Tips on improving your game

[Daytripper]

So many things to think about - this is worse than a golf swing. What handed do you usually play?

8-9 players

 

[Ricketts]

You can see I'm kind of lost in this hand - Should I have bet harder?
*********** # 1 **************
PokerStars Game #15135616337: Hold'em No Limit ($0.01/$0.02) - 2008/02/07 - 22:38:40 (ET)
Table 'Walpurga V' 6-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: Mrs. Chem ($0.80 in chips)
Seat 2: DominicB7 ($3.14 in chips)
Seat 3: shallobean ($1.64 in chips)
Seat 4: robme1 ($2.16 in chips)
Seat 6: Nana54_2000 ($0.93 in chips)
kitecrazd will be allowed to play after the button
Nana54_2000: posts small blind $0.01
Mrs. Chem: posts big blind $0.02
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [6c Ad]
DominicB7: calls $0.02
shallobean: calls $0.02
robme1: folds
Nana54_2000: calls $0.01
Mrs. Chem: checks
*** FLOP *** [7d Kc Ac]
Nana54_2000: bets $0.02
Mrs. Chem: folds
DominicB7: raises $0.02 to $0.04
shallobean: calls $0.04
Nana54_2000: calls $0.02
*** TURN *** [7d Kc Ac] [7c]
Nana54_2000: checks
DominicB7: checks
shallobean: checks
*** RIVER *** [7d Kc Ac 7c] [2d]
Nana54_2000: checks
DominicB7: checks
shallobean: bets $0.06
Nana54_2000: calls $0.06
DominicB7: calls $0.06
*** SHOW DOWN ***
shallobean: shows [Kh 3h] (two pair, Kings and Sevens)
Nana54_2000: shows [Jh Kd] (two pair, Kings and Sevens)
DominicB7: shows [6c Ad] (two pair, Aces and Sevens)
DominicB7 collected $0.38 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $0.38 | Rake $0
Board [7d Kc Ac 7c 2d]
Seat 1: Mrs. Chem (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: DominicB7 showed [6c Ad] and won ($0.38) with two pair, Aces and Sevens
Seat 3: shallobean showed [Kh 3h] and lost with two pair, Kings and Sevens
Seat 4: robme1 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Nana54_2000 (small blind) showed [Jh Kd] and lost with two pair, Kings and Sevens


Raise post flop is too small.
Check on the turn is Ok in case someone hit the flush or the 3rd 7, but again this could be avoided by a bigger raise on the flop.
Just calling on the river is standard.


Reading this hand back I can see how poorly I played. Dominated on the flop I should have thrown it away.
*********** # 2 **************
PokerStars Game #15136046184: Hold'em No Limit ($0.01/$0.02) - 2008/02/07 - 22:59:44 (ET)
Table 'Walpurga V' 6-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: Mrs. Chem ($2.86 in chips)
Seat 2: DominicB7 ($3.86 in chips)
Seat 3: txn00b ($2.87 in chips)
Seat 4: robme1 ($2.03 in chips)
Seat 6: Nana54_2000 ($2.01 in chips)
DominicB7: posts small blind $0.01
txn00b: posts big blind $0.02
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [9s 9c]
robme1: raises $0.08 to $0.10
Nana54_2000: folds
Mrs. Chem: calls $0.10
DominicB7: calls $0.09
txn00b: folds
*** FLOP *** [Td Tc Jh]
DominicB7: bets $0.12
robme1: calls $0.12
Mrs. Chem: calls $0.12
*** TURN *** [Td Tc Jh] [7d]
DominicB7: checks
robme1: checks
Mrs. Chem: bets $0.16
DominicB7: calls $0.16
robme1: calls $0.16
*** RIVER *** [Td Tc Jh 7d] [8h]
DominicB7: bets $0.12
robme1: calls $0.12
Mrs. Chem: raises $2.36 to $2.48 and is all-in
DominicB7: calls $2.36
robme1: folds
robme1 leaves the table
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Mrs. Chem: shows [8d 9h] (a straight, Seven to Jack)
DominicB7: shows [9s 9c] (a straight, Seven to Jack)
DominicB7 collected $2.97 from pot
Mrs. Chem collected $2.97 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $6.24 | Rake $0.30
Board [Td Tc Jh 7d 8h]
Seat 1: Mrs. Chem (button) showed [8d 9h] and won ($2.97) with a straight, Seven to Jack
Seat 2: DominicB7 (small blind) showed [9s 9c] and won ($2.97) with a straight, Seven to Jack
Seat 3: txn00b (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: robme1 folded on the River
Seat 6: Nana54_2000 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

I would have check-folded on the flop, as out of position with a pocket pair when you miss like that is a yucky situation.
Check-calling on the turn isn't very good as basically you're chasing a gutshot.
On the river i would have just check-called with the straight, but i'm probably too cautious like that, with a potential full house.


Similar to hand 1. I don't know how strong I am. Maybe I should have thrown it away to begin with and not have got myself in trouble. How many flops should you see? 1 in 3 hands, 1 in 4?
*********** # 3 **************
PokerStars Game #15136839082: Hold'em No Limit ($0.01/$0.02) - 2008/02/07 - 23:41:51 (ET)
Table 'Bouzareah' 6-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: Cashazamat ($1.87 in chips)
Seat 3: daniela1512 ($2.51 in chips)
Seat 4: DominicB7 ($3.42 in chips)
Seat 5: FDubus ($5.58 in chips)
Seat 6: Christ1337 ($3.41 in chips)
Christ1337: posts small blind $0.01
Cashazamat: posts big blind $0.02
rocknwulf: sits out
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [As 2s]
daniela1512: folds
DominicB7: raises $0.06 to $0.08
FDubus: folds
Christ1337: calls $0.07
Cashazamat: folds
*** FLOP *** [3h 5d Ac]
Christ1337: bets $0.13
DominicB7: calls $0.13
*** TURN *** [3h 5d Ac] [Ad]
Christ1337: bets $0.28
DominicB7: calls $0.28
*** RIVER *** [3h 5d Ac Ad] [5s]
Christ1337: checks
DominicB7: bets $0.28
Christ1337: calls $0.28
*** SHOW DOWN ***
DominicB7: shows [As 2s] (a full house, Aces full of Fives)
Christ1337: mucks hand
DominicB7 collected $1.51 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $1.56 | Rake $0.05
Board [3h 5d Ac Ad 5s]
Seat 1: Cashazamat (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: daniela1512 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: DominicB7 showed [As 2s] and won ($1.51) with a full house, Aces full of Fives
Seat 5: FDubus (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Christ1337 (small blind) mucked [8c 8d]

Don't mind your play here.


Again, I don't know how strong I am.
*********** # 4 **************
PokerStars Game #15136821933: Hold'em No Limit ($0.01/$0.02) - 2008/02/07 - 23:40:54 (ET)
Table 'Bouzareah' 6-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: Cashazamat ($1.89 in chips)
Seat 3: daniela1512 ($2.53 in chips)
Seat 4: DominicB7 ($3.62 in chips)
Seat 5: FDubus ($5.32 in chips)
Seat 6: Christ1337 ($3.43 in chips)
FDubus: posts small blind $0.01
Christ1337: posts big blind $0.02
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [Jc Kh]
Cashazamat: calls $0.02
daniela1512: calls $0.02
DominicB7: raises $0.06 to $0.08
FDubus: raises $0.12 to $0.20
Christ1337: folds
Cashazamat: folds
daniela1512: folds
DominicB7: calls $0.12
*** FLOP *** [Kd 7h 8s]
FDubus: bets $0.32
rocknwulf has returned
DominicB7 said, "ak?"
DominicB7: folds
FDubus collected $0.46 from pot
FDubus: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $0.46 | Rake $0
Board [Kd 7h 8s]
Seat 1: Cashazamat folded before Flop
Seat 3: daniela1512 folded before Flop
Seat 4: DominicB7 (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 5: FDubus (small blind) collected ($0.46)
Seat 6: Christ1337 (big blind) folded before Flop

Yeah calling a re-raise is dicey with KJ, but you did have position on him.
Probably no point playing it if you're going to fold even after hitting top pair, but there's nothing wrong with going with an instinct.
Could find better spots to call a re-raise with is what it comes back to though.


Despite losing I would say I played this hand the best at the flop. Then I should have folded.... but didn't
*********** # 5 **************
PokerStars Game #15135333099: Hold'em No Limit ($0.01/$0.02) - 2008/02/07 - 22:24:55 (ET)
Table 'Walpurga V' 6-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: Mrs. Chem ($1.90 in chips)
Seat 2: DominicB7 ($3.78 in chips)
Seat 3: shallobean ($0.42 in chips)
Seat 4: robme1 ($2.27 in chips)
Seat 5: JJJJAY ($2.55 in chips)
Seat 6: turok64 ($2 in chips)
robme1: posts small blind $0.01
JJJJAY: posts big blind $0.02
turok64: posts big blind $0.02
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [Jh Td]
turok64: checks
Mrs. Chem: calls $0.02
DominicB7: raises $0.02 to $0.04
shallobean: calls $0.04
robme1: folds
JJJJAY: calls $0.02
turok64: folds
Mrs. Chem: calls $0.02
*** FLOP *** [Qs Ts Jd]
JJJJAY: bets $0.02
Mrs. Chem: calls $0.02
DominicB7: raises $0.08 to $0.10
shallobean: raises $0.16 to $0.26
JJJJAY: folds
Mrs. Chem: folds
DominicB7: calls $0.16
*** TURN *** [Qs Ts Jd] [Ks]
DominicB7: checks
shallobean: bets $0.12 and is all-in
DominicB7 said, "hate that"
DominicB7: calls $0.12
*** RIVER *** [Qs Ts Jd Ks] [8h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
DominicB7: shows [Jh Td] (two pair, Jacks and Tens)
shallobean: shows [Ac Qc] (a straight, Ten to Ace)
shallobean collected $0.99 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $0.99 | Rake $0
Board [Qs Ts Jd Ks 8h]
Seat 1: Mrs. Chem folded on the Flop
Seat 2: DominicB7 showed [Jh Td] and lost with two pair, Jacks and Tens
Seat 3: shallobean (button) showed [Ac Qc] and won ($0.99) with a straight, Ten to Ace
Seat 4: robme1 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: JJJJAY (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 6: turok64 folded before Flop


Pre-flop raise is the minimum, which is no good, gotta go 3 or 4 times the big blind if you want to raise, not that it would have made any difference in the hand though.
Flop play is fine with the raise with your 2-pair. Could have set him all in really with only 12c left, which you had to call on the turn.

 

[Ricketts]

6 handed requires a completely different mindset to full ring IMO.

Yes that is true completely forgot about that.

 

[Mordecai]

8-9 players

I would say (after tonight with 9 players playing) that I prefer this as well.

Reading above - Ricketts that info helped me a lot tonight. Just knowing how hard to go with what. Also reading Harrington's book and tells (I know they may not be there sometimes, but still the sum of information helps) helped.

I'll quickly tell you how it all went down:

We play $10 or $20 buy-in with constant 5 and 10 cent blinds. You can cashout whenever you want.

First hand of the night I fold. There was heavy raising from two players who see a flop of 10 7 Q. Heavy betting and the pot is now $15. Turn is K - both bet and call into it. Then an A one player goes all-in. After much deliberation there is a call and both turn over QJ. First hand of the night.

Second hand of the night. I'm dealt KK in mid position. There is $1 raise in front of me so I reraise to $3 to which he calls. Flop come Q59 I go all-in (stupid!) and he calls showing Q9. I'm out and sitting there for the night. I don't get cut like some people which is sometimes disappointing, I sometimes feel as though I should be angry.

Anyway, so I sat and dealt, and laughed and watched on for about an hour and a half. Then my mate bank rolled me 10. I got dealt AA second hand in early position. I raise to 2, the conservative person on my right went to 5 (substantial given the size of his pot and the style of player he is), I go all-in (10) and he calls. He turns 8's and he misses.

In the end I lost 20 from the KK. Then got bankrolled 10 and got to 32.50. I got some nice pots with J9, AK, and by just thinking things through.

Thanks for your help guys. How bad did I play those Kings? I did a similar thing last week (and obviously haven't learned). I had QQ bet $2, get called out come 6 9 2. I go all-in and my mate shows pocket 6's. Ohh well, I shall not do it again.

 

[Skeppersap]

I would say (after tonight with 9 players playing) that I prefer this as well.

Reading above - Ricketts that info helped me a lot tonight. Just knowing how hard to go with what. Also reading Harrington's book and tells (I know they may not be there sometimes, but still the sum of information helps) helped.

I'll quickly tell you how it all went down:

We play $10 or $20 buy-in with constant 5 and 10 cent blinds. You can cashout whenever you want.

First hand of the night I fold. There was heavy raising from two players who see a flop of 10 7 Q. Heavy betting and the pot is now $15. Turn is K - both bet and call into it. Then an A one player goes all-in. After much deliberation there is a call and both turn over QJ. First hand of the night.

Second hand of the night. I'm dealt KK in mid position. There is $1 raise in front of me so I reraise to $3 to which he calls. Flop come Q59 I go all-in (stupid!) and he calls showing Q9. I'm out and sitting there for the night. I don't get cut like some people which is sometimes disappointing, I sometimes feel as though I should be angry.

Anyway, so I sat and dealt, and laughed and watched on for about an hour and a half. Then my mate bank rolled me 10. I got dealt AA second hand in early position. I raise to 2, the conservative person on my right went to 5 (substantial given the size of his pot and the style of player he is), I go all-in (10) and he calls. He turns 8's and he misses.

In the end I lost 20 from the KK. Then got bankrolled 10 and got to 32.50. I got some nice pots with J9, AK, and by just thinking things through.

Thanks for your help guys. How bad did I play those Kings? I did a similar thing last week (and obviously haven't learned). I had QQ bet $2, get called out come 6 9 2. I go all-in and my mate shows pocket 6's. Ohh well, I shall not do it again.

I think it is much much much much MUCH more important for you to read some books on basic poker theory rather than a book on tells! Honestly, how often will you use the knowledge you learn from that?

As for your KK situation, I dont think your all-in call is that bad personally. Perhaps, thinking about it, you are better betting less, but definitely bet. If you bet say $3, you can really find out about his hand. If he folds, well....you have won the pot (which you would from going all-in with him folding anyway). If he calls, go aggressive on the turn, assuimng it isnt a danger card (A, Q, 9). If he reraises, you can guess that he either has high pocket pairs (AA or QQ has you in trouble) or 2 pair. Then you fold.

Thats mu thoughts on the hand, not sure whether the better players on here agree.

 

[Mordecai]

I think it is much much much much MUCH more important for you to read some books on basic poker theory rather than a book on tells! Honestly, how often will you use the knowledge you learn from that?

As for your KK situation, I dont think your all-in call is that bad personally. Perhaps, thinking about it, you are better betting less, but definitely bet. If you bet say $3, you can really find out about his hand. If he folds, well....you have won the pot (which you would from going all-in with him folding anyway). If he calls, go aggressive on the turn, assuimng it isnt a danger card (A, Q, 9). If he reraises, you can guess that he either has high pocket pairs (AA or QQ has you in trouble) or 2 pair. Then you fold.

Thats mu thoughts on the hand, not sure whether the better players on here agree.

Dan Harrington has maybe 2 pages on tells which I'd never really thought about. The rest is theory. I really like the book - clearly written and to the point. Some good stories from his own experiences as well. I recommend it.

I'm with you on how to play the KK. I think, in hindsight, I should have stabbed with maybe double the pot to at least make him think. Then I at least save money and get more information.

Edit: Thought I'd put this here.

I'm DominicB7 and I started with $5 and shrewdly played to $7.20.

The hand:

*********** # 1 **************
PokerStars Game #15161323670: Hold'em No Limit ($0.02/$0.05) - 2008/02/09 - 01:14:54 (ET)
Table 'Latona II' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: rawley68 ($5.58 in chips)
Seat 2: dan-neg47 ($9.78 in chips)
Seat 3: DominicB7 ($7.35 in chips)
Seat 4: twin36 ($5.11 in chips)
Seat 5: javajen17 ($1.50 in chips)
Seat 6: bagnus ($9.46 in chips)
Seat 7: Tubarius ($10.03 in chips)
Seat 8: ta-da2 ($2.45 in chips)
Seat 9: SJP457 ($3.32 in chips)
Tubarius: posts small blind $0.02
ta-da2: posts big blind $0.05
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [Qc Qs]
SJP457: folds
rawley68: calls $0.05
dan-neg47: calls $0.05
DominicB7: raises $0.10 to $0.15
twin36: folds
javajen17: folds
bagnus: calls $0.15
Tubarius: folds
ta-da2: raises $0.15 to $0.30
rawley68: calls $0.25
dan-neg47: folds
DominicB7: raises $0.15 to $0.45
bagnus: calls $0.30
ta-da2: raises $1.80 to $2.25
rawley68: folds
DominicB7: calls $1.80
bagnus: folds
*** FLOP *** [Tc Ah 2s]
ta-da2: bets $0.15
DominicB7: calls $0.15
*** TURN *** [Tc Ah 2s] [3d]
ta-da2: bets $0.05 and is all-in
DominicB7: calls $0.05
*** RIVER *** [Tc Ah 2s 3d] [8s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
ta-da2: shows [Kh Kc] (a pair of Kings)
DominicB7: shows [Qc Qs] (a pair of Queens)
ta-da2 collected $5.47 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $5.72 | Rake $0.25
Board [Tc Ah 2s 3d 8s]
Seat 1: rawley68 folded before Flop
Seat 2: dan-neg47 folded before Flop
Seat 3: DominicB7 showed [Qc Qs] and lost with a pair of Queens
Seat 4: twin36 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: javajen17 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: bagnus (button) folded before Flop
Seat 7: Tubarius (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 8: ta-da2 (big blind) showed [Kh Kc] and won ($5.47) with a pair of Kings
Seat 9: SJP457 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

 

[Knowledge]

Yeah the last hand I probably played that way mainly through frustration/stupidity and also having seen it done. I won't do it again unless I hit trips.

I just flat out didn't know other, cheaper, tables existed. My ego is well and truly sitting on the doormat in front of the metaphorical door. I've found smaller tables now.

I'll get you some interesting hands (I'll post comments in bold - they'll probably be wrong):

Some stats (don't know if they tell you anything???)

100 hands played and saw flop:
- 8 times out of 16 while in small blind (50%)
- 13 times out of 17 while in big blind (76%)
- 23 times out of 67 in other positions (34%)
- a total of 44 times out of 100 (44%)

Pots won at showdown - 4 out of 12 (33%)
Pots won without showdown - 20


You can see I'm kind of lost in this hand - Should I have bet harder?
*********** # 1 **************
PokerStars Game #15135616337: Hold'em No Limit ($0.01/$0.02) - 2008/02/07 - 22:38:40 (ET)
Table 'Walpurga V' 6-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: Mrs. Chem ($0.80 in chips)
Seat 2: DominicB7 ($3.14 in chips)
Seat 3: shallobean ($1.64 in chips)
Seat 4: robme1 ($2.16 in chips)
Seat 6: Nana54_2000 ($0.93 in chips)
kitecrazd will be allowed to play after the button
Nana54_2000: posts small blind $0.01
Mrs. Chem: posts big blind $0.02
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [6c Ad]
DominicB7: calls $0.02
shallobean: calls $0.02
robme1: folds
Nana54_2000: calls $0.01
Mrs. Chem: checks
*** FLOP *** [7d Kc Ac]
Nana54_2000: bets $0.02
Mrs. Chem: folds
DominicB7: raises $0.02 to $0.04
shallobean: calls $0.04
Nana54_2000: calls $0.02
*** TURN *** [7d Kc Ac] [7c]
Nana54_2000: checks
DominicB7: checks
shallobean: checks
*** RIVER *** [7d Kc Ac 7c] [2d]
Nana54_2000: checks
DominicB7: checks
shallobean: bets $0.06
Nana54_2000: calls $0.06
DominicB7: calls $0.06
*** SHOW DOWN ***
shallobean: shows [Kh 3h] (two pair, Kings and Sevens)
Nana54_2000: shows [Jh Kd] (two pair, Kings and Sevens)
DominicB7: shows [6c Ad] (two pair, Aces and Sevens)
DominicB7 collected $0.38 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $0.38 | Rake $0
Board [7d Kc Ac 7c 2d]
Seat 1: Mrs. Chem (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: DominicB7 showed [6c Ad] and won ($0.38) with two pair, Aces and Sevens
Seat 3: shallobean showed [Kh 3h] and lost with two pair, Kings and Sevens
Seat 4: robme1 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Nana54_2000 (small blind) showed [Jh Kd] and lost with two pair, Kings and Sevens


Reading this hand back I can see how poorly I played. Dominated on the flop I should have thrown it away.
*********** # 2 **************
PokerStars Game #15136046184: Hold'em No Limit ($0.01/$0.02) - 2008/02/07 - 22:59:44 (ET)
Table 'Walpurga V' 6-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: Mrs. Chem ($2.86 in chips)
Seat 2: DominicB7 ($3.86 in chips)
Seat 3: txn00b ($2.87 in chips)
Seat 4: robme1 ($2.03 in chips)
Seat 6: Nana54_2000 ($2.01 in chips)
DominicB7: posts small blind $0.01
txn00b: posts big blind $0.02
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [9s 9c]
robme1: raises $0.08 to $0.10
Nana54_2000: folds
Mrs. Chem: calls $0.10
DominicB7: calls $0.09
txn00b: folds
*** FLOP *** [Td Tc Jh]
DominicB7: bets $0.12
robme1: calls $0.12
Mrs. Chem: calls $0.12
*** TURN *** [Td Tc Jh] [7d]
DominicB7: checks
robme1: checks
Mrs. Chem: bets $0.16
DominicB7: calls $0.16
robme1: calls $0.16
*** RIVER *** [Td Tc Jh 7d] [8h]
DominicB7: bets $0.12
robme1: calls $0.12
Mrs. Chem: raises $2.36 to $2.48 and is all-in
DominicB7: calls $2.36
robme1: folds
robme1 leaves the table
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Mrs. Chem: shows [8d 9h] (a straight, Seven to Jack)
DominicB7: shows [9s 9c] (a straight, Seven to Jack)
DominicB7 collected $2.97 from pot
Mrs. Chem collected $2.97 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $6.24 | Rake $0.30
Board [Td Tc Jh 7d 8h]
Seat 1: Mrs. Chem (button) showed [8d 9h] and won ($2.97) with a straight, Seven to Jack
Seat 2: DominicB7 (small blind) showed [9s 9c] and won ($2.97) with a straight, Seven to Jack
Seat 3: txn00b (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: robme1 folded on the River
Seat 6: Nana54_2000 folded before Flop (didn't bet)


Similar to hand 1. I don't know how strong I am. Maybe I should have thrown it away to begin with and not have got myself in trouble. How many flops should you see? 1 in 3 hands, 1 in 4?
*********** # 3 **************
PokerStars Game #15136839082: Hold'em No Limit ($0.01/$0.02) - 2008/02/07 - 23:41:51 (ET)
Table 'Bouzareah' 6-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: Cashazamat ($1.87 in chips)
Seat 3: daniela1512 ($2.51 in chips)
Seat 4: DominicB7 ($3.42 in chips)
Seat 5: FDubus ($5.58 in chips)
Seat 6: Christ1337 ($3.41 in chips)
Christ1337: posts small blind $0.01
Cashazamat: posts big blind $0.02
rocknwulf: sits out
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [As 2s]
daniela1512: folds
DominicB7: raises $0.06 to $0.08
FDubus: folds
Christ1337: calls $0.07
Cashazamat: folds
*** FLOP *** [3h 5d Ac]
Christ1337: bets $0.13
DominicB7: calls $0.13
*** TURN *** [3h 5d Ac] [Ad]
Christ1337: bets $0.28
DominicB7: calls $0.28
*** RIVER *** [3h 5d Ac Ad] [5s]
Christ1337: checks
DominicB7: bets $0.28
Christ1337: calls $0.28
*** SHOW DOWN ***
DominicB7: shows [As 2s] (a full house, Aces full of Fives)
Christ1337: mucks hand
DominicB7 collected $1.51 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $1.56 | Rake $0.05
Board [3h 5d Ac Ad 5s]
Seat 1: Cashazamat (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: daniela1512 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: DominicB7 showed [As 2s] and won ($1.51) with a full house, Aces full of Fives
Seat 5: FDubus (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Christ1337 (small blind) mucked [8c 8d]


Again, I don't know how strong I am.
*********** # 4 **************
PokerStars Game #15136821933: Hold'em No Limit ($0.01/$0.02) - 2008/02/07 - 23:40:54 (ET)
Table 'Bouzareah' 6-max Seat #4 is the button
Seat 1: Cashazamat ($1.89 in chips)
Seat 3: daniela1512 ($2.53 in chips)
Seat 4: DominicB7 ($3.62 in chips)
Seat 5: FDubus ($5.32 in chips)
Seat 6: Christ1337 ($3.43 in chips)
FDubus: posts small blind $0.01
Christ1337: posts big blind $0.02
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [Jc Kh]
Cashazamat: calls $0.02
daniela1512: calls $0.02
DominicB7: raises $0.06 to $0.08
FDubus: raises $0.12 to $0.20
Christ1337: folds
Cashazamat: folds
daniela1512: folds
DominicB7: calls $0.12
*** FLOP *** [Kd 7h 8s]
FDubus: bets $0.32
rocknwulf has returned
DominicB7 said, "ak?"
DominicB7: folds
FDubus collected $0.46 from pot
FDubus: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $0.46 | Rake $0
Board [Kd 7h 8s]
Seat 1: Cashazamat folded before Flop
Seat 3: daniela1512 folded before Flop
Seat 4: DominicB7 (button) folded on the Flop
Seat 5: FDubus (small blind) collected ($0.46)
Seat 6: Christ1337 (big blind) folded before Flop


Despite losing I would say I played this hand the best at the flop. Then I should have folded.... but didn't
*********** # 5 **************
PokerStars Game #15135333099: Hold'em No Limit ($0.01/$0.02) - 2008/02/07 - 22:24:55 (ET)
Table 'Walpurga V' 6-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 1: Mrs. Chem ($1.90 in chips)
Seat 2: DominicB7 ($3.78 in chips)
Seat 3: shallobean ($0.42 in chips)
Seat 4: robme1 ($2.27 in chips)
Seat 5: JJJJAY ($2.55 in chips)
Seat 6: turok64 ($2 in chips)
robme1: posts small blind $0.01
JJJJAY: posts big blind $0.02
turok64: posts big blind $0.02
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [Jh Td]
turok64: checks
Mrs. Chem: calls $0.02
DominicB7: raises $0.02 to $0.04
shallobean: calls $0.04
robme1: folds
JJJJAY: calls $0.02
turok64: folds
Mrs. Chem: calls $0.02
*** FLOP *** [Qs Ts Jd]
JJJJAY: bets $0.02
Mrs. Chem: calls $0.02
DominicB7: raises $0.08 to $0.10
shallobean: raises $0.16 to $0.26
JJJJAY: folds
Mrs. Chem: folds
DominicB7: calls $0.16
*** TURN *** [Qs Ts Jd] [Ks]
DominicB7: checks
shallobean: bets $0.12 and is all-in
DominicB7 said, "hate that"
DominicB7: calls $0.12
*** RIVER *** [Qs Ts Jd Ks] [8h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
DominicB7: shows [Jh Td] (two pair, Jacks and Tens)
shallobean: shows [Ac Qc] (a straight, Ten to Ace)
shallobean collected $0.99 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $0.99 | Rake $0
Board [Qs Ts Jd Ks 8h]
Seat 1: Mrs. Chem folded on the Flop
Seat 2: DominicB7 showed [Jh Td] and lost with two pair, Jacks and Tens
Seat 3: shallobean (button) showed [Ac Qc] and won ($0.99) with a straight, Ten to Ace
Seat 4: robme1 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 5: JJJJAY (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 6: turok64 folded before Flop

Any better?

Indoor soccer followed by a home game (10/25c constant blinds) - hopefully I do a little better.

Hand 1:
Raise or fold preflop, Pref fold. Don't min raise ever. Like ever. make it 8c on the flop, turn check is fine and river is fine. If checked to me on the river I check behind.

Hand 2:
Preflop is fine, sometimes I re-raise here depending on opponents. Flop is bad, check/call or check/fold, I think check fold is most profitable here in the long run because even if he has AK you are not that much of a favorite on this flop. As Played I think it's fine, I just don't think it's a very good way to play it.

Hand 3: Raise preflop is fine - I like this. Flop is meh, I think flat calling is fine but a lot of the times when people lead into you on the flop they have an under pair to the boar or a draw. I probably raise it here but like I said flat calling is fine. Turn I think is fine. Riverbet more, when top pair repeats people almot always pay you off because they never believe you. Theres like a 1.10 in the pot bet 75cents ish.

Hand 4: Raising here is fine but I just dump it to a re-raise. Playign a sooted connector or a small pp would be fine but Broadway hands like this are generally trouble in 3bet pots.

Hand 5: Silly raise preflop this is bad don't do these. I just fold this preflop but if you wanna play it please raise it to like 8cents. As played he doesn't have alot behind so just shove the flop and if he has it he has it, he's not full stacked.

 

[Knowledge]

Oh by the way I really would work on your raising sizes they are very very off. You are raising way to small always try to raise 3x the amount.

Say I make it 2$ you should make it 6.

Or If i make it 8 you should make it 22.

Or thereabouts.

 

[JedMack]

I would say (after tonight with 9 players playing) that I prefer this as well.

Reading above - Ricketts that info helped me a lot tonight. Just knowing how hard to go with what. Also reading Harrington's book and tells (I know they may not be there sometimes, but still the sum of information helps) helped.

I'll quickly tell you how it all went down:

We play $10 or $20 buy-in with constant 5 and 10 cent blinds. You can cashout whenever you want.

First hand of the night I fold. There was heavy raising from two players who see a flop of 10 7 Q. Heavy betting and the pot is now $15. Turn is K - both bet and call into it. Then an A one player goes all-in. After much deliberation there is a call and both turn over QJ. First hand of the night.

Second hand of the night. I'm dealt KK in mid position. There is $1 raise in front of me so I reraise to $3 to which he calls. Flop come Q59 I go all-in (stupid!) and he calls showing Q9. I'm out and sitting there for the night. I don't get cut like some people which is sometimes disappointing, I sometimes feel as though I should be angry.

Anyway, so I sat and dealt, and laughed and watched on for about an hour and a half. Then my mate bank rolled me 10. I got dealt AA second hand in early position. I raise to 2, the conservative person on my right went to 5 (substantial given the size of his pot and the style of player he is), I go all-in (10) and he calls. He turns 8's and he misses.

In the end I lost 20 from the KK. Then got bankrolled 10 and got to 32.50. I got some nice pots with J9, AK, and by just thinking things through.

Thanks for your help guys. How bad did I play those Kings? I did a similar thing last week (and obviously haven't learned). I had QQ bet $2, get called out come 6 9 2. I go all-in and my mate shows pocket 6's. Ohh well, I shall not do it again.

The reraise to 3$ was far too weak from middle position. If you have KK, there are only two cards that can help post flop, because your flush and straight draws are limited.

You therefore want to reraise more, I would say 5$ is ideal. It is a tough call for your opponent with Q 9. Sure you might not win the biggest pot (1$ plus blinds), but you don't give the caller great odds to call as you do with a 3$ raise.

A lot of beginning players think that big pairs will win 90% of the time, but with small, or what I like to call "slow" raises, they run into drawing hands a lot, and then the win% drops.

Don't be afraid to reraise 5x with AA,KK,QQ.

It was a bad flop for you, but one that you could have avoided with a bigger raise.

To improve your game, try playing 4 lowlimit tables with the minimum buy in on each.

You see a lot more hands, your decision making becomes faster, and your call/raising will become more price/odds efficient.

 

[popathon]

Dan Harrington has maybe 2 pages on tells which I'd never really thought about. The rest is theory. I really like the book - clearly written and to the point. Some good stories from his own experiences as well. I recommend it.

I'm with you on how to play the KK. I think, in hindsight, I should have stabbed with maybe double the pot to at least make him think. Then I at least save money and get more information.

Edit: Thought I'd put this here.

I'm DominicB7 and I started with $5 and shrewdly played to $7.20.

The hand:

*********** # 1 **************
PokerStars Game #15161323670: Hold'em No Limit ($0.02/$0.05) - 2008/02/09 - 01:14:54 (ET)
Table 'Latona II' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: rawley68 ($5.58 in chips)
Seat 2: dan-neg47 ($9.78 in chips)
Seat 3: DominicB7 ($7.35 in chips)
Seat 4: twin36 ($5.11 in chips)
Seat 5: javajen17 ($1.50 in chips)
Seat 6: bagnus ($9.46 in chips)
Seat 7: Tubarius ($10.03 in chips)
Seat 8: ta-da2 ($2.45 in chips)
Seat 9: SJP457 ($3.32 in chips)
Tubarius: posts small blind $0.02
ta-da2: posts big blind $0.05
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to DominicB7 [Qc Qs]
SJP457: folds
rawley68: calls $0.05
dan-neg47: calls $0.05
DominicB7: raises $0.10 to $0.15
twin36: folds
javajen17: folds
bagnus: calls $0.15
Tubarius: folds
ta-da2: raises $0.15 to $0.30
rawley68: calls $0.25
dan-neg47: folds
DominicB7: raises $0.15 to $0.45
bagnus: calls $0.30
ta-da2: raises $1.80 to $2.25
rawley68: folds
DominicB7: calls $1.80
bagnus: folds
*** FLOP *** [Tc Ah 2s]
ta-da2: bets $0.15
DominicB7: calls $0.15
*** TURN *** [Tc Ah 2s] [3d]
ta-da2: bets $0.05 and is all-in
DominicB7: calls $0.05
*** RIVER *** [Tc Ah 2s 3d] [8s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
ta-da2: shows [Kh Kc] (a pair of Kings)
DominicB7: shows [Qc Qs] (a pair of Queens)
ta-da2 collected $5.47 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $5.72 | Rake $0.25
Board [Tc Ah 2s 3d 8s]
Seat 1: rawley68 folded before Flop
Seat 2: dan-neg47 folded before Flop
Seat 3: DominicB7 showed [Qc Qs] and lost with a pair of Queens
Seat 4: twin36 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: javajen17 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: bagnus (button) folded before Flop
Seat 7: Tubarius (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 8: ta-da2 (big blind) showed [Kh Kc] and won ($5.47) with a pair of Kings
Seat 9: SJP457 folded before Flop (didn't bet)

I remember Phil Gordon saying "If there are 3 re-raises, it's safe to assume they're holding AA" (or thereabouts).
What's helped me a lot is to not get caught up with hands that look better than they are. AJ, AQ, KQ etc. Personally i'd rather play 9, 10 than AJ. But that may just be me.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

TT early I will raise and call a reraise. If there is another raise I will fold.
TT late I wil raise and raise to a reraise. Basically have no problem getting it all in if I have to - pre flop.
AJ offsuit early is a call and a fold to a raise.
AJ suited early is a raise and a call to any reraise.
AJ offsuit late is a raise and a call to any reraise.
AJ suited late is a raise, then reraise any raise, then call. Not happy to go all in unless pot committed.

Mate, that is super aggressive, particularly when advising a relative beginner. If you are experienced and have a feel for where you are in a hand, then this strategy is fine. However, hands like TT and AJ (even AJs) in early position are too difficult for a novice to play. AJs is not a good hand in early position. What do you do if confronted by a reraise? You could be up against an overpair or be dominated by a bigger Ace. At best, you are going to be a coinflip unless you are playing against an idiot but even then, not too many people will reraise you with hands like AT. Players that cannot fold hands like AJ when somebody pushes, cannot possibly win long term. TT, even JJ is the same. If you are reraise with these hands, you can almost guarantee that your hand is at very best, a coinflip.

The only hands that I would advise a novice to push really hard with are AA, KK and AK. That doesn't mean to say that you shouldn't play other hands when you are new to the game, but play them cheap and in middle to late position and get away from them if you get any heat from another player. Get the basics right and the rest will follow.

 

[Daytripper]

Mate, that is super aggressive, particularly when advising a relative beginner. If you are experienced and have a feel for where you are in a hand, then this strategy is fine. However, hands like TT and AJ (even AJs) in early position are too difficult for a novice to play. AJs is not a good hand in early position. What do you do if confronted by a reraise? You could be up against an overpair or be dominated by a bigger Ace. At best, you are going to be a coinflip unless you are playing against an idiot but even then, not too many people will reraise you with hands like AT. Players that cannot fold hands like AJ when somebody pushes, cannot possibly win long term. TT, even JJ is the same. If you are reraise with these hands, you can almost guarantee that your hand is at very best, a coinflip.

The only hands that I would advise a novice to push really hard with are AA, KK and AK. That doesn't mean to say that you shouldn't play other hands when you are new to the game, but play them cheap and in middle to late position and get away from them if you get any heat from another player. Get the basics right and the rest will follow.

You're joking, aren't you ?

I'm a self admitted nit - hate to see how someone like knowledge or r&b would play those hands 9 handed.

I'm tipping it would be a lot more aggressive.

 

[Knowledge]

I don't really play much 9handed anymore but I would definatly raise TT in any position and depending on the re-raise size and stack sizes I would dump it. Say it's 1-2 I raise to 10, he makes it 40 with another 100 behind, I fold. however if he only has like another 35 behind I'll just jam it and hope for a flip. I always dump AJo and AJss to a standard re-raise because big aces and broadway cards just don't play well in re-raised pots.

6handed though is another story, I 3bet AJo+ and 1010+

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

You're joking, aren't you ?

I'm a self admitted nit - hate to see how someone like knowledge or r&b would play those hands 9 handed.

I'm tipping it would be a lot more aggressive.

It' okay mate....I was really making suggestions for those new to the game. Experienced players can play a lot more hands because they have a feel for what is going on and a better read on opponents, betting patterns ad the like. When you are a novice though, particularly to no-limit play, pushing up front with hands like AJ is dumb play.