Playing against very passive opponents preflop

J

jeffred1111

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At my home game, we have two persons who are very, very passive preflop, to the extent that I've yet to see one of them RAISE preflop. Now, I'm not one to complain since it makes ho so incredibly easy to steal their blind (just 5-bet it if everybody has limped in and represent anything that is in the flop if they call the pr-r and check the flop), but let's have an example of where this can get somewhat tricky.

I am in middle position and am dealt 6s6h. UTG (passive guy who doubles up as a calling station) limps in, I call and it is folded to everyone but the BB and the button who call. Stacks are all pretty much equal and deep (let's say 50 bb).

Flop comes 3s-4s-Kh
UTG bets the minmum and now I'm stuck. Folding here is probably the best option, but let's say that I raise to 4BB figuring that I have outs for a backdoor straight draw and a straight flush draw (I won't win with a backdoor 6 high flush) : button and BB fold. Plus, with only one overcard and no indications of what villain has, he can have any rag. UTG calls.

Turn comes 5h.
UTG checks. Now we have absolutely no information as to what vilain is holding: we are either way behind (high pocket, A-K, completed straight) or way ahead (A-Q, A-3, flush draw, etc.). What is our best option here considering that I'm not pot committed and the pot is relatively small ? I'd favor a pot size bet (we have outs with a 7 or a 2, plus 2 outs for our 6) so we can get him to fold, but an argument can also be made to check and see the river.

Finally, in a more general sense, what would be the best strategy in a SnG against such an opponent ? Go over the top of him preflop and on the flop and calm down if he calls (or god forbid raises back), or play his game and limp in (low to middle suited connectors, high cards, etc.) when we have position on him and the pot will likely go 3-4 handed ?
 
aliengenius

aliengenius

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If you think you are way ahead or way behind you generally want to keep the pot small and get to show down as cheaply as possible. See the discussion of WA/WB here.
 
J

joeeagles

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I agree with AG, you should keep this pot small so just check even if it means possibly villain sucking out on the river.

As to your question about sitngo strategy against such an opponent, I think best way to go is a mix of the 2 options you describe. Sometimes raise, sometimes limp also, just to keep him guessing. At times, depending on your hand, its good that pots go 3-4 handed. Just don't make it obvious, make sure you mix it up (passive/calling station? Yummy!!!).
 
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jeffred1111

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Thanks guys, I have a tendancy to raise if I'm on the button if everybody has limped (and even with marginal holdings such as 7-8o or K-9), knowing full well that somebody is bound to have something and that everybody will probably call anyway, thus making the pot bigger and the other guys less likely to abandon it to a big bet on the flop.
 
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