5/10 big draw - How to play it?

spex x · #1 10-23-2006, 11:56 AM

So I just started playing limit hold'em and I'd like to hear your opinions on how to play this hand. This was at a 5/10 limit game. I'm mostly interested in how to play the flop, but comments appreciated on all streets. I don't think I played any street very well, which is why I decided to post the hand.

I was CO and everyone folded to me. I had 5[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] 2[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] and I raised to steal the blinds. The button reraised, and getting about 6.5:1, I called (7.5 sb). The flop came down Q[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] 5[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 9[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]. I check called.

The turn came a blank, maybe 7[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]. I check raised here, but I know it was a mistake. Villian called. The river blanked and I check/folded.

I think I should have led and reraised the flop, and check/called the turn. Any suggestions appreciated.

MoreWineII · #2 10-23-2006, 12:10 PM

In low limit games, you'll find the blinds will call quite often and you'll find yourself playing for a small pot with an inferior hand. Therefore, I would fold this preflop. Obviously who the blinds are matters, but against a table full of unknowns I would probably raise here with a suited ace, T9s on up, KTo on up, and a PP maybe 55 on up.

Now that you're here, I would check-raise this flop and lead most turns.

spex x · #3 10-23-2006, 12:27 PM

Why is it better to c/r the flop instead of leading? IMO, it is better to lead for the fold equity, plus if he raises I'm putting the same amount in as a c/r. I've got a good enough hand to go to the river anyways, but I'd prefer to take the pot down now than having to hit to win.

MoreWineII · #4 10-23-2006, 12:50 PM

Almost nobody is 3-betting preflop and folding to a single flop bet so you've got very little fold equity here. Besides that flop gave you a nice value on your hand, you might even be ahead with your pair - what better time to extract bets from worse hands knowing almost for certain your opponent is going to bet if checked to?

I believe a flop check-raise followed by a turn lead gives you both the best value and the best folding equity.

If you're raised on the turn you can call and check-fold the river UI imo.

spex x · #5 10-23-2006, 01:11 PM

I see, thanks for the comments.

TripleH68 · #6 10-23-2006, 06:12 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Almost nobody is 3-betting preflop and folding to a single flop bet so you've got very little fold equity here. Besides that flop gave you a nice value on your hand, you might even be ahead with your pair - what better time to extract bets from worse hands knowing almost for certain your opponent is going to bet if checked to?

I believe a flop check-raise followed by a turn lead gives you both the best value and the best folding equity.

If you're raised on the turn you can call and check-fold the river UI imo.

[/ QUOTE ]

Excellent reply.

Is that your dog? What happened the old avatar? I can't look at your name without seeing that image in my mind. Funny.

MoreWineII · #7 10-23-2006, 06:57 PM

It's "our dog" yeah, and I'm not responsible for the pink collar...

Stormie just kinda went away, it was hosted somewhere and now it's not so I changed. They still have Storm Shadow GI Joe figures in the stores btw, I saw one the other day and he was much awesomer than when I was little.

Nick Royale · #8 10-23-2006, 01:13 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Why is it better to c/r the flop instead of leading? IMO, it is better to lead for the fold equity

[/ QUOTE ]
If he's folding it's with a hand we don't want him to fold, and against which we probably would have extracted 1-2SB from if we had check/raised.

[ QUOTE ]
plus if he raises I'm putting the same amount in as a c/r.

[/ QUOTE ]
If he raises our flop bet he's ahead much more often than if we check/raise and get called. So by betting out we're getting 1SB in when we're ahead and 2SB in when behind (a bit simplyfied). The problem with getting 3-bet on the flop is really small since we're most often having an equity of 40-50%.

aes14 · #9 10-23-2006, 06:24 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Why is it better to c/r the flop instead of leading? IMO, it is better to lead for the fold equity, plus if he raises I'm putting the same amount in as a c/r. I've got a good enough hand to go to the river anyways, but I'd prefer to take the pot down now than having to hit to win.

[/ QUOTE ]

Check raising has much more fold equity. Trust me. Either on the check raise or when you lead the turn after he calls.

Nick Royale · #10 10-23-2006, 12:26 PM

Most often you should fold preflop. I would check/raise the flop and lead the turn. Any reads?