What are the odds there was no cheating going on here?

[TexRef]

The one thing you left out - what size stack did she have? If she had $400-500 in front of her, then she can afford to play the short stacks like this.

On the first hand, when she calls the additional $30, you should know that it is likely that all the money is going in on the flop, whether she says so or not. You got in as a favorite, but she sucked out. Standard.

The second hand, she is pressuring the short stack again. She probably figures that she can take the pot right there, but if not she has a gutshot. (Not saying that this is great strategy, just probably what she thinks about the hand). It's not likely that her opponent flopped the nuts. Again, she gets very lucky.

Third hand, I agree to raise more. I know you were trying to trap, but I just hate min-raises. Unfortunately, since you are short stacked, you almost have to push in here -- raising to $60 seems stupid, as the money will go in on the flop anyway.

Next time buy-in for more than $100 ... I personally feel that $100 is short-stacked in a 1/2 game ... for 2/5 it is absurd.

[DMC0627]

I think her buy in was $150, it looked about that, but she won a few key hands giving her a big stack.

[Gonso]

First off, a couple of the replies confuse me here. OP was clear about being a very new player, saw a couple things she didn't understand, and posted them here for more experienced players to evaluate.

Anyway, it's not especially likely that you're dealing with a mechanic (not impossible, but unlikely). This isn't much worse than some of the 2/5NL games at the casino.

I think cut cards are should be mandatory in any case, especially in a regular game where real money is used. Cutting the cards is super-standard and should be done every time (we even do it after using a ShuffleMaster).

A standard shuffle procedure can help alleviate problems, same with burning cards and so on.

[DMC0627]

I was also quite confused by some of the replies. I was referred to this board by a more experienced player, and he was pretty much dead on about the replies. He told me at least a few people, no matter what, would basically tell me what a donk I am, so to speak, and the others would give helpful info.

I do know that is the nature of message boards, for a few people to just reply with digs to feel superior and smarter than me is normal. I think the majority of this community is great and has been helpful on other topics as well. I am positive no matter what, I would have gotten rude replies by those who gave them, even under different circumstances.

For example, had I pushed all in with my aces, the same people who criticized my min raise most likely would have criticized the all in. I would have gotten replies that basically said I was an idiot, it was the way to win the minimum, etc.

Some people just take pleasure in offering no help, constructive advice or criticism, but feel the need to throw an insult in for good measure. Luckily it doesn't bother me, and it won't prevent me from posting or asking questions. People like you and the others that truly wanted to (and did) help far outnumber the others. Thanks

[pfapfap]

I agree you got some possibly rude replies.

However, y'know what makes them easy to ignore? Ignoring them.

[DMC0627]

Very cute kid.

[pfapfap]

See? Just like that. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

He's my nephew. He's a rockstar. I love my brother's sense of humor.

Back to your game... it seems like you have a basic overall understanding of the game, so some books that would be a good introduction into NL are Phil Gordon's Little... duo. One is discussion of overall strategy, one is hand analysis with little lessons peppered throughout. But something I can tell you now... if your raises are getting called by more people than you'd like, raise more next time. This is high variance, but a very good "problem" to have.

[DMC0627]

I seem to be doing well at limit (low like 4-8), and have almost finished reading small stakes hold em. Do you think its too confusing to go back and forth to nl/l if you have only been playing a couple of weeks? The only time I tried the nl was when I lost the $200 in the home game.

[Zagga]

Haha, OP is a total fish apearently.

I push short stacks alin all the time with crap, only to get lucky. each hand of the woman in question is well played.

[Taso]

^ +1 to the jerk tally?