This is one of the most complex (some might say FPS-y) plays I’ve ever made. Just to give you the situation, the Button, with whom I’m 200 BB’s deep, is an extremely good player. In my opinion he’s one of the best regulars at 2000NL and 5000NL, and I have no idea why he’s playing 1000NL. The UTG player is not nearly so deep and also is a pretty big fish.
On this flop, I want to put money in the pot with UTG, but not with Button. I’m probably ahead of Button’s flop calling range, but he’s going to outplay me on the turn and river even with hands like 86 and 87 that I’m beating.
If I just bet the flop, I put the squeeze on UTG, making it harder for him to continue. That’s just the opposite of what I want. Ideally if I check, he’ll bet, and then it will be Button who has the hardest time continuing. If he folds, then I can stick the rest in against UTG. Basically I’m hoping UTG will bet for me and improve my relative position by forcing Button to act before me.
If UTG doesn’t oblige by betting, oh well. At least I’ll play a smaller pot against a wider range from Button by check-calling or seeing a free turn.
Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $10.00 BB (5 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com
Hero (BB) ($1927.50)
UTG ($842)
MP ($1052)
Button ($1911)
SB ($1032)
Preflop: Hero is BB with K
, K
UTG calls $10, 1 fold, Button bets $40, 1 fold, Hero raises to $160, UTG calls $150, Button calls $120
Flop: ($485) 7, 9
, J (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $225, Button calls $225, Hero raises to $450, UTG raises to $682 (All-In), Button raises to $1751 (All-In), Hero folds
Turn: ($2299) 9
(2 players, 2 all-in)
River: ($2299) 3 (2 players, 2 all-in)
Total pot: $2299 | Rake: $3
Results:
Button had 8, 10 (straight, Jack high).
UTG had 8, 6 (one pair, nines).
Outcome: Button won $2296
UTG surprises me with a very small bet. When Button doesn’t raise, I’m optimistic that nutted hands can be discounted from his range. I still want him out of the pot, though. The min-check-raise gives UTG room to re-open the betting by shoving, which wouldn’t be the case if I check-raised larger. Once again, the squeeze is on Button. If he folds, I’m happy calling UTG. If Button calls or 4-bets, I’m confident my KK is no good and I can get away now.
Arguably something similar could be accomplished more cheaply by just calling the flop. The problem is that there are a lot of turn cards I don’t want to see. I want Button out now, and I want UTG’s money in now, if possible. As it happened, I managed to avoid losing too much to the nuts.
v interesting thought process.
How are you proceeding if:
1) UTG folds / BTN flats
2) UTG flats / BTN flats
I assume in both scenarios you assume your hand is best, and on any brick turn your plan is to bet/..fold? Check/decide?
Tough questions. I guess on a true blank I’d have to assume I’m good, but I think I’d check-fold any board-pairing or straight-completing card.
GL tomorrow! GO GO GO!
interesting line, and certainly unorthodox. But assuming that flop hits their ranges well, its got to be better than barreling into the nuts.