25NL 4 hands that STINK (100% results oriented)

wackybrak · #1 08-11-2007, 02:46 AM

I've got some serious leaks in my game that are preventing me from being a consistent big winner. So I implore you, PLEASE help me be less of a donk.

HAND 1

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (5 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: 2+2 Forums)

Hero ($36.55)
SB ($14.50)
BB ($12.30)
UTG ($33.40)
MP ($26.15)

Preflop: Hero is Button with A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img].
1 fold, MP raises to $1, Hero raises to $3, 1 fold, BB calls $2.75, MP calls $2.

Flop: ($9.10) Q[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 2[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (3 players)
BB checks, MP checks, Hero bets $4, BB folds, MP calls $4.

Turn: ($17.10) J[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (2 players)
MP checks, Hero bets $9, MP raises to $19.15, Hero calls $10.15.

River: ($55.40) 3[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (2 players)

Final Pot: $55.40

I didn't want to lose anyone on the flop, in order to extract value, so I bet small. On a flop like this, with a hand so strong, this isn't a mistake, is it?

HAND 2

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (6 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: 2+2 Forums)

Button ($24.85)
SB ($24.75)
BB ($25)
UTG ($9.30)
Hero ($34.20)
CO ($26.60)

Preflop: Hero is MP with Q[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img].
1 fold, Hero raises to $0.75, CO calls $0.75, Button calls $0.75, 2 folds.

Flop: ($2.60) 8[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 2[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 3[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (3 players)
Hero bets $1.75, CO raises to $5.5, Button folds, Hero raises to $15, CO raises to $25.85, Hero calls $10.85.

Turn: ($54.30) 8[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (2 players)

River: ($54.30) K[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 players)

Final Pot: $54.30

I was a little distracted (i'm multitabling 9 right now) and a little tilted from a previous hand, so I probably went too far with this hand. Although, if I call the flop, aren't I getting it in on the turn anyways?

hand 3

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (5 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: 2+2 Forums)

Hero ($65.85)
BB ($25.25)
UTG ($28.50)
MP ($24.85)
Button ($16.15)

Preflop: Hero is SB with K[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], K[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img].
3 folds, Hero raises to $0.75, BB raises to $1.5, Hero raises to $3.5, BB calls $2.

Flop: ($7) 2[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 7[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 6[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (2 players)
Hero bets $4.75, BB calls $4.75.

Turn: ($16.50) 8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (2 players)
Hero bets $12, BB raises to $17, Hero calls $5.

River: ($50.50) 9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 players)

Final Pot: $50.50

Mistake not raising more preflop, again I have the habit of betting somewhat light in order to not lose villains. I'm assuming this is a big mistake I make habitually.

Hand 4

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (6 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: 2+2 Forums)

MP ($44.40)
CO ($38.15)
Button ($24.55)
Hero ($24.75)
BB ($28.95)
UTG ($19.35)

Preflop: Hero is SB with Q[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img].
UTG calls $0.25, 1 fold, CO calls $0.25, Button raises to $1.5, Hero raises to $5, 1 fold, UTG folds, CO folds, Button calls $3.50.

Flop: ($10.75) 2[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 8[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (2 players)
Hero bets $5, Button raises to $19.55, Hero calls $14.55.

Turn: ($49.85) 5[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (2 players)

River: ($49.85) J[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (2 players)

Final Pot: $49.85

This was just bad. I really was just confused by the shove and wasn't sure if I'm supposed to bet out on this flop. I thought "maybe KK will fold". Really dumb I suppose. Just check/fold on the flop from now on then?

Well all thoughts appreciated, and as I stated above, I know I'm making some truly miserable plays in these hands but that's why I'm posting them [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

shoxbb6 · #2 08-11-2007, 03:09 AM

Hand 1, bet more on the flop/turn

Hand 2, This spot sucks, I'll usually call the first flop raise and reavaluate the turn. Calling his all in is pretty bad though.

Hand 3, Definitely raise more preflop. Otherwise is fine.

Hand 4, Checking this flop and trying to get to showdown is prolly best on this board, if you bet, don't call his all in.

sww · #3 08-11-2007, 04:56 AM

1)Bet more. His calling range remains the same I believe.

2)Well played, I think he calls your reraise with lots of worse hands and I want to felt QQ in this spot. His all in is an easy call given the odds.

3)It is not terrible and it would be perfect if you had raised more preflop.

4)Wrong thinking there. You shouldnt think "maybe he will fold better hands". Will he call with 99-JJ? How big his range is? And will he raise with Ax! Some people don't and you can actually call the raise. Another option could be to check/call one street. Of course the safest way to play it is to check/fold but against some people it is a mistake since they will have too many worse hands. Checking makes your hand transparent and villain might be able to play perfectly although on this level it is not a big problem and betting might be unnecessary.

Blake Kyles · #4 08-11-2007, 05:19 AM

I think you played the first three hands fine, and you pointed out your mistakes.

The forth hand is the trouble hand though. I like your PF actions, and I like your bet on the flop. However, when your opponent moves in, I think it's time to give it up. The bet on the flop is meant to get information, and your opponent gave you that information, so now it's time to fold and move on, imo.

I don't like check/calling because I don't think it gives you as much information. Also, it lets your opponent choose the bet size, so you might be calling 7 or 8 or w/e.

I also don't like check/folding because you're simply giving up the pot too easily. You showed a lot of strength PF, and you need to follow that up with a c/b. You're going to win this pot almost every time on the flop when you're opponent doesn't have an ace.

Looking at the four hands, I don't think you played them all that bad in general. You're misplayed 1 hand pretty badly, but the other three look ok (minus the small mistakes that you've already pointed out). Even if you lost all of them, it doesn't mean you misplayed all of them. Remember that poker is a game of small edges, you have to lose some of the time.

sww · #5 08-11-2007, 05:38 AM

Check/fold and check/call are the optimal lines against nonethinking players when you have enough information yourself. Bet/fold makes your task easier though. Bet/call is for a very limited group of players when you have the most solid reads. Very rarely in NL holdem we have one clearly best option.