Short Handed Limit Quiz # 1

[Nima]

Refer to the above question and discuss it in the botttom.

Cheers,
Nima

[Nima]

You have to re-raise and play it aggressive post flop.

What you need to pay attention is that you are not only trying to win that pot, but also to show your oppoent that his aggressive button raises are now going to cost him an extra bet (from time to time) and therefore he is getting much less odds to try to steal your blinds.


Cheers,
Nima

[Matt]

I prefer to just call, especially if the small blind calls before me. By three-betting, you're practically obligated to take charge of the hand no matter what comes on the flop. That could get you into trouble. Just calling will let your opponent know he can't steal your blinds easily. Plus, if you flop something big you can slowplay the hand without arousing any suspicion in your opponent. You can also let him bet the hand for you if you flop a strong but not monstrous hand like middle pair.

[Nima]

Just calling is not correct here.

Here is why:
If you just call it doesnt tell the raiser that he cant steal every time. It tells him you call his raises with your better hands. He will still try to raise you as he only needs you to fold certain number of time to be profitable for him. He is putting 2 SB to win 1.5.

You should raise here (The whole discussion is about a situation where its a steal raise and no one else is in the pot) (obviously if the small blind three bets, you fold).


Why? Because your raise shows the original stealer that you will not allow him to just steal the blinds. The strategy behind your raise is that once you raise him it will cost him an extra bet to see the flop. Therefore he is not getting the 2 to 1.5 odds anymore. And for him to steal your blinds profitabably, you would now need to fold alot more hands than before.

Again, this is because he knows that everytime he tries to steal he might have to put a third bet and therefore not get good odds for his purpose.


Cheers,
Nima

[Matt]

Raising seems reasonable here, but I don't think it's obligatory. Raising will punish your opponent for trying to steal your blinds, but it also reduces your own pot odds (3.5-1 to just call). If he's a maniac, it won't stop him from trying to steal in the future. He may even cap the betting. I also don't like the idea of playing aggressively no matter what comes on the flop, although it would be a mistake to give up every time you miss. You will have to defend your big blind with a lot of hands, many of which are not worth raising--e.g., Q-8o, K-5s, etc. You should occasionally three-bet with a marginal hand; otherwise it will be obvious when you have a strong holding. Likewise, you might occasionally flat call with a hand like pocket aces. Your blind play shouldn't be so automatic. Mixing it up will allow you to defend your blinds while making you difficult to read.

[James]

Hi Matt & Nima, from here I can see that both of you have well knowledge in Poker. But I am a rooky in this game; I heard that in online poker (http://www.alienpoker.com) there is a lot of chance of winning big bets. Is it true? I want to learn this game and want to be a professional gambler. Frankly speaking I like this glamour life, and that’s the reason why I want to be here. :)

[sandalwood]

I think both Matt and Nima have the right thought theology under differing circumstances. I mean if this guy has been stealing blinds, or attempting to steal blinds, now is a good time to just call with the Q10. If you hit, you'll steal his whole stack.

If he is stealing blinds w/good hands, just calling seems to be appropriate. The idea is to get his chips into your stack. You can't do that by giving away your chips.

Again, if you hit w/Q10, you'll bury him.:)