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Going off the rails on a Crazy Train!
Still trying to learn the difference between a well timed and reasonable bluff versus the random any two card “I don’t have anything” bluff! I am trying to buy into the idea that if you never get caught bluffing you aren’t bluffing enough. Also trying to live by the words that a great sage (Jim Reid), “They aren’t making any more good hands”, so you have to try to find a way to steal pots without one.
I’d appreciate some feedback as to whether this was a reasonable spot to bluff or just too crazy. Ignition – $15 Triple Up SnG (top 3 each get $45). 7 players at the table (2 already knocked out).Second level blinds are 15-30. 12th hand of the tourney so the HUD stats are not very telling. First to act (47 BB) (one to the right of the LJ) is running 9/0/0 and limps. Folds to me in the SB (50 BB) with 8dTs. I had mentally been ready to open to 2x (60) and try to steal the blind. I still did that after the limp, though when looking back I should have folded or made it 3.25x or so. BB (59BB) is running 18/0/0. He calls the 2x (60) open. Oddly enough 1st to act then just over min 3 bets to 95 chips. I just sigh and call, thinking it is a bad idea but I can’t resist. (I know, not the best way to play poker!). BB calls as well.
3 ways to the flop (pot = 285). Flop is 9d,Jd, As giving me an OESD and back flush draw. SB checks. I decide to lead out (technically a donk I guess) for a little less than 1/2 pot (120) just hoping to get folds and pick up the pot. 1st to act (from here on in just “villain”) calls. SB folds. My quick read is that villain may have a weak ace, a J, or a 9. He is possibly coming along with a smaller pocket pair. With the limp/back raise preflop it is a little bit difficult to read so he could be stronger (10 10, JJ) but I’m discounting AA, KK and QQ based on the strange preflop and then just a call here (though to be fair KK and QQ might just call with an ace on the board). Of course he could have a flush draw.
Turn is Kd (9d,Jd,As). Pot = 525. Villain is effective with 1,205 (40BB). I have him just covered with 1244 (41BB). With this combo draw I decide to lead out again for 300 (10 BB) (60% pot). At this point I consider this to be a bluff with lots of equity. This is 25% of my stack. I’m trying to leave enough behind to still have some fold equity if I decide to shove on the pot (1.1x pot). In hindsight maybe this bet should be bigger if I am trying to get them to fold. But at the same time I feel I can still get away from it now if I am raised (the K completed both a flush and straight draw). Villain checks which leads me to focus in on a marginal made hand and draws.
River is 6c which is likely no help to anyone. Since my range is relatively uncapped (only passive action was calling the tiny 3B preflop) I decide to represent a straight or flush and shove 1,244 into 1,125 pot. Villain snap calls and turns over AcAd (flopped top set with back door straight and flush draws which became NFD and gutshot on the turn). Basically a hand he was never getting away from. (especially since he blocked the nut flush).
Is this just an instance of running into something high in his range that he couldn’t fold, or should I have read his hand differently? I obviously was not expecting AA. At best I put him on 2 pair or a combo draw, and when they didn’t come in i thought I could get him to fold. I do realize he could have been slow playing a straight or flush, but felt like he would have raised a good deal of the time on the turn, especially with a straight (to stop me from catching a flush).
I know this is a lesson learned, but I’m not positive which lesson I should be taking away from this!
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4 Replies
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Before commenting on your decisions, I need you to clarify the player positions and actions. There are a few contradictions which is making the action difficult to follow. Are you in the small blind?
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I had a little trouble keeping track myself! Turns out I was in the BB. The SB was the original opener who later folded. Villain was “+1” at the 7 handed table (sorry i haven’t learned your naming system yet!). It was from there that the limp/#B came from. Looking back at this now I think that play reeks of AA.
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I’m a little surprised at the small sizing of the limp/raise UTG, but that is often Aces. I don’t think that was a great board to bluff on as I would often expect a crying call from 2-pair+ and maybe even an Ace that thinks you are trying to buy-it.
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In my opinion, your preflop action very much capped you to mid pockets or suited connectors. You never min-raise with a limper and then call a small 3-bet with AA-JJ.
I’d put you on 10’s or lower, suited connectors up to perhaps QJ or maybe KJ. I’d prob keep ATs or lower in your range as well.
On the flop, your best hand is a set of 9’s or a QJ, J10, maybe KJ.
As played, I don’t think you often have the straights, so you’d need the flushes (I think you said yours was backdoor).
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