Adam, I posted this question in the NL Ring Games Section, but I would like your opinion on it, if you can forgive me for posting it there as well.

This example is from a $2 Max, .01/.02 blind, NL Hold Em game. So I am obviously not up against Doyle Brunson here, but I am really struggling with getting a handle on NL ring games, so any feedback will be appreciated. I understand that it may be tough to give advice about games at limits this low.

I was in LP with QQ, several people already in the pot. I raised, and got 2 callers. Flop comes J72, rainbow. Opponent in MP raised the pot, I reraised the size of the pot, and he called. The other opponent folds, so it's now head to head. Turn comes another J. Opponent goes all in, he has me covered, so I fold. When I folded, I showed him my cards, this is the point I am not sure about. Should I have showed him that I was folding an overpair?

Now I don't believe that my opponent had 3 jacks or better, as he became even more aggressive the rest of the session, and put me all in 3 times, when I was ahead. As it happens he sucked out on me 2 of the 3 times, so it was a losing session, but showing him the Queens did seem to pay off. He was eager to go all in, out of position with mediocre hands, and draws. Do you think I did the right thing showing the Queens? I usually don't show anything I don't have to, but I got an impulse, and in this instance it seemed to get me a lot of action from this particular guy.

at what site can you fold and show?

Ultimatebet, and only when you're last to act in a heads up situation.

Personally, I dont hold with ever showing a hand unless you have a VERY specific reason for doing so. If you're settng someone up, you have to know why and specifically what you're trying to achieve. Otherwise you're just giving up information about your hand. You should NEVER show that you're folding a strong hand in a NL ring game because others will take that as carte blanche to bet you aggressively out of tight pots. You want your opponents to play passively and weakly and this will most likely achieve the opposite (if anything!). The fact he was eager to go all in with garbage in this spot is most likely more due to it being a $2 buyin holdem game than anything you did. People play these games to gamble, let them!

Monk
xxxxx

Uh, again I'll point out that this section is "Ask Adam the Expert" Why in the hell are you pre-empting my responses. I asked nicely for 48 hours, and if I had not responded by then, feel free.


Correct show strategy, is a very involved process. VERY involved. Needless to say, the rock players rather ignorant belief that you NEVER show, is FAR from accurate (no, I'm NOT referring to you, Monk. ha ha, tee hee hee)

In a limit game, ATE says to never show a good hand that you folded. But, in no limit (REAL no limit, folks) you may be able to convince an opponent that you are WEAK-tight, and will fold overpairs to a big raise, with a flop like 7 2 3, fearing a set.

Then, use a mimic raise, when you have things like 77, 88 and 99. Now, if you flop a set, he'll put you on a big overpair, and may make HUGE bets, thinking he can run you off your "overpair".

But, this is a VERY advanced concept that requires experience to successfully pull off.

(Got that, KELLER!)

Showing bluffs and semi-bluffs, is a great thing to do, provided that you properly adjust your future play, and don't just do it once in a blue moon.

You must back up the image you are trying to represent, with other actions.

If there is ever a book, said actions will be further explained.

But, since the cost of establishing a website is too much, there will NEVER be anything like that, I'm afraid.

Besides, no one wants to buy it anyway.

Thanks, I thought I made a mistake, and you confirmed it.

One of the basic rules of Adam, is that unless I say "just kidding" within TWO SECONDS, then I classify that as a LIE, not kidding.


Nothing ever works for me, everything is hopeless.