Tough spot with TT

CieloAzor · #1 01-13-2006, 06:35 AM

I just got moved. We're approaching the bubble, but I came to win. First hand at the new table, the big stack raises to 4BB UTG. I'm 2nd in chips and 2 seats down with TT. This hand was destined to be dangerous.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t600 (9 handed) converter

UTG+1 (t4408)
Hero (t18026)
MP2 (t10690)
MP3 (t6550)
CO (t4257)
Button (t12850)
SB (t5205)
BB (t4510)
UTG (t23765)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with T[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], T[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img].
UTG raises to t2400, 1 fold, Hero?

So what comes first?

DandyJam · #2 01-13-2006, 08:36 AM

With your stack size, I would fold this against an unknown UTG raiser. If you push it's too likely UTG has AA-JJ and will call, or he calls with overcards and you're in for a coin flip. I don't like calling either since there are quite a few people left to act behind you with short or medium stacks that might push when given the opportunity.

Your post doesn't say if there are any antes, but if there are your M is still a bit over 10 and your are not getting desperate yet.

dseiler116 · #3 01-13-2006, 09:01 AM

With his stack size and a bet that's more than half his stack, it's pretty much a given he's looking to move in very soon and double up off someone.

Or he could just be looking to steal.

DandyJam · #4 01-13-2006, 09:02 AM

I think you misread the post. UTG raiser is the big stack with t23765, i.e the only stack that can eliminate hero.

CieloAzor · #5 01-13-2006, 09:03 AM

Probably should've just posted this whole bit at once. Feel free to discuss both preflop and flop decisions though.

Perhaps folding is the right play preflop. Shoving it all-in in this spot seems far too risky, and even though our stacks are pretty nice compared to the field, calling isn't all that comfortable. How much of an edge did I really expect to have here?

Anyway, I'm not one to go away easily and I had position on the raiser, so I took the flop. Maybe that was mistake #1, but postflop is where I really think I botched this one.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t600 (9 handed) converter

UTG+1 (t4408)
Hero (t18026)
MP2 (t10690)
MP3 (t6550)
CO (t4257)
Button (t12850)
SB (t5205)
BB (t4510)
UTG (t23765)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with T[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], T[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img].
UTG raises to t2400, 1 fold, Hero calls t2400, 6 folds.

Flop: (t5200) K[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 8[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], K[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (2 players)
UTG bets t2400, Hero?

DandyJam · #6 01-13-2006, 09:09 AM

Is that pot size really accurate? The raise and your call alone makes it 4800, so I guess blinds (and antes?) should make the pot quite a bit bigger than 5200. Or am I missing something?

DandyJam · #7 01-13-2006, 10:19 AM

Push or fold. I would probably fold since I don't know anything about the guy and his 1/2 pot continuation bet could mean anything. Considering a normal UTG raiser's hand range you are behind to most hands except AQ or maybe AJ or 99. With some reads I could see a case for pushing hoping for him to have AQ/AJ or that he will lay down AA, QQ or JJ. I definitely would not call since there are way to many turn cards that could be really scary. Any A, Q or J and you can be almost sure you're beat and by that time you are both more or less pot committed.

CieloAzor · #8 01-13-2006, 10:53 AM

Pot size on the flop should be 6150. I guess the converter did something weird there. I had to check the original hand history to see for sure.

DandyJam · #9 01-13-2006, 11:01 AM

So, what happened on the flop?

drewjustdrew · #10 01-13-2006, 11:04 AM

Call flop. If he bets at turn for 4800 or more, fold, if he bets 2400, min raise and check river. If he checks, bet 4800. He "should" be afraid of dropping in chips just the same as you are. Usually when the chip leaders face off, they don't risk damaging their position too badly without a good hand. If you drop to 10K, you are still in OK shape.