($114) 44 on the button - Awkward stack sizes.

ryanghall · #1 03-31-2006, 09:18 PM

This seems like a simple question but I guess we all have our leaks.

How do you play this hand in this situation preflop and on the flop? I know SB was tight but I didn't have any special read on BB.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t100 (7 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

BB (t1125)
UTG (t900)
MP1 (t1655)
MP2 (t1395)
CO (t2055)
Hero (t2990)
SB (t2235)

Preflop: Hero is Button with 4[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img].

5 folds, Hero raises to t300, 1 fold, BB calls t200.

Flop: 9 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] A [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 8 [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]

BB checks, Hero ?

(BB has 825 left)

pineapple888 · #2 03-31-2006, 09:37 PM

44 is pretty crappy this early, nothing wrong with a fold preflop, the donks always assume you are stealing from the button. So I generally wait for a real hand. Then run into QQ. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Anyway, having raised, I just push the flop and hope for the best.

beeyjay · #3 03-31-2006, 09:45 PM

I either bet 300 and fold to a push or check behind and push the turn if checked to.

As a sidenote, I might raise to 400 preflop to make it even more clear that hes playing for everything.

pineapple888 · #4 03-31-2006, 09:50 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I either bet 300 and fold to a push or check behind and push the turn if checked to.

As a sidenote, I might raise to 400 preflop to make it even more clear that hes playing for everything.

[/ QUOTE ]

Would you bet 300 with an A and villain having 800 behind? Because an A is what you want to represent here.

Also, I really can't see giving a free card here. Your hand is as good as it's going to get and extremely vulnerable, of course.

curtains · #5 03-31-2006, 09:56 PM

I would bet the flop, since you can very safely fold if raised. Bet something like 400. It's not like you will regret having to fold for the other 400 if you are checkraised allin.

Also consider raising less PF (250) in this spot.

Bigwig · #6 03-31-2006, 10:01 PM

I normally would not raise 44 on the button in this spot. The blinds relative to stack sizes dictate that you should probably still be playing pretty tight. At the next level (100/200) it's time to open up.

b33nz · #7 03-31-2006, 10:08 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I normally would not raise 44 on the button in this spot. The blinds relative to stack sizes dictate that you should probably still be playing pretty tight. At the next level (100/200) it's time to open up.

[/ QUOTE ]

meh, i think he can spew some chips. i would usually fold this if i had 15 or less BBs.

btw curtains, i disagree with your PF raise. 250 is just inviting people to call/push. 300 is my minimum in this case.

beeyjay · #8 03-31-2006, 10:11 PM

WHy less preflop? I would think raising more to make it clear you're willing to play for all his chips makes more sense.

pineapple888 · #9 03-31-2006, 11:03 PM

[ QUOTE ]

I would bet the flop, since you can very safely fold if raised. Bet something like 400. It's not like you will regret having to fold for the other 400 if you are checkraised allin.

Also consider raising less PF (250) in this spot.

[/ QUOTE ]

Isn't this kinda obvious? "Here, I don't have an A, take the pot if you want it."

And what if he just calls?

I'm just gonna do what I'd do if I had an A and take my chances.

ryanghall · #10 04-01-2006, 12:50 AM

I think Curtains is right and I kind of wish that I had raised to 250 preflop. Most of the value you're going to get if you decide to raise this hand is the value of stealing the blinds. A raise to 250 should do the job about as well as a raise to 300.

Ryan