Online Poker Forum - When you just can't fold

nienie23 · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:42 pm Post subject: When you just can't fold

Here are two examples of hands I can't fold. Sometimes I will win by making the others fold, sometime by spiking top pair. Someother times, I get nowhere, like here.

First hand:

Full Tilt Poker, $0.25/$0.50 Limit Hold'em Cash Game, 9 Players
LeggoPoker.com - Hand History Converter

Pre-Flop: K

A

dealt to Hero (SB)
2 folds, UTG+2 raises, MP1 calls, 3 folds, Hero 3-bets, BB folds, UTG+2 calls, MP1 calls

Flop: ($2.50) 6

Q

9

(3 Players)
Hero bets, UTG+2 calls, MP1 folds

On the flop, I have nothing. The only thing going for me is my re-raise preflop telling my opponents I am strong. By betting the flop, some may think I have pocket pair higher than the board and fold. Some may actually have pocket pair higher than the board and reraise me, making me fold. But that guy just called.

Turn: ($3) T

(2 Players)
Hero bets, UTG+2 calls

Same scenario on the turn but I don't like doing this twice.

River: ($4) 4

(2 Players)
Hero bets, UTG+2 calls

Results: $5 Pot ($0.25 Rake)
UTG+2 showed Q

K

(a pair of Queens) and WON $4.75 (+$2.75 NET)
Hero showed K

A

(Ace King high) and LOST (-$2 NET)

Second hand:

Full Tilt Poker, $0.25/$0.50 Limit Hold'em Cash Game, 8 Players
LeggoPoker.com - Hand History Converter

Pre-Flop: Q

A

dealt to Hero (UTG+1)
UTG folds, Hero raises, 2 folds, CO 3-bets, 3 folds, Hero calls

Flop: ($1.85) J

8

6

(2 Players)
Hero bets, CO raises, Hero calls

Turn: ($2.85) 9

(2 Players)
Hero checks, CO bets, Hero calls

River: ($3.85) 3

(2 Players)
Hero checks, CO checks

Results: $3.85 Pot ($0.15 Rake)
CO showed A

K

(Ace King high) and WON $3.70 (+$1.95 NET)
Hero mucked Q

A

(Ace Queen high) and LOST (-$1.75 NET)

The same thinking applies here except that I was reraised preflop. By having him call my postflop bet instead of raising, I thought he did not have pocket pair, but 2 high cards, and was trying to spike top pair or was drawing for a flush. We both ended up at showdown with not much but him with a higher "not much".

It is hard for me to fold because I don't get any action from my opponent. And since many lose players will get into the pot with Ax or any suited connectors, even raising them if they are a bit on te "maniac" side, I just keep going and going and going like that little energizer bunny.

So here is the question. Should I have folded, why and where. If not, should I have played more pasively, i.e. check-call, and hope to save a few bets?

WhatASurprise · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:02 pm Post subject:

Hand 1: c/f the river. He is never betting anything that you beat anyway. Why do you fire the river? If you have played a little on these stakes, you should know that you have little to zero fold equity. You can`t beat anything and you will get called by any pair.

Hand 2: Why do you donk the flop? By 3betting preflop, villain stated that he has a hand. Whatever he 3bets with, he is not going to fold the flop. He is more likely to raise, thus costing you one extra bet to chase overcards.

nienie23 · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:39 pm Post subject:

IABoomer · Moderator Joined: 29 Oct 2006 Posts: 8194

Fold equity is a measure of how much of a chance you have of making your opponent fold. At .25/.50, if your opponent has any pair, you probably have very little fold equity and flogging away with Ace high is bleeding bets you'll have to make up in later games.

In both of these hands, you kept building a pot with Ace high out of position. Considering your pre-flop line, might be better off doing something like check-raising the flop which can look stronger and you might get the fold you want. If your opponent doesn't give up, then it might be time to consider calling down with your ace, but stop leading with it.

nienie23 · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:09 pm Post subject:

Online Poker Forum at Full Tilt Poker