Quiz #11, Question One

[Matt]

The game is loose and generally passive. You are in the cutoff position with A-4. Three players limp and the player to your right raises. You expect that no one will reraise. What do you do and why?

[notcalebsheridan]

I'm not a limit expert by any means. That said,

I would probably fold both, the game is loose-passive, I like turning the opposite, tight aggressive. This means I'll probably try to play top 15% hands only, hovering over the bet/raise button.

However, with A4s, you certainly don't have the best hand, but you are going to have great odds for your flush draw and possibly straight draw. You will also probably get to see the full board for cheap and get paid by passive calling stations.

[Nima]

You should fold the A4o, because the only way to win with A4o is to hit two pair or a straight. An ace alone with that many players in the hand is not enough.

The 89s, is a good hand in multiway pots as usualy you need the nuts to win. And 89s can make the nuts easier than A4o persay. Because it can make straights and flushes. Also it is much easier to get away from tha the A4.


Cheers,
Nima

[Matt]

Caleb,

Thanks so much for responding to these quizzes. I was afraid that no one other than Nima and myself would post in this forum.

I'm going to wait a while before sharing my thoughts.

-Matt

[bluebayou]

hi,

great idea those quizzes 8)


i would fold a-4o and raise with a-4s, to get paid for my nut flush draw.




please more quizzes - great site

cheers blue

[Nima]

Bluebayou,

That is correct. The suited-ness gives alot more value to the hand.


Welcome to the board. Tell us more about yourself. What games you play, where you play, and so forth...


Cheers,
Nima

[bluebayou]

hi nima,

im from europe (germany) and like to play for fun - for the present.

i feel like im a student in limit holdem and of course no limit, so dont take me too serious.


maybe im wrong, but generally i would raise with this strong draw to give the table some action.



cheers blue

[Nima]

blue,

I have heard that european players are wild. I guess you can confirm or deny it.


Cheers,
Nima


Ps. I play backgammon and I can tell you Germans are some of the best backgammon players.

[bluebayou]

I have heard that european players are wild. I guess you can confirm or deny it.

swedish players r really crazy - always bluffing and trapping.

i think, germans play mostly conservative, but we have a very good no limit female pro called KATJA THATER.

[Matt]

Hi Blue,

Thanks for responding to the quizzes. There will be more limit hold'em quizzes in the near future, as well as quizzes on no-limit hold'em and games like Omaha/8. In the meantime, feel free to comment on the other quizzes and participate in the other forums. One of my favorite features of the board is the "Hands to Discuss" forum; you are welcome to discuss any hands you have played online or in live games.

Thanks again,
Matt

[Nima]

Blue,

How did you end up on Blacksburg poker?

Search engine perhaps?

[bluebayou]

How did you end up on Blacksburg poker?

Search engine perhaps?


yep, i like quizzes :D ....



hi matt,

thank for ur warm welcome. i like ur explenations. there r a very competent and help me alot to understand the game better.

sorry, for my bad english, my german is better - a bit ;)



blue

[Matt]

sorry, for my bad english, my german is better - a bit ;)
blue

Haha. Don't worry about it. Your English is fine. Besides, many Americans can barely speak their own language. :D

-Matt

[Matt]

Call with A-4s and fold A-4o. Drawing hands like suited aces thrive in loose-passive games. If flop a flush draw, you will have the right odds to draw all the way. If you hit your flush (or some other strong hand) you will get paid off big time. Raising is a bit aggressive, but it's not unreasonable if you expect everyone to call.

[Matt]

In a way, A-4s is like 8-9o; both hands are not as versatile as 8-9s. However, A-4s is worth a call because you will be drawing to the nut flush. A-4s also has the ability to pick up multiple draws. An example:

Your cards: :spadeA: :spade4:
The flop: :club4: :spadeQ: :spade8:

You now have five additional outs (two fours and three aces) to complement your flush draw. Counting the aces and fours as half an out each, your hand has about 11.5 outs.

In a large pot, you can even continue with hand like the following:

Your cards: :spadeA: :spade4:
Flop: :club4: :spadeQ: :heart8:

As in the first example, you have to discount the value of the aces and fours. When you add in the backdoor flush draw, this hand has about 4 outs. You will often have the right odds to see the turn in a large pot.