Short-Handed Limit Quiz

[PShabi]

Nice analysis on #10.

I'm surprised you advocate cold-calling in #11 and #12. I just hate it. I don't feel comfortable playing the hand after that. I like being the leader too much.

I like your analysis on the last item, but I feel like your ahead enough here to make a raise for value. I still think some "typical" players call two from the SB with a strong hand that you beat. People have a hard time laying down anything at 3/6.

[Talking Poker]

I like being ahead AFTER the flop, which we will be when we raise his flop bet - we have position, remember? I prefer to play KQs as a drawing hand against multiple opponents. By reraising, it's too likely you are isolating the field down to a single opponent, and one that may very well have you beat. He's going to either call your reraise or cap. I can tell you that nowm without you putting those extra bets in, so information-wise, I don't think you'll have much more by 3 betting. All you are doing really is scaring away the blinds or anyone else who may have come in to the pot if you cold called. I WILL reraise there against very loose opponents, but against the average guy, I like to call and then crank it up after the flop.

I'm more inclined to 3 bet the AJ than I am the KQ, but we're only in MP in that scenario, which is not a good place to be with AJ...

Yes, we are ahead most of the time. If we call, the SB will call with his AQ, but if we raise, he'll probably dump it. Maybe this is one of the differences between 3/6 and the slightly higher limits...? Yeah, I don't really see raising here being positive EV. Remember, when you're beat, raising is going to cost you TWO more bets. When you have the best hand, it will either cost you one bet, it will wash (most of the time), or you'll gain 2 bets at the most.

It's close.

[PShabi]

Give me a scenario where you make this play?

Are you saying you'll cold-with AJ, see a uncoordinated flop and raise his insta-bet?

Say the flop is 10 6 6 and he leads?

What about Q, 8, 2?

[Talking Poker]

I may have made a typo., When I said I like to be "ahead" after the flop, I meant to say I like to have the "lead" after the flop... in other words, I don't care who is in control preflop nearly as much as I do after the flop.

As for this scenario, yes, I certain would insta-raise his insta-bet on the T66 flop with my AJ. If that doesn't slow him down (if he reraises), I know he's got a big pair and I can fold. If he calls and checks the turn to me, I can bet no matter what the card is and often take down the pot. AK doesn't look so good with a board of T66x (x=not A or K) and a guy who called your preflop raise, raised you on the flop, and now is betting the turn. He'll usually fold. If not, at least I figured out where I'm at in the hand.

As for the Q82, I'd probably fold to his flop bet here. The board isn't scary enough to make him go away. But think about it, I lost 2 small bets here playing it my way. By reraising preflop flop and then betting the flop, I'd be in for AT LEAST 3 small bets preflop (often 4), and AT LEAST one bet on the flop (often 2). I've put 4 small bets into the pot and I have nothing. Yes, I'm playing aggressively, but I'm probably going to lose this hand. Abnd we haven't even talked about how much trouble I can and will get into on the turn and river (especially if I pair up).

Do you see the difference (IMO) about using that aggression preflop vs. postflop? I think it's SO MUCH stronger after the flop. Your preflop raise will never get him to fold, but after the flop, it might. If not, at least you can establish control of the hand, or get off it cheap.

6 max is all about selective aggression. Be aggressive when you have a made hand. Be aggrssive when you have a good draw. Be aggressive when you think you can get your opponent off his medium or worse hand. Fold everything else.

There is a fine line between selective aggression and being a maniac. I'd like to think I'm the former.