False Readings

Let’s say in a cash game at a local card room, with 7 players, blinds 2/3. The players at the table were known for being tight and agressive. In front of me, a few hundred of those players.

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.