How did I do?

[semperfi]

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.

[Rhound50]

Its not a bad play, assuming you have a plan for what you are doing. I like to show bluffs and loose plays I make. I usually play a very tight game espically at a loose table and by showing a loose play here and there, or showing a bluff means that you are more likely to get called the next time you make a monster. At microlimits this is less of a factor because people spend more time playing their cards than their oppoants.

This also works really well with Iceman's idea of raising in position with suited connectors. If you do this early when you sit down at a table and win a pot and showdown you make people think you are a loose player, than when you raise with your big pairs you are more likely to get the reraise that you are looking for.

[Gishaclaus]

Semperfi --

One play I like to make (that only works in a B&M setting) is flashing your cards to your neighbor immediately after executing a successful bluff. Invariably your opponent will triumphantly point out the "show one show all rule" and ask to see your hand. Reluctantly turn over your bluff and then watch him call you down the rest of the night with inferior hands.

This play works very well against, as Sklansky says, players who like to realize things at the table, but don't realize that you realize every piece of information you're giving them.

However, this play is of dubious value at the limits at which you're playing because few players at that limit think beyond the first level. Just playing solid cards will get you the money in the games you're playing at the moment.

FWIW, I never show any good laydown I make. Nothing is harder to play against than an entire table betting into you whenever you're in a pot. Whereas showing a bluff tends to make people wary of you (he could have anything!), showing a "good laydown" labels you as a rock, and not only will people constantly try to take pots away from you, you'll never get paid off anytime you hit a hand either.

Hope that helps,

Eric

[Rhound50]

Gishaclaus I really like that, show your neighbor knowing someone will invoke the show one show all rule, and make it look like you didnt want everyone to see your bluff, I'm going to have to use that.

[semperfi]