Min-bet Monsters

During my forays into the wilds of ring poker, I've come across a species that I find fascinating: the Min-bet Monster. It's not particularly common, but once spotted, it's patterns are unmistakable.

This creature raises normally with most hands, but whenever it is dealt AA or KK, it min-raises, regardless of position or number of limpers. It seems as if it is desperately afraid of not getting action with its monsters. There seem to be two sub-species, as well. One, continues to play lowball post-flop, giving great odds to chase draws. The other, turns up the heat immediately after the flop, shutting out all the action.

Now, I know this creature is dooming itself to extinction, but I'm wondering the best way to hunt it, especially from the sanctity of my big blind. Would you call with any two cards, safe in the knowledge that you can take everything it owns if you flop 2-pair or better? Or, is it only worth seeing a flop with a strong hand, such as a pocket pair? I'm sure math plays a big part in this equation. Would the type of sub-species make a difference in your calling range?

I'm currently leaning towards seeing a cheap flop, even with poor hands, hoping that narrowing an opponent to 2 or 3 possible hands will make up for the comparative weakness of my own hand. What are your thoughts?

How deep is aforementioned donk-tard? If he's 200bb's deep, you can easily call a min-raise from the BB with any 2 and be profitable...

But with 27os, you'll make two pair, or trips about 3% of the time. You'd need about 33:1 implied odds to justify calling (if you can stack him every time). This also doesn't take into account the time you'll make two pair + and still lose. Something like 50:1 implied odds would prolly be a good guideline, if you knew they had a big hand, to call with any 2. Maybe a bit higher, since two pair isn't like flopping a set. Aces can pretty easily draw out on 2 pair. And kings won't wanna get all in if there's an ace on the board.

Well, I was assuming 100BB. But, I guess the deeper you are, the wider your potential calling range against these guys.

Yeah I've seen these types and try to take diligent notes to look out for it again. I see people min-raising with monsters on flops as well.

i thought 2 pair+ was like 8%ish?

I particularly noticed it late in mtt's when the blinds are high, and a late pos. raise looks like a steal so ppl fold anyways, therefore the raiser just min raises to induce a larger raise or re=steal...since in my case I like to punish min raisers, or limpers with my aggressive style this is one of my leaks

widowmaker89 said:

i thought 2 pair+ was like 8%ish?

Click to expand...

Odds and Probabilities in Texas Hold’em - Making Your Hand

Two pair is ~2%, trips is about half that. If your hand can flop a straight or flush, it increases from there slightly. Plus some remote chance of flopping quads/fullhouse. But yeah, 3% for 2 pair+ is a pretty good approximation for a hand like 27os.