Home
(0 votes) 
September 20, 2012
Offline
Noticed I am having a problem in spots where I have an overpair or top pair top kicker on a non-draw heavy board, (e.g AK on a K49 rainbow board or QQ on a J26 rainbow board, etc.) and when to go with it for stacks or not. Obviously getting in a huge stack with one pair generally is a mistake but where I struggle more is the medium stacks and knowing a decent number of players at these stakes will get it in with top pair, weaker kicker or TPTK failing to consider anyone could actually ever have an overpair to the board or better. Of course, sometimes villains end up showing up with a set (seems pre-flop a lot of players at these levels are willing to call a re-raise with any pair in the hopes of binking a set or smashing the flop), two pair, or something that is actually better. I've had some MTT's lately where I end up losing my stack or a huge % of it because some guy called a reraise pre and hit there set or occassionally a not so obvious two pair but by the same token I hate folding to pressure as I have stacked an equal number of villains at these lower levels who commit to a weaker hand thinking you're bluffing or villain simply cannot let go of top pair as highlighted above.
I know stack sizes, stage of MTT, villain history, image, etc. are all factors on what to do but against a complete unknown when we are dealing with those mid-range stacks and the field is a mix of competents/incompetents if anyone has any tips for how they think is a good way to deal with these situations. Thanks for the feedback and good luck at the tables. 
August 21, 2012
Offline
In general I don’t think stacking off early with AK on the type of board you described is a bad play . There are enough bad players at these stakes that it’s highly profitable long term despite sometimes running into a set or two pair. You are pretty exploitable in your are folding them early to pressure as KQ KJ K10 will stack off enough. Second beat hands if you will. And as stack get smaller we have to take these spots as we’ll and can’t be sitting back waiting for the nuts.
I think also it depends on action preflop. Usually we are raising Ak QQ type hands and controlling the action so we have a good idea of villains range based on the action. Yah sometimes we get 3 or 4 bet early by a nit which makes it easier to consider folding or at least calling the flop and reevaluating trying to pot control . Also if we are heads up and multiway comes into account. If we have JJ and we flat a raise pre and get to the flop five ways and the board is very connected but we still have the overpair we can consider folding if we face resistance on the flop or a lot of betting action from multiple players.
I’d recommend watching Andrew brooks hand reading and value targeting series. Both were very helpful in this regard because it sounds like you are struggling to put the villains on accurate ranges and having trouble extracting value from those ranges .
June 24, 2012
Offline
Its such a general question thats its hard to answer, there is no one way to play these hands that is goin suit all situations. Some people are goin stack off with with top pair or less and others will have to have a set to stack off. My advice to you would be to try and look at the situation and then decide how your hand looks against their range. Look at things like do they call raises alot, do they limp a lot, are they 3betting much, what position are they in, are they calling lots of cbets, what kinda hands are they raising cbets with etc. Its better to approach your decision like this instead of saying “How do I play QQs on a J high board”.
Now I know this can be hard when you're a beginner so you can simplify this by saying “Is he loose or is he tight”. Simply knowing that can give you a good indication on what his stacking off range is goin be.
Generally though at lower stakes overpairs and top pairs with good kickers are usually worth going for as much value as possible because at lower stakes people over value top pair way too much.
November 18, 2013
Offline
What do you mean by a midrange stack?? 30-40BB 50+?
Its hard playing against randoms or if you have just joined the table and have no reads. I would recommend watching the brokus hand reading videos and regularly checking in on the forums. Its a really good way to start thinking a little more about deeply about hands.
If I have a read that a guy is a fish I dont mind going for value with these type hands. Sometimes they will call off 75% of their stack and fold river, other times you will have them dominated and sometimes they will have sets or river 2p.
So with no reads maybe tread cautiously and check, bet, bet or bet, bet, check. Hopefully you get dealt QQ in position lol.
…. Andrew wrote a great article on his website about getting quick reads. Check it out
Also making a plan for the hand on the flop or at least on the turn can sometimes shed some light on your expectations from the hand.
April 29, 2013
Offline
I hope you're playing most of your hands in position, as this helps in every hand you play. Pot controlling, bluffing/stealing, value betting and bluff catching are all much easier to do IP.
If you find yourself out of position, more caution will be necessary. Make sure you're checking their stats before each action you take, and voice the reason for each action… “He folds to 80% of turn cbets, so I'm double-barreling here to get him off his hand” or “He folds to 80% of turn cbets, so I'm checking behind here to feign weakness then pop him on the river.”
Regarding stack sizes, I don't think there's a perfect size to get it in with TP or an overpair. I find that it's best to go for 1, 2 or 3 streets of value based on my opponent's image, what I think their range is, and what they think my image is. If I've been super aggressive then hit a monster, I'll be going for 3 streets of value as they may not believe me. If they're a calling station, I'm never buffing and betting strong all of my value hands on ever street. If I've been playing tight and hit a monster, I'll follow maybe a bet/check/bet line.
When playing against complete unknowns, I find it best to play what I consider to be ABC poker: Bet your value hands, fold or ck your whiffs, and draw with correct odds. At many stakes, players play the same type of game, so figure out the common plays most players make at your stakes and assume they're making those plays until you learn about that specific villain.
Most Users Ever Online: 2780
Currently Online:
21 Guest(s)
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
bennymacca: 2616
Foucault: 2067
folding_aces_pre_yo: 1133
praetor: 1033
theginger45: 924
P-aire 146: 832
Turbulence: 768
The Riceman: 731
duggs: 591
florianm1: 588
Newest Members:
Tillery999
sdmathis89
ne0x00
adrianvaida2525
Anteeater
Laggro
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 12705
Posts: 75003
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1063
Members: 12008
Moderators: 2
Admins: 5
Administrators: RonFezBuddy, Killingbird, Tournament Poker Edge Staff, ttwist, Carlos
Moderators: sitelock, sitelock_1
