependent and this villain was seeing like 60% of the flops lol. He was prone to betting big into weakness.

Here was my thoughts;

1: Get him to call off a decent % of his stack pre-flop, big enough that he'd hate to let it go.

2: Give him a chance to bluff.

As my play is read dependent 99% of my HH's won't be "by the book." For instance I'm known widely (ask LDJ) for calling with rags like 27o from the button when I put the raiser on AK/AQ. The reason being is he has to hit to win the pot, I don't.

Sometimes that style backfires in an epic way, and I DO NOT use it in tournaments. But in a deep stacked ring game where you've got room to maneuver a little but I'll take flops from position with less than premium hands.

I make mistakes with this style, and it's one that is extremely hard to master. But if you can incorporate it into your game then you can decrease the effect luck has on your long term ROI, and that's what it's all about.

As I gain in experience in post-flop reads what looks like -EV plays according to the books will turn into my biggest gainers.

Take Daniel Negranue for instance. He mixes his game up a lot and can play any style and play it well, but he's at his best when he's playing small ball poker. Daniel's version of small ball is to place his opponent on a tight range, then take flops when in position with just about any two cards, and when the flop misses the range Daniel put his opponent on he fires.

So this is why you see some iffy calls. I am not trying to be a Daniel Negranue robot. What I am trying to do is take bits and pieces from everyone's game and see if I can incorporate them into my own.

Thank you for taking the time to post.