Limit Hold'em Quiz by Bob Ciaffone

[Matt]

Here is a link to an excellent Limit Hold'em quiz: http://www.pokerpages.com/interactive/quiz/holdem01a.php3.

Bob Ciaffone is one of the best poker writers out there. He's a Pot-Limit Omaha expert, but he is also the co-author of Middle Limit Hold'em which is a must-read for anyone who plays the game. I disagree with him on a few things. My style is a little more aggressive than his, but he's obviously made a nice living playing his way--certainly much more than I've made.

After you complete the quiz, you will find a link to other quizzes at the bottom of the page. Ciaffone's other quizzes deal mostly with Limit Hold'em, but he also touches on No-Limit Hold'em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Stud, and tournament play.

There are also quizzes by Tom McEvoy, who has written several books with T.J. Cloutier. His advice is a bit weak at times. The quizzes are still worth taking though.

Enjoy!

-Matt

[Nima]

You are in small blind. Seat #2 has raised. EVeryone folds and you hold clubA diamondK . What do you do??


It says fold??

I'm not so sure..

Cheers,
Nima

[Nima]

You're one off the button with Seat # 4 has raised to $20 and has been called by seat # 6. What do you do? spadeJ heartJ

It says fold...


I can see the logic that UTG raiser has a good hand. But in typical limit games, UTG player would raise with AJ off, 99, 1010, even 88 or 77.

Nima

[Matt]

You are in small blind. Seat #2 has raised. EVeryone folds and you hold clubA diamondK . What do you do??


It says fold??

I'm not so sure..

Cheers,
Nima

Yeah, I think that's really bad advice. I almost always re-raise with both AKs and AKo, even if I'm in one of the blinds. Ciaffone usually advocates simply cold-calling a raise with AK unless you're against a steal-raise. I think that's weak poker. In this situation, Seat #2 is supposedly a tough player who you don't want to get involved with. Still, folding is terrible. I prefer just calling instead of raising here so I can escape easily if I miss the flop.

[Matt]

You're one off the button with Seat # 4 has raised to $20 and has been called by seat # 6. What do you do? spadeJ heartJ

It says fold...


I can see the logic that UTG raiser has a good hand. But in typical limit games, UTG player would raise with AJ off, 99, 1010, even 88 or 77.

Nima

Folding here is insane. In fact, I think you should re-raise. I'm a tight player, but I will still raise from UTG with many hands--AA-TT, AKs-AJs, AKo-AQo, and KQs. I'll sometimes raise with hands like ATs, KJs and QJs, sometimes even with JTs-89s if I've been card-dead or if my raises are getting too much respect.

Ciaffone's preflop advice is often questionable. Tom McEvoy's advice is even worse.

Ciaffone still has other interesting things to say. Question #4 is great.

Question:
"You're in the big blind with Ah 3h. There have been no raises, five people see the flop Td 8h 5h. You have checked and called the flop (seat # 4 has been the bettor) and all four remaining players have checked the turn (Ks). A third heart comes on the river (9h) and the small blind comes out betting. What do you do?"

Answer:
"This is a good time to go for the overcall. The players behind you must have made something (small flush, straight) with the nine, hands that might be good enough for one, but not for two bets. The small blind might be bluffing, might fold against your raise or, if you get reraised, your hand might not even be good."

I think going for overcalls is without a doubt the best play. In fact, raising is terrible. You want to win as many bets as possible, so it's horrible to drive out the other players. If you're lucky, someone with a weaker hand will raise and you will be able to three-bet. The only problem I have with Ciaffone's advice is the idea that "if you get reraised, your hand might not even be good." The only hand that can beat you is a straight flush, a very remote possibility. If someone re-raises me in this situation, I'll always cap the betting.

Some of his other advice is golden. I really like his reasoning behind Question #5. With a few exceptions, Ciaffone offers some really good advice. At the very least, his writings are always thought-provoking.

[bluebayou]

tu, matt, for this great link to this excellent limit holdem quiz :cool

ive got 84 pts - far away from beinge a pro ;) ...


great advices from bob ciaffone, i like this stuff, now im really in poker heaven hearts



cheers blue