playing SB for value is this a good idea?

I've read Harrington's poker books and he reckons that the pot odds normally gives an obligatory call in the SB, however it has got me into trouble twice this week;

I had J10o in the SB with several limpers the odds were around 7-1 on the money I call. The flop comes 8,J,5 rainbow great flop for me I think. I'm out of pos' though but I raise 800, blinds are 150-300 get called by the BB and the UTG goes all in for around 1700. Now my chip stack was around 4000, should I call? well I think I'm in the hand with top pair decent kicker so I call so does the BB. Next card is non descript last card a 3 so I shove AI and the BB folds which is what I hoped, I got my shove back but the UTG then shows a set of 8's and takes my money. Did I play it right? And how can you put someone on a set I think folding top pair and good kicker is hard, but it all came about because of playing a relatively weak hand in the SB. Thanks you lot for all your great help...the sniper

TJ is fine to complete with multi way for its straight potential. I wouldn't be too excited about flopping a pair with it against limpers who are often set mining, could have a better Jack or even slowplaying a big pocket from EP.

I'd probably make that call 90% of the time from the SB. But, since I'd be out of position, I'd be very hesitant to lead out with just top pair 10-kicker against multiple opponents. And if I did, and got call/raise from two opponents, I'd toss it in a heartbeat.

Like D'wilius said, JT is a great hand to hit a straight with, but with just one-pair, it can really be dangerous. Remember, you got a great discount to see a flop. What's the big deal if you hit top pair and have the toss the hand away? You only lost 1/2 a blind.

Exactly ......

10 J can be very costly if you don't hit a straight.


Good Luck

The advantage is that when you do hit you can win way more then the SB's you paid so far.
Also - it's a frightening position in certain cases for the other players since you can have any two cards. That gives you bluff options (Usually taken on the turn).

Yeah, I call for straight, but if I dont have at least two pairs on the flop, I would be very careful, it means no raising on the flop.

Reread the section in Harrington where he "reckons that the pot odds normally gives an obligatory call in the SB". Pay particular attention to what he says you are hoping for on the flop.

This is NOT a good flop for you. You're looking for 789, AKQ, two pair, trips or a boat. Anything less, you've got to be done with the hand and fold to any bet.

The ten is NOT a good kicker. AJ, KJ, QJ, are all likely limping hands and have you crushed.

If you improve with a ten on the turn, the gutshot straights also got there.