Hey guys,
So we all know that we need to be careful when bluffing against weaker players. In this hand I will explain why hero chose to bluff in this spot and why he shouldn't feel bad about getting owned.
Hand converted with online PokerStrategy.com hand converter:
$0.05/$0.1 No-Limit Hold'em (6 handed)
Known players:
[tg]BU$10.25:///////;SB (Hero)$10.00:///////;BB$16.17:///////;MP2$10.00:///////;MP3$14.41:///////;CO$15.04:///////;[/tg]
Preflop: Hero is SB with 6:s, A:c.
3 folds, BU raises to $0.22, Hero raises to $0.70, BB folds, BU calls $0.48.
Flop: ($1.5) 5:c, 7:s, 4:c (2 players)
Hero bets $0.88, BU calls $0.88.
Turn: ($3.26) 6:c (2 players)
Hero bets $2.00, BU calls $2.00.
River: ($7.26) K:d (2 players)
Hero bets $6.42, BU calls $6.42.
Final Pot: $20.1.
Results follow:
Hero shows a pair of sixes(6s Ac).
BU shows a straight, eight high(8s 5s).
BU wins with a straight, eight high(8s 5s).
Preflop - First thing to note is that this hand probably shouldn't be in our default preflop range. Villain was folding too much to 3bets over a large sample. So ultimately we shouldn't expect to reach the flop with this particular holding very frequently whatsoever. However we shouldn't let this discourage us from continuing in what is likely a profitable flop situation.
Flop - So, by this stage we are aware that opponents range is potentially reasonably strong and may hold some overpairs, partly as a result of his high fold to 3bet % preflop. He can also potentially hold some combinations of overcards (good overcards + suited broadways) which we can likely get to fold at least by the turn. Some his holdings have flush-draws which we will lose against by the turn, but it's useful to note that we have the A:c blocker, meaning many of the flush draws he might ordinarily hold are no longer in his range. It's also possible this player can have some sets, (some tight Ft3bet guys may still call any PP if they are fishy), but I expect him to be raising these on the flop so they are heavily discounted.
Turn On the turn we pick up a pair, the NFD, and the board now holds a 4-to-a-straight. Aside from a few combinations of flushes our opponents main holdings are over-card-floats and overpairs with or without a decent club in the hole. It's extremely difficult for him to continue with any of the hands in his range on the turn, but I imagine this type of player can call with some PP+FD type stuff or potentially any stubborn overpair if he overvalues this hand.
River We brick our FD but it's very difficult to see many combinations of hands villain can be caling with on the river at all 3x and 8x hands are extremely unlikely given the preflop action and vilain's Ft3bet. However he holds some hands like J♦:J♣: and:Ad:K♣: which we lose to if we check. The main thing we lose to is slowplayed flushes here, but the average villain raises these on the turn, plus we hold the nut flush blocker.We decide it should be a +EV jam and to be unconcerned if he shows up with a miracle 8 or slowplayed flush.
He had the 8.
Question - Did hero play correctly? How would you have played this hand?
Stuff to learn
- We should bluff even at the lower limits if we feel the majority of our opponent's range will be an easy fold
- We shouldn't let the occasions where we get snap-called by the nuts or 4th pair discourage us from bluffing in future profitable situations
