At some point, there was a very hand before the other one which I raised on the button to $20 with A-J. I got three callers for it, thus making it a multi-way pot nonetheless. Then, the flop came, Q-Q-3, as a result everybody checked to me. To have an unusual move, I bet something like $24. Afterwards, “LaBarca” called, and everybody else at the table folded.

As expected, the turn came and it was a K and so he checked. In an instant, I felt the weakness and trouble in him. I also felt he longed at that time to see me check and eventually have a cheap showdown.

Well, I thought he must have a PP of 6-6 through 9-9. It didn’t appear to me like he is thinking of his trip Q’s, that he’d get maximum value from them. I believed, there should be at least some pondering stuff.

Later on, we’re on the turn and weakness is in the air. So what do you expect? I of course released fire again. I stood up for my readings, for what I felt and for what I believe in.

So then I bet $40 and he called again though quite hesitant and indecisive. At that point, my instincts were still strong, that actually, he wanted a cheap showdown. But I resisted, most especially that I had the T for a straight and an A or a J for a probable winning pair back then.

Eventually, the river came a random blank and he checked again. I bet another $80 into the pot without any doubt. LaBarca hesitated but then he later on called again. After which, I expected to see a Q and hoped could have bet more on the river. Perhaps $120-$150.

After all this, what do you think does my opponent has turned over? A-8 off for no hand as well as no draw but Ace high! Of course, we divided the pot the Q’s and the K being all aboard. I don’t totally understand what happened, to be honest.

Then, the very next hand I’m dealt, A-4 of hearts in the cut off. I eventually limped behind another limper. The BB as well as the button limped too, while SB folded. Afterwards, we take the flop four handed. Well, it comes off properly, 8-6-3 all hearts.

Consequently, the first limper checked and I quickly bet $10. Quite unexpected, the button opted to call and the first limper re-raised to $20. For a while, I went blank but eventually I called. After that, the button re-raised again to $56 while the limper called. Well, I felt I was in a perfect spot then as the button has flopped a flush and the limper has either a set or two pair. However, I didn’t went all-in. Still, I was into for a one pair or a draw.

Then the turn comes a 9c, and so nothing has changed. I then checked as the limper checked. And then for $418, the button went all-in. For a second, the limper hesitated but later for about $300 called all-in.

I didn’t wasted my time, and opted to call. Then, there were the Ks. Eventually, the button showed Q-9 of hearts for a flush while the limper showed 3-3 for a set of 3′s.

Any comment on how I’ve played at that instance? Thanks!

Chase

Chase,

For that first hand, I don’t see how the pot was a chop. You had A-J with a Q-Q-3-K-random board. Your opponent had A-8. Unless that card on the river was a 3, you should have won due to your kicker.

Based on what you explained, it sounded like you had a fantastic read on your opponent. I will say again, that based on what you told me, that should have been a winning hand.

For the second hand, you were able to see a flop cheaply and then flopped a monster. You played the flop masterfully. You bet out and then were raised. You then slowed down with the nuts and called. You then checked to the aggressor and let him bet for you.

The fact that your opponent flopped a set of three’s and called ended up being an added bonus. Fortunately the board didn’t pair. Even if the board paired and you lost, you still played the hand excellent. You let the other players bet for you and as a result, took two stacks.

In your opinion, do you think it is wise to go all-in or call all-in with all my stack? Or just fold and patiently wait for a better hand to come instead?

Well, I hate calling all-in preflop and certainly I prefer to wait for the flop, then afterwards make a decision based on the result. Any advice please?

Thank you.

All the best,
Toffee

Toffee,

If I am facing an all-in bet preflop, I am calling with K-K. There is only one hand that is ahead preflop, and if your opponent has A-A, then bless them. There are very few times that I would ever consider folding K-K preflop to a raise or an all-in bet.

Moving all-in depends on several factors including how big the other player’s stack is, what the chances are that they will fold, and what I have seen them show down. Chances are I am going to push the hand pretty hard preflop.

In regards to calling all-in preflop, I understand your concern but when you have a big hand preflop, you need to push your advantages and try to take advantage of big hands when you get them. Yes, you will be outdrawn and lose on occasion, but the same is true if you held aces.

For an instance, I’m UTG with AQs and raised to $9. Then, folded to button who re-raised to 25$, blinds folded. I decided to call later on because of some hands that were checked down by a certain player.

Then assume that pot was $55 and flop J35 rainbow. As a strategy, I checked to the raiser and he placed a bet of $50. Then I tried to put him on a steal, AK, or a pocket pair below Jacks. And then I called and pot $155.

Eventually, the turn was a blank and then both of us checked. At some point, I stayed with my initial reading of a big Ace or otherwise medium pocket pair.

The river came and it was another Jack. Fortunately, at the last half hour, I’ won 2 big hands that paved the way for my winnings of over $700. Thinking that I had much and that he would never call with AK or pocket 10′s, I placed a bet of $125. But to my surprise, he had KK then so he took the pot home.

Any comment about how I played?

Kyle

Kyle,

You only had A-Q. I can perhaps see calling the preflop raise hoping to hit the flop, but when you missed and he bet out, it is really time to let the hand go.

I am actually quite surprised that your opponent did not bet the turn if it came a blank. I doubt he put you on J-J.

When the jack hit the river, I think that you bet a little too much. Something that may have worked to make him fold would have been about a 25 to 40% of the pot bet. This would have looked like a value bet for A-J. There is a good chance that he might call anyway due to pot odds, but it would have been a little more effective.

It sounds like your read was slightly off on this hand however. You should have folded on the flop.

For an instance, there are four players involved in a certain event, naming player 1, player 2, player 3, and player 4. Player 1 goes all in with $50, player 2 matches the all in, player 3 also matches the all in, and player 4 folds. Say player 3 wants to raise a side pot with player 2, do you think player 2 have to match the side pot or just fold? Any idea?

Please help me.

Sean

Sean,

In the scenario above, if player 3 bets or raises, then player 2 must call the bet or fold. If player 2 folds, they forfeit their rights to the main pot.

I am in trouble. A dispute is going on between me and my friend about side pots in our No Limit Texas Holdem tournaments. I hope you could help us out.

We already tried to seek out for some possible answer, researched, etc. but till this time we haven’t achieved yet the clarity we are looking for.

For you to understand the situation better, consider these infos:

Player 1 (has 1000 chips) – calls the 100 in the big blind
Player 2 (has 500 chips) – calls the 100.
Player 3 (has 300 chips) – goes all-in for 300 chips
Player 4 folds.
Player 1 calls the additional 200 chips from Player 3 all-in bet.
Player 2 also calls the additional 200 chips.

Eventually, the flop comes with three way action: player 1, player 2, and player 3. Every player has 300 chips invested for the hand. Then, right after the flop, player 1 is the first to act, so as a result, he moves all-in with 700 chips.

Consider that player 3 has a chance to win 900 chips if his hand is the best hand and that there would be a side pot in which the best hand between player 1 and player 2 would win. Take note that player 1 would take back the additional 500 chips he placed in the pot.

Well, my question now is – what happens if player 2 folds to the all-in bet of player 1? And if in the event that player 2 folds after Player 1 moves all-in with more chips, can player 2 win the original pot against other players?

I have an idea but I’m not certain if it makes sense. Any help with this will be much appreciated.

Thank you.
Carl Jhanne

Carl,

The side pot is just a continuation of the original hand. When player two folds to the bet of player one, he forfeits his rights to the main pot. Only player one and player three can compete for it.