Obviously the cash game strategy involved in this hand is a bit different, but what is the correct tournament play?


Blinds: 25/50, I have 3k and villain has 3.5k, we are the huge stacks at the table.

I limp in MP with 5s 6s, 6 limpers to the flop.

Flop: 3c 4h 7h

Checks to me, I bet 100.
Villlain in SB raises to 300
Hero ????

At this point I'm sure he has two pair or a set. I ended up reraising to around 800, where he went all in. I of course called and he hit a turn 3 to bust me with 3's full of 7's.

Considering the villain has me covered, is there an argument for either 1. calling and raising a non-paired board or 2. immediately going all in (he may fold the 7 3, but I doubt it).

I know this is bad luck, and it isn't really a bad beat story but is there an optimal play to make so that I bust less than the percentage shows?

I think that you played it fine, you got the money in when you had the best hand. I might have reraised more that 800, only because I would have rathered not seen anymore cards come.

Long... wanting him to fold his 2pr when you flop a straight is nuts... That's EXACTLY what you want him to do... I'm not much for figuring out odds (ask Aisthesis if you want numbers), but you gotta be a HUGE favorite straight v. 2pr... He hit a 4-outer, and you got screwed... I even like your reraise... It's probably not enough to chase him off his hand, but if he's gonna stay in the hand, he's gotta know all his chips are going into the pot...

I move it in here and either play a 6k stack or bust. Kind of the nice thing about doing it here rather than later is that you haven't invested that much time into the hand.

Cash games, I often wait for the turn to pounce and pray a heart doesn't fall or the board pair depending on my read. I don't wait for the board to be safer when I think he has an over pair or one pair hand and try to get the money in while he thinks his hand is good.

Tournament you are as likely to be looking at JJ down and possibly a set, there is no real way to know usually early in the game and gambling it up is a great plan with the current nuts.

Then again, I'm a streaky tournament player based on how well the current best hand is holding up, when I finish good I finish in the top, when I bust it is usually early like this.