Greetings all.
First off this place is great. I like the fact that there are a bunch of locals here who like the sort of dedication and requirement of poker that I do. It's cool.
So here is my question for the day to see if I can stir up the conversation.
I was playing in a cash game at the Platinum Room on Saturday (last). There was only one table and it was full to the boards with a waiting list. Moderately loose players for the most part, we were all sitting with a minimum of 100, and the winners were stacked no higher than 350, I was sitting at about 125, and had gotten nothing but cold cards and missed flops every time that I played. I look into the pocket and see J,J (don't remember the suits, I don't draw 4 flushes with ppairs unless it's an accident). Of course, loose players I raise it up (25 bones) because I don't want the flop coming rags and hitting somebody that shouldn't be in it. I get 2 callers.
Flop comes A, 8, blank. Comes around to me as check, check. I'm sitting at the table thinking "I need to win this ... now" Bet another 25, and get check-raised by the first position player for almost the rest of my stack. So of course I go deep into the tank...I actually apologized because probably took a full minute to think about it and walked through the hand (the other guy folded). I folded it and showed the hooks. He flops over AKo .
Next hand I get pocket sevens and (steaming slightly) I basically intend to buy this pot. I bet 20, same 2 callers (both of which are moderately loose). Flop comes 8, 3, 2 rainbow. I'm looking at this thinking "I can steal this right now" All in for about 86. First position REraises me all in, and I know I am toast right then. He flips over ... pocket 8's.
So to the point now. I have taken my game to a different level by taking more time to analyze key hands, and how I could have better played them. Here is what I thought and I want to know what you all think.
First hand, I played it right. Tight-aggressive (I had folded an hour's worth of hands for this one). It took every amount of reason, but I laid the hand down when I looked at how he bet. Called a big initial bet, checkraised me, and was trying to bit as much of my chips as possible. I actually put him on kings or trip aces, because I personally wouldn't dance for AK with a tight player like me...but I think I was overanalyzing that. Either way I laid it down.
On the second hand (very next hand no less!), I was a little goosey from the last hand and saw a pocket pair. Not thinking about the fact that they were a middle pair (less than half), I raised. I'm not sure if that was the right play, but I do believe in playing middle pairs like aces whenever possible. What I should have learned (and I have paid for this lesson before), is that if someone dances with you in a 1/2 game for 20 bucks or more...they have something. It may only be a pair of threes, but they are not in there without a strong hand or pair minimum.
My all in bet was, in retrospect, almost a self trap because I didn't have the right information. When it came to me, check, check again. I walked right into the trap. My lesson learned is the one that I worte a moment ago. If they call you for that much...it's not a bluff (unless you know they are a wild player). The only thing that tossed me was that this guy was a major calling station.
So there you have it. My thought on the 2 key hands that cost me 125 in about 7 minutes...any thoughts from the rail?
:spade:
