Beginners' Questions With Dr Flopaset 4

Dr Flopaset

22 Feb 2008

Have you learnt to stop playing King Jack off-suit under the gun yet?

Poker Verdict guru Dr Flopaset answers your poker strategy questions...

** Help support Poker Verdict by using one of our links when choosing to download a new site **

Part 1 of Dr Flopaset's strategy questions can be seen here

Part 2 of Dr Flopaset's strategy questions can be seen here

Part 3 of Dr Flopaset's strategy questions can be seen here

It was early evening and Dr Flopaset and his assistant Timmy Twopair were enjoying a swift half at The One Outer. As Dr Flopaset perused tomorrow’s runners and riders in his evening paper Timmy mournfully played his last credits in the fruit machine. “How many times have I told you those infernal machines are minus EV Timmy? I suppose it’s no different to the way you play no limit holdem”, barked Dr Flopaset. Timmy sheepishly sat back down and drained the last of his Lager Shandy.

“Have you learnt to stop playing King Jack off-suit under the gun yet?” asked Dr Flopaset.

“Yeah I reckon so Doc, but how’s about this one for an under the gun hand? I’m playing online in a $0.50/$1 blinds NLH game and get dealt As-Qs under the gun so I raise it up to $3.50. Everybody folds around to the big blind who now re-raises to $12.00.”

“Whoa! Hold your horses there lad, how much money did you both have in front of you and what was the game like?”

“Oh yeah, sorry Doc, it was a pretty tight game – I noticed when these boys bet they usually had the goods. I had about $160 and he had $99.”

“Ok, that’s more like it. Remember there are many important details other than just the hands in a poker game. So let’s see, he re-raised out of the big blind – that indicates strength doesn’t it? Especially in a low limit game with tight players. I assume you folded your nice looking, but in reality, troublesome hand?”

“Er… no Doc, I called ‘cos I figured it was suited and I had position on the guy.”

“Hmmm, I suppose I can’t blame you for calling, tell me what came on the flop then.”

“9d-4s-Ah.”

“So you’ve flopped top pair with a good kicker plus a backdoor flush draw. What happened now?”

“Well, Doc, he bet $15 and I called. Should I have raised to find out where I was at?”

“Not necessarily my young friend. As I said, your opponent has indicated great strength by re-raising from the big blind. Let’s think about what our opponent may have. If he’s a tight player I would say there are only four hands he re-raises from the big blind with: Aces, Kings, Queens and Ace-King. Maybe pocket Jacks too (which would be five hands he’d re-raise with). If he had Kings or Queens would he have led out on the flop with an Ace on the board? Very possibly, after all, you can’t just give up on a decent hand because the flop isn’t perfect for you. If you raise should you be raising all-in and setting him to the test? What about if you raise say $20 and now he comes back over the top all-in? The thing to think about is what hand can he have that is losing to you, but he would actually call a raise with? A-J suited is about all I can think of. So therefore I like your flat call on the flop. If he has A-K you’re in serious trouble and a raise would be a big mistake. What came on the turn?”

“It came the Jack of hearts and he bet $45 so I folded.”

“Yes, well, I think that was the best course of action for you. That Jack is a horrible card for you. Like I said one of the only possible hands you are beating just got there. It seems you played this hand quite well. For that my friend you deserve a drink, come let’s go to the bar”

* * * * * * * ADVERTISEMENT * * * * * * *

Poker Verdict Private Tournaments and Freerolls:
Great value events, qualifiers and guarenteed prize pools

Poker Verdict Special Offers:
Win a chance to play in the WSOP $1,500 event

* * * * * * * ADVERTISEMENT * * * * * * *