Hand reading and trend importance.

[Xanthro]

Poker Stars, $0.10/$0.25 NL Hold'em Cash Game, 8 Players
LeggoPoker Hand History Converter

BTN: $27.70
SB: $24.25
BB: $24.15
UTG: $44.35
UTG+1: $4.80
MP1: $17.25
MP2: $13.95
Hero (CO): $25.50

Pre-Flop: J[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] T[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (CO)
UTG folds, UTG+1 calls $0.25, 2 folds, <font color="red">Hero raises to $1</font>, 3 folds, UTG+1 calls $0.75

Flop: ($2.35) 7[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 9[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] T[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (2 Players)
UTG+1 checks, <font color="red">Hero bets $1.75</font>, <font color="red">UTG+1 raises to $3.80 and is All-In</font>, Hero calls $2.05

Turn: ($9.95) 9[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

River: ($9.95) 7[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

Results: $9.95 Pot ($0.45 Rake)
UTG+1 showed and LOST (-$4.80 NET)
Hero showed J[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] T[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] and LOST (-$4.80 NET)

I'm posting this because it's a hand that at first glance looks like a very odd play, but it's based on villains tendencies and is an example of why noting these tendencies is important in improving play.

When UTG+1 limps, I know a couple of things.
1) He never has a pair here, because he's been pushing any pair from any position, then rebuying for $5 when he busts out.
2) He'll pay off his stack light, since he can't fold even over cards.

Honestly, I throw away JTo, but because the players were giving me respect, they are likely to fold and I'll be isolated with position against villain. Which is what happened.

Great flop for me, I have Top pair, and an inside draw. Villain checks, which in this particular case means he didn't hit the flop. Since he bet when he had a part of the flop.

So, I'm now I'm ahead, so his check raise, (which I was hopping for) isn't at all scary, in fact for him it indicates desperation at having two over cards that missed.

It's an easy call, despite just having Top pair 3rd kicker.

It's not that interesting of a hand in isolation, but it provides an example of how noting the play of someone else, and using how others at the table view you (they saw me as very tight and those to act after me would almost always get out of my way without a premium hand) and position can allow you the opportunity to pick up some decent pots.

Remember, that what the villain has and how it's played is as important as your cards.