Heads up against a semi-solid sort

[MRBAA]

Heads up 2-4 table, ante .50, bring in $2. Opponent is decent, altho I think he's been running good and is a bit over aggro. We've played one other head up session, and he won about 6BB in about 1/2 hour. I felt he outplayed me a bit (although he also had good cards), and did an expecially good job of playing big pots when he had big hands. We've also sat a fair bit of 2-4 and 3-6 full ring together, and I've seen him make great plays and also be way over aggressive at times, although in those games we don't usually tangle a ton since we're both tighter than average.

Anyway, this hand took place shortly after he sat down. He's been very aggro about raising my bring ins, so I've been playing back a fair bit. Just a few hands ago, he raised my bring in with an Ace in the door, I reraised and he folded.

Now, he raises again:

Hero (QQ)9
Opp (xx)A

I reraise, he calls.

Pot: 2BB

Hero (QQ)9K
Opp (xx)AK

He bets, I call.

Pot: 3BB

Hero (QQ)9K4
Opp (xx)AKJ

He bets, I call

Pot: 5BB

Hero (QQ)9J4K
Opp (xx)AKJT

He bets, I call

Pot 7BB

Hero (QQ)9J4K(9)
Opp (xx)AKJT(x)

He bets, I call

Pot 9BB

How'd I play it?

[Joe Tall]

[ QUOTE ]
How'd I play it?

[/ QUOTE ]

Given the circumstance, perfect.

[MRBAA]

I think when he bets out on fifth, it's likely he can beat at least a pair of nines, although it's also possible he has a bit less and is betting his somewhat scary board. Could you find a fold here? This guy tends to speed on the early streets, but slow down if he thinks he's behind on the big bet streets.

Also, would you not raise fourth to see where you're at (especially as he's likely to still be first to act on fifth unless I pair)?

[jon_1van]

I think it depends on the dynamic btw the two of you.

The BI is a full SB??? The total antes is 1/2 a SB???

The is pretty much holdem structure. (1.5 SB in forced bets). So it seems like you guys should be bet and raising a little more. Because in general you should be pouring chips in trying to get your opponent to fold. Now that you have a "real" hand...you need a little more indication that you're beat before you shutdown.

[7csCB]

Hi,

Villain's 3rd st call is weak and I put him on a pocket pair < 9s.

Heads-up, I would raise 4th and fold to a re-raise based on villain's previous fold you mentionned.

On 5th, I give little weight to his straight draw. As played, I still put him on a small pair because his board is so scary that a bet is nearly a given. But he could have started with some big cards in the hole which would likely mean trouble. I'm tempted to raise but I don't.

I call 6th thinking my original read might be correct but suspecting that improving to 2 pairs may not be enough.

I call the river.

[BTirish]

jon_1van,

I was hoping you'd start using more GRE-level vocabulary in your posts.

[MRBAA]

oops, my bad on the structure. It is:

.40 ante, .50 bring in, copmletion to $2

[MRBAA]

You post good. I like your line more with split 9s, but it's not bad here either. Of course you have to be careful about making to many raise/fold plays head up, but it does have a place, especially on the early streets.

[Fierce Lion7]

Well, did you win?

I THINK I understand why you are not re raising like some of the other folks said to do but I am a bit confused.

It seems like you have the best hand but don't think you can get the other guy to fold so you are calling him down because you are the odds on favorite.

I get your read on him trying to ante steal with an Ace up before but this seems a little shakey to me.

You are certainly better than I am but I aven't played with you in a little while so perhaps you could enlighten me.

Fierce Lion7

[Andy B]

[ QUOTE ]
How'd I play it?

[/ QUOTE ]

About the same way as I would have, but I'm a notorious pay station.