Overpair on a dangerous board. What's your move?

Low limit game on Pokerstars (0.10/0.25 NL 6max), 2nd hand, no read on players.

Dealt AdAs in the SB ($24.75). MP limps ($10.50), folded to me, raise to $1. Fold to MP who calls.

Flop 9hThJc.

What's your move?

(And, for reference, this isn't a bad beat story. I'm more curious what you do in this position, and why.)

Comments

  • I'd bet about $5
    I'm probably good here, most likely MP has a small pair or Ace/rag based on his limp/call.
    If he comes over the top I'm probably done with the hand.
  • bet the pot and if you are raised, you are likely in trouble; alternative is to check and if he bets, raise and if he comes back with a reraise, fold. Too many smart cash game players out there calling with 78, etc. trying to take all your money.
  • Probe bet about 1/2 to 3/4 pot. Might be enough to take it down now. If you're called, a continuation bet might be in order on the turn if it isn't another scare card. If it is, check/fold to a bet. You're most likely done with this.
  • Depends on what villian has been doing. He has $10.75. Has he: A - been buying in short stacked, overvaluing his hands, getting stacked and rebuying? Or B - has he been struggling along, slowly spiralling down, calling with bad cards?

    If it is A - then I would bet half his stack and hope he pushes on a draw. If it is B - then a pot sized bet should be enough to knock him off.
  • I put out a bet here, see where I"m at...

    With your pre-flop betting, the pot's at about $2 I put out a $2 bet here, see what he does.

    Calls - Well, I think he's drawing, and the turn card is gonna be interesting

    Raises - depends how much, hate being out of position. If he raises a little bit, i may re-raise him... depends if I"m feeling frisky!

    Folds - Huzzah!

    Mark
  • Hobbes wrote: »
    I'd bet about $5
    I'm probably good here, most likely MP has a small pair or Ace/rag based on his limp/call.
    If he comes over the top I'm probably done with the hand.

    A $5 bet is too much in this situation. You are really over betting the pot, and you dont really get any help - because the opponent can only re-raise you another $5 which isnt enough to get you off - since too often he will be betting a pair or a draw.

    I would bet out the pot - and go from there.

    If you check - you have already decided to give the pot away IMO.

    I also would have raised a bit more pre-flop. You are going to be OOP for the rest of the hand and a raise to $1.50 may have given you a bit more information on his hand. A lot of players will limp with suited connectors hoping to see flops. If I limped from MP (which of course I woulndt in a 6-max - I would come in with a raise) with a hand like 4-5 through 10-J suited and am raised a $1 from the SB - I am definitely calling in this situation.

    In fact I like situations like this if the stacks are deep. Your raise, when you could have taken a flop for free, tells me you probably have a decent hand - making my implied odds go up. I want to see a flop with you with any pair and suited connectors. I am more likely to fold A10-AQ in this situation than I am 7-8s.
  • TNORTH wrote: »
    A $5 bet is too much in this situation. You are really over betting the pot, and you dont really get any help - because the opponent can only re-raise you another $5 which isnt enough to get you off - since too often he will be betting a pair or a draw.

    With that board, I am trying to end it there.
    If he has a pair then he's drawing slim.
    If he's on a draw, I want to make it expensive for him. I found at these limits a $2 bet won't get someone to fold a flush draw.
    If he has a set, he probably would have raised PF with 99-JJ on a 6max table.
  • I was more along the lines of what Hobbes is thinking. I didn't feel that $2 was enough of a bet to case of draws, so I made it $3.50 and took it down right there, which I was exceedingly happy about.

    The reason I'm curious about this was that, that morning, I was watching a show where one of the players made nearly a double pot-sized bet on the flop and the commentator remarked how it looked like he was representing an overpair.

    The bet I made seemed reasonable to chase draws away and still gave me options had he pushed back. The thing that bothered me most was that I was betting $3.50 to win $2.

    To answer Rob's question, as mentioned in the OP, it was my second hand at the table, so I hadn't a read on anyone.
  • I agree with Hobbes. Overbet the pot to either take it down, or let the guy go all in on a draw. If has a made hand i'd pay him off.
  • Six handed is a very different animal than a full ring game. You can get away with calling raises more, as the raising range is much wider than normal. So, your opponent can have a very wide range of hands.

    Personally, I'm trying to keep the pot as small as possible when I'm out of position against someone who has a small stack.

    So on this flop I'm checking an calling. I may decide to fold on a scary turn as the check call line provides very little information.

    Also I would have raised more preflop -- especially when I'll play the hand oop.

    Cheers
    Lou
  • It's a tough spot and worth noting as Magi said that six max is a different monster. Lots of folks play it not only for profitability, but also because it allows them to more hands more aggressively.

    I don't think I'm ever checking and calling here, since many 6 max players will bet anytime they are checked to, and if he checks behind you've allowed him to draw for free.

    If he raises, go with your guts, and with your read, there are tons of hands that are beating you here that are well within the range of most low limit six max players. KQ seems unlikely, as few players will limp that hand.

    I like the bet 3/4's of the pot option, and go from there.
  • I agree with TNORTH's points. My initial thought was to bet the pot, but anything between 3/4 to two times the pot has a good risk/reward ratio. You prevent your opponent from getting the odds if he is on a draw, while not losing too much in case he already has a straight or set.

    IMHO, an overbet of $5 would make you pot-committed and maximize your loss if your opponent is ahead and re-raises with his remaining $4.75.

    I would agree with magithighs about keeping the pot small if I have a mediocre hand and OOP, but not when I have an overpair. I want to make the pot bigger and prevent my opponent from getting a free card with the straight and flush draws on board.
    TNORTH wrote: »
    A $5 bet is too much in this situation. You are really over betting the pot, and you dont really get any help - because the opponent can only re-raise you another $5 which isnt enough to get you off - since too often he will be betting a pair or a draw.

    I would bet out the pot - and go from there.

    If you check - you have already decided to give the pot away IMO.
  • Pot it and get the rest in if he raises you should be fine here. If he's deeper it's a lot more interesting and I like a check/call.
  • You definitely need to bet here and any more than pot bet is unnecessary. Overbetting the pot will give you no more information than a pot sized bet.

    Don't be afraid to play post flop here. If you are already thinking about folding this hand when you are heads up on the flop you need to re-evaluate your thought process in a 6 max game.



    Caddy
Sign In or Register to comment.