Dumb move or good play?
50 left in $4 180-Sng on Stars. Blinds at 100/200(25) and player in BB just lost big hand leaving him 175 back. I'm UTG with 75o and raise to 625. 2 big stacks at table (over 10K) but everyone else is between 3-6K. My thinking was that my tight image and UTG raise would scare everybody out, and I could play HU with the BB. If it works, this costs me 375 to win 700, and I'm probably not that big of a dog against a blind. It would also have the added advantage of "loosening" my image for later (win or lose). Thoughts?
Comments
I find when close to money people tighten up. I actually like your play. It shows your willing to adjust your play and will help in the future.
Why does your math confuse me?
sb/bb = 300$ 9 people ante 25$ totalling a $525 in the pot. You make it $625 UTG. If the bb call and all the rest fold you get $450 back and the pot is $875.
So I see you risking $375 to win $500. Thats less then 2:1(1.3:1)Â in a HU situation. BUT.....
This is a play designed to weaken your image and show down a 57off to hopefully set up the table for later. You got better then 50/50 in odds and worst case you accomplish exactly what your trying to do. Best case you eliminate the BB and make 500$.
I like the play.
Pot is $525 from blinds/antes. BB's last $175 (in addition to his blind) and my $375 to match is another $550, so total pot is $1075 with $375 of it put in by me.
Your adding his blind twice:
SB 100$
BB 200$
AN 225$ - 9 x 25$
________________
525$ in pot
625$ from your raise.
175$ from BB's remaining money
______________________________
1325$ - 450$ returned for covering the BB is 875$ and you put in 375$ of that..
525 + 625 raise + 175 call - 250 returned = 1075
good risk-reward ratio, but more often than not you are gonna get called in this spot, especially in the $4.40 180P on stars. I find that ABC poker is best in those. I say save your chips and double up off one of those loose big stacks lol.
If you are re-raised, as you said you know you are beat. You fold and show you can be 'pushed off pots'; weakening image.
If you see a flop with anyone other than BB, most times you will have nothing worth fighting for and can either check it down or check/fold, makes people go "hmmmm"; weakening image
If you flop the monster, you showdown your hole cards and again people go "hmmmm"; weakening image
I think the result of that hand itself is far less important than the hidden agenda... make people lossen up against you when you have a solid hand.
Kudos!
These types of plays are very situational and read dependent. If you thought you'd get heads up that way go for it.
Thus the whole "post without results". It was thought out rather than just random stupidity - just not sure if the thought process is good enough considering the risks.
They tend to only look at each hand and never seem to remember what was done by the pervious players on the last hands.
Maybe, although i guess the question is whether the reward is winning this hand, or changing my image to those observant enough to notice.
The results were that everyone folded it around and the BB called all-in showing Q4o. Flop came down 75x, and I was getting comments of "are you psychic?". MHIG and my respect level took a hit - mission accomplished.
I then picked up JJ in BB, and raised it against 4 limpers, who all folded. I then picked up AKo in SB, and again raised it (only button had called), and all folded. Next hand was AA on the button. 4 limpers, I raise, BB re-raises and big stack comes over the top, I move all-in (barely a raise at this point), BB folds, and big stack shows KJo. He then whines about "maniac picks up a hand", I guess since I'd raised 4 hands in a row, only showing the 75o and getting lucky (and didn't show the other 2 big hands). I think this play worked correctly since even though $4 players aren't observant enough, the few at this table who were took the bait.
If you go into check mode post flop and are willing to just give up on the hand, I don't think it is worth it. If you are willing to continue with representing a big hand, again I'm not sure if it's worth it as you are fairly close to the money. I'd wait until I'm in the money before I start making moves like this or I'd do it early on in the tournament. I just think the timing for this type of move is a bit off.
stp
It’s hard to say if the "mission" was accomplished because these guys are now all folding to you when you want them to play. If they thought you were playing all sorts of hands then KJo should have called you. It just seems that you got a bunch of super tight players who don't want to tangle with you until they have a monster.
But I admit I play tight from UTG.
So if he ends up showing down 75o at showdown it's fine.. if he takes the blinds/antes it's fine... If he has to fold to a raise it's fine...