Smart or Scared?
First, a big thank-you to Zithal for hosting a great tournament. It was a blast.
My question relates to a side-game after the main tourney. 8 players, payout is $60/$20. With 7 players left, one guy starts an all in-fest (some of you will remember this
). As things unfold, he continually sucks out on superior (and I mean VASTLY superior) hands. I basically curled up under a rock and watched everyone drop for about an hour and a half. I was seeing players lose when he sucked out on the river with garbage, so I was folding good hands I would normally play (A-Q suited, 9-10 suited, pocket 66's, etc.) simply because he was constantly drawing out.
Using this strategy, I was able to make it heads-up so I was in the money. At this point, I was significantly short-stacked (300 chips to his 7700), so I had virtually no chance of winning. With my stack, I would need to win 4 hands in a row, just to draw even.
Question - Was I being far too conservative, waiting things out? Normally I'd be satisfied with finishing in the money, but I'm wondering if I should have gambled more (or, not even gambling, simply played normal, smart poker).
To any who care, I actually won 3-in a row to get up to around $2000 in chips, when my 9-9 lost to his Q-2 unsuited on a river-Q.
My question relates to a side-game after the main tourney. 8 players, payout is $60/$20. With 7 players left, one guy starts an all in-fest (some of you will remember this
). As things unfold, he continually sucks out on superior (and I mean VASTLY superior) hands. I basically curled up under a rock and watched everyone drop for about an hour and a half. I was seeing players lose when he sucked out on the river with garbage, so I was folding good hands I would normally play (A-Q suited, 9-10 suited, pocket 66's, etc.) simply because he was constantly drawing out.Using this strategy, I was able to make it heads-up so I was in the money. At this point, I was significantly short-stacked (300 chips to his 7700), so I had virtually no chance of winning. With my stack, I would need to win 4 hands in a row, just to draw even.
Question - Was I being far too conservative, waiting things out? Normally I'd be satisfied with finishing in the money, but I'm wondering if I should have gambled more (or, not even gambling, simply played normal, smart poker).
To any who care, I actually won 3-in a row to get up to around $2000 in chips, when my 9-9 lost to his Q-2 unsuited on a river-Q.
Comments
The pay structure will have a lot to do with optimal play. If folding takes you out of rael contetntion to make the big money, they don't fold. Locking up a small win but giving up any hope of a big win is not a good idea.
I think the best way to combat these guys is to put in a big raise against them. Make them pay to get lucky against your good hands. You may bust out occasionally but it is better to get your chips in the middle with a good hand while you still have enough chips to do some damage.
I'm still learning, so I guess I'll just chalk this up as a "learning experience".