A2s in the small blind (1 Viewer)

DrStrange

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We are playing $0.25/$0.50, six handed. The game started with ten players but we have had a lot of attrition in four hours. That is expected in this game. Several folks try to leave by 11 for various reasons. Not everyone makes adjustments for short handed play - but then some players here play more like it is four handed than a full table.

Cast of characters:

First two fold.

CO is a semi-loose but Aggressive player - likely playing TAG considering its six handed with $45. Her post flop play is weak because she is too sticky and that makes her a modest loser.

Button is normally a semi loose / moderately aggressive preflop - fit fold post flop player. But the stakes are low and he is way ahead so his play is looser preflop and more aggressive post flop. He is the big winner by far tonight with $400. {that is more impressive than it seems because the buy in rules for this game are $20 max buy-ins. So his stack is 20 buy-ins}

Hero is the small blind with $120. Things have gone OK for Hero but there have been several big pots that didn't go Hero's way. Everyone has many hours of table time with Hero but if they could be swayed by the night's action, then they wouldn't be too afraid of Hero.

The big blind has $25. He is one of the worst players I know, but not THE worst. A true LAGtard in every sense. Sticky, wildly aggressive {with solid bet sizing tells}, bluffs way too much often with no logic behind the bluffs. Cap that off with a huge buy in for this game so he is swinging at everything to try and catch up.

The hand:

Two folks bring us to the CO. She raises to $1.50, her default bet. Button calls. Big blinds calls out of turn {binding if Hero folds or calls}.

Action on Hero with :as: :2s:- fold, call or raise. If raising, how much? Unlike my 1-2 game, this crowd might fold if Hero just bets every time he gets a chance. Not that they would fold top pair/good kicker or better but they might fold worse. Except the BB, he might call with some really dubious hands that beat A2 on a missed flop.

DrStrange
 
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Eh might be loose but I call all day here with money already in the pot. I'm confident I can outplay at least 2/3 of my opponents post flop when I catch a piece. And while I could see raising here to isolate CO, I don't mind BB and button coming along when I have a decent multiway hand.

In more causal/soft games like this I default to super lag...so take this with a grain of salt :)

Edit: also...20 buyins?!?! Jeez...I'm calling just to get a crack at that stack.
 
Sooted, eh? In this situation I'm inclined to flat because I know the BB must call, so I'm getting good odds and happy to build a pot. Do you have the image to take it down pre-flop? If you get called, are you willing to c-bet? Plan B would be to raise to $6.50 and try and take it down pre-flop.
 
If Hero raises to $6.50 - - - -

BB is unpredictable. He might well fold but he could flat or even jam all in - he is stuck hard and worried the game would break. I'd guess 40% fold, 50% flat, 10% raise/jam.

Hero raised $5 into a $5 pot - steep enough I think to clear out the deadest of the dead wood.

I'd be a bit surprised if either button or CO folded, especially the CO. And of course, CO might have a hand she thinks is worth a 4-bet {it might be a tad light}

All in all, I think the most likely outcome of a pot sized raise is a three way pot with ~$16 in it.

Button has a good grasp of flop textures and c-betting. Button is quite capable of floating. CO is less aware and the big blind is clueless. More often than not, Hero is going to be making two c-bets to take down the pot with air. The worst of Hero's problems is that BB could easily get all-in and force a showdown. Hero isn't too worried about the big stack when bluffing - Hero isn't playing for stacks with a guy up 20 by-ins and willing to gamble. As I noted in the OP - none of the villains are likely to fold top pair / good kicker. Hero is not going to fold out that kind of hand with aggression but underpairs and pairs worse than top pair might be chased off with aggression.

This plan might work. Hero does have a reputation to an extent {except BB doesn't pay attention to any of that} But it isn't going to be easy. None of these villains like to fold and at these stakes the money is almost meaningless.

DrStrange
 
*** Ok this hand ends quickly, not as much strategy as normal ***
*** In a parallel universe ***

Hero raises to $45, hoping to isolate CO, but instead everyone folds.

Woo Hoo! Victory. Hero starts raking in the $3.50 . . . .

But then we find the deck was fouled and we had to call it a misdeal.

Boo -=- DrStrange

PS not really.
 
IMO this hand sucks oop. I'd probably fold. Sometimes call. Only raise if I really thought it'd take it down there and then.
 
Sooted, eh? In this situation I'm inclined to flat because I know the BB must call, so I'm getting good odds and happy to build a pot. Do you have the image to take it down pre-flop? If you get called, are you willing to c-bet? Plan B would be to raise to $6.50 and try and take it down pre-flop.

Same here, but with a $5 raise.
 
Why bloat the pot out of position with a weak ace? Either fold or call here...I'm leaning towards call because you are four-handed and you know bb can't raise.
This.

I don't see much upside on raising to take down this little pot. Either call and play post flop or fold.
 
I think I would have to be on the biggest tilt ever to raise or fold here.
 
*** on to the flop ***

Hero calls as does the big blind. $6 in the pot, four way action.

Flop: :ts: :7h: :6s:

Action on Hero. Check or bet, if betting how much?

Villain read on CO is she c-bets a lot more than she should. Toss in some donk bets by BB and steals by BB - It seems likely someone will bet if checked to.

DrStrange
 
Bet whatever you think will keep it four handed, you're basically 50/50 here against atc (unless I forgot how to math).
 
Check. CO could build a nice pot for you if BB (and Button?) calls.
Let the turn bring the fun.
 
I may be on the opposite side of the fence as everyone else, but I'm checking. With BB next to act and a range that's super wide, I'm not all that interested in putting any money into a whiffed flop.
 
I may be on the opposite side of the fence as everyone else, but I'm checking. With BB next to act and a range that's super wide, I'm not all that interested in putting any money into a whiffed flop.

First off, what fun is that: :) Seriously though, it sounds like we will get paid off if the flush hits. I want to get the pot a little bit bigger just in case that happens.
 
... I'm not all that interested in putting any money into a whiffed flop.

I think we pretty well nailed the flop about as best as we could expect. I sure would be calling a half to 2/3 pot bet... so I should initiate it. Give me a little fold equity and it conceals my hand when the flush hits. I love this spot, bet the flop, check a brick turn and maybe see a free card.
 
I somehow got the idea that hero was holding Ad2d. Whoops. I hereby redact my previous statement.

I would bet $4-$5 and I'm not too worried about getting it in with BB. However, this brings me to a question to you @DrStrange: how often are you semi-bluffing with hands like open-enders and flush draws? Are you worried about balancing your range against this crowd, or not so much?
 
I call preflop

And i check raise on the flop.
if i'm called i just hit my flush or abandon the hand or hope for a free card. i don't think i 2barrel
 
Best I can figure, I forgot to put Hero's hand into the thread. I edited the original post.

HERO HOLDS :as: :2s:

One does wonder how we could give Hero advice without knowing his hand. . . . well we did know it was A2s from the title. Maybe people saw that as A2 spades?

DrStrange
 
Best I can figure, I forgot to put Hero's hand into the thread. I edited the original post.

HERO HOLDS :as: :2s:

One does wonder how we could give Hero advice without knowing his hand. . . . well we did know it was A2s from the title. Maybe people saw that as A2 spades?

DrStrange
I saw it as spades. Plus it's a boring hand if you brick the flop ;)
 

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