Suited connectors out of position
 

PokerStars Pot-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (9 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: 2+2 Forums)

SB ($99.35)
BB ($70.25)
UTG ($29.30)
UTG+1 ($6.35)
Hero ($37.05)
MP2 ($45.35)
MP3 ($58.35)
CO ($11.40)
Button ($49.25)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with 8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 9[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img].
<font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to $1.5</font>, MP2 calls $1.50, <font color="#CC3333">MP3 raises to $3.5</font>, <font color="#666666">4 folds</font>, Hero calls $2, MP2 folds.

Flop: ($9.25) 7[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], T[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
Hero checks, <font color="#CC3333">MP3 bets $5</font>

This hand happened about 5 hands after sitting down and I had not seen him play any other pots. So my question was what do you guys think about the hand so far? What do you think about the call preflop? Do I lead out on the flop or check-call or check fold? Thanks for the input.

Re: Suited connectors out of position
 

pf is fine.

the RR is tiny.

Flop i might just fold, or call and try to rep diamonds if one hits the turn w/ a c/r AI. Its tricky, because a very plausible hand for him is AK, and if a J hits, it will be difficult if he puts heat on you.

Re: Suited connectors out of position
 

true. I couldn't put him on, AK, though, because the flop bet seemed too strong. Instead I had him on an overpair or AQ. The pf reraise suggested to me that he wanted action. Also, I was wondering what would you think about leading the flop?

Re: Suited connectors out of position
 

I'd make a 4BB raise preflop. Small quibble.

Normally I'd lead a nice draw like this for 7 or 8.

but g. is right, AK is just too likely, as are other reraising hands like TT+.

So I don't mind the check. Now that 5 dollar bet is small- either scared or drawing. It makes me think AK is *more* likely, not less likely. I'm thinking JJ or AK. Both of which make your hand junk. And with the diamond draw out there- yuck.

I'm folding here unless I have really good control of villian.

Re: Suited connectors out of position
 

Thanks. A little off topic, but I was wondering, why do you suggest a bigger raise preflop. I used to usually raise 4bb preflop. But from my experience I seem to get an almost equal FE with the 3bb raise. I also found that it opened up my range quite a bit. So that I began to get more action on my big hands and put more pressure on my opponents.

Re: Suited connectors out of position
 

I think if you raise to 3 BB w/ SC/small PP and 4 BB with AK etc/big PP, even the donks will notice.

Re: Suited connectors out of position
 

It's your thread, and if you want to go OT, fine, I guess.

I like 4BB for two reasons.

One- too many people call my 3BB bets with speculative hands. I generally want one caller with a predictable hand like AJ OOP. Calling small bets with speculative hands is my job. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] If you get the same results with 3BB, cool.

Two- I want the pots I'm in with the best hand in the best position to be bigger than the pots my opponents would create with the same hand in the same position. This creates a constant flow of money from them to me as long as the cards break even- which they do, in the long run. At tables where 4BB is the standard, I'll make my standard 5BB.

Re: Suited connectors out of position
 

What I meant was that almost all of my raises are 3BB. The raises are only bigger if there are limpers ahead of me.

Re: Suited connectors out of position
 

[ QUOTE ]
Two- I want the pots I'm in with the best hand in the best position to be bigger than the pots my opponents would create with the same hand in the same position. This creates a constant flow of money from them to me as long as the cards break even- which they do, in the long run. At tables where 4BB is the standard, I'll make my standard 5BB.

[/ QUOTE ]

That makes does make sense. I guess the way that I have always thought about it was that I will make most of my money after the flop and that my money will come from making better decisions from my opponents postflop.

Re: Suited connectors out of position
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Two- I want the pots I'm in with the best hand in the best position to be bigger than the pots my opponents would create with the same hand in the same position. This creates a constant flow of money from them to me as long as the cards break even- which they do, in the long run. At tables where 4BB is the standard, I'll make my standard 5BB.

[/ QUOTE ]

That makes does make sense. I guess the way that I have always thought about it was that I will make most of my money after the flop and that my money will come from making better decisions from my opponents postflop.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's the Negreanu school of thought. Nothing wrong with it, if you can make it work.