Mixing up play at better levels
by PokerAnon ~ July 7th, 2008. Filed under: General poker strategy, Philosophy and approach.
The last post got delayed in posting by a day, and then I was going to add this, but decided to start a new post instead.
At better levels I have to learn to mix my play a bit more, especially if I’m playing people I know.
The day after playing some $1.20 SnGs for side entertainment, I played a $5.50 tourney with some people I know. 23 runners, I ended up 3rd for $23. I liked my shove from the button after a good player that I’ve played before, with a smaller stack than me, 3-bet from the SB. I took a while to decide that there’s a chance that he knows I’d be raising light unopened from the button and could be 3-betting me light, so I shoved. After some thought he folded and said it wasn’t a call for him, that he’d be coin-flipping or behind. I had AJo, not a great hand for calling even in position, but amongst the upper part of the range than I would open raise from the button with too. Still, I’m aware that my super turbo experience played a part in my preflop aggression as well, plus I’m pretty certain that this player could outplay me on the flop, especially if he had the last raise.
But the other hand was, 2 limpers, SB completes, I have K2 in the BB and check. Flop comes 224 rainbow, SB checks, I check, MP checks, LP bets 3/4 pot, I call. When the flop came out, someone jokingly asks the SB where his 72o is, and as soon as I call after checking the flop, SB says that I have it, and someone else agrees. On the river I bet half pot just so LP can fold and I don’t have to show my cards.
I guess I likely got as much from that hand as I could, getting another 3/4 pot from LP by letting him take a stab. But, against this level of play, with that flop, check/call is pretty obvious scream of strength, especially since LP made a 3/4 pot bet. I probably didn’t hesitate when it came to be my turn either, which doesn’t help. Against weaker players it wouldn’t be so obvious, especially when I check the turn as well. What would I do if I had, say, 66/77? Bet out 1/3 - 1/2 pot to say I have something, maybe not a 2, come over the top if you have a 2 or if you want to test me? That way you get more if someone has a pair and wants to get to a cheap showdown, or someone does want to test. If not, I don’t get the 3/4 flop bet though.
