For some time now, I’ve been playing step tournament at Party Poker. In one of my games, I was dealt 9Qo. A certain player then checked before me and I as a result raised a not so big amount. Eventually, two players called. Flop came and was 9Q9. Because of this, I went all in. Not really expected, the player just before me went all in. At such instance, I was sure I had him beat. But I don’t know why, when the cards were flipped over, he had KK. Turn then came and was K. River followed and was 8. In the end, I came home with nothing.

Now, I’m curious if I played just right. What do you think? Was it sensible to go all in?

Thanks,
CB McCoy
CB,

What position were you in? If you were in late position and raised, then that isn’t that bad a play preflop. Personally, Q-9 is one of my favorite hands to play because when it hits strong, it is well disguised. You hit the flop super strong and someone with Kings went all in. He then got lucky.

I don’t think you played bad overall. If I were you and were in that situation, I would have played it the same way.

I would not have called a raise preflop with that hand however. Q-9 is a hand to see a flop cheaply with or play in position.

Along with some old friends, I played NL holdem cash game. I usually play NL cash games on the internet and so I was quite confident I’d be well. Also, I’m quite familiar with the rules, particularly those at Party Poker.

To start, well, all of us bought in with 25 dollars. We all agreed then that the chips could be filled up many times as we want as long as we don’t go beyond the maximum which was 25 dollars back then.

At some point, a certain player placed a 10 dollar bet on the turn though he only had 5 dollars. There was a possibility of a side pot then as there were players who were willing to call the bet, also considering they were still in. But in the middle of the hand, the player who bet 10 dollars wanted to buy more chips. I believe he can’t buy chips in the middle of a hand and so I tried to tell him. He asked why and I explained to him that there’ll be a good and bad effect if he’d do such. Well, the good effect is that we play side pots, the short stack would have the option of buying more chips if he’d go for the pot or using the side pot if he only had a mediocre hand. The bad effect is that he’ll be giving the short stack an unfair advantage. Am I right?

By the way, at Party Poker, as long as you don’t go beyond the table maximum, you can replenish your chips in between hands, but in the middle of a hand it’s a BIG NO!

Thanks and great site!

Warm regards,
Moore
Moore,

A player may not replenish their chips in the middle of a hand. This changes the natural course of action and can even influence action.