Showing posts with label KK. Show all posts
Showing posts with label KK. Show all posts

Sunday, January 24, 2010

How to lose with KK vs KK

Monday, December 7, 2009

Can you fold KK?

Can you fold KK here? I think everyone would agree you cannot fold KK preflop. I've heard some people say they would on the bubble of a big tournament, but let's assume you would never fold it preflop.

I pick up KK in the cutoff and raise 3x BB. I have about 3500 in chips and am just a hair below average in a pretty big MTT. Everyone folds to the BB who calls.

Flop comes Q105 rainbow. Villian here checks to me and I bet 2/3 pot. He comes over me all in with about 300 more chips than me, so covering me.

Can you fold KK here? First thing I think of is Q10. 1010 or QQ or AA, and the villian would have reraised me preflop, right? AQ wouldn't shove, nor would 55. Now it is entirely possible he is on AJ or KJ, with the straight draw. AK probably would have shoved preflop or would have bet out to try and take the pot.

I just can't imagine any 0ther hand but Q10. I kept thinking it HAS to be Q10.

Yet, I cannot hit the fold button. Could you?

I called, he tabled Q10 and I went home.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Not so sucky suckouts

Just some reminders that I win some suckouts too...




This last one is a good example of how you can go broke with KK. Just a raise (instead of a shove) preflop and I could have stayed in this tournament. Oh well. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Should have folded KK Part VII

I thought for a bit but did end up folding. Obviously, the min bet confirmed he had an Ace. He flipped it over and showed AJ after I mucked...





Hope everyone has a safe and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

I'm not the one that just got buttfucked on national TV, Dwayne!

Such a great line from Die Hard 1 . I love those movies.

Cal finished 12th in state out of 15 total. He ran his worst race all year. Bummer for him, but still I am proud he made state. He ran the same heat with the kid who holds the state record for the 200meter (set last year), so I think he may have been a little starstruck.

Wednesday night poker. Sucks for me. In Mook Stayed in for awhile, but then ran KK into AQ. I had him covered so got another chance 2 hands later with A6 and the same player called me with KQ. Queen on the flop and I am done. Sucked!!!!

One more try in the next tourney. I get AA and decide to trap. It works perfectly as I get the one and only Mookie to call my all in from the turn with only 77. Sucker!!! Oh wait, 7 on the river and Mook takes me down.

Three hands all in and three times ahead and three losses. Oh well. I run goot!. Not as goot as Fuel55, but I run Goot!

Monday, March 17, 2008

I played the Jen Harman charity tournament on FTP tonight. 3000+ players and I finished 160somethingish. Maybe even 157 or 8. It paid the top 153. You have two choices at the bubble with a short stack (as I was). You can shove from the button on an unopened pot or you can fold to the money.

I decided to shove from the button with A4off with 11,000 in chips and around a 5 or 6M and the SB and BB had me covered by 2x or more. I could have waited, but I wanted to get a few more chips (1/3 of my stack from just buying the blinds). What would you do? I spent $10 and the initial money spot was $18+. But with an Ace I thought I could buy the blinds, especially since we were so close to the money.

I managed to fold KK to an A88 flop. I folded AJ to a raise and reraise (and would have lost). I also missed a few hands I could have won with A8, 73, or other junk hands. I feel like I played really well, except for the last hand shoving with A4. I wouldn't shove with that other than we were on the bubble and I expected tight play behind me. And I was right, except the SB woke up with AQ and twice the amount of chips I had. I really need to sit on my hands when we get close to the bubble -I mean literally: put my butt on my hands so I can't shove with ATC expecting tight play near the bubble.

Thanks to everyone who was railing me: Riggs, PE, Zooks, Closer, and more. Sorry if I missed you. I am on Hawkette's laptop tonight so I don't have screenshots or HH and I don't have links. I'll try to get them up tomorrow.

Looks like I will finally get into the BBT3 this week. I have my token for the MATH and I will play in the MOOK.

Do you watch Big Brother? Holy Cow what a crazy trip this year has been. Natalie half naked trying to bone Matty, James and Chelsia, and Sheila the cry baby still in it. Fun Fun. Chelsia has been talking aout needing an 8ball and Nataie talking about smoking pot... And all the worry about the siren going off again to save another person voted off... This might have been the best BB ever, even though DR WILL isn't on it.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Should have folded KK (Part VI)

Actually I did. Wouldn't you?





Grinding it out on Bodog. 50% or more players seeing the flop is not uncommon. I have run a few bad sessions (QQ into AA, set into straight, etc.)

Monday, November 12, 2007

Weekend Donkin' it Up


First of all, don't forget to play tonight. 9pm CST at FTP.
Big Bucks, No Whammy's in the BBT2.
Here are some hands from the weekend:
Full Tilt Poker Game #4124653779: Table Fabian - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:20:13 ET - 2007/11/09
Seat 2: MomsVisa ($40.95)
Seat 3: stipey169 ($46.05)
Seat 4: ribolovac ($18.75)
Seat 5: Gentleman84 ($149.45), is sitting out
Seat 6: Chesszza ($50)
Seat 7: FilipinoPhenom ($48.75)
Seat 8: Phantasmagorias ($9.40)
Seat 9: jamyhawk ($58.45)
Chesszza posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #4
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to jamyhawk [Kh Ks]<--It's my hand.
Gentleman84 has returned
Numenor80 sits down
FilipinoPhenom folds
Numenor80 adds $50
Phantasmagorias folds
jamyhawk raises to $1.50<--Standard 3xbb raise. No slow playing here.
MomsVisa calls $1.50
stipey169 folds
ribolovac folds
Chesszza folds
*** FLOP *** [Qc Qs 7d]
jamyhawk bets $1 <--probe bet.
MomsVisa raises to $39.45, and is all in<--interesting bet. With a Queen, don’t you want a call? I haven’t been at this table too long, but this kid has been playing a lot of pots. I decide to wait for a better spot to try to felt him, and I fold.
jamyhawk folds
Uncalled bet of $38.45 returned to MomsVisa
MomsVisa mucks
MomsVisa wins the pot ($5.25)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $5.50 Rake $0.25
Board: [Qc Qs 7d]
Seat 2: MomsVisa collected ($5.25), mucked
Seat 3: stipey169 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: ribolovac (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: Gentleman84 (small blind) is sitting out
Seat 6: Chesszza (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 7: FilipinoPhenom didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: Phantasmagorias didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: jamyhawk folded on the Flop


A8A flop with 2 spades. I go all in with KQsooooooted spades and guy calls half his chip stack with K8off . He's 49% to my 48%. 8 holds up I go out of token frenzy about the halfway mark.

Lost a buy in when my top set lost to a boat (my J10 lost to J3).

Then there was this hand:
Full Tilt Poker Game #4125342978: Table Fabian - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:28:42 ET - 2007/11/10
Seat 1: Numenor80 ($12.80)
Seat 2: Jon 10 ($30)
Seat 3: stipey169 ($149.55)
Seat 4: ribolovac ($10.25)
Seat 5: BJ316 ($3.45)
Seat 6: do not77 ($47.70)
Seat 7: FilipinoPhenom ($60.80)
Seat 8: Fufar ($49.25)
Seat 9: jamyhawk ($49.50)
Numenor80 posts the small blind of $0.25
Jon 10 posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #9
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to jamyhawk [Qd Qs]
stipey169 folds
ribolovac has 15 seconds left to act
ribolovac raises to $1.50
BJ316 raises to $3.45, and is all in<-- not scary because he is short stacked. Could be on ATC, more likely two face cards.
do not77 folds
FilipinoPhenom folds
Fufar folds
jamyhawk raises to $10<-- I want to isolate it down to me and the all in. If someone does call, I know they are on AA, KK, maybe AK.
Numenor80 raises to $12.80, and is all in <--Uh oh, must have the Aces or Kings.
Jon 10 folds
ribolovac folds
jamyhawk calls $2.80<--pot committed call
Numenor80 shows [Jc Ts]<--WTF?
BJ316 shows [Kd Jd]<-- another powerhouse hand. Need to dodge 3 outs.
jamyhawk shows [Qd Qs]
*** FLOP *** [Qh 8d 3d]<-- MONEY! No more diamonds, please.
*** TURN *** [Qh 8d 3d] [Ad]<--oh well, I still get the big pot.
*** RIVER *** [Qh 8d 3d Ad] [Kh]<-- Idiots reward. I was 60% favorite pre-flop with 3 players. Actually, 86% against the 10Joff. I guess you gotta get through the other 14% of the time.
Numenor80 shows a straight, Ace high
jamyhawk shows three of a kind, Queens
Numenor80 wins the side pot ($17.75) with a straight, Ace high
BJ316 shows a flush, Ace high
BJ316 wins the main pot ($11.75) with a flush, Ace high
BJ316 adds $20
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $31.05 Main pot $12.35. Side pot $18.70. Rake $1.55
Board: [Qh 8d 3d Ad Kh]
Seat 1: Numenor80 (small blind) showed [Jc Ts] and won ($17.75) with a straight, Ace high
Seat 2: Jon 10 (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: stipey169 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: ribolovac folded before the Flop
Seat 5: BJ316 showed [Kd Jd] and won ($11.75) with a flush, Ace high
Seat 6: do not77 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: FilipinoPhenom didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: Fufar didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: jamyhawk (button) showed [Qd Qs] and lost with three of a kind, Queens

Full Tilt Poker Game #4125404513: Table Fabian - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 0:35:10 ET - 2007/11/10
Seat 1: Numenor80 ($18)
Seat 2: Jon 10 ($26)
Seat 3: stipey169 ($149.80)
Seat 4: ribolovac ($8)
Seat 5: BJ316 ($31.25)
Seat 6: do not77 ($48.60)
Seat 7: FilipinoPhenom ($59.80)
Seat 8: Fufar ($54.55)
Seat 9: jamyhawk ($35.20)
jamyhawk posts the small blind of $0.25
Numenor80 posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to jamyhawk [3c Ac]
Jon 10 has 15 seconds left to act
Jon 10 calls $0.50
stipey169 folds
ribolovac folds
BJ316 calls $0.50
do not77 folds
FilipinoPhenom folds
Fufar folds
jamyhawk calls $0.25<-- good pot odds to call here.
Numenor80 checks
*** FLOP *** [Qc As 4c]<--top pair with nut flush draw.
jamyhawk checks<-- planned check raise.
Numenor80 checks
Jon 10 checks
BJ316 checks
*** TURN *** [Qc As 4c] [6s]<--should not have improved anyone
jamyhawk bets $2<-- take the pot down now.
Numenor80 has 15 seconds left to act
Numenor80 raises to $17.50, and is all in<-- really? J10o/s before. Could be on that again?
Jon 10 folds
BJ316 folds
jamyhawk calls $15.50<--tilt call. Ton’s of hands beat me. His loose play is now going to pay him off.
Numenor80 shows [6d 4s]<-- not one of the hands I expected, but it is MONEY for him. jamyhawk shows [3c Ac]
*** RIVER *** [Qc As 4c 6s] [Jd]
Numenor80 shows two pair, Sixes and Fours
jamyhawk shows a pair of Aces
Numenor80 wins the pot ($35.15) with two pair, Sixes and Fours <-- time for me to move to another table, or another hobby.
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $37 Rake $1.85
Board: [Qc As 4c 6s Jd]
Seat 1: Numenor80 (big blind) showed [6d 4s] and won ($35.15) with two pair, Sixes and Fours
Seat 2: Jon 10 folded on the Turn
Seat 3: stipey169 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: ribolovac didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: BJ316 folded on the Turn
Seat 6: do not77 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: FilipinoPhenom didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: Fufar (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 9: jamyhawk (small blind) showed [3c Ac] and lost with a pair of Aces


I can play these too:
Full Tilt Poker Game #4126276788: Table Timber Pine - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 2:22:07 ET - 2007/11/10
Seat 1: Bengt79 ($37.70)
Seat 2: iiznoodles ($31.90)
Seat 3: nalanda ($9.75)
Seat 4: stoney553 ($10)
Seat 5: try2bme ($0), is sitting out
Seat 6: MBF4221 ($2.10)
Seat 7: x007steep ($9.75)
Seat 8: jamyhawk ($32.15)<-- I step down a level to keep from tilting off too much money. $25 max buy in.
Seat 9: AKAKIU ($5.05)
iiznoodles posts the small blind of $0.10
try2bme stands up
nalanda has 5 seconds left to act
nalanda posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to jamyhawk [5c 7c]
LogCabn-Asasinz sits down
MBF4221 folds
LogCabn-Asasinz adds $10
x007steep calls $0.25
jamyhawk calls $0.25
AKAKIU folds
Bengt79 folds
iiznoodles folds
nalanda checks
*** FLOP *** [7d Kh 7s]<-- MONEY flop. How to get maximum ROI?
nalanda checks
x007steep bets $0.25
jamyhawk calls $0.25<--smooth call and hope an A hits on the turn.
nalanda folds
*** TURN *** [7d Kh 7s] [Jh]<--bad card. Offers straight and flush draws.
x007steep has 15 seconds left to act
x007steep bets $0.25
jamyhawk raises to $1<--3/4 pot bet to chase out draws. Did I bet too small here? I do want a call if he is sitting on a K. But do not want a call if he has a couple of hearts or a straight draw. x007steep calls $0.75<--drawing hand?
*** RIVER *** [7d Kh 7s Jh] [Ad]
x007steep has 15 seconds left to act
x007steep bets $1.50<-- I can’t see him going this far on Q10. I’m really hoping he is on AK, in which case I will get paid off. In any case, I am raising here.
jamyhawk raises to $7.85<-- overbet for value?
x007steep has 15 seconds left to act
x007steep folds <-- Oh well, winner winner chicken dinner. Would you have played this much differently?
Uncalled bet of $6.35 returned to jamyhawk
jamyhawk mucks
jamyhawk wins the pot ($6.05)
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $6.35 Rake $0.30
Board: [7d Kh 7s Jh Ad]
Seat 1: Bengt79 (button) didn't bet (folded)
Seat 2: iiznoodles (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: nalanda (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 4: stoney553 is sitting out
Seat 5: try2bme is sitting out
Seat 6: MBF4221 didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: x007steep folded on the River
Seat 8: jamyhawk collected ($6.05), mucked
Seat 9: AKAKIU didn't bet (folded)

Full Tilt Poker Game #4126591100: Table Timber Pine - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 3:11:19 ET - 2007/11/10
Seat 1: Bengt79 ($69.50), is sitting out
Seat 2: iiznoodles ($22.05)
Seat 3: nalanda ($14.05)
Seat 4: Addthemup ($31.25)
Seat 5: LogCabn-Asasinz ($16.30)
Seat 6: slickwatson ($23.05)
Seat 7: nttflox ($5)
Seat 8: jamyhawk ($16.90)<-- almost an hour later after the last hand and I have donked off half my chip stack. This table has suddenly become very juicy. Lots of pre-flop raising. Showdowns with Ace high, all in bets showing that they were bluffing. I’m tired, but I know I can score a decent amount if I connect with a flop.
Seat 9: GonzoPP ($4.55)
GonzoPP posts the small blind of $0.10
iiznoodles posts the big blind of $0.25
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to jamyhawk [Jd 9d]
nalanda folds
Addthemup folds
LogCabn-Asasinz folds
slickwatson raises to $0.50
nttflox folds
jamyhawk calls $0.50<-- I’ve broadened my range based on the table play.
GonzoPP folds
iiznoodles folds
*** FLOP *** [9s 9h 3d]<-- MONEY
slickwatson checks
jamyhawk checks<--slow play at this table will pay.
*** TURN *** [9s 9h 3d] [5c]<--hoped an A would have hit but oh well. slickwatson bets $1ß standard for this table. Can’t go 2 streets without betting. jamyhawk raises to $2ß min raise to look weak.
slickwatson calls $1<-- me likey.
*** RIVER *** [9s 9h 3d 5c] [Ad] <-- Ooooh. Great card. Hope he has an Ace.
slickwatson bets $5 <--YES!
jamyhawk has 15 seconds left to act <-- Doot, Doo, Doo. Oh that Ace really scared me. LOL. jamyhawk raises to $14.40, and is all in <-- Let’s see what I can get.
slickwatson has 15 seconds left to act
slickwatson calls $9.40 <--MONEY.
*** SHOW DOWN ***
jamyhawk shows [Jd 9d] three of a kind, Nines
slickwatson mucks
jamyhawk wins the pot ($32.45) with three of a kind, Nines
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $34.15 Rake $1.70
Board: [9s 9h 3d 5c Ad]
Seat 1: Bengt79 is sitting out
Seat 2: iiznoodles (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 3: nalanda didn't bet (folded)
Seat 4: Addthemup didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: LogCabn-Asasinz didn't bet (folded)
Seat 6: slickwatson mucked [8s Ac] - two pair, Aces and Nines <-- Knew I could get paid at this table. But A8off? Wow. And he raised it up. I wish I could stay at this table, but I have to get to bed. Bummer it took all night to find a table like this, and I can’t stay.
Seat 7: nttflox didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: jamyhawk (button) showed [Jd 9d] and won ($32.45) with three of a kind, Nines
Seat 9: GonzoPP (small blind) folded before the Flop



Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Should have folded KK (part V)

Actually, I did fold it. This opponent was extremely aggressive, but I just couldn't, especially without the Kspades. Wouldn't you have folded?

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Should have folded KK (part IV)

Full Tilt Poker Game #3466463692: Table Durham Springs - $0.10/$0.25 - No Limit Hold'em - 2:14:52 ET - 2007/09/05
Seat 1: dandelos ($24.30)
Seat 2: milkmoney1 ($15)
Seat 4: Jones 833 ($10.15)
Seat 5: Dillinger17 ($25)
Seat 6: jamyhawk ($16.20)
Seat 7: thegamerwhite ($18.90)
Seat 8: pasnia ($26.40)
Seat 9: Yusuf89 ($39.35)
pasnia posts the small blind of $0.10
Yusuf89 has 5 seconds left to act
Yusuf89 is sitting out
Yusuf89 has timed out
dandelos has 5 seconds left to act
dandelos is sitting out
milkmoney1 has 5 seconds left to act
dandelos stands up
milkmoney1 is sitting out
milkmoney1 has timed out
Jones 833 posts the big blind of $0.25
5 seconds left to act
Dillinger17 posts $0.25
The button is in seat #7
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to jamyhawk [Ks Kd]<--ruh roh!
Dillinger17 checks
milkmoney1 stands up
jamyhawk raises to $1.10<--always raising.
thegamerwhite calls $1.10<--good sign no re-raise
pasnia folds
AlexanderH sits down
Jones 833 calls $0.85<--i must be ahead pre-flop.
Dillinger17 folds
*** FLOP *** [3h 4c 5d]<--yuck. sets are all possible here.
Jones 833 checks
AlexanderH adds $25
jamyhawk checks<--plan to check raise
thegamerwhite bets $3.65<--overbet.
Jones 833 has 15 seconds left to act
JoeNBA1K sits down
Jones 833 raises to $9.05, and is all in<--now this is the scary bet. But short stack makes it more reasonable for me to call. hmmmm. what to do. I think I am ahead still. Jones has been loose, can see a draw here. .
JoeNBA1K adds $10
jamyhawk calls $9.05<--should have re-raised, not called.
thegamerwhite raises to $17.80, and is all in
jamyhawk calls $6.05, and is all in<--pot committed? something committed, that's for sure!
thegamerwhite shows [Ac 7h]<--hell yeah!
Jones 833 shows [2c Tc]<--are you kidding me? WTF? I'm golden.
jamyhawk shows [Ks Kd]
Uncalled bet of $2.70 returned to thegamerwhite
*** TURN *** [3h 4c 5d] [9d]
*** RIVER *** [3h 4c 5d 9d] [Ad]<--LOL. FU. MF. ARRRRRRRGHHHHHH.
thegamerwhite shows a pair of Aces
jamyhawk shows a pair of Kings
thegamerwhite wins the side pot ($11.50) with a pair of Aces<--worst part is he gets some of the pot.
Jones 833 shows a straight, Five high
Jones 833 wins the main pot ($29.30) with a straight, Five high
jamyhawk is sitting out
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $42.90 Main pot $30.80. Side pot $12.10. Rake $2.10
Board: [3h 4c 5d 9d Ad]
Seat 1: dandelos is sitting out
Seat 2: milkmoney1 is sitting out
Seat 4: Jones 833 (big blind) showed [2c Tc] and won ($29.30) with a straight, Five high
Seat 5: Dillinger17 folded before the Flop
Seat 6: jamyhawk showed [Ks Kd] and lost with a pair of Kings
Seat 7: thegamerwhite (button) showed [Ac 7h] and won ($11.50) with a pair of Aces
Seat 8: pasnia (small blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 9: Yusuf89 is sitting out

Not a bad beat, just bad play. FOLD THAT KK!

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Should have folded KK (part III)


Tier one Token Frenzy all in pre-flop. I hate going out this way!

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

About those Cowboys

Another good example on how a good player knows the value (or lack of value) of KK. I am quoting from The SNG Machine :
Second hand of the tournament I get KK and almost crap myself. I never get hands like this in live events, so what do I do? I limp of course to try and get someone to raise so I can just call and make the hand more confusing for all of us :) The button makes it 250, I call, crazy asian female dealer calls. Flop is Ace high and I insta-muck. I got KK again later, this time I raised, 3 callers, Ace high flop again, all check to me in position so I have to fire. I get check raised and pitch it, guy shows me A3, nh sir! JJ later on, same story, Ace on flop....

Here are some other great examples of what KK can get you from gadzooks64: click here

I was looking at Highhandpoker's evolution of a poker player: fish-donkey-man-shark . Would you agree that the fish and the donkey are all in pre-flop with KK every time? Or maybe the donkey thinks he will slow play you, and then you can win with A's or two pair or set or etc... because he will think the KK is a nuts hand in and of itself.

I guess my point is, learning how and when to fold KK will improve your game.

Thanks for letting me borrow your quote, Chad and for the screen shots gadzooks64.

Friday, May 25, 2007

Same Subject

While we are talking about KK. Would you fold this hand? I am playing in a tournament of 9 players, down to 6 now. I am dealt KK on the button. 1st to act raises 3xBB (300). I call and BB calls. Now thinking back, I feel this was a bad play on my part. I tend to get caught up in trying to set traps. I don't play aggressive enough with big hands. So looking back I think I should have raised from the button. Not that my opponent would fold here, but I would represent somthing bigger to my opponent. And really, isn't it more important what your opponent THINKS you have rather than what you DO have.

Back to the hand. 3 players in for 3xBB. Flop comes 5h2c4c. Check - Check to me and I bet 2xBB. Again, I am trying to trap with what I think is best hand. I don't expect A3 out there because of the pre-flop raise and I think AA, KK or QQ bets after the flop before me. There could be a set, which is always dangerous but always hard for me to sniff out. I get one caller.

Heads up. Turn comes Qs. Check to me and I bet 200. I am hoping to keep this person in with small pair or hope they have KQ or Qx but not two pair. I get the instant check raise to put me all in. . . I have half the chip stack as my opponent and they have been playing the tournament so far in a Loose pre flop, Aggressive post flop style (LAG). So there is not a lot of credibility in his big bet. But still, my tournament is over if I call and lose. I just don't feel that they have me beat, so I call. He flips over AQo/s. Perfect hand for me and I am going to double up.

Except for the fact that the 3h comes on the river and his wheel rolls over my crowns and ends my tournament.
I guess that more aggressive pre-flop and post flop betting would have won me the hand before the turn came. Do you agree?

Stay Patient....

Jamyhawk

Thursday, May 24, 2007

For Openers

OK, so I can't write a blog every day (or every week) about how to fold KK. But it is a great start. There is a recent commercial for Fulltilt Poker that shows Jennifer Harman laying down KK when her opponent shifts his jaw while looking at an A that came on the flop. Now that is a little more "make believe" than I think would really happen there, but it proves this point: It is hard to fold KK. . . Kings, Cowboys, King Kong, Elvis Presley, Ace Magnets, .... whatever you call it, players love to go all in with KK. Did I say players? Some people might say donkeys. In either case, I recently decided that I will be a solid poker player once I learn how to fold KK.

So here is how it happened: I am 2nd to act in a 9 player tournament with 5 players left. The blinds were 50/100. 1st to act calls the BigBlind, I raise to 3x BigBlind and button calls, both blinds fold, and 1st calls. Flop comes 3c4dJs. 1st checks, I bet 600 (60% of pot), button calls and 1st to act folds. Turn comes Qh. Now I don't know the button well enough to put him on much but I am figuring 10's, 9's, 8's by the fact that he only called on the flop bet. Or he could be on a monster trying to trap. A monster would be JJ or QQ here. I fire 1,000 at the pot (maybe 40%) and he immediately goes all in. He has me covered by about $10, so we are basically even. I'm into the pot for about $2,000 and I have $3,000 in front of me.

Now I start thinking about AA, JJ or QQ. And it is possible that a set is out there. I used to just fire all in with KK, but have since learned to slow down. Especially with all the possible combinations out there that can beat me. . . But what if this guy is a donkey with AQ. That is definitely a donkey move to fire all in with TopPairTopKicker (TPTK).

I lay it down. Wow! I think to myself that I must now be a solid player. I have learned how to fold KK. I believe this was the first time. . . I went on to finish 2nd in the tournament and who finished first? Yes. My opponent from that hand. Nevermind... I am not a solid player... He played me... I bet he had A2o/s.

I need to find a new question to make me a solid player. Maybe when I can fold Jacks over 7's when the board is 7h7s9cJc4c (a hand I lost with). Then I will be a solid player.

What do you think?

Stay Patient...

Jamyhawk