Hand Of The Day #42

$1/$2 NLHE – Hammond Horseshoe - 12.18.08

Here is an oldie that I posted on a Message Board in the "How Would You Play It?" format. I decided to leave it that way, so feel free to play along.


In the Hyjack, I raised to $7 with Jc Tc. Button, BB and UTG+1 called.

Flop: Js Ts 9c - Top Two Pair with backdoor Straight Flush draw. Nice!

It checks to me and I bet my standard C-Bet of $15. Button raises to $50. He's seems to be a solid, no-nonsense player. BB folds. UTG+1, an Old Guy, check-raises All-In for $58.

Button has $171 left in his stack, and you have him covered.

Pot size is $152

Your Turn...

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To me, there were two different pots to consider. The easiest is the Old Guy's.

I play a lot of Casino poker. There are certain stereotypes of players, like Old Guy or Young Hotshot, or Loud Drunk Guy, or Woman. The reason for the stereotype is because most people who fall into these play the same way. I'm 75% sure that Old Guy flopped one of three possible Straights. So yes, I'm behind, but I only need to call $43 to win $152, or roughly 3.5/1 pot odds.

The problem is that there is no way I can just call. Since the Button raised what looked like a standard C-Bet from me, his range of hands is rather large. It could be just AJ for Top-Top, T9 for bottom Two Pair, 99 for bottom Set, a Straight, or some combination of Pair with draw, either Straight or Flush. If I just call the $43, and he calls the $8, then I will be out of Position, and have to guess on the Turn & River.

This is either an All-In or Fold. If I shove All-In, then I'm getting the pot odds of $171 to win ($171+$152) or almost 2/1 with Top Two Pair and a backdoor draw. The Backdoor Draw is a small factor, because there are various cards that could add more outs on the Turn.

I decide to take the plunge. "All-In"

Button doesn't insta-call. Sweet! He thinks for a moment and folds J 8, Top Pair with Open-Ender. Old Guy turns over Q 8 for the Straight.

Turn: (Js Ts 9c) 8d - A possible chopped pot. 7 outs
River (Js Ts 9c 8d) Th - Yahtzee!

I posted this hand because I wanted some feedback from "The Greatest Poker Minds in the CPMG." I wasn't sure if I made the proper move, or was just a donk who got lucky.

In hindsight, I think there isn't always a "Correct" play for every situation. Sometimes you just have to make your decision with the information you have at that moment, and be content with the results.