Play a Hand With the Masters #3 Flop

[grandgnu]

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Setup
$650 PokerStars Qualifier for the PokerStars Carribean Adventure (PCA)
9-Handed
Blinds 10/20
Hero is Strassa
No reads on villain

Stacks
Hero (CO) t2540
BB t3245

Pre-Flop
All fold to hero who has 7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] 5[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] and raises to t80. Button and SB fold. BB calls t60.

Flop
Pot: t170

Flop: 7[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 5[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

BB checks. Action is on the hero.

Pre-Flop and Flop Questions

1) A lot of people talk about playing tight early and don't try to steal blinds when they are this small. What do you think about blind stealing at this level? Would you do it and if so under what conditions?

2) What's your decision on the flop? Do you check or bet (and if so, how much)?

3) What's your plan on the turn (if any) based on your decision on the flop, the villain's action, and what card comes?

4) Any other thoughts at this point?

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1. It's not necessarily blind stealing. There's little to gain this early on by stealing blinds. Instead, you're hoping to have a well disguised holding, and trap another player who puts you on a more premium set of cards.

2. Well, the Big blind called us out of position, with a larger stack. He may just as easily be playing cards similar to our own, hoping that we're on high cards and a raggedy flop might allow him to win some chips (especially if we're on an overpair).

In this instance, we have flopped bottom two pair, which, heads-up, is pretty strong. But, it's not impossible for our opponent to hold 6/8 and/or the flush draw as well.

I would likely lead out with a continuation bet of 75-100 chips, make it look like we missed but we're hoping to take it down now. If our opponent raises us, it's likely he's hit a piece of this flop, perhaps just a draw. At that point, we can re-raise him and potentially get paid off if he's hit top pair.

If we bet and he just smooth-calls, he's either drawing or looking to take it away from us on the turn. I don't like checking and allowing a free card, bet and hope he either folds or raises so you can re-raise.

3. Luckily on the turn we'll still hold position on our opponent. So depending on what card falls (bringing a much stronger straight or flush possibility, or trip 9's, etc.) we can act accordingly (i.e. with caution) if necessary.

4. No other thoughts at this point.