Small edges as a short stack

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dumpy620_84

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Scenario: You just sat down at a .05/.1 6-player NLH table with $5. Third or fourth hand in you're on the button w/ A
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8
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, two players limp as do you, SB completes, BB makes it 0.10 more, everyone calls.
Flop: 3
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4
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2
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BB ($10 behind) leads for $1, P1 ($6.50) calls, P2 folds... what is your most +EV play here? I believe folding is out of the question here, so your choices are to flat call or make a raise. If you raise, how much? If you call, what do you do when the turn is a blank?
The pot's at $3, I think raising all-in for $4.60 (putting the pot at $7.60 and $3.60 more to call) would be my play. If you're up against one pair that's not AA you're a slight favorite, a made straight (with 5-6) you're 1.7:1 underdog, and about a 2:1 dog against a set. I think in the smaller limits you'll see a lot more people playing the straight draws here (even with just the ace) and another playing some big cards which gives you good fold equity on the raise.
Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.
 
bob_tiger

bob_tiger

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of course there are edges as a short stack but are you saying that you don't want to maximize your win rate by playing short stacked?
 
StormRaven

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For me it depends on my goal. If my goal is +ev I have some pretty good odds here of hitting my hand and might just let the aggressor continue betting into me so I can reraise the river.

If I'm running bad and don't seem to be able to catch my draws I might go ahead and push and hope to take the pot down right on the spot.

It really depends on my read of the aggressor. Is he typically aggressive/loose/calling station/tight ?
 
absoluthamm

absoluthamm

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I'm not sure pushing would be my play. I actually would just call since you have 2 people already in and the SB yet to act behind you. Because right now, you do not have anything better than Ace high. On your straight draw, you have the idiot's end. You would almost certainly win if you hit the flush card, but I would guess your straight would either not win it for you, or would split the pot. If no diamond on the turn, probably fold if any sizable bet is led out.
 
L

LarryT503

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Maybe I'm just too conservative, but I too would only be inclined to call. Should I hit the straight or preferably the flush I would maximize my earnings, but why risk that much ahead of making my hand?
 
cardplayer52

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i like this play. and think its the best one to make. i think the equity you gain by making a better hand fold is why. if you get called by a pair your around 50/50 so this is a positive EV as there already money in the pot. but if the got say middle pair and you push and they fold a greater % of the time because of this then you increase your EV. i also like this play because people will be less likely to get in a hand with you if they think your a maniac.
 
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Shafan

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I would just call the raise by the other player and wait for another card to see if it helps and see what the other players would do with it. I have been burned yesterday with 4h7h BB, flop was Ah8h4c, I reraised to 1.5 pot size i got called, turn was 7d, so i raised all in with 2 pairs anf flush draw and get called, the river was Jc, and i lost to 2 pairs A's and J's.
I know it was just luck, but on many tables with .05/.1 stakes a lot of people chase for hands so luck is very important.
 
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Sportsmenc

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I would prefer call and see turn without spending additional money. One of villians definetely has A, probably with best kicker than yours 8. So at the moment you are behind. So it is kind of lottery "Catch diamond". And raise here is not a good choise.
 
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