Michael Paler
Legend
Silver Level
I recently went to the Commerce to play in a live tourney. Usually at a live game I'm still and quiet, not wanting to give anything away. However, harking back to my reading of the poker bible, A situation came up where I knew I had nothing to lose.
It was folded to me on the button and I looked down to see 5-8 suited. This is pretty much below the bottom of my button raising range, but with 20BB's and 15 minute levels, you simply cannot wait for big hands. So, I 3x'd it hoping to pick up the blinds and antes.
Well, the big blind called. The flop came pretty ragged except for two spades, giving me a four flush. After the BB checked it to me, I bet out 1/3 pot, and he called. I figured he at least had middle/bottom pair, or, God forbid, a flush draw. When the turn brought the 3rd spade and the guy checked, I pretty much knew he had no flush and wanted to get to a showdown with his pair. Knowing this, I went ahead and checked back my flush. River is a dud, and sure enough he bets real small. I put out a 1/2 pot bet raise, which was 1/2 his stack.
Immediatly he starts shaking his head and says to me "Really, you check a flush on the river?" As I said, I normally keep my mouth shut, but instead I said to the guy "Come on man, I know I'm no pro, but only an idiot would check a flush on the river", saying it as truthfully as possible. Then I added "Either you got a pair or you need to fold". As soon as it was out of my lips he called with the two pair he rivered! And wow, was this guy pissed! Next hand he shoved and lost with garbage.
It was actually pretty cool, like an excerpt right out of Super System! I mean, the guy had picked up his cards and was ready to fold for certain when he started talking to me, so I figured I had nothing to lose. While I would not do this often, the opp presented itself and I took a chance.
What do you guys think? You ever try this in a live game and get away with it? I think it's a good tool in your poker tool box for these occasions. It certainly got the tables attention, and they seemed leary of me when in a pot with me the rest of the night!
It was folded to me on the button and I looked down to see 5-8 suited. This is pretty much below the bottom of my button raising range, but with 20BB's and 15 minute levels, you simply cannot wait for big hands. So, I 3x'd it hoping to pick up the blinds and antes.
Well, the big blind called. The flop came pretty ragged except for two spades, giving me a four flush. After the BB checked it to me, I bet out 1/3 pot, and he called. I figured he at least had middle/bottom pair, or, God forbid, a flush draw. When the turn brought the 3rd spade and the guy checked, I pretty much knew he had no flush and wanted to get to a showdown with his pair. Knowing this, I went ahead and checked back my flush. River is a dud, and sure enough he bets real small. I put out a 1/2 pot bet raise, which was 1/2 his stack.
Immediatly he starts shaking his head and says to me "Really, you check a flush on the river?" As I said, I normally keep my mouth shut, but instead I said to the guy "Come on man, I know I'm no pro, but only an idiot would check a flush on the river", saying it as truthfully as possible. Then I added "Either you got a pair or you need to fold". As soon as it was out of my lips he called with the two pair he rivered! And wow, was this guy pissed! Next hand he shoved and lost with garbage.
It was actually pretty cool, like an excerpt right out of Super System! I mean, the guy had picked up his cards and was ready to fold for certain when he started talking to me, so I figured I had nothing to lose. While I would not do this often, the opp presented itself and I took a chance.
What do you guys think? You ever try this in a live game and get away with it? I think it's a good tool in your poker tool box for these occasions. It certainly got the tables attention, and they seemed leary of me when in a pot with me the rest of the night!