(OT-Poker) Another Hold 'em Hand to Discuss

[digamma]

This happened to a buddy's girlfriend. I'd classify her as an advanced beginner player. The two of them were playing in a tournament at a B&M casino last weekend. Fifth hand of the tournament. $3000 in chips to start and blinds start at $25-$50.

Our Heroine is in the Big Blind and is dealt pocket 9's.

There are three limpers (not including the small blind). She checks.

The flop is 3-5-9, rainbow. She checks. The first limper bets the minimum. Two folders. She calls. Down to two players.

Turn is a 3. She checks. The other player bets $1000. She raises him to $2000. He hems and haws and calls.

River is a T. She bets 500. He raises her all in. She calls.

He turns over?

Pocket tens.

My buddies and I have had a running debate all week on e-mail as to how we would have played the hand differently, but at some point do you just have to chalk it up to being a bad beat (even though she could have thrown the hand away on the river and been alive)?

[rkmsuf]

The danger of slow playing idiots.

You really have to bet out playing against novice competition.

[Subby]

Hindsight is 20-20, but I probably would have raised preflop 3xBB (punish the limpers!) and then pushed all-in over top of the guy on the turn.

Hard to argue with how she played though. The guy hit a 2-outer...it happens.

[rkmsuf]

After the flop had you made a significant bet you'd feel much better about losing that hand.

[digamma]

Hindsight is 20-20, but I probably would have raised preflop 3xBB (punish the limpers!) and then pushed all-in over top of the guy on the turn.

Hard to argue with how she played though. The guy hit a 2-outer...it happens.
That is exactly how I would have played the hand, Subby. The debate amongst my friends has been whether to raise pre-flop and the action on the flop (either betting out or check-raising, but not simply check-calling). Personally, I like the check-call there.

In the end though, I think you're right. You can pick nits at the play, but it wasn't bad, and the guy made his hand at the end.

[Subby]

After the flop had you made a significant bet you'd feel much better about losing that hand. I disagree.

Her flop check-call was textbook. She had him trapped.

[rkmsuf]

I disagree.

Her flop check-call was textbook. She had him trapped.

I guess it's all hindsight. I mean percentage wise in a ring game yes.

Tourney wise you are just begging to get outdrawn. That early to go and try and bust someone is what you will get.

I just think if you perceive morons at your table you take it to them.

[Glengoyne]

The problem with slow playing is that you really can't complain about the moron sticking around to catch their card. That was, after all, your plan going in. I don't like slow playing, though I admit I am susceptible to it at the table.

[Subby]

In the end though, I think you're right. You can pick nits at the play, but it wasn't bad, and the guy made his hand at the end.
His play was a million times worse than hers. Open limping with pocket tens is horible. Min-betting the flop was even worse. And the turn call? Ack. Why would you call there? Fold or raise. You have the overpair and your opponent limped in. If she is making a play at you, re-raise. If she has the goods, fold, because you have two outs. Calling is unbelievably pussy-ish there.

[digamma]

His play was a million times worse than hers. Open limping with pocket tens is horible. Min-betting the flop was even worse. And the turn call? Ack. Why would you call there? Fold or raise. You have the overpair and your opponent limped in. If she is making a play at you, re-raise. If she has the goods, fold, because you have two outs. Calling is unbelievably pussy-ish there.
Agreed on all counts. Didn't mean to suggest his play was solid earlier.

[Radii]

If there's any time to slowplay a set, this flop seems like the time to do it. I'm definitely check-raising all in after the $1000 bet.