Is there a sixth sense needed to play great poker?!

Originally posted by blackops888
Well... is there anything else we can discuss here? ♠_biggrin:

Here is one hand that I will never ever play this way in the micros. All the advices I received and all the articles said - NO FANCY PLAY and NO BLUFFS!

0.01/0.02 No-Limit Hold'em (8 handed)
Hand recorder used for this poker hand: PokerStrategy.com Elephant 0.102 by www.pokerstrategy.com.

Preflop: Hero is BB with A♥, 7♥
6 folds, SB raises to $0.04, Hero calls $0.02.

Flop: ($0.08) T♥, 5♦, 2♥ (2 players)
SB bets $0.02, Hero raises to $0.06, SB calls $0.04.

Turn: ($0.20) Q♦ (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks.

River: ($0.20) 3♠ (2 players)
SB bets $0.02, Hero raises to $0.14, SB calls $0.12.

Final Pot: $0.48

Results follow (highlight to see):
SB shows a pair of fives (5h 4c)
Hero shows (Ah 7h)

SB wins with a pair of fives (5h 4c)

Originally posted by blackops888
Well... is there anything else we can discuss here? ♠_biggrin:

And, another two which were played more-less in the range "how to play micros", but they are kind of against better judgement vs regulars:

0.01/0.02 No-Limit Hold'em (8 handed)
Hand recorder used for this poker hand: PokerStrategy.com Elephant 0.102 by www.pokerstrategy.com.

Preflop: Hero is CO with K♦, T♦
4 folds, Hero raises to $0.06, BU calls $0.06, 2 folds.

Flop: ($0.15) K♣, Q♥, 9♠ (2 players)
Hero bets $0.1, BU calls $0.10.

Turn: ($0.35) A♠ (2 players)
Hero bets $0.22, BU calls $0.22.

River: ($0.79) 6♥ (2 players)
Hero raises $0.32 (All-In), BU calls $0.32.

Final Pot: $1.43

Results follow (highlight to see):
Hero shows (Kd Td)
BU shows two-pair, aces and queens (Ac Qs)

BU wins with two-pair, aces and queens (Ac Qs)

0.01/0.02 No-Limit Hold'em (8 handed)
Hand recorder used for this poker hand: PokerStrategy.com Elephant 0.102 by www.pokerstrategy.com.

Preflop: Hero is SB with K♣, Q♠
UTG2 calls $0.02, MP1 calls $0.02, 4 folds, Hero calls $0.01, BB checks.

Flop: ($0.08) Q♦, 7♠, 7♣ (4 players)
Hero bets $0.06, BB calls $0.06, 2 folds.

Turn: ($0.20) 8♠ (2 players)
Hero bets $0.13, BB calls $0.13.

River: ($0.46) T♦ (2 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $0.18, Hero calls $0.18.

Final Pot: $0.82

Results follow (highlight to see):
Hero shows (Kc Qs)
BB shows a full-house, sevens full of queens (Qh 7h)

BB wins with a full-house, sevens full of queens (Qh 7h)

Any comments?
I mean, I know exactly what I've done wrong... but maybe I don't... In the first hand in the separate post I overestimated the opponent in other two I've underestimated the opponent.
In the first, I tried to bluff, didn't work; in the second I should've stopped betting on the turn, but I thought he called me just because of the BU and that he had a plan so I tried to bet again and in the third I called the river because I thought he was just bluffing now because I showed weakness (I actually miss-interpreted that hand, it's unclear in my memory).

Sadly, that's all of the material I have for now... I'll just try to find one I won (but that it wasn't boring one like all-ins and stuff) so you don't think that I NEVER WIN!

Now that I've examined those 298 hands... almost every time there was a turn I lost a hand. And I never played a hand without top pair with good kicker (mostly top one), flush draw or OESD... So I lost them because I valued my bets, does that mean that when they call me on the flop I should stop betting, even though everybody says that in micros with top pair and top kicker you just put strong bets all the way if he just keeps on calling!?
It is a very small sample, but interesting... or I'm a complete fish!

I'd never fold top pair for 18 cents.

Originally posted by Meda1985
Now that I've examined those 298 hands... almost every time there was a turn I lost a hand. And I never played a hand without top pair with good kicker (mostly top one), flush draw or OESD... So I lost them because I valued my bets, does that mean that when they call me on the flop I should stop betting, even though everybody says that in micros with top pair and top kicker you just put strong bets all the way if he just keeps on calling!?
It is a very small sample, but interesting... or I'm a complete fish!

If I'm not mistaken from what I read in the BSS articles I think you need to bet based on what's on the board more rather than what's on your hand. That way you're not gonna get too attached to your hand. Don't do what I did. It makes you tilt everytime you lose a good hand.

I'd never go AI with just a TPGK not even TPTK(when I'm not tilting).

Originally posted by Alficor1
I'd never fold top pair for 18 cents.

Thank you to the infinity and back, you've really helped me now!

Originally posted by cpers

Originally posted by Meda1985
Now that I've examined those 298 hands... almost every time there was a turn I lost a hand. And I never played a hand without top pair with good kicker (mostly top one), flush draw or OESD... So I lost them because I valued my bets, does that mean that when they call me on the flop I should stop betting, even though everybody says that in micros with top pair and top kicker you just put strong bets all the way if he just keeps on calling!?
It is a very small sample, but interesting... or I'm a complete fish!

If I'm not mistaken from what I read in the BSS articles I think you need to bet based on what's on the board more rather than what's on your hand. That way you're not gonna get too attached to your hand. Don't do what I did. It makes you tilt everytime you lose a good hand.

I'd never go AI with just a TPGK not even TPTK(when I'm not tilting).

Neither would I, but that's what I've read and heard how to play the micros. I folded so many TPTK over the course of my poker-life. When someone goes all-in I fold TPTK even on the flop, but then I read advices not to do so always, because if you spot a fish he will go all-in with any top-pair or when he's on a draw when you raise him and mostly they are right. I folded lowest set on the flop when i got raised before the flop and there is A, K or Q on the flop. It's not that I get to attached to my cards, I don't, but in this three hands I only went all-in once and that was not even top pair, that's where I got attached to the pot.

Originally posted by Meda1985

Originally posted by Alficor1
I'd never fold top pair for 18 cents.

Thank you to the infinity and back, you've really helped me now!

In all seriousness, you cant really fold top pair with a 2nd best kicker for 9 big blinds bet getting 3,5 to 1..

And I didn't! You know that you get called with all crap in the micros, why not try the turn also... after the turn I wasn't sure it was crap, so I checked on the river. I understood what you was saying, it's just that it was so underestimating... I mean, it is a poker hand, doesn't matter what is the amount of money in it (we both know that's not true, but, you know what I mean).
Sorry, didn't mean nothing by it, it just wasn't no poker advice.

You actually did it right on the first hand, I think. In the first one you bet your top pair + gutshot on the flop and tried to push him off when the ace hit on the turn. Keep in mind that he would not have continued this turn if he did not have the ace or some kind of SD/FD. As you had less than half-pot on the river, you shove it when a safe card hit. I don't know what else to do here. The guy was extremely passive in not 3-betting his AQ PF, which added some deception to his hand, but anyway...

On the second hand you should have raised PF. I'm certain that you would have at least 1 caller, but the added fold equity could have won you the pot on the flop after a c-bet just in case he missed it entirely (which happens most often). The bet on the flop was OK, but maybe you could have checked the turn. He might be calling you with a weaker Q, trips or some kind of stubborn medium pocket pair he did not want to raise, like 66 or 99. In any case, he would most likely check behind a weaker Q in order to go to showdown cheaply or bet his trips. If he bet this turn you could just call and then check/fold the river. I don't know if this guy is able to 3-barrel bluff such a board and without having a 7 himself. Some history would be necessary then..

The one with the K :diamond:, T
I can see that your stack around 0.8, do you play MSS or BSS?

PS: Well I'm just like you a beginner. So if you want a good advice I think you should post your hand in the evaluation forum.

Originally posted by blackops888
You actually did it right on the first hand, I think. In the first one you bet your top pair + gutshot on the flop and tried to push him off when the ace hit on the turn. Keep in mind that he would not have continued this turn if he did not have the ace or some kind of SD/FD. As you had less than half-pot on the river, you shove it when a safe card hit. I don't know what else to do here. The guy was extremely passive in not 3-betting his AQ PF, which added some deception to his hand, but anyway...

On the second hand you should have raised PF. I'm certain that you would have at least 1 caller, but the added fold equity could have won you the pot on the flop after a c-bet just in case he missed it entirely (which happens most often). The bet on the flop was OK, but maybe you could have checked the turn. He might be calling you with a weaker Q, trips or some kind of stubborn medium pocket pair he did not want to raise, like 66 or 99. In any case, he would most likely check behind a weaker Q in order to go to showdown cheaply or bet his trips. If he bet this turn you could just call and then check/fold the river. I don't know if this guy is able to 3-barrel bluff such a board and without having a 7 himself. Some history would be necessary then..

Well, just about so... He called the flop bet as a CS for what I've put him, he got his card on the turn I couldn't know that, I had to go all the way...
This other hand I followed PS-BBS starting hands chart so I just called because there was a caller before me. He got a full house on the flop. Had to bet on the turn, at least I thought so... I shouldn't have, but I did...
Do you play on FT, I would like to watch some of your action if it's possible, I see you know how to play, I think it would be good experience to me and then if I see some interesting hands I could ask you here why you played that way? I don't think like you coach me or something like that, no way I would bother anybody like that, just one or two times to see you play and then I'll ask here if I have what and you answer me if and whenever you like? If not, I don't mind, just asking.

Originally posted by cpers
The one with the K :diamond:, T
I can see that your stack around 0.8, do you play MSS or BSS?

PS: Well I'm just like you a beginner. So if you want a good advice I think you should post your hand in the evaluation forum.

I play BSS, my bankroll was extremely low (1,5-2 BI), so I divided it. Thanks for the advice, I'll do so. And thanks for that article, it's really good!

Originally posted by Meda1985

Originally posted by blackops888
You actually did it right on the first hand, I think. In the first one you bet your top pair + gutshot on the flop and tried to push him off when the ace hit on the turn. Keep in mind that he would not have continued this turn if he did not have the ace or some kind of SD/FD. As you had less than half-pot on the river, you shove it when a safe card hit. I don't know what else to do here. The guy was extremely passive in not 3-betting his AQ PF, which added some deception to his hand, but anyway...

On the second hand you should have raised PF. I'm certain that you would have at least 1 caller, but the added fold equity could have won you the pot on the flop after a c-bet just in case he missed it entirely (which happens most often). The bet on the flop was OK, but maybe you could have checked the turn. He might be calling you with a weaker Q, trips or some kind of stubborn medium pocket pair he did not want to raise, like 66 or 99. In any case, he would most likely check behind a weaker Q in order to go to showdown cheaply or bet his trips. If he bet this turn you could just call and then check/fold the river. I don't know if this guy is able to 3-barrel bluff such a board and without having a 7 himself. Some history would be necessary then..

Well, just about so... He called the flop bet as a CS for what I've put him, he got his card on the turn I couldn't know that, I had to go all the way...
This other hand I followed PS-BBS starting hands chart so I just called because there was a caller before me. He got a full house on the flop. Had to bet on the turn, at least I thought so... I shouldn't have, but I did...
Do you play on FT, I would like to watch some of your action if it's possible, I see you know how to play, I think it would be good experience to me and then if I see some interesting hands I could ask you here why you played that way? I don't think like you coach me or something like that, no way I would bother anybody like that, just one or two times to see you play and then I'll ask here if I have what and you answer me if and whenever you like? If not, I don't mind, just asking.

We could do some coaching actually. I intend to coach small/medium stakes players when I reach PLO600 or so and we could make some experiments now. It would be nice for both of us. I was actually thinking about doing this sometime... maybe this is an opportunity.

I don't play NLHE no more, only PLO because on hold'em I don't ever make as much money as in omaha, so I don't think it would be of direct assistance to you.

We could go for some sweat sessions. I also think that we could do some leakfinding as soon as you track at least some 50k hands.

You got Skype, a mic and a good spoken English? We could try this one. You got my email.

First hand...

Micros = minimal to no bluffing... his min-donk bet means he has something AND has no idea what you were betting. Your raise was definitely gonna get called.

Second hand...

Unless you had history on him, I think you should have shut down on the river. Two strong bets called? And if you did have history, I would think you could have shut down as early as the turn when the A came off.

Third hand...

You should have checked the turn for pot control. Granted that it would still have been hard to fold, but the limp could've let him with anything, and unless you had held the other 7, your presumed value bet getting called on the turn should have alerted you.

Again, microstakes usually means players are just betting their hands and don't care what you hold.

Originally posted by blackops888

Originally posted by Meda1985

Originally posted by blackops888
You actually did it right on the first hand, I think. In the first one you bet your top pair + gutshot on the flop and tried to push him off when the ace hit on the turn. Keep in mind that he would not have continued this turn if he did not have the ace or some kind of SD/FD. As you had less than half-pot on the river, you shove it when a safe card hit. I don't know what else to do here. The guy was extremely passive in not 3-betting his AQ PF, which added some deception to his hand, but anyway...

On the second hand you should have raised PF. I'm certain that you would have at least 1 caller, but the added fold equity could have won you the pot on the flop after a c-bet just in case he missed it entirely (which happens most often). The bet on the flop was OK, but maybe you could have checked the turn. He might be calling you with a weaker Q, trips or some kind of stubborn medium pocket pair he did not want to raise, like 66 or 99. In any case, he would most likely check behind a weaker Q in order to go to showdown cheaply or bet his trips. If he bet this turn you could just call and then check/fold the river. I don't know if this guy is able to 3-barrel bluff such a board and without having a 7 himself. Some history would be necessary then..

Well, just about so... He called the flop bet as a CS for what I've put him, he got his card on the turn I couldn't know that, I had to go all the way...
This other hand I followed PS-BBS starting hands chart so I just called because there was a caller before me. He got a full house on the flop. Had to bet on the turn, at least I thought so... I shouldn't have, but I did...
Do you play on FT, I would like to watch some of your action if it's possible, I see you know how to play, I think it would be good experience to me and then if I see some interesting hands I could ask you here why you played that way? I don't think like you coach me or something like that, no way I would bother anybody like that, just one or two times to see you play and then I'll ask here if I have what and you answer me if and whenever you like? If not, I don't mind, just asking.

We could do some coaching actually. I intend to coach small/medium stakes players when I reach PLO600 or so and we could make some experiments now. It would be nice for both of us. I was actually thinking about doing this sometime... maybe this is an opportunity.

I don't play NLHE no more, only PLO because on hold'em I don't ever make as much money as in omaha, so I don't think it would be of direct assistance to you.

We could go for some sweat sessions. I also think that we could do some leakfinding as soon as you track at least some 50k hands.

You got Skype, a mic and a good spoken English? We could try this one. You got my email.

OK, thank you very much!
As soon as I deposit and play chunky amount of hands, I'll contact you.
As for the PLO, I played it just so I could say I did... I don't like it as much as HE, but maybe that's just because of the amount of hand I played. HE is still a Holy Grail for poker players, but I'll look you up at the tables and just watch your PLO (if I manage to find you), even though I really don't even know the basics (maybe I do if it's the same as HE, but I don't think so).
Keep in touch.

Originally posted by dochazard
First hand...

Micros = minimal to no bluffing... his min-donk bet means he has something AND has no idea what you were betting. Your raise was definitely gonna get called.

Second hand...

Unless you had history on him, I think you should have shut down on the river. Two strong bets called? And if you did have history, I would think you could have shut down as early as the turn when the A came off.

Third hand...

You should have checked the turn for pot control. Granted that it would still have been hard to fold, but the limp could've let him with anything, and unless you had held the other 7, your presumed value bet getting called on the turn should have alerted you.

Again, microstakes usually means players are just betting their hands and don't care what you hold.

Thank you for the comments. I appreciate it.
In the first hand, I know, I was trying to bluff him since I represented the flop and he just saw his fives and called me. I know it was a mistake.
In the second hand, I HAD him written in my notes as a calling station, so I couldn't know that he hit his ace on the turn, but I get it, should've stopped. He wouldn't bet, so if I won it I won it... I tried, I know now I should have not.
In the third hand, on the flop I thought it was just another no reason call or he had weak Q, on the turn I was alerted, but I get what you mean by pot control. Very often in micros when someone sees you stop betting they go all-in with ANYTHING. I just didn't want that to happen. Small bet on the river was obvious "I want you to call me" bet, that's I think the biggest mistake I made...

Hello again to all of you that are having opinion about sixth poker-sense!
I took a little break from poker and that break would've been longer since FT is out for now (maybe for good, I hope NOT), but PS has decided to give me a chance to try out my poker-skills on Everest and, of course, I've decided to take that chance. Very good site indeed!!! I mean PS! Don't have a clear opinion on Everest for now, doesn't seem bad.
Since today Main Event is starting in LV, who are your favorites? I don't know, I was kind of hoping that Dwan will finally win his first bracelet this year, so, WHY NOT on Main Event?! ♠_cool:
As a continuation of my efforts to improve my game I'll post another two interesting hands I played in order to get your invaluable feedback on what have I done well or not so well...

FIRST HAND

0.01/0.02 No-Limit Hold'em (9 handed)
Hand recorder used for this poker hand: PokerStrategy.com Elephant 0.102 by www.pokerstrategy.com.

Preflop: Hero is MP3 with T♥, T♦
4 folds, Hero raises to $0.06, CO folds, BU calls $0.06, 2 folds
Classic raise.
Flop: ($0.15) 9♥, 9♣, 6♥ (2 players)
Hero bets $0.08, BU raises to $0.39, Hero calls $0.31.

Even with these 9's I decide to c-bet, he re-raises me big, so I call in order to see his action on the turn (of course I could hit my T). Right now, I don't know what to put him on, he's kind of loose player, he could have 9, could have flush draw, could have pocket 6's, some other pair, or even any two cards.
Turn: ($0.93) 8♦ (2 players)
Hero checks, BU bets $0.93, Hero folds, BU gets uncalled bet back (All-In).

He extremely overbets! It can be a bluff, and I have two outs (unless he's holding pocket 9's which I doubt) if he's not bluffing. But I rather decide to fold and give up on this hand.
Final Pot: $0.93

Was my call on the flop good, and was my fold on the turn good? What should have I done differently?

SECOND HAND

0.01/0.02 No-Limit Hold'em (8 handed)
Hand recorder used for this poker hand: PokerStrategy.com Elephant 0.102 by www.pokerstrategy.com.

Preflop: Hero is BU with 9♥, 9♦
4 folds, CO raises to $0.07, Hero calls $0.07, SB folds, BB calls $0.05.

CO is a loose player, so 99 as always, even against tight ones, is a call.
Flop: ($0.22) A♥, 9♣, 4♣ (3 players)
BB checks, CO bets $0.08, Hero raises to $0.24, BB folds, CO calls $0.16.

So, he c-bets... I decide to re-raise him in order to find out is he representing that Ace, he calls... so, I'm putting him on it.
Turn: ($0.70) A♦ (2 players)
CO checks, Hero bets $0.44, CO folds, Hero gets uncalled bet back.

So, since I'm putting him on it with some decent kicker (hopefully not 9), I'm considering that he is slow-playing those three Aces and I decide to make 2/3 bet in order to not make him get a free full house (4 or whatever he is holding with that Ace on the river) and he folds.
Final Pot: $0.70

2 questions:
1) If he went all-in, what was I supposed to do (He could've been with A4 or A9)?
2) If he called and then after river-card (if it was anything but A, 9 or 4) and he went all-in was I supposed to call, I mean, he could've just bet, is this hand of mine all-in hand? (I would've folded another A or 4 and of course another nine I would shove).