by Aisthesis » Fri Feb 22, 2008 1:40 am
Hand 1:
From the standpoint of villain, I think it's incredibly stupid to bet here with anything except 2 pair + (which is kind of weird waiting for the river, so that leaves straight) or... total air like maybe T9s. Also, there's not much in the pot. At least that's my philosophy. For example, also to a check, I'd check behind my aces here. I think river bets on scary boards need to be very strong hands (I don't think I could resist betting 2 pair either) where you can still get a call from a loser or absolute zip where you have no chance of winning if you don't bet.
Given the action, where nothing really made it in there, I have my doubts that he has air 1/3 of the time. But I dunno, maybe it's just my quirk on betting rivers, so I dunno if you can necessarily attribute the same philosophy to villain.
Hand 2:
I don't mind this at all. Your reasoning seems fine to me. You may be beat (mediocre kicker), but I think it's worth a call.
Hand 3:
I've called these passive 3bets with KQo occasionally, but have consistently ended up regretting it. Ok, you're coinflippish vs. the bottom end of his range, but you're dominated too much and can really only feel comfortable with a straight.
Also, if he's getting tired of your shenanigans, I don't think it's time to bluff. I guess it's possible you're ahead, but the only thing I'm happy with here is your turn check. I fold PF, fold flop, fold river.
I see people check the turn often HOPING your floating. Then the river bet is kind of angry, "Darn, missed a turn bet." Wouldn't surprize me at all if you're looking at TT, KK or AA here. AQ is vaguely possible, too. But I think you're behind on this one.
Hand 4:
I like your play, I think. Again, you may be behind. But you can't put him on any normal draw (although he can be drawing with something like T8 or 45). However, the turn check is only good if he's going to fire a river loser. But you do call him a TAG. Honestly, if he's a TAG by my standards, I don't know what you beat anymore on the turn. Can he have Q9s OOP to your raise?? So, QT just won, QJ is still a split, and everything else has you outkicked.
Actually, I would often play the hand the same way you did, but I think the river is actually a fold unless he's going to bluff at it often.