The weather sucks. It has been raining off and on for days and the combined effects of constant rain and no sun are beginning to grind me down. Fortunately, on-line poker doesn't require nice weather, so I've been able to sit at my computer and play as much as I want. Too bad I don't like to play when I am cold. An interesting hand came up today: I had JJ somewhere in middle position and the UTG player limped (called) into the pot. Folded to me and I raised it to 4xBB. Next guy called, utg called and we saw the flop. 5-8-3 rainbow (various suits, no flush) and utg checked, I bet $20 and the caller shoved all in. Utg immediately folded and I thought about what I should do. Call? I have a decent overpair and plenty of chips. Fold? He hasn't played many hands and I have no idea what he might have...AA? KK? 88? Complete air? (nothing). I thought about it for a bit and folded my hand. It was the right decision, but sure enough, I later figured out from his subsequent play that he had almost certainly been bluffing. It remains the correct play. I will save a lot more money not calling, than calling all-in shoves from players I don't know. He was giving up position, if he had a set or AA, then he was giving up lots of EV (expected value). A strong hand or set would have made him more money if he bet less. It is one of those hands where I kicked myself for not calling, but knew I couldn't with the information I had at the time. What do you think?
PokerStars Balance: $257.64
Looks like you have quite a ways to go before you get the money you want. Your posts are interesting and clearly you are "Determined", but I don't understand everything you've written about. Why is "live" poker in a casino easier than on-line? Good luck on your game! I'll follow once in a while to see how you are doing.
Posted by: Arthur Thompson | 01/24/2008 at 07:11 PM
[this is good] I agree
Posted by: Patricia Volonakis Davis | 11/23/2009 at 07:09 PM