QJs in the big blind (2 Viewers)

[DrStrange]

We are playing 1-2 live, nine handed. It is early in the session, but already the character of the night is taking form. A loose, passive, "small ball" sort of night. The normal lunatics are not playing like I would expect.

This session is all about QJ for hero. I think Hero saw some version of this hand seven times over the session.

Cast of characters:

It is early and the players aren't buying like normal. Average stacks are ~$120, no one holds a big stack. I am not offering details yet, too many players, not enough data to figure out what is going on anyway.

Hero in playing $150 on a $160 buy-in. I think Hero has lost every hand he raised preflop and there have been a number of them for so early in the session.

The Hand:

Five limpers bring the action around to Hero who was dealt Action on Hero, check or bet? If betting how much?

DrStrange

 

[Mr Tree]

Lots of people in this pot. I think a raise just creates a huge bloated pot with lots of callers and a so so hand. Most likely catch on a flop is a top pair/second pair type hand. I call and hope to crush a flop.

 

[jja412]

Raise it to $15 (if that would usually get rid of some of the trashier hands...) Not much data to go on. What is a standard raise in this game? Does everyone call on every preflop raise?

EDIT: Didn't notice position...for some reason read it as Hero on button. Probably just a call.

 

[detroitdad]

Raise it to $15 (if that would usually get rid of some of the trashier hands...) Not much data to go on. What is a standard raise in this game? Does everyone call on every preflop raise?

EDIT: Didn't notice position...for some reason read it as Hero on button. Probably just a call.

screw position. I'm still raising 15.

 

[DrStrange]

The typical raise this early is $6 - $12. Judging by Hero's previous raises, expect there to be a number of callers if he raises now. One extra piece of data, we are playing the 7-2 prop for $10 each if someone wins with 7-2. Players are more likely than normal to call oversized raises fearing a bluff raise with 7-2.

 

[Mr Tree]

The typical raise this early is $6 - $12. Judging by Hero's previous raises, expect there to be a number of callers if he raises now. One extra piece of data, we are playing the 7-2 prop for $10 each if someone wins with 7-2. Players are more likely than normal to call oversized raises fearing a bluff raise with 7-2.

If this is your standard crew from what I've seen in the past I think a standard raise is likely to generate a call from almost everyone in so far. Personally I don't want to bloat the pot where a likely outcome is something like top pair with a pair of jacks and no idea about your kicker.

 

[detroitdad]

If this is your standard crew from what I've seen in the past I think a standard raise is likely to generate a call from almost everyone in so far. Personally I don't want to bloat the pot where a likely outcome is something like top pair with a pair of jacks and no idea about your kicker.

calling isn't any fun. I'm raising the limpers.

 

[AlPresidente]

Raise to $12. We'd like cut off and button to fold; then we have a nice hand to play in position irregardless of how many callers we get. Fold to a reasonable 3-bet.

 

[BooRayUSA]

Small ball raise here and if three bet after fold. In position this is a good spot to steal the blinds and shove out the limpers that are in the pot

 

[Poker Zombie]

Pot's $12 (counting your blind)? Check. You aren't going to scare many off with $15 into a pot of $12. Any caller is getting $25 minimum calling $13 more, and each one after the first is valued in even more.

Check. Check. Check.Check, with a nice heavy thump.

 

[DrStrange]

*** ok, now the flop ***

Hero checks. $12 in the pot, six way action.

The flop:

SB checks, action on Hero. Check or bet, if betting how much?

One villain note. Crazy Jr is UTG playing $100. Crazy Jr is a wild LAGtard. Spews chips, loves adventure even if the excitement costs money. Would rather gamble than play +EV poker. He has picked up some chips. Maybe he intends to bet? Maybe he is posturing? Maybe he is bored? He has been known to play cute this way.

DrStrange

 

[detroitdad]

8 bucks feels like a solid bet.

 

[Mr Tree]

I feel like I know Docs regulars at this point.

Check.

Crazy will bet and get callers who don't believe him because they know his history thus fattening your pot.

 

[AlPresidente]

Just realised hero's big blind. Would have checked pre-flop from that seat. Normally bet, but (with your semi-read), I'd hope crazy builds a big pot and we can check raise.

 

[DrStrange]

Another clue. Hero just sits and ponders ten seconds, Crazy Jr doesn't do anything.

 

[BooRayUSA]

Your in BB with 6 in hand including SB so your going to get some implied odds here with top two pair on board. Bet $8. If raised I would flat and go to turn

 

[detroitdad]

8 bucks feels like a solid bet.

Your in BB with 6 in hand including SB so your going to get some implied odds here with top two pair on board. Bet $8. If raised I would flat and go to turn

great minds think alike

 

[DrStrange]

*** And now the turn ***

Ok - Hero bets $10. Wanted to try the fancy play but opted to take the lead fearing a check-through. Crazy Jr snap calls from UTG, all else fold. $32 in the pot, heads up, effective stacks $108.

Turn < > Hero holds

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

DrStrange

 

[detroitdad]

Bet 27

 

[Anthony Martino]

Check pre, agree with $8 on the flop, bet $22-25 on the turn to set up stacks for the river

 

[DrStrange]

Any reason for that amount ($27)?

 

[Mr Tree]

Crazy's behavior is very curious. Is Crazy capable of smooth calling an over pair pre and having hit a better two pair here? Seems out of his normal behavior to me but something from him smells fishy.

 

[MegaTon44]

As you know, the snap call is typically a common drawing tell. I'd put him on T9o. Bet the pot. Hope for a fold, but expect a call. If the river isn't an 8 or K, I'd probably jam.

 

[detroitdad]

Any reason for that amount ($27)?

First number that came to my head

 

[Poker Zombie]

Snap call has me concerned. I think he caught more than a piece. Either 2 pair or trips/set.

The 7 is a fateful card for us though. He's UTG, and acts first. He either has a boat or quads (ruling out QJ because of the odds). If we check-check the turn, he's going to value bet the river, and we will have poker-proof positive of his hand. If he checks the river, we may still have a shot at winning the hand.

 

[Mr Tree]

Snap call has me concerned. I think he caught more than a piece. Either 2 pair or trips/set.

The 7 is a fateful card for us though. He's UTG, and acts first. He either has a boat or quads (ruling out QJ because of the odds). If we check-check the turn, he's going to value bet the river, and we will have poker-proof positive of his hand. If he checks the river, we may still have a shot at winning the hand.

I'd range Crazy wider just because he is....crazy.

I think you have to have K10, 910, AQ all squarely within his range as well as the hands you mentioned and then leave a chunk for margin of error as he could just be feeling froggy. But I do agree he doesn't seem his normal self which has my attention.

 

[DrStrange]

*** well now what? ***

Hero bets $30. Villain jams all-in. Hero owes $78, the pot is $160 after pulling in all of villain's chips. Call or fold?

DrStrange

 

[Mr Tree]

*** well now what? ***

Hero bets $30. Villain jams all-in. Hero owes $78, the pot is $160 after pulling in all of villain's chips. Call or fold?

DrStrange

As suspicious as things have been I have to call because of Crazy's history. I think his range is sufficiently wide that we are ahead vs it. His behavior leads me to believe this isn't going to end well, but this is the one benefit for Crazy being crazy. When he smashes it he gets paid off.

There's still part of me that is suspicious of a slowly played overpair that turned two pair but I don't know if Crazy is capable of the restraint preflop.

 

[detroitdad]

As suspicious as things have been I have to call because of Crazy's history. I think his range is sufficiently wide that we are ahead vs it. His behavior leads me to believe this isn't going to end well, but this is the one benefit for Crazy being crazy. When he smashes it he gets paid off.

There's still part of me that is suspicious of a slowly played overpair that turned two pair but I don't know if Crazy is capable of the restraint preflop.

I concur

 

[Anthony Martino]

If Crazy is full why is he shoving all-in rather than rope-a-doping you into believing he's drawing? I can't fold to Crazy here, call, expect variance?