Poker Den 2008. Did I misplay this hand?

[Barny]

[Matt101]

[Barny]

[Alex B]

For a range-Vs-range game plan I can't think of a better line than Barney's here, (from the little that can be inferred about villain from watching the video).

With a hand this strong there's little point bluffing him off air when we could profitably call a few bets. I think the most questionable bit is the river, because to me (tenously just based on the clip) he looks like he might be the type not to call too lightly against Barney's line. If he won't call there with TT and 9x check-something must be better. But if he might call with those hands I like the bet.

I'd prefer Darren's plans with no-pair hands with a few outs - say we had AQo and a read that he was weak.

If the hand was an utter surprise - he was tight until then, then I'd usually just fold if he's good, or call if he's bad enough to pay off our sets for sure whilst also telling us when he's giving up with AK. (I think $1400 is a bit steep just for set-mining with 23000 left out of position.)
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http://www.alexbowler.com

[Barny]

Alex makes some very good points, as allways.

I posted this hand because I think it is possible to make a good case for every action on the river except check-raise.

I don't think you can infer from his hesitation on the river that he would not have called with tens or 9x. I noticed from other hands that he was more decisive with weak and medium hands. When he hit a monster he could be a bit more rabit-in-the-headlights.

He was thinking something like. 'Oh no, I might have hit a card to get me into trouble. I was afraid of a set of nines when he called. If I raise now I could lose all my money. Can he have AK and will he call with it? This is probably a lucky river card, but lets not push my luck. There are very few hands he can have that will get me more money. Oh but it looks so weak just to call here...' (But it was in German so it took twice as long.)

I genuinley don't know wether I played the hand as well as I could have, and am very intersted in what you all have to say. But I think I had good reasons for what I did.
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[fraac]

Wouldn't rule out a check-raise if you know he's that scared. It's not always wrong to bluff when you think you're ahead.

[Robbo1000]

Barny,
Great explanation of your thought process for the hand. I think you played excellent and the river play highlights one of my weakness and something I am working on to improve. In the past I was such a big nit I would always have checked the river and called most bets and overall it was a profitable play against the Bodo’s of poker. The drawback of course is your opponent knows your hand is good but not great and a big bet by them would put you under a lot of pressure to fold. After your bet you are representing a big hand and if you opponent raises you then you know you are beat or have to congratulate them on their bold play. If you are beat and they just call then you are dictating the amount you pay them.
When we first learn to play poker one of the key skills we learn from training materials is to be aggressive. The fact your opponent had to think for so long and only called with trip 2s shows what a powerful play you made in the hand. If you can keep asking difficult questions of your opponent whatever the actual outcome of the hand you must be playing good poker. You did all this and yet also managed great pot control at the same time.
I will add of course we should not always bet but occasionally check in this position against a regularly opponent so that we don’t become too readable. I would still often just check here if I’m confident my opponent will take a stab at the pot.

The key question you were not asked by Bodo was what would you have done if he bet on the turn?

[Barny]

Against a substantial turn bet I probably have to fold or move in. I think I would have been more likely to fold, but I would have had to re-assess my read and I would have taken my time before making my decision...Then I'd have folded, it was my case money!
_________________
If it wasn't for luck I'd lose every tournament I played...If I wanted to manage a bankroll I'd be a bank manager.

Play online with The Mob at Genting Poker

[Barny]

[fraac]

[whammer]

check call the river but obv fold to the shove from him

apart from that, wp and very unlucky
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Allardyce Out ! We want a FOOTBALL manager.

[evelyn]

Why didn't Bodo raise on the river?If he doesn't get called he doesn't have to show 72o so it looks like a win-win to me.

[evelyn]

[Matt101]

[evelyn]