Pre and Post: Playing Your Overpair.
 

The game is NLHE, FWIW. Hopefully, we can kick around this idea, because it's one that I've been thinking about since playing this weekend in AC. I'd like to discuss TWO situations where you likely have the best of it: QQ+ preflop, and when you hold an overpair on the flop.

1. PREFLOP - What do you do?
(a) KK in MP, you raise 3x or 4x. LP (could be CO or Button) reraises, and it's folded around. Do you raise or call. Why?
(b) AA-QQ in LP. MP player* raises 3-4x. 2 callers, action is to you. Your play?
(c) Same as (b), only instead of having two callers, it's heads up action.*

For more general discussion: When do you think it's ok (or absolutely not ok) to smooth call someone's raise preflop with one of these premium hands?

2. POSTFLOP. You have an overpair. When are you NOT betting or raising? Only when your opponent is a maniac, and you know he'll give you action? Are you EVER setting traps herin situations like these?

*I* know it depends. That reply isn't acceptable here. Essplain yourself, or stay out of my thread. :)

Let's see where this goes. I had a tricky hand this weekend, which I won, but it kept me thinking.

*Assume no reads.

PS: MEL: Move this shit! I accidentally started it in the wrong section. :)

on the post flop issue...

(Assuming I still just have a pair after the flop) I would want to bet the flop with the over pair. I don't want to give any free draws and the reaction to the bet will give me a better idea.

If I got a set on the flop AND there was no likely straight OR flush draws I might check the flop (hoping to raise a bet), with the intention to bet out on the turn, no matter what it is.

If there are any straight or flush draws out there on the flop, then I am going to bet 2/3 to 3/4 of the pot.

This is all assuming full ring NL Cash game with average stacks of 100+ BBs btw

Comments inline
 

Advice from a heavy NL cash game loser, so there you have it. But ...

cash or tourney, # of players, and stack sizes are all the most important factors and we don't know any of um.

I agree 100%, hence the disclaimer at the end of my post. Other situations would change things around

see above bold

1. (a) About 50/50 to call or raise. More likely to raise if player is loose-passive and call if they are aggressive/tricky.
(b) Re-raise 90%, call 10%.
(c) Ditto.

2. A couple of instances....

i) AA on a flop of KKx/QQx/JJx (where we maximise by playing passively)
ii) Opponent is short-stacked (i.e. they have no fold equity if we lead) and the flop is relatively safe.


I actually prefer a weak lead against spazzishly-aggressive opponents.