Did I play this hand correctly?

[Nima]

I was playing $20/$40 the other week at Resorts casino and came across this hand. Let me know what you think about my play:

I was big blind. Everybody folds, the player one off the button raised. Button folded, small blind flat called and I called with 4:hearts:5:diamonds:.

Flop came 3:diamonds:4:clubs:T:spades:. Blinds checked, preflop raises bet, small blind flat called, and I called too....

Turn came 7:hearts: giving me a gut shut draw too. Small blind checked, I checked and the preflop bettor checked as well.

River came 5:clubs:. Blinds checked (I would have raised but I was scared of the 6). The preflop bettor bet, both blinds called. The bettor flipped T:diamonds:T:hearts:, the small blind mucked so did i.

Small blind saw my hand while I was folding and he started criticizing my play for the rest of the game, saying that I should have folded preflop...

I think it was a close call, but since the preflop raiser was a lose raises, and the small blind flat called (instead of the correct play of three betting - if he wanted me out) I thought i made an Okay play by calling....


Let me know what you think

[Matt]

If calling with 4:hearts:5:diamonds: is a mistake, it's not a big mistake. It's a high implied odds hand and you're already getting 5-1 immediate odds. I'd much rather play 4:hearts:5:diamonds: against two players than something like A:hearts:5:diamonds:, which is more likely to be dominated.

I would've taken a different line on the flop. I would have bet into the raiser. Normally, I like to check-raise against a stealer, but not when I'm sandwiched between the raiser and a caller in the small blind. If the raiser bet after you checked and the small blind check-raised, you would probably have to fold. Alternatively, betting allows you to take control of the hand. Plus, the preflop raiser might raise, shutting out the small blind, getting dead money into the pot and allowing you to play the hand heads-up.

Given the action on the flop and turn, I would have bet the river for value. The small blind probably doesn't have a straight. He would have bet out, fearing that you and the preflop raiser would both check. There's no reason to believe that the preflop raiser has a straight either. He has a wide range and may call down with as little as ace high. Even with his set of tens, he may just call out of fear that you have a straight.

As for the small blind's comments, my first inclination would be to tell him to mind his own goddamned business. However, it's probably better to just ignore him. I like to keep a friendly image at the table, so I might jokingly say, "Don't tap the glass. You might scare the fish."

[sandalwood]

Two issues. One, how were the flops treating you previously? If you had seen 10 flops and caught on 2, you probably should have folded instead of calling the raise. On the other hand, if you caught 5 or more, beautiful play.

Second, accuse the small blind of looking at your hands and put him/her on the defensive. Table captains w/empty heads need to be embarassed IMHO.

[PinkMisfit]

I agree with playing the hand a bit different. If I am able to sneak in with hands such as 34 or 45 often I tend to play them to at least see the flop. I would agree that betting or reraising should have been an option for you. As far as the river goes when the 5 came I would definitely have bet.

Maybe a lower bet to make them think it was a value bet.

[Steve-O]

I think this is an easy fold pre-flop. I could see speculating with 45s (myself I would still fold 45s, but I don't think calling would be a bad decision), but with 45o you are going to run into the situation that actually happened way too often; you simply get stuck calling someone down with middle or bottom pair with your fingers crossed that he has Ace Big.

Even if the cutoff is stealing, the SB's call should scare you. Generally people only call from the SB with a real hand. This is something that the rise of tournament poker has done to the game; people are way too liberal with their blind defense, especially in limit games. Think of it this way you're getting 5 to 1 on your call, if a player raised and was called in 3 spots would you call in the cutoff with 45offsuit? Of course not, even though you have better position, and you're getting basically the same implied odds! I wouldn't call with 45offsuit from the button if 4 people limped into the pot in front of me.

The implied odds aren't all that good with this hand, since any strong hand you make will most likely miss your opponents, compare this with a hand like TJ where the flop will most likely connect with a pre-flop raiser's holding.

[The Godfather]

I agree with Steve-O, I probably would have folded this hand, especially if someone raised in front of me. Of course this is just my opinion...I'm more of a straight shooter when it comes to Limit Holdem.

[tsrumler]

I dont agree. You didnt give enough info though. It would of been nice to know your chipstack, and how much the raise was. Now, I assume you had a decent amount of chips considering you called. If you had a good amount of chips and the raise wasnt considerable, and depending on odds, I def would of got in that pot. The only reason you call is to try to flop a straight, or hit 2 pair. You played the hand exactly how you should of, when you did call. The only thing I would of done different is bet after the flop when the 3,4,t came. That way, the guy with the trips would of probably raised you and you would of found out where you stood. By check calling, your giving him the initiative to control the hand. You called him, then he checks the turn????? That was a mistake on his part, he lost on chips that you would of possible called on, as well as possibly getting you to fold your gutshot, (which is the only thing you had left that could give you the winning hand.) Also, you could of taken a chance at putting out a 3/4 pot size bet on the river representing that you had the straight. I guess you lost just about the minimum amount of chips you could of. That five on the riv is probably the last card beside a four that you didnt want to see.

The guy critisizing you was completely out of line. #1 You paid your entry fee, and you can do what you want. #2 As stated previously, you call with those hands because being in the big blind basically conceals your hand strength. #3 If you hit your crap, you can maximize chips from your opponent depending on what comes. #4 You have the best position.

That being said. I dont see too much wrong with what and how you played the hand. Those are just a few things I would of done differently.


I posted this before Matt so I didnt see that he also said he would of bet after the flop.