AKs in middle position again! (1 Viewer)

We are playing $1/$1 live with a $100 max buy-in, eleven handed (not the same players, one left and one joined plus a few people switched to luckier seats). This is early in the session, the table is filled with action making big winners and losers. It is the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the night is light and friendly.

Cast of characters:

The Ultimate Calling Station is playing $400 and is under the gun. This villain is a little more aggressive than normal but no less sticky.

The Cougar is UTG+2 and is playing $300. Tricky, trappy slow players. Loose and sticky.

Hero has $125 but is on his second buy-in after finding out that top two pair loses to Crazy Jr's fourth pair if villain turns a two - outer set. This hand happens shortly after that. Keep in mind Hero doesn't have much fold equity after winning a big early hand with ace high.

Crazy Jr has $300 and is still glowing after stacking Hero moments ago. A traditional LAGtard.

MP+3 is playing $100 and is still mindful that Hero got her to fold the wining hand not so long ago. This villain is a sticky, loose calling station. She loves Hero's chips more than any other - but she also hates to lose to Hero. Hard to bluff with smaller bets normally, I think bordering on impossible to bluff right now.

The hand:

The Ultimate Calling Station is UTG and straddles for $3. The Cougar calls. Other players fold to Hero who again has . Hero learned his lesson (or so he thought) from earlier in the night and raises to $11. We still end up with five ways action - all four villains in the cast of characters. UTG [ Ultimate Calling Station ], UTG+2 [ Cougar ], Hero in MP, MP +1 [ Crazy Jr ] and MP+3 who is looking for a piece of Hero's hide.

Five way action, $57 in the pot. Hero holds Hero has $114 left behind.

The flop is

Two checks bring us to Hero, bet or check? If betting how much? What is Hero's plan for the hand?

Comments about Hero's preflop bet sizing?

With a $3 straddle, a limper, and a couple players gunning for me, I like a bigger raise than $11 (which is just barely more than 3BB + less than a BB for the limper). In this particular pot, I'm thinking at least $15, maybe even $20.

Now that it's the flop already, bet when checked to; $30 should do it. The point of betting here is (a) to get value when ahead and (b) clarify other players' hands.

I like what Jim said.

I would add that you may even bet more on the flop if any of the calling stations have a high diamond they would probably call $40 maybe even $45

+1 for bigger bet PF. $18 seems good.

On the flop, Jammy McJammerson I think.

i'm thinking i would have gone with twenty-straight pre but as played, i'm going for max value with a $45 bet. at this point, i'm (obv) hoping for a black/blank turn but will not be going anywhere with $69 behind and top-two.

*** opps, forgot this was unfinished ***

Hero tries for a fancy play and checks to Crazy Jr, who decides to check as well. MP+3 checks too. {the fancy play is check raising all-in assuming no one else jams all-in. Of special concern is Cougar who is 100% certain to slow play a flopped flush.}

Five way action, $57 in the pot. Hero holds Hero has $114 left behind.

The turn is < >

Two checks to Hero, including Cougar (who would still be slow playing a made hand)

Action on Hero, bet or check? If betting how much?

still betting for value. $45.

I like a $40 or $45 bet, yeah. A little smaller wouldn't be terrible either.

Check behind again and hopefully pick off a bluff from crazy. If cougar is sandbagging, we'll find out before we have to act.
If it checks all the way back to us and the river isn't a diamond, go all-in representing a bluff.

*** Results ***

Hero bets $50, mostly expecting to buy the pot. But Crazy Jr calls while the rest fold. $157 in the pot, Hero has $64 left behind

The river is < >

Hero bets his remaining $64, Crazy Jr calls.

Hero tables top two pair while Crazy Jr tables

It doesn't strike Hero how odd this hand was till hours later. Crazy Jr's passive line is a very useful clue about his mental state as there is no way he would fail to bet the flop once Hero checks it to him under normal conditions.

Afterwards Hero learns that Crazy Jr has been on a losing streak at some of the underground games and was very short on money with no good way to rebuild his bankroll. I.E. he was scared money, but Hero didn't pick up on that during the session.

Opps! Good result for the hand, but bad job by Hero picking up on the meta game situation -=- DrStrange

Spr is 2 on the flop. Bet call.