Crazy - A (Controlling the Pot Size)

Hi ya!

We have been having a lot of fun lately playing with tha Limpas! on a private NL10 CG table on Winamax for those who go out of the SH and FR Limpers Leagues. Even if mostly we have been playing just for the fun, and I have to admit that we were playing crazy, I’d like to show you some hands that I think can help you understand the notion of pot control, that Yann and DonLimit introduced on this forum.

Follow the links for more info:

http://www.limpers.com/showthread.php?t=4658

http://www.limpers.com/blog.php?b=92

OnGame Skin, $0.10/$0.20 NL Hold'em Cash Game, 5 Players
LeggoPoker.com - Hand History Converter

BTN: $23.10
Hero (SB): $8.75
BB: $19.50
UTG: $27
CO: $9.85

Hero posts $0.05
Pre-Flop: 8 A dealt to Hero (SB)
2 folds, BTN raises to $0.50, Hero calls $0.45, BB folds

Flop: ($1.10) K 8 5 (2 Players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $0.75, Hero calls $0.75

Turn: ($2.60) T (2 Players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

River: ($2.60) 4 (2 Players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

Results: $2.60 Pot ($0.10 Rake)
BTN showed 6 T and WON $2.50 (+$1.25 NET)
Hero showed 8 A and LOST (-$1.25 NET)

So here I got no particular read (not only coz I haven’t play a lot with chris, but also because we were playing loose) but I thought since he’s betting a lot 5BB pf at BTN, I’ll go to see my flush. Flop brings a K85 two clubs, and even if I know I could be ahead I check to him to see what he does, he bets I call. Turn check-check suggest he doesn’t have a K, but at the river a value bet is just an opportunity for him to bluff me, and mostly get called but the hands that beat me and folded by those I don’t. I think that going easy on the hand gave me some cheap info of his playing.

OnGame Skin, $0.10/$0.20 NL Hold'em Cash Game, 5 Players
LeggoPoker.com - Hand History Converter

BTN: $20.10
Hero (SB): $14.20
BB: $12.45
UTG: $21.55
CO: $25.40

Hero posts $0.05
Pre-Flop: A J dealt to Hero (SB)
UTG raises to $0.35, CO folds, BTN calls $0.35, Hero calls $0.30, BB folds

Flop: ($1.15) 2 A 8 (3 Players)
Hero checks, UTG checks, BTN bets $0.50, Hero calls $0.50, UTG folds

Turn: ($2.15) 6 (2 Players)
Hero checks, BTN checks

River: ($2.15) K (2 Players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $1.60, Hero calls $1.60

Results: $5.35 Pot ($0.25 Rake)
BTN showed Q T and LOST (-$2.45 NET)
Hero showed A J and WON $5.10 (+$2.65 NET)

Here I exploited what I learned, he’s again at BTN and UTG is an excellent player. Normally I’d lay down this kind of crap OOP, but as we are playing particularly loose I gave it a go. Flop I check, UTG checks, BTN bets less half the pot. I call coz I think he’s betting a lot at flop and that turn will give me the info I want (if he has the Ace or not). Then if UTG check-raise I’m insta-folding lol. What I see at turn is a blank and checked to him. He checks again so I doubt he has TPTK or TPGK and even less that he has TPWK coz he knows UTG is a good player and I doubt he comes with A8 or A6. Now river Is a K and I think I’m well ahead, but why to bet here? I mean I don’t think I m getting called on a donkbet with a worst hand than mine (well maybe with a K), but I like more the idea of another check coz he knows I like to check marginal and will try to bluff with air.

I’ll keep looking for interesting hands, coz I know a lot of this info is useful for other players and you can obv tell me where you think I may be playing real donk style =)