Hard to Win at Live Tournaments

Hi there!

I’m having problems now with regards to winning at live tournaments specifically those friendly ones.

Monday night I played and in the big blind had 7-6. Flop came and was 5-8-9. Thus, I then got a straight. My opponent back then was obviously a newbie and so my focus was not much to him but to the pot instead. I wanted to have as many chips into the pot actually. Luckily, I was able have a few.

Then turn came and was a K. My opponent afterwards went all in, well, it was because of my convincing power. River followed and was a Q. He then was able to have a straight, a straight that was far better than mine.

Just to share with you another incident. Last night in a certain event I had A-10. Flop came and was Q-10-3. My opponent then placed a big amount while I placed him on a bluff. I thought he would fold then and so I raised all in. Unfortunately, I was wrong as he didn’t fold instead he called with K-7o.

With those two events, what do you think was wrong with me? Have I played too aggressively? Any advice?

Thanks!

Best regards,
Hutchin
Hutchin,

In the first hand, you just got unlucky. You had your opponent all-in and your were ahead.

The second hand you did play a little aggressive, but you were indeed ahead when he called you. I’m assuming that the player caught a king as you asked what you did wrong there.

In both cases you were ahead when the player went all-in. For situations like those, you can only get your money in as a favorite and hope the cards cooperate to keep you ahead until the end.

Lost Big Because of Bluffing

Hi,

Assume that on the board were three 8′s and two players were still in. At near end, player A placed a huge bet to look as if he had the other 8. However, the other player, player B, said that he already folded the other 8. Unfortunately, player A lost a big amount because he tried to bluff.

Any thoughts or insights?

Thanks,
Stenmann
Stenmann,

First, the player that said that they folded the eight was out of line. A player is not allowed to give information about their hand when action is still going on. If it were a tournament, he would have probably received a penalty. If that was my home game, the player that spoke up would not be invited back.