$10 NLHE 6-max: Being passive with 88

6

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10NL 6-max zoom on pokerstars. Villain is unknown.

BTN: $10.00
Hero (SB): $10.02
BB: $8.29
UTG: $10.00
MP: $5.47
CO: $20.93

Pre Flop: ($0.15) Hero is SB with 8:spade: 8:heart:
UTG raises to $0.35, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.30, BB calls $0.25

Flop: ($1.05) 7:diamond: 2:spade: 4:heart: (3 players)
Hero checks, BB bets $0.50, UTG calls $0.50, Hero calls $0.50

Turn: ($2.55) K:heart: (3 players)
Hero checks, BB checks, UTG bets $1.70, Hero calls $1.70, BB folds

River: ($5.95) 5:spade: (2 players)
Hero checks, UTG checks

What do you think about the way I played this hand? Should I have 3bet preflop? Should I have check-raised the flop? Should I have folded the turn? Thoughts in general?
 
fletchdad

fletchdad

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There can be arguments to 3bet here, but if he comes back at you you really have to let the hand go, and when BB comes along, that is just that much better. No reason to turn your hand into a bluff pre, so IMO call is fine, and probably the best play. Flop could be a c/r, as you are often ahead here, and you can get some better hands to fold (although I dont play zoom, so, meh on what I say).

His range UTG at zoom will be what?? I will make an assumption here. I am guessing UTG bluffs are not going to be all that common, so all PP (or 55+??) AK-AJs, AK-AQo, KQs, maybe some other BW - suited mainly...

Since 2 players check OTT, it is a great card to bluff, but I am not sure if he will try to blow 2 people off the hand. HU I am calling but I lean more to a fold here....
 
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I don't think there's anything wrong with playing it passively. It's zoom so everyone plays premiums or drawing hands. Plus villain is utg so we should be extra cautious as his range will tend to be even stronger.
 
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A typical UTG opening range would be something like:
- 55+
- 87s+
- AJo+
- KQo
- Any 2 suited broadways

Yeah I wasn't sure if UTG would simply use the K as a bluff card or not. I also wasn't sure how tight/loose he would call the donk bet from the BB.

I've been told that I should be flat-calling with hands as strong as QQ in a blind vs UTG battle, but I'd like opinions on this. What is a typical 3betting range for BB vs UTG?
 
Figaroo2

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The UTG has to be a little nervous here, if both blinds call its normally a sign of pairs set mining so he isn't likely to raise the donked flop bet when the flop hits the blinds ranges pretty hard..
Once neither of you bet the flop he probably figures you don't have much so he's betting for value with his premiums or to get you to fold with his high card combo's that have whiffed as he can rep the k pretty hard.
equity wise your 88 is a slight favourite against a standard utg opening range on that flop but it drops to a slight underdog once the K arrives on the turn. The wider he opens the more equity you will have.
As a slight dog it isn't a massive mistake to fold or call on the turn, but if another high card comes on the river and he bets you are in a tougher spot.
As played and he doesn't bet the river you are probably good here 2/3 of the time. Some players won't bet thin value here with something like KQ KJ KT as they don't want to get raised off the hand and as you called a decent sized turn bet they fear you have AK KQ or a slow played set.
BB shouldn't really be 3betting an UTG open without JJ+
I don't 3 bet much with 88 99 TT in the blinds I prefer to flat them. I hate getting 4 bet and having to fold the equity away.
 
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TimovieMan

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I think I fold to the turn bet.
He bets a significant amount into two opponents. That generally means he hit the K, imo.
Given his river check, he's showing you KQ/KJ here, imo (and in that case, you can make a note that he doesn't value-bet thin on the river).
 
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I think I fold to the turn bet.
He bets a significant amount into two opponents. That generally means he hit the K, imo.
Given his river check, he's showing you KQ/KJ here, imo (and in that case, you can make a note that he doesn't value-bet thin on the river).

You were exactly right that the villain had a K and that he also didn't thin value bet the river. I guess I just thought that the villain could be semi-bluffing with a hand like AJhh and also he could just be using the K as a scare card, so that was my logic for calling the turn. I also felt like his sizing could be a bluff. Like if a scare card comes and the villain instantly bets 2/3rds pot, you don't see that as a potential bluff?
 
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