Tag Archives: small blind

On Two Hands

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Hello,

Two intriguing hands appeared the other night. The first one came up earlier. Blinds were 5/10 then and with 9s7s I was on the button. On the flop then, there were four players. Flop came and brought K42 all spades. Small blind then placed a 10 bet while big blind raised to 40. Other player called. Later, I folded as I thought one of the players had a flush which was far better.

Second hand followed. At such point, blinds were 25/50 and on heads up. I had 350 left back then and was actually the big blind. My opponent on the other side had approximately 1000. I remember he was an aggressive type, calling everything and going all in pre flop.

For another time he went all in again. I then saw A3 suited. I was looking forward then that my opponent would have KQ or KJ. And though he had a better A, I can still take chances and eventually have a flush, straight, or even a 3.

Will it be a good move to call at such point, if you were me?

Any thoughts about the two hands?

Thanks!

Clint
Clint,

I think you should have folded and waited for a better spot. Since you were big blind, you would have 300 left. Even if you fold the next hand in the small blind, you still have 275, which is still enough to either force people to fold or double up to a reasonable stack for the blind level. I would have waited for a better hand or a better situation. If you are going to go all-in, its better if you are the aggressor.

Not Sure About My Call

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I was in a game of $10 buy-in last week. Earlier part of the game, I was the chip leader with pocket 6s and a flopped set. However, later on, my cards dried up, therefore I had to tighten up. Also, my stack decreased after I paid blinds.

Following rounds and I folded, also limped into hands with suited connectors. I was in the small blind when I was dealt AQ suited. A certain player called the blind while others folded without doubts.

Later, I had to raise 2,000 hoping to steal or else have some excitement and then win the pot. Unfortunately, I was re-raised by the big blind, the second-biggest stack. Others folded immediately while I called afterwards.

Few seconds passed and he flipped over Jacks.

Now I was thinking if I made the right call. What’s your thoughts on this?

Thanks!

Irwin
Irwin,

Both of you woke up with big hands in the blinds. A-Q against just the big blind is usually a favorite. He just happened to wake up with a pair. You still had over cards however.

I would like more information on your stack. If you were short stacked, then this call was fine. If you had a medium or larger stack, then this may have been a poor call as this was one of the stacks that could bust you.

Overall I think that it was a case of two reasonable hands going to war and you happened to be on the short end of the stick.

At a Live NLHE Tournament

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Hi,

I am very bothered now. Evey time I try to make my game work, it seems that I have all the reasons in the world not to be able to do so.

Just recently, I joined a live NLHE tournament and I was short stacked. At first, I believe I can use my situation to my advantage. However, a certain player who has more chips than I do, limped in after a fold and changed some stuff. I was in the small blind then.

Later, I pushed into the pot content with confidence while hoping I’ll be able to have additional amount to my stack. Luckily, just as I hoped for, I’ve gained enough chips to play someone else’s stack.

Next thing that happened was, big blind folded. The guy who limped in earlier then called. I was right on my readings about him, he had a weak hand. But the surprising thing was that I lost despite of him having a weak hand. Maybe because of his call.

Any piece of advice for me?

Thanks in advance!

Best regards,
Mike Becker
Mike,

Your opponent clearly outdrew you at some point during the hand. Even if you start with pocket aces, 7-2 offsuit will still win if a 7 and a 2 hit the flop and the aces do not improve.

Might Have Folded the Turn

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Hello,

I played a $69+6 Double Stack online tournament with 3k starting chips just the other night. At some point, I just found myself in the BB with KK. By the way, blinds were 50-100.

There were three players left, player A, player B, and me. Back then, I had 4.9k, player A who was the small blind had 13k and player B who was in the second position had 5.6k.

At near mid-part, player B was leading with a 350 raise, player A called, while I raised to 700. Eventually, two players called. Flop came and was 8-3-t rainbow. I then placed a bet 1800. Two Players again called. Later, I just found myself bothered thinking of the set of 10s. In the end, I just decided to call due to some factors/reasons like the poor possibility that a certain player has a straight, the chance that I might lose to a set, etc.

Afterwards, player B pushed through while player A called. I remember player B had JJ and player A had 88. Quite surprisingly, I ended being the chip leader therefore I knew then that I’ve made justice to the hand. However, I’m wondering if you were on my shoes, could you have folded the turn? How about in a cash game?

Thanks!

Regards,
Berner
Berner,

If I really thought I was behind to a set of 10’s on the flop or if there was an all-in and a call before me on the turn, I would think my A’s were no good. I would have folded too. Probably would have done the same in a cash game too. Although, I would have probably reraised on the flop.

About Dealing and Pair

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Hi,

I have two questions to ask.

  1. In various holdem shows, it seems that dealer most of the time doesn’t deal every card out. Typically, cards are taken off the top of the deck and then will be disregarded. I’m curious if you know how all cards should be dealt. Can you explain it to me? And about cutting cards, is there any proper etiquette to consider?
  2. Say two players were keeping Q4 and Q6 and on the table was QQ467, do you think pair then will come into play?

Please, I need your help.

Thanks in advance.

Clark
Clark,

  1. Not every card will be dealt. In a 10 handed game, 20 cards will be dealt to players, 3 cards will be burn cards, and there will be 5 community cards. 38 cards total will be dealt. The dealer starts dealing at the small blind, and gives everyone the first card and then makes another rotation. After the preflop betting, a card is burned, and three cards are put face up in the middle. After the flop betting, a card is burned and another card is dealt face up in the middle. After the turn betting, another card is burned, and a final card is dealt face up in the middle. In regards to cutting cards, in a home game it is usually customary for the player to a person’s left to cut the cards, although the dealer may cut the cards.
  2. In this case, the player with Queens full of sixes wins. When the three of a kind in a full house is tied, the pair is what determines the winner.