Things I think about

[Scotty]

We need MADDOX to grade this effort, though ...

[Bacon]

Less than all in is often better
It's easy to throw all your chips in the pot as a raise, and feel that you've put someone off of a hand. But sometimes putting less in is the key to making someone fold. The mental aspect of someone calling an all in is more "ok well, now or never" and relying on luck. But betting half of what someone else has, or maybe 60% can push them off the hand, by forcing them to bet on the next round with only one card to see.

I've started thinking about this play lately, probably did it occasionally, but using it more now. Thanks David.

[JD]

Folding is NOT losing
Just because you threw out 3 1/2 times the big blind as a bet pre-flop, doesn't mean you have to call any bet after the flop, if you feel you're behind. And, just because you minimum bet after the flop to see where you are, doesn't mean you need to call the raise.

I had my biggest fold ever last night. Ok, here's the scene. The Kingsford, 64 runners. We're down to 18, I have $5,500, behind the button. Cards are being dealt out and an A is flipped over. Bad luck for that guy. The remaining cards are dealt out, and I look down and see



My best friend, my NEMESIS, JD, moves all in for $7,000. Do I call, knowing that there are, at minimum, 2 Ace's left in the deck? I need points to take 1st in the region (was 0.08 behind 1st). But then, how can I fold AK suited? ITS MY INITIALS (as EVERYONE AT THE BLOODY TABLE said).

Shannon was sitting at the table and finally called time. I... folded. After the hand was over (nobody called) I asked JD what he had - KJ off suit. I put him on pockets, and knowing that there was only 2 Ace's left... I couldn't do it. I asked around the table afterwards and it turns out there were no Ace's left, two players had them.

I put JD on pockets anyway, so for me, it was a good fold. But still, the biggest laydown I've made, ever. And it worked in the end, I finished 8th.

It was K,J of clubs Ace of Clubs was turned over, i think you've got the table positions completely wrong, i think i was behind the button and you were small blind (stealing yours and Zacks blinds was part of the plan). Everyone folded around to me, a few of them looking disgruntled about the flipped ace, i moved in hoping that the dealer and blinds didnt have an ace or a big hand and that i would get respect as the last 3 hands the table saw me move in with were AA,AQ,QQ. The plan worked after you took 2 blind sessions to think about your decision.

[AceLosesKing]

It was K,J of clubs Ace of Clubs was turned over, i think you've got the table positions completely wrong, i think i was behind the button and you were small blind (stealing yours and Zacks blinds was part of the plan). Everyone folded around to me, a few of them looking disgruntled about the flipped ace, i moved in hoping that the dealer and blinds didnt have an ace or a big hand and that i would get respect as the last 3 hands the table saw me move in with were AA,AQ,QQ. The plan worked after you took 2 blind sessions to think about your decision.

Actually, you're right. I was SB, because next hand I moved all on AK on Les's BB, and he bitched about it.

My mistake.

And oi, it was like 4 blind sessions.

[Scotty]

Sounds like another table diagram is needed to me. Get on it.

[gundog]

I have a different view on showing, i love to show particually during the 1st session wether its a killer hand or a bluff I give them as much information as possible to enable them to put doubt in there minds.

The best thing is when you have shown you can see the mice running around in the little wheels, "doh I would have won that hand if I hadn;t folded"

My decision what I am doing is usually made well before its my call, I like to play fast.

I play my hand not theres.

[bennymacca]

the problem is when you show a bluff, they think your bluffing every time. this can be very profitable when you get good hands from there on in, but you pretty much gotta expect people to call you every time from there on in.

can be dangerous when you try to push someone off with your two pair, against a flush draw - the player might be more willing to have a look at you knowing you might be bluffing.

it sometimes goes horribly wrong, but i try to maintain a tight aggressive table image, and then play a little looser than that.

i.e if u hit your trips on the flop, show them if everyone folds - get everyone to think you only ever play good hands. if you bluff and they fold, tell them you hit top pair with ace kicker etc etc.

[Scotty]

I have a different view on showing, i love to show particularly during the 1st session whether its a killer hand or a bluff

As i posted previously, I often do the same with big pairs etc, but rarely will I table a bluff if I pull it off.

[Garth Kay]

Depending on the situation, type of tournament, players at table, player in the hands with me, etc.......
So many variables in tabling a hand and I can't say that I definitively do it at this time or that time.
When you table a hand it's generally for several reasons, but the main priority is to build or change your table image.