SNG hand of the week

[Nashvegas]

What do YOU do in this SNG situation?

It's four-handed and you are UTG. You have 3500 chips, player one (to your left) has 1500, player two has 2000, and player three (to your immediate right) has about 3000. Over the last ten hands since it became four-handed, you have raised preflop 4 times -- twice from the button (you got the blinds), once from the BB with a solid hand you showed down, and once from UTG, where you were forced to fold to a re-raise. Before that point in the game you had played tight, but quite aggressive preflop, sometimes opening with a 5xBB raise instead of your standard 3xBB.

You are dealt KK. You're excited, but wouldn't it suck to just pick up the 100/200 blinds at this point? I mean, come on, that's just a waste of a great hand.

QUESTION ONE -- WHAT DO YOU DO HERE? ARE YOU UPSET IF YOU JUST PICK UP THE BLINDS, OR DO YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE RESULT?

From here, lets make the assumption that you raised to 600 and were called only by the big blind (player three -- 3000 chips). You barely have your opponent covered. The flop comes out A85 rainbow. Your opponent checks.

QUESTION TWO -- DO YOU BET OR CHECK? HOW MUCH? WHY?

[sammax71]

My answer to question 2 would be to bet the pot (1300 I believe).

I think to check behind him would show that I was scared of that ace. His check seems weak to me as I would think if he had an ace he would bet into me. By betting the pot, if he had hit the ace then he would likely re raise me all in, in which case I could lay the kings down and still have 1600 chips.

[briachek]

I wouldn't bet the pot but I would bet about 2/3 the pot to show strength but leave me with more chips than betting the pot. If he raises me, i'm done with the hand. If he calls me, i'm likely trying to get to the showdown for no more money. I can't put more money in this pot with the ace there after someone calls a 2/3 pot bet since there are no real draws out there.

[Sunbob]

I hate it when someone says "it depends" but of course it does. My usual play when I have a strong hand that I still think is strong after the flop is to bet the pot so I would do that this time representing an Ace. If I am reraised I would probably lay it down. If I am called then slow down. His check suggests you are still good. He may well have called with a lower wired pair and you will win the hand right there. I don't think you can check because he can bet out on the turn and you have no idea where you are in the hand. A 2/3 pot bet isn't bad if you think he would have only called with Ax and is trapping.

I think it was Brunson who said the problem with AA, KK is that you tend to win a small pot or lose a big one. I am always happy to win a small pot - the alternative really hurts.

[Cactus Jack]

Exactly what I was thinking. Same quote from the old man. I'm not going to bust out on KK. (Nah, it's going to be something like QQ, the bitches.) 2/3 is strong enough to show my KK, but not going to kill me if he hit the AA. In all likelihood, he doesn't have it. Down to four-handed, I like my chances he doesn't. But not THAT much.

[TexasKowboy]

four handed with KK i'm all in pre flop. I'm happy with the blinds unless someone wants to play head up I'm happy with that too.

Question 2 I'm checking behind him since I was stupid enough to let him beat me with any A.

[tommyhawk]

$600 would be my bet and I would bet quik. This is one of the online things you can show power with.
If he raises I am done and maybe we can check to the river and hopefully I get lucky.$600 is still a bet I can overcome and too big for him if he has nothing.

With my luck yesterday he has gotta have ...88.

Tommyhawk:

Keep on learning:)