Episode 132: John the Lawyer Stays Home

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John “The Lawyer” Larochelle is a consummate live cash game pro. He plays lots of games, he plays them well, and he plays them big. So why hasn’t he set foot in Las Vegas all summer? We talk about game selection, quality of life, ego vs. profit, and PLO strategy.

John’s first appearance on the podcast was Episode 64.

Timestamps

0:30 – Hello & Welcome
46:44 – PLO Strategy

Strategy

10-10 PLO Live eight-handed game.
Stacks are about $4,000 each

UTG opens for $35, Hero raises to $75 with TsTd9d7c, SB calls, UTG calls.

So, I raise UTG’s $35 raise to $75. The small blind (competent player) calls my $75. UTG calls $75.

Flop (Pot = $235): Qd 8c 4s

Both opponents check to me. I bet $200. Both call.

Turn (Pot = $835): Qd 8c 4s 3d

Both opponents check to me. I elected to check behind.

River: Tc

Small blind bets $500.
UTG folds

8 thoughts on “Episode 132: John the Lawyer Stays Home”

  1. Great episode guys, I already excited for John the Lawyer III.

    As to the hand, I think it’s crucial to analyze SB’s preflop cold-calling range. If he is in fact competent it’s mostly big pairs and connected high cards not strong enough to 4bet, plus some very connected middling/low cards. Despite the flop looking dry, a rundown-heavy range often makes 2 pair, pair+ gutshot, or an inside wrap. SB’s overpairs are his most foldable hands, and that isn’t guaranteed. And he can just have QQ sometimes. I think the flop cbet would be unprofitable against SB if you were heads up; given that UTG is still in it seems disastrous.

    Missing from SB’s range to cold-call a (small) 3bet of a (weak) UTG open are the medium and small pairs that make worse sets. Even if SB always bet/calls the river (we can’t be certain of this) when he has e.g., 9887 double or kk55, you’re much more likely to run into J9 or QQ.

    I’ve never employed this preflop strat, but I like it. I’ve been trying to play more exploitatively and the results have been positive.

  2. Very nice episode.
    A cash game “longevity” discussion prod me to ask myself questions and jump to a conclusion.
    My assumption is that the game survivor(s) supposed be a game(s) where pool of recreational players will feel comfort and excitement playing against sharks.
    Well a life of fish in NL holdem seems to be miserable, deterministic and short.
    I do not know much about stud.
    PLO seems to be cash game of choice for fish long term.
    However a progress in plo game theory and top-notch training could change this assumption fast.

    • Interesting comment. I know people have been saying for a long time that recreational players will be moving to PLO at some point. I’m skeptical of that (I’m partly influenced by Limon here; he said some smart things on a podcast I listened to four or so years ago).

      One problem is that a sufficiently bad player is just going to lose a *ton* in a PLO game–probably more than in a NLHE game. Another is that a lot of recreational players really hate getting sucked out on (this is a Limon point), and that’s going to happen to them a lot in PLO. Finally, a lot of recreational players like having some downside protection. If you play a sort of loose-passive game, it’s not so easy to lose two buyins in an hour (say) in NLHE. It is *very* easy to lose two buyins in an hour in PLO. A lot of people don’t like that.

      For at least a decade we’ve been hearing that recreational players are going to move en masse to some other game. Roughly 7 years ago I read a Randy Refeld post noting that limit O8 has been the game of the future for 20 years. I think the safe money is on NLHE being the overwhelming choice of the majority (indeed, simply synonymous with “poker” for many) for the indefinite future. A popularization of innovative NLHE tournament formats is far likelier than a switch in poker variant, I think.

      • Agree Nate.I am not going to defend my conclusions.I exclusively meant STANDARD CASH format.
        A format and game theory could transform the game dynamics.
        Overall I will say that new and old tourney formats do better job to “neutralize” skill difference than cash formats do.

  4. Excellent show – as I said in an earlier blog comment, the first John the Lawyer episode was one of my favourite ever episodes, and this one is right up there with it for enjoyment and stimulation. I very much hope John becomes a regular repeat guest – if so, he’ll be vying with Leo at the top of my personal “favourite recurring guest” list.

    Oh, and as Dana says – what was the result of the hand?

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