From the Desk of the Poker Philosopher

Full Tilt Poker, $5/$10 NL Hold'em Cash Game, 4 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

Hero (BB): $1,142
UTG: $1,241
BTN: $3,029.05
SB: $1,411

Pre-Flop: A Q dealt to Hero (BB)
UTG folds, BTN raises to $30, SB folds, Hero raises to $102, BTN calls $72

Flop: ($209) 2 5 2 (2 Players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

Turn: ($209) K (2 Players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $140, Hero calls $140

River: ($489) T (2 Players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $330, Hero calls $330

Results: $1,149 Pot ($2 Rake)
Hero showed A Q (a pair of Twos) and WON $1,147 (+$575 NET)
BTN showed 9 Q (a pair of Twos) and LOST (-$572 NET)

This is a pretty standard polarized range spot. I feel like his range is either AK or better or a bluff. He's probably 4-betting KK/AA pre-flop, and if he's not, he's probably betting flop. He's probably 4-betting AK pre-flop, and if he's not, I think he's at least sometimes checking turn. Quads or 5's full (can't see him betting TT on the turn) is just plain unlikely, so I'm in good shape. I took my time before calling just to be sure, but I don't think this is really all that close unless your opponent is particularly passive.

This one I did snap-call, which was great fun:

Full Tilt Poker, $1.50/$3 NL Hold'em Cash Game, 2 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

Hero (BB): $1,007.55
SB: $386.90

Pre-Flop: Q K dealt to Hero (BB)
SB calls $1.50, Hero raises to $9, SB calls $6

Flop: ($18) A 2 9 (2 Players)
Hero bets $18, SB calls $18

Turn: ($54) 9 (2 Players)
Hero checks, SB checks

River: ($54) T (2 Players)
Hero checks, SB bets $54, Hero calls $54

Results: $162 Pot ($0.50 Rake)
Hero showed Q K (a pair of Nines) and WON $161.50 (+$80.50 NET)
SB showed 7 5 (a pair of Nines) and LOST (-$81 NET)

This guy just did not fold. On my first few buttons, I raised, potted the flop, and occasionally potted the turn, always showing down losers. But he determined from that that I never had anything and that he should feel free to call and/or raise me no matter how absurd his hand was. That strategy didn't end well for him:

Full Tilt Poker, $1.50/$3 NL Hold'em Cash Game, 2 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

Hero (SB): $600
BB: $801.05

Pre-Flop: 7 6 dealt to Hero (SB)
Hero raises to $9, BB calls $6

Flop: ($18) 8 T 9 (2 Players)
BB checks, Hero bets $18, BB calls $18

Turn: ($54) 9 (2 Players)
BB checks, Hero bets $54, BB calls $54

River: ($162) K (2 Players)
BB checks, Hero bets $162, BB calls $162

Results: $486 Pot ($0.50 Rake)
Hero showed 7 6 (a straight, Ten high) and WON $485.50 (+$242.50 NET)
BB mucked J A (a pair of Nines) and LOST (-$243 NET)

Full Tilt Poker, $1.50/$3 NL Hold'em Cash Game, 2 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

Hero (SB): $967.50
BB: $428.95

Pre-Flop: T Q dealt to Hero (SB)
Hero raises to $9, BB calls $6

Flop: ($18) Q 4 Q (2 Players)
BB checks, Hero bets $18, BB calls $18

Turn: ($54) K (2 Players)
BB checks, Hero bets $54, BB calls $54

River: ($162) J (2 Players)
BB bets $162, Hero calls $162

Results: $486 Pot ($0.50 Rake)
Hero showed T Q (three of a kind, Queens) and WON $485.50 (+$242.50 NET)
BB showed 7 9 (a pair of Queens) and LOST (-$243 NET)

Nice double float from out of position, buddy. The river bet actually had me a little concerned just because the only way I could be ahead was if he was doing something wildly retarded. But given the opponent in question, it was still an easy call....

Labels: poker, poker strategy, session review

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