Posts Tagged ‘straight’

Opponents Getting Mad

Hello,

I was in a certain event the other night. Before the flop, there was no raise and I was in the small blind therefore I called a 8d-4d. Flop then brought Ks-10d-6-d. After a while, my opponent raised a small amount and so I called it. Turn came and brought 7c. He later put me all-in which made me think I already have sufficient outs to call him. Afterwards, I showed my hand and he showed his pair of 10′s. Before he could say anything back then, river came and brought 9h. In the end, I won the pot with the straight. Before we finally called the game over, he said something to me like “How can you call me with an 8 high flush draw?” and I told him I didn’t even need the flush to beat him. Your thoughts on this?

Well, I also got into with this opponent later when he raised me $10 and I came over the top and with an Ace high raised him $40. He then folded and I showed it to him but he said I don’t have to make such act at all. On my part, I did it to let him know I wasn’t afraid to bluff but at some point I don’t know if it’s a bad poker etiquette actually. What do you think?

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Jason
Jason,

In the first hand, unless the bet on the turn was less than 25% of the pot, you really should not have called that bet. You did not have the odds to draw. You needed to catch a five or your flush to win, but at the turn you had only a 24% chance to win.

It’s not bad etiquette to show your hand, but some people take it as you showing them up or trying to embarrass them.

Cards Unseen and Odds

Hi,

I’ve been checking on your site for some tips and strategies. One time as I was reading one of your articles, I thought of something which I can’t directly figured out. Most of the time, you base the establishing of the odds of getting a card on fourth street and then on fifth street on the remaining deck, for an instance 47 then 46. Well to me this is just simple to understand but I have one concern. In case there are nine other players, each with two pocket cards, will the probability of catching `your trips/four of a kind, straight, flush etc., become conditional on your need cards not sitting in another pocket? How do you think one figures out the real statistical probabilities with regards to such?

I’ll be glad to hear from you soon.

Many thanks,
Lance
Lance,

You figure your probability based on unseen cards. Just because the cards “might” be in someone else’s hand, that does not mean they are. I’m sure that the statistical probabilities are available on said scenario, but they are not part of practical poker odds calculations.

When to Draw

Hi,

I’ve been into poker for some time now but for some reasons I still don’t when I’m supposed to draw. Any thoughts? For an instance I have a four flush on the flop and someone bets big, do you think I should call fold? Or if not, raise?

Your help will be much appreciated.

Thanks a lot!

Warm regards,
Romeo
Romeo,

You should only draw to a straight or flush when you have the proper odds to do so. The simplest way to figure this out is first to determine what outs you have. Say you have 9 outs to hit your hand after the flop. Multiply this by 4 and you have your percentage to hit your hand. If you are on the turn, multiply by 2. Next, divide the amount that you must call in the pot, by the current pot size. This will give you the percentage of the pot that your call represents. If the percentage of your hitting the hand is greater than or equal to the percentage of the pot that you must call, then you should draw. If not, then fold.

Hand Strength Percentages

Hello,

Just want to ask if what’s the percentage of hands won by the following -100 hands:

flush ex- 10%
straight ex- 12%
full house ex 5%
3 of a kind ex 7%
2 pair ex 35%
1 pair ex 25%
high card ex 3%
straight flush ex 1%
royal flush ex 1%
4 of a kind ex 1%

Any thoughts?

Many thanks,
Albert
Albert,

This looks about right and normal. Two pair is the average winning hand in Holdem. Straight flushes and royal flushes I would say is a little less than 1% of the time.

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.

Adjusting Game and Quick Calculation Method of Odds

Hello,

Before, I’m actually into hosting of home tournaments which typically with 40-50 players. Buy in then was around $50, therefore I’ve only accepted players who belonged to average to good category. But just recently, I decided to have some friends over to play in small 10-12 people $20 buy-in tournaments. Unfortunately I was busted out in most of those games so quick. I believe my problem then was about adjusting. I found it hard to adjust my game to the table. Maybe one factor to consider is that I’ve been so use to playing with good players, by which my situational bluffs work. Your thoughts?

By the way, I also want to share to you something. One guy once taught me how to calculate hand odds quickly. According to him all I have to do is this – (outs *2) + 1 = percentage. Therefore if you have 8 outs (open ended straight draw) then (8 * 2) + 1 = 17%. But recently I saw that you showed such at 34%. Well, I know that you’re calculating hitting the hand by the river (2 draws). In the event there was a flush potential also then 8 (open ender cards) + 9 (flush cards remaining) – 2 (remove the 2 flush cards that also complete your straight…. 8 added) = 15 outs or 31%.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Many thanks,
Kirk
Kirk,

When you play with bad players, bluffs will not work that well. You will need to either tighten up and play solid poker or play small ball and crush your opponents when you flop well.

Your calculation for hand odds is a good one, but to figure out from the flop, multiply your calculation by 2. 15 outs on the flop has around a 62% chance to win with your formula.

Outs and What Cards to Play

Hi,

I have two questions. I hope you’re not too busy.

Well, the first one is about the many things about “outs”. In your own opinion, is it better to have more or less outs? And when playing an off suit hand like A,9, are there actually only 6 possible outs?

For my second question which is actually about what cards to play, say I get dealt A,9 suited and I feel that hand is worth playing and I can make the highest flush though I can only make a one card straight, what do you think I should do?

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

Thanks a ton!

Warm regards,
Jake
Jake,

The more outs you have the better off you are. In regards to A-9 suited, this is either a late position hand or a hand to see a cheap flop with, especially in the blinds. I wouldn’t go crazy with this hand unless I am short stacked in a tournament.

Pot Odds Problems

Hi,

I was in a certain event just last night. I’ve got 8,10 clubs and the flop was 9,J,4 rainbow therefore I flopped the open ender. Then I called $5 to see the turn but don’t hit. After a while, a particular player placed a bet with two others behind me. At such point, pot was $72. I then considered that because I only had 1 card to go, with 8 outs, I had roughly 16% chance of hitting the river and would probably cost me $10 for the $72 pot, 7:1 on my bet. I immediately folded.

I don’t know why but I thought afterwards that if $82 was in and it would cost me $10 to call the river, then that would be 8:1 on my money. If I have the same 16% chance to hit, it seems that it’s just right to call.

For some time now, I’ve been playing and it seems that I’m always drawing whenever I flopped an open ended straight or 4 to the flush, w/out calculating odds. I’m having problems with gutshot sometimes. Well, I understand that if you have a gutshot on the flop you have a 1/11 chance of hitting. But what if you are playing $3/6, how much should be in the pot for you to call $3 for the gutshot? I guess $33. And how about if have 8 outs, does this mean I have a 1/4 chance on the river? When playing in a low limit game, how strongly should implied odds be considered?

Do you think I’m just missing something? I think I should try to read more tips, situational problems, etc.

Thanks for your time.

Warm regards,
Johnny
Johnny,

In your first example, you actually had odds to call. You had a call equal to 13.8% of the pot and a 16% chance to hit your hand. You should have called.

When figuring out pot odds, if your call is a low percentage of the pot than your percentage to hit your hand, then you need to make the call.

As far as calling $3 for a gutshot draw. On the flop there should be at least $19 in the pot for you to call $3.

Implied odds should not be a concern in Limit Holdem. NL holdem is a better use for Implied odds.

Algorithm Issue

Hi,

I’ve been playing poker for more or less 35 years now but in an on and off basis. For many years I haven’t played in high limit pots and haven’t shuffled a deck of cards. Just recently, I tried playing online particularly at Ultimatebet.com. Well, I notice that most of the freerolls at the said site do have 800 or more players and I’ve come in in the top 10 for several times and luckily won twice. Now I feel I’m ready to move up but I’m bothered of playing against computer generated cards. Also, I noticed something days ago, it was about the site’s algorithm. Whenever I have an open end straight on the flop the turn is either one card away from completing my straight or else it pairs a card of the flop. For an instance, I have 9/10 and flop is 8/J/3, turn is 6, K or pair the 8, J or 3. In case one tracks such open ends straights, it will be revealed 81 of 100 hands. At times river follows this trend if the turn paired a flopped card and will be one from completing my straight.

Any thoughts?

Thanks a ton!

All the best,
Dave
Dave,

All poker players at one time or another have noticed the abnormalities that you speak of. It is usually explained away by the fact that you see many more cards an hour online than you do live. However, there are times that things tend to run too much in a pattern to seem random. If at any time you don’t feel comfortable with the way a site is run or how the software handles, you do have the option of going to another site.

About Overplaying

Hi,

I’m a newbie and I love to play home games, mainly no limit tourneys. I play regularly with almost the same players all the time. At first, it wasn’t a big deal for me to play with almost the same players every week but later on I discovered some problems. One of the most alarming I guess was something about me knowing and mastering the way some players play and not recognizing any other style of play.

When I play, I am the aggressor, usually stealing pots from tight players. At some point, this had made me unsafe and weak to traps. Whenever I raise before the flop, bet out on the flop and get called and make a stab at it on the turn, I usually put lots of money into the pot. And whenever my opponent goes over the top of me, or raises me on the river I first have to check if he has been been trapping me.

Normally, before I act in any game I first check what kind of opponent I have. Does he bluff that much? Does he trap? What type of hands does he play most of the time? Unfortunately, every time I make judgments, I lose. Well, maybe because I often do not follow my instincts.

At some point, I made some realizations. First, don’t overestimate your own skill, but don’t try a check-raise semi-bluff against a player who just started learning. Second, don’t overplay your opponent. Third, get out of the way if you’re playing against a player you know loves to bet big and actually has big hands. And lastly, to determine whether or not you overplayed, assume that the strategy you used to win in the past has to change when playing against the same opponents.

And to somehow make sure you’ll win, always observe, observe, and observe. If you feel your opponents start to learn things about how you play, never wait and see how they would react instead act immediately. Make some adjustments, some changes.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Warm regards,
Duke
Duke,

You raise a lot of valid points. The main thing I would like to discuss is observing your opponents. Being able to put players on hands will help you a lot in overplaying your hands. Also, there are some times where you will want to overplay your hands, such as if you are trying to push out straight and flush draws.

Of course, in doing so, you need to know if your opponent will actually lay down to being pushed at. Again, it all goes back on reading your opponents.

On Odds

Hello,

Say in late position I started the hand with Js and 10c. Afterwards, everybody called. I also called and then flop appeared, Ah Qh 9s. I now have an open ended straight draw. Two out of five players who called pre-flop remains at such point. One player raised the other called. Then I called after I considered my odds and the pot odds. Turn came, 4h. Then same player raised. At such point maybe the other two guys have an ace and so I might win in case I draw the straight on the river. But I noticed three hearts were on the board and if either one of them has pocket hearts I will lose. Based on your probabilities chart there was a 1:4 chance of being dealt suited cards although I’m assuming the odds of being dealt suited hearts are 1:16. And with two or three players the odds that at least one of them has pocket hearts may be better than 1:16. Odds then were 1:4. I figured out with my open ended straight draw I have eight outs with about 1:6 odds of hitting it.

How do you think I can factor my opponents 1:4 odds of having a flush and beating me and my 1:6 odds of hitting the straight combined with the pot odds to ascertain whether or not I should call or fold?

Thanks a lot!

Regards,
Denz
Denz,

At the turn, with 8 outs, you have a 16% chance to hit your hand. If you don’t think your opponent has a flush, if the amount to call is 16% or less of the total pot, then take a shot at your draw. Otherwise, it is time to fold.

Fill Someone’s Open Ended Straight

Hello,

I remember that for once you’ve used the following as example:

Hole: AK
Board: TJ4

Well, it implies that drawing to the queen is actually more justifiable as you have 2 overs. I agree a bit as I don’t know what will happen in the event Ace or King drops. It’s a good thing that suddenly you have top pair-top kicker. But what if it just fill someone’s open ended straight?

I’ve already seen a lot of games by which one person hits the top pair which just happens to be the high end of someone else’s straight.

Any thoughts?

Many thanks,
Ry
Ry,

If you think they are on a draw, then bet out to chase them out the pot if you can. Otherwise, if you bet your top pair and meet resistance, you may want to consider getting away from the hand.

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.

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.

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.

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.