Posts Tagged ‘all in’

Declaring No Side Bets

Hello,

I’ll be hosting a game with up to 8 players and with a dealer. What I want to know now is that, can I actually declare no side bets? Or else it’s forbidden?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks a ton!

Best regards,
Collin
Collin,

You cannot declare no side bet in regards to the actual play of hands. Now if you are talking about people making prop bets or having bets on the side that are unrelated to the poker hands being played, then that is your right to outlaw that. Otherwise, you cannot tell player that they cannot bet if they are not all-in.

About Chip Stacking

Hi!

What’s your thoughts about chip stacking? The other day, I watched a live play game by which all the chips used were colored out to only 2 color chips. There was also one player who had his larger chips hidden behind the cheaper chips and had a cheaper chip on top of his larger chips for others to think he only had stacks of cheaper chips. The opponent of the said player went all-in at some point and lost however later on found out they had the same amount of chips.

What’s your thoughts about what the guy did? Do you think it was something unethical and unacceptable?

Thanks in advance!

All the best,
Darwin
Darwin,

Larger denomination chips are required to be visible at all times at the table. This is a rules violation. If the player with hidden chips moved all in and was called, his larger chips are still in play even if they are hidden.

On Etiquette

Hi,

I’m wondering if you can explain to me the betting etiquette for no limit. Can you? And do you know what makes players mad in casinos with betting? How about the rules with string betting, any idea?

Say player 1 raises 20 chips. Player 2 then calls 20 chips by placing those chips into the pot. He then reaches back after the 20 chips is in, he goes all in.

If in case, I might say (along with some friends) that Player 2′s 20chips in the pot, without saying “raise” and after pulling his hands out of the pot, is a call. But if he later chooses to leave the rest of his chips in, it will be considered as a bet in the dark.

Another thing, if players 1, 2, and 3 are involved in a hand and player 2 drops one of his cards accidentally and player 1 sees it, 1 and 2 now know one of 2′s pocket cards. Do you think player 2 has to flip the card for the rest to see? Your thoughts?

Thank you in advance.

Best regards,
Herbie
Herbie,

First, Player two made a string bet. When you make a raise, you must either do it all in one motion or verbally that you’re going to raise. Player 2 just called in that case.

Also, player 2 may not leave his chips out as a dark bet, unless he is first to act the next hand. If he is first to act and wishes to bet dark, he may.

In the case where a card was exposed, yes, he must flip it over for everyone else to see that is in the hand. Show one, show all.

About Betting Etiquette

Hi,

I have something to ask about betting etiquette. Just the other day, I saw on TV that Daniel Negreanu was on heads up against an amateur. Back then, blind/antes were relatively low. At some point, Daniel placed $600 bet while his opponent went all in with $40,000. After a while, Daniel went on a bit upset due to the all in move. I remember he even said something like “What’s going on here? You move all in against my $800 bet. Last time this other guy raises to $10,000 after a $100 bet.” His opponent then said “Well, that’s poker.” Daniel then answered back with “I don’t know what kind of poker you play, but THAT’S not poker!” Announcers at the event then noticed that Daniel was already a bit frustrated with the amateurs.

Now, because of what I saw on TV, I want to know if there’s any etiquette to be considered when moving all in or else making a huge bet, any idea? Do you think, you can actually make a very huge bet or move all in with lots of money?

Thanks a ton!

Regards,
Andie
Andie,

Daniel’s frustration wasn’t due to any sort of ethical violation. It was due to the fact that players are laying such a huge price. By this I mean, they are raising unrealistic amounts to win a small amount. As Annie Duke said one time, these players that lay these huge prices will only get called by players that can beat them. At this point they are eliminated.

You can bet as much as you want at any time as long as it’s your turn to bet. Just know that when you bet an insane amount to win a little amount, when you get called, you will likely lose.

On Pocket Aces

Hello,

Well I guess all of us know the feeling when you go all in preflop only for someone to call and turn over bullets. I myself even saw them beaten for several times. Because of this, I wanted to find out what the probability of overturning them is. For this, kindly consider the following scenario:

AA vs AKs
AA vs KK
AA vs KQs

I badly need to hear your thoughts or opinion. Thanks in advance!

Best regards,
Joey
Joey,

Kings win against Aces 19% of the time. A-K offsuit wins 7% of the time. A-K suited 12% of the time. K-Q suited is 18% of the time.

The only way to turn this around is to keep playing. You will lose sometimes with Aces. I did so just last night. I had a 3 way all in. I had Aces, an opponent had Kings, and the third person had A-10 suited. A 10 on the flop and turn ended my day.

Pocket 8′s Against Ace King

Hello,

Last night, I played with some friends. At some point I wagered against one of my friends. Back then I had pocket 8′s and then went all in. Four players were in the hand before the flop. After a while my friend called me with Ace King offsuit. I then said that I had made a good decision for as long as nobody had pockets most likely I would win. On the contrary, my friend said that Ace King was favored in our game. Who do you think is right?

Hope to hear from you soon!

Many thanks,
Kent
Kent,

Pocket eights are 55% to 44% to win against A-K offsuit. You are right, but it really is just a glorified coin flip. If the A-K was suited, you were only 52% to 48% to win.

How Important Are Pot Odds?

Yesterday I was in a friendly tourney. Something came up. Right after I mucked my straight flush draw on the river based on pot odds and saw the card I needed, I started to think if pots odds are really that important in a tourney ever since. Your thoughts on this?

In ring games I know pot odds are significant in case you want to play with probabilities and make them play in your advantage.

By the way, if I may just share this, I lost AAA once to a guy who called my all-in with lesser chips and with a straight draw on the river. He needed a 9 and then that was it, he got A 9 on the river. Was he just lucky then?

Thank you very much!

Regards,
Turner
Turner,

Pot odds are very important in tournaments. A lot of times it makes the difference in calling an all-in for your tournament life and folding.

In regards to the A-9 hand, he was just lucky. On the flop, he had 16% to win and on the turn he only had 8% to win.

Heads Up Odds

Hi,

Just recently, I had an argument with a certain guy online. Well, he went all in with Queens and had two callers who created a side pot. Back then, I had AJ. There was another guy but I don’t know what he had then as he folded earlier. At some point, I had running Aces on the turn and river to win the hand. He then started complaining about my luckiness. I told him afterwards that Queens was not a mortal lock as long as I had one overcard and straight potential. And that with two callers, he was actually the favorite but also the overall dog.

I’ve been watching WSOP for some time now and from it I’ve learned a few things. The most important thing I guess is the one about when a pair against two overcards is a 53% favorite head’s up; the higher of two pairs is an 80% favorite head-to-head.

Anyway, guy who hosted the house game said I played the worst starting hand (72) against the best (AA) which will win about 12% of the time. Your thoughts?

On a side note, what are the odds of QQ against AJ as outlined above? I think the answer would be around 65%.

Thank you in advance!

Best regards,
Tyler
Tyler,

Pocket queens are 71% against A-J. 7-2 offsuit will indeed beat A-A 12% of the time. You were incorrect with him being an overall underdog with two callers. Actually, with 2 callers, he becomes more of a favorite over you depending on the hand. His win percentage is lowered, but so is everyone elses.

As far as your hand, you were fortunate to win, but heads-up both of the hands were very strong. He is just upset you won.

Odds of Winning

Hello,

Say in a heads up play players involve are all in preflop and one has AA and the other one has AQ unsuited, what do you think will the odds of winning be?

Thanks a lot!

Best regards,
Chubz
Chubz,

The player with A-A is a 92% favorite over A-Q unsuited. A-Q has a 7% chance to win.

Being Pot Committed

Hello,

First, I would like to commend you for this wonderful site. It has been a great help to me and to many others as well. Thanks a lot!

Now for my question, how will you know that you are already pot committed? I often hear the line “He had to call the all in bet because he was pot committed”. I’m clueless on this.

Glad to hear from you in no time.

Thanks again!

Regards,
Rafael
Rafael,

Being pot committed means that you have so much money committed to the pot already that it would be a mathematical error to fold to another bet. This is more common in tournaments when someone is facing an all in or facing a big pot short stacked.

Various Questions

Hello,

Just want to ask some questions. I hope you have time.

1. How often do you play against world class talent? And what would you normally consider world class?
2. Do you think it’s a good idea to put people to the test by going all in earlier with the possibilities they will later on call or bust you?
3. In no limit, do you think it’s actually a good thing to sometimes raise your draws despite the fact that you could be re-raised all in or the betting player would place bets lower than your raise?

I’ll be glad to hear from you in no time. More power!

Many thanks,
Xander
Xander,

1. World class talent are those that play in the highest level games in the world such as the World Series of Poker, the WPT, etc. I personally play against such competition a couple of times a year, most specifically at the World Series of Poker.
   
2. It depends on the hand. If I have a big hand that I don’t want to have to make a decision about, I will push. I will also do the same if I think I can get them to lay down or if I think that it is the best way to double up.
   
3. You definitely should raise your draws on occasion when you think doing so will get you a free card to draw at your hand. This is a move best done in position. You must also have a good read on your opponent.

Home Cash Game and Rake Issue

Hi there!

The other day I was in a home cash game, $1/$2 No Limit. At some point I raised $25. A certain guy then went all in with $32. Player near me limped in and called. I then tried to re-raise and go all in w/ $220 but later was informed that I can only call the $32 all in of the other guy. Well, I knew then that I had the player who called much later dominated. He then flopped a cheap 2 pair. Unfortunately, my KK didn’t made it. Do you think what happened was just normal in a home or casino game?

By the way, in $1/$2 no limit cash game, what would be the proper rake? In a certain $1/$2 game pots were huge and back then we’ve been raking $1 max every round. Total bet then equaled to $20 minimum. Your thought?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks and more power!

Regards,
Louven
Louven,

Since your opponent did not raise at least ½ the minimum raise, it does not count as a true raise. Therefore, all you could do is call. This is normal.

As far as your rake, technically it is illegal to run a game that charges a rake since you are not a casino. With that said, most casinos take a percentage of the pot as the rake. A rake of $1 per round is a little excessive. That’s $4 per round. A lot of casinos do 10% of the pot. In the scenario above, that would be $2.

Side Pots and Calls

Hello,

Do you think a player who called the main pot but doesn’t want to play in a side pot can still play for the main pot or else he’s going to be eliminated from both pots?

Say there are four players, player A, player B, player C, and player D. Player A for $50 goes all in. Player B for the same amount calls. Player C raises to $100. Now $50 main pot and $50 side pot. Finally player D folds.

Do you think player B to be able to stay in the game has to call the $50 or he can actually pass on the raise and just play for the main pot? And in your opinion, will it matter in case player B called the original raise which was $50 but later on opted not to call another raise from player C? Any thoughts?

More power!

Many thanks,
Brian
Brian,

One a player goes all in, the remaining players in the hand compete for the side pot, which includes the rights for the main pot. If a player folds to a bet in the side pot, they forfeit their rights to the main pot. They cannot pass on playing for a side pot. They must play it.

About AQs and Maniac Style of Play

Hi there!

Say you begin with 800 chips and blinds are 15/30. Just as the same in the early tourney like
third hand, you see AQs and you raise it up to 60. Then some callers appear however not the blinds. One or two of the callers are actually known for not being good and will call on poor hands. Then say flop is Qxx rainbow. In early position I bet approximately 60-90. Player behind me goes all in. Will this now ask for a call? Or else for a let go of my 120-150 chips and a lay down of my high pair?

Another thing, about the maniac style of play on money tables, do you think I should go play the same maniac style and have more money despite the risk of losing what I currently have?

I’ll be glad to hear from you in no time.

Thanks and more power!

Regards,
Alexis
Alexis,

I would call here. There is a good chance this guy has a under pair or something like Q-10 or K-Q.

As far as playing a maniac style, that is a style that you need to develop. Don’t just adjust in the middle of a tournament without understanding it. I would tinker with the style in either low limit on free money games and proceed from there.

AA or KK

Hi,

For some time now, I’ve been thinking on what’s the proper way to play starting hands like AA or KK as I oftentimes hear that normally with AA or KK you will either win a small pot or lose a big one. Well, I started thinking that because you rarely get such cards in the hole, probably these are actually not so good hands.

Consider what I have above, what if instead of following customary wisdom and betting such hands hard preflop to eventually clean up the field and reduce the number of players, why shouldn’t I just consider such like any small pair and then try to see the flop cheaply? In this way, I believe strength will remain kept and in case I flop a set I can have the opportunity to extract important value from the hand itself. In case I won’t flop the set, I can still have a feel as to where I stand. But more or less I have to muck on the turn, however at least I gave myself the opportunity to fight out.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Joey
Joey,

You can play the hand that way if you desire, but when you let multiple players in, you give them the same opportunity to draw out on you and chase after larger hands. If you are heads-up with one opponent, this is sometimes a decent strategy. Another option would be to limp into a pot that you know will be raised by an overly aggressive player. When they raise, you reraise them. Chances are they will go all in and you will be a big favorite.

With Pocket Eights

Hello,

First, I would like you to know that this is one of the best advice sites I’ve ever seen on the net. I salute you for doing a great job on this one, congrats!

Recently, I joined 2.5M Money Maker R1 with 9p table. I had 1900 chips with pocket 8s and UTG. Blinds were 15/30. There was one player who called below and had around 2400. I raised to 150 at some point while others folded. One player called and so game was on heads up. Flop came and brought J73 rainbow. I placed 550 bet while he raised all in. I stopped for a while and then afterwards went all in. Turn and river came but of no help. Later, he showed JKo and then started collecting the pot with JJ.

Now, I believe I should have folded, what do you think?

Thank you very much!

Kind regards,
Davis
Davis,

I agree with you. Chances are he had a Jack of some type, especially since he raised. I would have put him on A-J and folded. I may have even checked that flop when the overcard hit.

Bluffing Weak Players

For more than 20 years now, I’ve been playing poker for more than 20 hours a week, mainly online. I play well in $2/4 6max NL holdem but then just recently I decided to try my luck in other level and so I moved up to $3/6NL.

I’ve tried to read some poker books and visit some forums and for several times I’ve encountered the idea about AT-AQ, and KT-KQ being a crap. And is true that tight-aggressive poker can be a winning poker and bluffing weak players is the dumbest thing one could do?

Before, I used to fire three bullets with over cards, typically would call raises with AJ out of position. I would also play unusually and would bluff a lot. I usually win with such kind of approach, normally win between $600-1000 a day. I was then considered as one of the most aggressive and best short handed players on my site. However, after I started the reading and all, some things have changed.

As of the moment, I’m having a trouble with regards to winning at $.10/.20 full ring games. I believe the golden rules below have something to do with my problem.

• Don’t play loose, tight poker is winning poker 2. Don’t bluff weak players, they simply won’t fold
• Don’t be weak/tight, be aggressive!
• Don’t call raises out of position with weak hands

I tried the Super System before and I would typically raise preflop with ATo then get called by the big blind. Flop would appear and would bring something like 9c7h2c. BB then would check and I would bet the pot. BB then would call and then turn would bring in something as 4s. BB would check and then I would place BB on a flush draw and then would bet the pot one more time. BB would call and river would be something like Jh. BB then would check and I would push all in, BB would fold. I would then win lots of money.

Right now, I played differently and winning is already an impossible thing. Many things are troubling me and my aggressive style before doesn’t work anymore. It doesn’t scare people like it used to. Please, I need your help.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks and more power to you!

Regards,
King
King,

Tight poker is winning poker and at lower limits, it’s nearly impossible to bluff. Your style will work better at more reasonable limits.

Lots of Questions

Hello,

I have lots of questions to ask. But before I begin, I would like first to congratulate you and thank you for this site which has been so nice and helpful.

Now, my questions are:

1. At the table, any specific actions or mannerisms you keep record of?
2. While in a hand, any questions you ask yourself?
3. Say bottom pair BB check or bet instead?
4. In tourney, when should one go all in or not with short stack?
5. What’s the best or most efficient way to catch a bluff?
6. Say small pocket pair middle position with or without raise before to your seat, what will you do?
7. In the event you’re up as the chip leader, see many pots several pots?

Thanks again and keep up the good work!

Cheers,
Raymond
Raymond,

What if Everyone Calls

Hello,

I wanna know if the big blind can actually raise in case everyone else only calls him in a no limit holdem tourney. Can he go all-in in the event the bet comes back to him and no player raises? Any thoughts?

Thank you.

Regards,
Kirt
Kirt,

If nobody raises the big blind, the big blind has the option to either check or raise. If he chooses raise, he does not get another option unless there is a reraise.

Maybe Just a Wrong Interpretation of His Action

Hello,

I regularly play with some friends. In one of our games, an argument about the move of a certain player at the table came up.

At some point, only two of us were left in the hand. I remember I’ve stated that I was all in. Other player then tossed over his cards to show what he had. I figured then out that maybe he finally folded and so I flipped my cards over and started gathering the chips. I saw him then having a peek at my hand. Consequently, he called my all-in. He then said his intention was to think for a while if he would call or not. However, for me his gesture really meant he finally folded. Any thoughts? Who should take home the pot?

Thank you.

Regards,
Joe Darwins
Joe,

In this case, if he had the better hand, he wins. Sorry.

On Second and Third Place

Hello,

Great site! Well, I just participated in a home game by which payouts go to the first, second. and third.

Earlier, for $500, player 1 went all in. Player 2 for $700 followed and also went all in. Player 3 called and fortunately had still some chips at hand.

In the end, player 3 won therefore he has taken home both pots. Now, who should win the second place? Player 1 had a better hand compared to player 2 however the latter had more chips to start with. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Salomon
Salomon,

In a tournament when multiple players are eliminated, the eliminated player that had the most chips at the start of the hand gets the superior placing. Since player 2 had more chips, he will finish in 2nd.

Remaining Players’ Cards

Hi,

I’ve been into poker for quite some time now and luckily I was able to witness various tournaments. Well, in some tournaments, the remaining players’ cards are turned over and revealed by the dealer after the flop but in others cards are hidden till the final betting round on the river is over. I’m confused why this is so? What’s on your thoughts?

Your help will be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance and nice site!

Cheers,
Jenkins
Jenkins,

When a player is all in and has only one caller, both players hands are shown and the hand played out. In the event the all-in player has multiple callers, the player must wait until side action concludes to show their hand.

An Argument About Side Pot

Hi,

I was in a no limit Texas Holdem tournament the other day. Unfortunately, an argument about side pot came up.

There were four players left, player A, player B, player C, and player D. Player A with 1000 first called the 100 in the big blind. Player B with 500 called the 100. Player C with 300 went all in for 300. Player D folded. All figures were in chips.

Later, player A called the additional 200 from the all in bet of player C. Player B followed and also called the additional 200. Flop came with three way action: player A, player B, and player C. Each player had invested 300.

Because he was the first to act after the flop, player A then made a move and then went all in, 700. Well, all of us knew then that player C had a great chance of winning 900 if his hand was the best hand at the table. Also, it was obvious that in the event player B calls the bet of player A, there would be a side pot and that whoever of the two has the best hand would win the side pot at hand. Finally, player A would have the additional 500 he placed in the pot that the other players could not cover as well as the pot from Player 1, Player 2 and Player 3.

Now, what do you think will happen in the event player B folds to the all in bet of player A? Also, in case player B folds after player A goes all in with more chips, do you feel player B can win the original pot against Player A as well as player C?

Personally, if I will be asked, if ever player B has chips left he has to call all his chips off to the bet of player A to win the main pot. In the event he folds, he will not anymore be able to have the pot. On the flip side, my friend insisted that player B should claim the all in bet after the flop of player C as he matched such bet before player A went all in. He argued that player B doesn’t need to put his chips at stake to have the original pot.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Rayner
Rayner,

Once a player goes all in and has multiple callers, the callers then are allowed to bet on the side. They are not just betting on the side, but they are also battling for the rights to the main pot. If player B folds to the all-in bet of player A, he forfeits his rights to the main pot.

Side Pot Issues

Hello,

I’m new to poker so I have some issues in mind. Please help me. By the way the issues are more on side pot.

The first one, what determines the number of side pots? Second one, say there are 8 players and there are two two all in, will this call for 2 side pots?

I hope I make sense here.

Thank you so much!

Warm regards,
Fry
Fry,

In the scenario above, if two players are all in, then unless the two players have equal stacks, there will be two side pots.

Was the Big Blind Twice!

Hi,

I joined a pot-limit tournament the other night. I remember my chip stack then was around 3 ½ times the big blind and at my table were 6 players, 4 joined in while a hand was in action. If I may add, I was the big blind during such hand, was raised and then folded.

Later, button had the next hand and moved it to the direction of the player who just joined in. At such point, I was again in the big blind, then raised and folded. Next hand then came and I was the small blind that placed me all in.

In the end, I lost and just got the 29th place, 20th place paid. I wanted a refund however I was deprived from having it. Hosts said I got an advantage though I also got some disadvantages. Any thoughts?

By the way, your site is so great and helpful. Keep up the good work.

Thanks!

Regards,
Grummon
Grummon,

Their lack of knowledge cost you an extra blind.

Surprising Chips

Hi,

I was in a certain tournament the other week. Near end of the said tournament, after the flop, I placed $10,000 bet. Well, I was raised $30,000 more and so I called. Later, we revealed the cards. Luckily, I won the pot. I then started to count my chips and I’ve discovered I had $38,000 when I was raised. The player who lost said that I didn’t actually raise him all-in, which I know is true. Additionally, the remaining $8,000 could have been into the next round of bidding.

Obviously, the player who lost had so many questions in mind. He totally can’t believe everything.

In the end, we just both agreed that the extra $8,000 will go to him and the $30,000 raise to me. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

Koch
Koch,

He has no rights to your 8,000 chips there, especially since he lost the hand.

He Never Said He’d Call

Hello,

Just this weekend, I was in a 107man NL Tournament. Actually, it was a community deal type of tournament. Mid part I was involved in a hand in which I had Kh Jh and was heads up with a guy who had Jc 9c. Flop came and brought 7c 7h 5c. Turn followed and brought 7d. River was next and gave Kc. Afterwards, I discovered the guy had the flush therefore I pushed all in. I was the large stack then.

Guy then said “Yea okay”. Dealer thought he folded and so started raking in the community cards. I don’t understand all the raking in stuff and so I asked the dealer about such. Dealer then said that the guy folded therefore I tossed my cards leading to the direction of the cards that where raked. After a while, I started gathering the chips. But the guy interrupted by flopping his cards over to show the flush. He then said he called the all in. Of course I defended myself. I told him that I had KJ hearts and the dealer removed the first 2 cards from the muck pile and showed what I said I had. Director then came in between us and sided to my favor.

What do you think of what happened? Any thoughts?

Thanks for your time.

Regards,
Brookley
Brookley,

For future events, have the dealer verify the players intention.

Last Two Places

Hi,

I hosted a No limit Texas Holdem tourney. The tourney was held at my house the other night. It was with $50.00 buy-in and $850 starting. I believe everything went well. In the end, three players were left for the prize money. By the way, money for the first placer was $400, for the second $200 and for the third $100.

At certain point, player A had approximately $5000, player B had $4500, and player C had $200. All figures were in chips. Later, player C went all in with $200 to post his blind of $150. Player A then called the $200 and then went all in too. At such moment, the main pot was already $400 and the side pot was $4600.

Eventually, player B called the all in and placed $200 in the main pot and $4300 in the side pot. That time, my belief was that only player C was entitled to win the main pot of $600 and players B and C were up for both the main pot and side pot.

Well, as expected, flop, turn, and river came. Player A had something so he won the pot of $600 and beaten player B in the side pot 8700 chips. But we don’t know who exactly will take the two other places, 2nd and 3rd. For me, players B and C were all out of chips, but player B had more chips on the call compared to player C and so player B should be the second placer while player C the third placer. What do you think?

Thanks!

Regards,
Needham
Needham,

In a tournament when multiple players are eliminated, the eliminated player that had the most chips at the start of the hand gets the superior placing. In your scenario above, player C is the third place finisher since he started with only 200 chips.

What if I Acted Differently?

Hello,

I’ve been into poker just this year. I guess I’ve been playing for just about 7 months now. Well, as of the moment, I’m more into no limit, mainly online. At times, I also play at the casinos.

Just recently, I was in an online no limit sit and go tourney. A certain hand came up and I think I have misplayed it.

I remember the tourney started with 10 players and with 1500 starting chip amount. Blinds were 10/20 at the beginning but then moved up later. After more than 20 minutes of play, tourney-blinds were 25/50 with 9 players.

At some point, I was in the small blind and was dealt K K, club and diamond. My stack was around $1900. There were three players who limped in, including the button who was the chip leader with around $3,500. He was actually playing aggressive on the post flop, normal preflop.

Later, I raised to four times the blind, thus masking it $200 to go. Flop then came and brought 9 which was a diamond, 7 another diamond, and 5 a heart. Afterwards, I placed $400 bet with a desire to take home the pot with a flush or straight draw on the board. After a while, button re-raised me to $800 and so I place him on one of these hands: nut flush draw (A-x diamonds), top pair strong kicker (A-9), a set (9s, 7,s or 5,s), and straight draw (JT).

I had so many things in mind then but later I chose to go all in. He then flipped over 8 which was a club and 6 which was a spades. Well, turn and river didn’t gave anything good so I was busted out.

Honestly, every time I remember such tourney I don’t feel really bad. However, what if I folded and picked my battles with the other more predictable tight players, could the results have been much better for me? What’s on your thoughts?

Thanks!

Regards,
Carron
Carron,

You pretty much got unlucky in my opinion.

About Winnings

Hi,

I was in a no limit tournament the other week. If I remember it right, there were four players left for the pot. One has different amount of chips from the others.

Mid part, all of the players called the blinds and have seen the flop. Right after the flop, player 1 had $19 and checked. Player 2 had $61 and went all in. Player 3 had $98 and called all in. player 4 had $74 and placed $71 to match the previous all in. For $19, player 1 then called the all in. Player 3 followed and called the all in of player 4.

Turn and river came which gave player 1 his winning hand, a straight, while player 4 his pair of aces which gave him the side pot.

I want to ask if player 1 should win $19 as that was what he called the all in with. Any idea? Or else $19 from each player totaling $76?

Thanks in advance!

All the best,
Epps
Epps,

Player one wins $19 from each player plus the money that was in the pot preflop.

Showing Both Cards

Hello,

Good thing I was able to make it to the final table in a certain tournament. I had K, 3 and flop was K, 2, J.

At certain point, I raised and everyone else folded. One particular guy then asked me to show my cards. Well, I only showed my King later. However, there were two other guys who insisted that I have to show both my cards.

Now, I want to know, if the hand is over and everyone has folded and I prefer to show just one card but others at the table want to see both my cards, what must I do? Do I have to show my other card though I am hesitant? If yes, is it proper for someone to request for the revealing of the other hand in the situation I have described?

By the way, I also want to know if in case you are heads up and player 1 goes all in on the turn and player 2 calls the all-in and reveals his cards, is player 1 required to turn his cards over right then and there or he can actually wait till river is turned? Any thoughts?

Thanks a lot!

Regards,
Smith
Smith,

If everyone has folded their hand, then you are not obligated to show your cards.

However, if someone goes all in and is called, then both players must turn their cards over. A player may not wait until the river.

About the Second Place

Hello,

In a recent tourney, something came up. There were three players left and the first two pots were paid. Player A first acted out and placed 500 bet. Player B called the bet, he was then all in. Player C went all in however he has 550. Player A called the extra 50, thus having 100 in a side pot.

Later, player A had a full house, player B two pair and player C had ace high. Player A won the two pots but we were confused then who was the second placer. We thought of player B because of his hand that beaten player C’s hand in the final hand but we also considered player C as he had chips that player B can’t have technically. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Regards,
Coleman
Coleman,

In a tournament when multiple players are eliminated, the eliminated player that had the most chips at the start of the hand gets the superior placing. Since player C started the hand with more chips, he finishes in 2nd.

Reshuffle or Not

Hello,

In a certain tourney, there were two players involved in a particular hand. At the turn, both checked. Player 1 checked at fourth street however player 2 placed a reasonable bet to put player 1 all-in.

Later, dealer thought player 1 folded and so placed the rest of the cards into the muck and then pushed the following cards to the following dealer. Afterwards, player 2 started to have the pot down however player 1 expressed he wanted to call the bet. Well, none of the players had mucked a hand at such point and so two cards were conceived to be still at the top of the pile.

In the end, though no one was totally sure which cards should be dealt, it was agreed to eventually burn and turn over the river card. Player 1 as a result had the winning hand. Because it was already mixed up with the mucked cards of the other players, deck could not be shuffled anymore.

Thanks for your time.

Wiederstein
Wiederstein,

I personally have not come across this situation so I asked help from a friend that is a tournament director for the World Series of Poker. She told me that in the event the deck was mixed up, take the entire muck pile, shuffle it, and then burn and deal out the rest of the hand.

Last Two Places

Hello,

I was in a home game the other day. Something came up which caused a small dispute. Well, if I remember it right, blinds then had moved on to certain a level which forced the remaining players to go all in by which later on made multiple side pot. The chip leader then had the best hand and actually had busted out all of his opponents.

Time to pay out the last two placers came and an argument then appeared. My idea then was that the 2nd and 3rd place would go to whoever had the next two highest chip counts prior to the hand however others fought out that the next 2 best hands would win the last two.

In the end, we just all decided to give the money to the next two highest chip counts prior to the hand. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Ozeki
Ozeki,

In a tournament when multiple players are eliminated, the eliminated player that had the most chips at the start of the hand gets the superior placing. You were correct.

Wrapping Players in Hand

Hello,

I was in a NL holdem tourney just the other day. Before the flop, blinds 25-50. There were 5 players left and were in the hand. Player 1 called for 50. Player 3 followed and acted out of turn, raised to 250. Dealer then came in between and requested player 2 to make a move. Player 2 called. Because of this, player C was then forced to keep his 250 in. Player 4 was next and folded. Afterwards it was player 5, he called 250.

Action was then back to player 1, he called 250 as well. Player 2 then raised to 1400. Then for 6000, player 3 went all in. Suddenly, the action was interrupted with a complaint about players 2 and 3 making some moves to angle some players. Well, we have some rules which went as follows:

1. The action of player 3 stands for 250.
2. Because player 2 is up on a 50 bet, he then has the chance to choose whether he will fold, call, or raise such bet.
3. In the event he chooses to call, he can’t raise anymore in case the bet returns to him at 250.
4. Any player who failed to act out in his turn should treated as player 2.
5. Hence, players 2 and 3 cannot wrap others who are in hand.

We arrived with these rules to protect all of the players. But unexpectedly another complaint appeared. It was about player 2. He disagreed on the idea that he lost his right to wrap all players in hand.

Any thoughts please?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Del Duca
Del Duca,

The rules in this scenario should have been as follows:

1. Player 3 acted out of turn and raised to 250.
2. Player 2 has the option to act on player 1’s bet. He can call raise or fold the 50 bet.
3. If player 2 calls player 1, then the 250 bet from player 3 is binding. If he raises, then the 250 bet is not binding and player 3 can act on player 2’s bet.
4. Since player 2 did not raise the bet from player 3 stands, and the betting continues as normal.
5. Players that act out of turn should be treated as player 3 was.

The other players may have a valid complaint about player 2 angling, but player 2 was within his rights to just call the bet from player 1. When action came back to player 2, he was within his rights to reraise, as was player 3 to move all in.

On Side Pots and Split Pot

Hi,

I’m curious about the rules regarding side pots. Can you help me? I want to know all the rules. Well, once in a certain event I saw 6 players went all in and 5 winners came back.

Another thing, in some games, whenever 2 players have the same 2 pair, the pot is not given to the player with the highest kicker instead is divided. How come? I don’t totally understand why.

Thank you so much for your time.

All the best,
Musso
Musso,

Winning Places and Revealing Cards

Hi,

Say there are 6 placements and seven players for the pot. In a certain hand, player A moves all in. Then player B follows and actually calls with more money than player A. Player C is next and calls the all in of player A and afterwards raises placing player B all in as well. Later, everyone else folds.

Eventually, hand of player C beats the hand of players B and A however hand of player A beats the hand of player B.

Now, who will get the 7th place? How about the 6th? Another thing, I’m wondering if in what order do you reveal your cards and consider or count somebody as eliminated?

Thanks in advance!

Gravley
Gravley,

The order you show your cards doesn’t not matter. In a tournament when multiple players are eliminated, the eliminated player that had the most chips at the start of the hand gets the superior placing. Player A would finish in 7th place.

Who’ll Have the Higher Place?

Hello there!

I have a question to ask but I’m not sure if it was already asked before. If it was, I’m very sorry. I don’t have much time to read all of the stuff posted here in your site.

Well, my question goes like this. In case I raise all-in and get called by the short stack and one guy with a larger stack and then the big stack player wins the hand, who will get a higher place, the guy with more chips at the beginning of the hand or the guy who had the higher ranked five cards during such hand? What’s your thoughts on this one?

I hope to hear from you in no time.

Thank you very much.

Regards,
Busch
Busch,

In a tournament when multiple players are eliminated, the eliminated player that had the most chips at the start of the hand gets the superior placing.

Chip Count or Best Hand?

Hi,

I was in an event last night which started with 8 players then almost ended with 3. Actually, before the start of the event, all of us agreed to pay out 3 places. Well, player 1 had sufficient chips to cover players 2 and 3.

At some point, players 2 and 3 were all in. Player 1 had three sixes, therefore he won the first place. Player 3 had three threes while player 2 had two kings. Considering this, how would you pay out the 3 places? Do you think it’s player 2 with the second highest chip count at the start who should win the second place money or it’s player 3 with the second best hand?

Thanks in advance!

Mitchell Rose
Mitchell,

In a tournament when multiple players are eliminated, the eliminated player that had the most chips at the start of the hand gets the superior placing. In your example, player 2 wins 2nd place.

About All In Bet

Hello,

In a certain tournament, a guy went all in for 1500. The blinds were 500/1000. Do you think the next guy should make it 2000 or else he can just call the all in bet? I’m actually clueless. Please, I need your help.

Thanks!

Regards,
Revell
Revell,

If he is the only player left to act, he can just call the all-in bet. Otherwise, the can raise up to the entire amount in his stack.

Playing With KK

Hello,

I play well in NL $200 with blinds $1-$2. I’m actually a shorthanded player. I used to play aggressively, but of course at times I’m also watchful and see it to it that I’m still on my limits.

Once, I was standing on $750 and was dealt KK in late position. A player who just came in with around $200 raised to $6 in early position. I then made it $15 to go and he called. Flop came and brought 9s 5s 2s. Afterwards, such guy went all in with $33 in the pot. I believe this was grossly over bet as a player with a made flush would call. If he had the nut flush or smaller suited connecting spades, there’ll be no sense at all. However I was bothered as if he doesn’t have a flush yet, what else could he have? Perhaps an over pair which I strongly believe I could beat. If not, a small pair hitting a set, or else just two over cards with one spade or a bad bluff.

What do you think was his hand then? Will it be worth calling if in case? And am I right with my conclusions?

Thanks!

Warm regards,
Clark Davis
Clark,

I would put him on a flush draw or a pair such as J-J or Q-Q or even A-K with a spade. I would have probably called here. If you folded her due to the pot laying such a high price, I can understand that. Calling $185 to win $218 is a bit of a stretch. With only having $15 invested, I can understand if you waited for a better spot.

Often Into Trouble

Hi,

For about 6 months now, I’ve been playing No Limit Texas Holdem. I believe I’ve been a reasonable player however I’m always into trouble particularly when playing under the gun with big hands. I oftentimes use my knowledge specifically on betting but most of the time I fail to use what I know to my own my advantage. Just like recently, in an online NL poker, out of the small blind with KK. Well, everyone called the BB, however I re-raised to go into the flop. Flop came and was actually disturbing then, A, T, 6. I was the first to act and so I placed a bet twice the pot. One of the players folded, others called. Turn came and was another Ace. I thought of placing another huge raise or if not an all in however I don’t want to throw money once again. On the flip side, I never thought of checking to him or placing a small bet as I don’t want to appear weak and the like.

If you were me, what might have you done? Stay aggressive on the turn and then again on the river and accept that I might be paying the other player off well or just check to him and prepare if he eventually opt to raise?

By the way, your site is so helpful. Keep it up!

Regards,
Witter
Witter,

First, on the flop, I would have bet ¾ of the pot, not 200%. ¾ of the pot looks like a value bet, where 200% makes it look like you have a pair under aces. When you were called, you should have checked the turn. It may look weak, but betting will pay off that player that called you with an ace.

Strategy on Isolating an Opponent

Hi,

I was in an online event early this morning. I was in mid position with the largest stack and was dealt AA. For ten times the big blind, first position raised. I thought of isolating him and so I raised him. However, the dealer and the two blinds called my raise, same thing with the original bettor. Flop came and brought JTJ rainbow. Original raiser then placed a bet by which was 3/4 of his stack however didn’t went all in. I then placed him on KK, QQ, or even AT. I then opted to fold as three bettors were waiting and any of them had a J. Others left folded.

Well, I honestly believe that with my position, I was at a major disadvantage and so I wanted to know if you have any strategies in mind about how I should isolate an opponent. At some point, I believe I should have went all in. What do you think?

Thanks a lot and keep up the good work on this site!

Regards,

Corbeil
Corbeil,

I think your fold on the flop was good not because of your position but due to your opponents bet. He bet ¾ of his stack. This looks like someone trying to induce a call or a raise. He probably had A-J or maybe even J-J. I think you made a fantastic fold.

Calling His Re-Raise All In

Hi,

Assume that I called a raise preflop three times the blinds with 4 callers and with 26 suited hearts in a certain game. Flop was Ah 2s 4h. Then a player placed a bet on flop and so I re-raised twice his raise. I got 2 callers. Turn was 8h. Eventually, I was able to hit my flush draw however 2 callers seemed to be present. River came and was 6s. I then placed a bet approximately 200% of the pot so that I’ll look like as if I’ll be stealing the pot. First player then re-raised all in while I called thus making the pot a very big pot. Other player then called.

In the end, first player showed AQ while the other one, QJ suited hearts. The latter one won the pot.

Now, do you think it was a good thing that I called his re-raise all in or I should have just folded when I felt there was something wrong? Any thoughts?

Thank you.

Regards,
Freeman
Freeman,

You should have folded preflop.

Two Different Hands

Hi,

There are two hands I can’t forget. In a $2.5/5 NL holdem, I raised on the button to $20 with A-J. I had three callers, thus making it a multi-way pot. Flop came and brought Q-Q-3. Everybody then checked to me. For some reasons, I then placed $24 bet. The player whom I called “LaBarca” called, everyone else folded. Turn came and brought a K. He then checked. I felt weakness and so wanted to grab the opportunity to win the pot. Later, I placed $40 bet and so he called though with some doubts. By the way, I’m not fond of bluffing.

I remember I already had the T for a straight and an A or a J for a probable winning pair. River came however was a blank and so he checked again. At such point, I started questioning myself, “do I have the heart to fire the third bullet when I really feel it’s the right thing to do?”. After few seconds, I placed another bet, at such point, $80. “LaBarca” called once again.

Finally, showdown came. My opponent flipped A-8 off for no hand and no draw but Ace high and so we just end up dividing the pot with the Q’s and the K being in there.

Now, I don’t know what went wrong. I don’t believe I have expected much. What do you think?

About the next hand I had, A-4 of hearts. Suddenly I limped behind another limper with it. BB and the player on button limp as well while SB folded. We then had the flop four handed, 8-6-3 all hearts.

Eventually, first limper checked while I placed $10 bet. Player on button called while the first limper re-raised to $20. I then called. Player on button re-raised once again to $56 while limper called. I started to think as player on button has flopped a flush as well and the limper has either a set or two pair. Finally, turn came and was a 9c. Limper checked and I followed. For $418, player on button went all in while for approximately $300, limper called all-in.

Later, player on button flipped over Q-9 of hearts for a flush while the limper, 3-3 for a set of 3′s.

So what do you think on how I played the second hand? Well, in general, I have no regrets. Same thing with how I played the first hand. I believe as a student I’ve learned my lesson and has applied each lesson learned so well.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks and nice site!

Antone
Antone,

In regards to the second hand, you played that fantastically. You got to see a flop for cheap and flopped the nuts. You then had two players that were aggressive and were able to take the stacks of both players. The only thing I would recommend doing differently is checking on the flop when you flop the nuts. Let the aggressive player control the betting. While this didn’t matter in the end for this situation, in the future let the aggressive player control the betting. You will usually make more money that way.

I Lost!

Hello,

I was in a 2/4 NL event the other night. Last hand came and I was dealt Kd2d in the big blind. Later, everyone called the big blind.

Flop came and brought 8cKc8d. Small blind then placed a half the pot bet. By the way, he was a total fish and was on mega-tilt having lost about 9 buy-ins. Eventually, I called. A friend of mine followed and also called. Everyone else folded. Turn came and brought Jd. With the shortest stack, small blind then went all in. I then called after considering so many stuff. Last guy followed and also called. River came however of no help to me, no diamonds at all. Afterwards, hoping to scare him off a bit, I then placed what’s left of my stack, as my bet. Later, he called my all in and then showed 7h8s. Small blind had Kh10h.

Well, he won the biggest amount and to be honest I was really upset and disappointed. I know I had some mistakes but I can’t directly pinpoint all of them. Also, I’m wondering, did I make the right decisions in terms of betting or I should have stopped at some point? Any thoughts?

Thanks a lot!

Edwards
Edwards,

Your mistake was staying in after the flop.

What Should I do When I have KK?

Hello,

Most of the time, when I play KK pre-flop, I get series of bad beats. So now I’m wondering, is it wise to go all-in or call all-in with all my stack or else just fold and then hope for a much better hand?

Another thing, I don’t like calling all-in pre-flop and would just choose to wait for the flop for me to eventually make further sound decisions. Any insights on this?

Thank you very much.

Kirk
Kirk,

Calling all-in preflop with kings is a solid decision. I would do so and let the cards fall as they may.

NL Games

Hello there!

I’m curious, what NL games do you play most of the time? And if you would compare such games to lower limit games, is there any difference?

By the way, “higher limits” for me means above $2.5-$5 NL.

Thank you for your time.

Regards,
Jons
Jons,

Games at lower limits will be losers and there isn’t as much bluffing involved. You also tend to see more of the crazy moves such as calling all in with 7-3 offsuit. The higher limit players will tend to have all the skills to be a strong player. If you are still working on any part of your game, stick to lower limits while you learn.

Played With Weakness

Hello,

I was in a no limit event the other day with $4,000 buy-in and blinds 10/20. I had $3,500. At some point, everyone folded to me. When I was on the button, I got Ad 5s and then popped it up to 80. Eventually, small and big blind called. Then flop came and brought 5c 5d 7d. Later, SB and BB checked and so I placed 140$ bet, almost half the pot I believe.

Consequently, SB folded however BB raised to 380$. I then thought he had something weak therefore I tried to slow play. I then called. Turn came and brought 9d. Board then appeared as 5c 5d 7d 9d. Though there was a possibility for a straight and flush, I had Ad and trips therefore I had to fold then. Few seconds after and BB placed 700$ bet while I called.

River came and brought Qc. BB went all in for all my money. I remember I had around 2,200$ and in the pot, 4,800$. Finally, I folded.

In the end, he flipped over 44 and then laughed at me. I don’t know if I played just right. Well, I don’t think doing the slow play then was a bad move. But I believe I should have pushed all-in on turn with my flush draw and then had trips. Another thing, I don’t see how I should call on the river and the only stuff I beat was a bluff. What do you think?

Regards,
Collin
Collin,

At the river, there were lots of hands you could beat other than a bluff. I would have likely made the call with my set, especially since the player had been aggressive the whole way. Of course, I would have raised him at some point. Don’t slow play a set with a straight and flush draw possible.