Analysis of MrSticker's 25NL session

[ChuckTs]

Really not many hands in this session tbh, but Stick asked for an analysis, and I hate to disappoint.


Issue #1, and I'm sure you were expecting this, is why are we buying in for $20 only? I don't think I have to go on a rant about the downsides of shortstacks (and the upsides of having a max. buyin).

pokerstars Game #10222892383: HOLD'EM NO LIMIT ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/06/01 -
21:23:05 (ET)
Table 'Scutum' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: Joe4191 ($9 in chips)
Seat 2: bo.inc ($9.10 in chips)
Seat 3: 1ofaKind420 ($20.70 in chips)
Seat 4: Argey ($12.85 in chips)
Seat 5: Runtimmy ($32.45 in chips)
Seat 6: BaronVonCP ($24.15 in chips)
Seat 7: Raver32 ($24 in chips)
Seat 8: fiddysent52 ($15 in chips)
Seat 9: MrSticker66 ($19.75 in chips)
BaronVonCP: posts small blind $0.10
Raver32: posts big blind $0.25
fiddysent52: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to MrSticker66 [Ad Jh]
fiddysent52: checks
MrSticker66: raises $0.75 to $1
Joe4191: folds
bo.inc: folds
1ofaKind420: folds
Argey: folds
Argey leaves the table
Runtimmy: folds
BaronVonCP: calls $0.90
Raver32: folds
fiddysent52: folds
*** FLOP *** [3d 2s 6d]
BaronVonCP: checks
MrSticker66: bets $2
BaronVonCP: calls $2

Not sure about your reads on villain here, but we need to slow down after this call. Unless he's a very loose player, people don't tend to call c-bets without at least a pair or draw. We're pretty much in the dark here, and can't keep firing unless we want to just spew chips.

This is the problem with a TAG style, though. A good LAG would pick up on your c-bets and will make plays like this just because for the majority of the time he knows you're betting with an unimproved hand.

*** TURN *** [3d 2s 6d] 7♠
BaronVonCP: checks
MrSticker66: checks
*** RIVER *** [3d 2s 6d 7s] 6♥
BaronVonCP: bets $2
Wheal joins the table at seat #4
MrSticker66: folds
BaronVonCP collected $6.20 from pot
BaronVonCP: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $6.50 | Rake $0.30
Board [3d 2s 6d 7s 6h]
Seat 1: Joe4191 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: bo.inc folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: 1ofaKind420 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: Argey folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Runtimmy (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: BaronVonCP (small blind) collected ($6.20)
Seat 7: Raver32 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 8: fiddysent52 folded before Flop
Seat 9: MrSticker66 folded on the River

PokerStars Game #10222926160: HOLD'EM NO LIMIT ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/06/01 -
21:25:20 (ET)
Table 'Scutum' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: Joe4191 ($8.75 in chips)
Seat 2: bo.inc ($8.85 in chips)
Seat 3: 1ofaKind420 ($20.70 in chips)
Seat 4: Wheal ($24.75 in chips)
Seat 5: Runtimmy ($32.45 in chips)
Seat 6: BaronVonCP ($27.35 in chips)
Seat 7: Raver32 ($23.65 in chips)
Seat 8: fiddysent52 ($15.55 in chips)
Seat 9: MrSticker66 ($16.75 in chips)
fiddysent52: posts small blind $0.10
MrSticker66: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to MrSticker66 [Qd 9s]
Joe4191: calls $0.25
bo.inc: folds
1ofaKind420: folds
Wheal: folds
Runtimmy: folds
BaronVonCP: folds
Raver32: folds
fiddysent52: calls $0.15
MrSticker66: checks
*** FLOP *** [9d 7d 7s]
fiddysent52: checks
MrSticker66: checks

Lead this. There are some draws out there, but it's likely we've got the best hand right now. Bet to protect it, and to define our opponents hands.

Joe4191: checks
*** TURN *** [9d 7d 7s] K♦
fiddysent52: checks
MrSticker66: checks
Joe4191: checks
*** RIVER *** [9d 7d 7s Kd] 8♣
fiddysent52: checks
MrSticker66: bets $0.25

Fair enough. See if we can suck in 8x or 22-66.

Joe4191: folds
fiddysent52: folds
MrSticker66 collected $0.75 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $0.75 | Rake $0
Board [9d 7d 7s Kd 8c]
Seat 1: Joe4191 folded on the River
Seat 2: bo.inc folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: 1ofaKind420 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: Wheal folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Runtimmy folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: BaronVonCP folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: Raver32 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: fiddysent52 (small blind) folded on the River
Seat 9: MrSticker66 (big blind) collected ($0.75)
PokerStars Game #10222938533: HOLD'EM NO LIMIT ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/06/01 -
21:26:10 (ET)
Table 'Scutum' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: Joe4191 ($8.50 in chips)
Seat 2: bo.inc ($8.85 in chips)
Seat 3: 1ofaKind420 ($20.70 in chips)
Seat 4: Wheal ($24.75 in chips)
Seat 5: Runtimmy ($32.45 in chips)
Seat 6: BaronVonCP ($27.35 in chips)
Seat 7: Raver32 ($23.65 in chips)
Seat 8: fiddysent52 ($15.30 in chips)
Seat 9: MrSticker66 ($17.25 in chips)
MrSticker66: posts small blind $0.10
Joe4191: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to MrSticker66 [4h Jh]
bo.inc: folds
1ofaKind420: folds
Wheal: folds
Runtimmy: folds
BaronVonCP: folds
Raver32: calls $0.25
fiddysent52: folds
MrSticker66: calls $0.15

I prefer more connected cards, but I don't hate this. Players are weak enough at this level to pay you off with crap when you flop a monster.

PokerStars Game #10222954436: HOLD'EM NO LIMIT ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/06/01 -
21:27:13 (ET)
Table 'Scutum' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 1: Joe4191 ($9 in chips)
Seat 2: bo.inc ($8.85 in chips)
Seat 3: 1ofaKind420 ($20.70 in chips)
Seat 4: Wheal ($24.75 in chips)
Seat 5: Runtimmy ($32.45 in chips)
Seat 6: BaronVonCP ($27.35 in chips)
Seat 7: Raver32 ($23.40 in chips)
Seat 8: fiddysent52 ($15.30 in chips)
Seat 9: MrSticker66 ($17 in chips)
Joe4191: posts small blind $0.10
bo.inc: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to MrSticker66 [6s 6h]
1ofaKind420: folds
Wheal: folds
Runtimmy: folds
BaronVonCP: raises $0.50 to $0.75
Raver32: calls $0.75
fiddysent52: calls $0.75MrSticker66: folds

With a bigger stack we can call this because our implied odds will make up for the poor pot odds we're getting now, but with your shorter stack I think folding is the best option.


PokerStars Game #10223157501: HOLD'EM NO LIMIT ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/06/01 -
21:40:50 (ET)
Table 'Scutum' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: Joe4191 ($5.40 in chips)
Seat 2: svlao ($23.60 in chips)
Seat 3: jnh1964 ($4.75 in chips)
Seat 4: Wheal ($23.80 in chips)
Seat 5: Runtimmy ($24.65 in chips)
Seat 6: BaronVonCP ($25 in chips)
Seat 7: Raver32 ($30.55 in chips)
Seat 8: fiddysent52 ($28.85 in chips)
Seat 9: MrSticker66 ($16.15 in chips)
BaronVonCP: posts small blind $0.10
Raver32: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to MrSticker66 [Kd Ad]
fiddysent52: folds
MrSticker66: raises $0.75 to $1

Standard.

Joe4191: folds
svlao: folds
jnh1964: folds
Wheal: folds
Runtimmy: folds
BaronVonCP: folds
Raver32: folds

PokerStars Game #10223163550: HOLD'EM NO LIMIT ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/06/01 -
21:41:14 (ET)
Table 'Scutum' 9-max Seat #6 is the button
Seat 1: Joe4191 ($5.40 in chips)
Seat 2: svlao ($23.60 in chips)
Seat 3: jnh1964 ($4.75 in chips)
Seat 4: Wheal ($23.80 in chips)
Seat 5: Runtimmy ($24.65 in chips)
Seat 6: BaronVonCP ($24.90 in chips)
Seat 7: Raver32 ($30.30 in chips)
Seat 8: fiddysent52 ($28.85 in chips)
Seat 9: MrSticker66 ($16.50 in chips)
Raver32: posts small blind $0.10
fiddysent52: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to MrSticker66 [Js Ah]
MrSticker66: raises $0.50 to $0.75

utg, 9-handed, I prefer limping. Raising is fine once in a while, but we're really just OOP with a trouble hand. I play AJ like a small pair; I only get involved if I a) have a good chance of taking the pot down with some c-bets or bluffs, or b) if I hit a monster, like 2 pair or better.

Joe4191: calls $0.75
svlao: folds
jnh1964: folds
Wheal: folds
Runtimmy: folds
BaronVonCP: folds
Raver32: folds
fiddysent52: calls $0.50
*** FLOP *** [Ks 5s 8d]
fiddysent52: checks
MrSticker66: checks

Not sure about reads, but this is kind of 50/50 for me with a c-bet here. Good flop, but with 3 people in I think checking is fine.

Joe4191: checks
*** TURN *** [Ks 5s 8d] A♠
fiddysent52: checks
MrSticker66: bets $1.50
Joe4191: calls $1.50
fiddysent52: folds
*** RIVER *** [Ks 5s 8d As] 9♦
MrSticker66: bets $2
Joe4191: raises $1.15 to $3.15 and is all-in
MrSticker66: calls $1.15

Standard. We have to pay him off here.

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Joe4191: shows [Ts 4s] (a flush, Ace high)
MrSticker66: mucks hand
Joe4191 collected $11.10 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $11.65 | Rake $0.55
Board [Ks 5s 8d As 9d]
Seat 1: Joe4191 showed [Ts 4s] and won ($11.10) with a flush, Ace high
Seat 2: svlao folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: jnh1964 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: Wheal folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Runtimmy folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: BaronVonCP (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: Raver32 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 8: fiddysent52 (big blind) folded on the Turn
Seat 9: MrSticker66 mucked [Js Ah]

PokerStars Game #10223179893: HOLD'EM NO LIMIT ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/06/01 -
21:42:19 (ET)
Table 'Scutum' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: Joe4191 ($11.10 in chips)
Seat 2: svlao ($23.60 in chips)
Seat 3: jnh1964 ($4.75 in chips)
Seat 4: Wheal ($23.80 in chips)
Seat 5: Runtimmy ($24.65 in chips)
Seat 6: BaronVonCP ($24.90 in chips)
Seat 7: Raver32 ($30.20 in chips)
Seat 8: fiddysent52 ($28.10 in chips)
Seat 9: MrSticker66 ($11.10 in chips)
fiddysent52: posts small blind $0.10
MrSticker66: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to MrSticker66 [5c 5d]
Joe4191: folds
Joe4191 is sitting out
svlao: folds
jnh1964: folds
Wheal: folds
Runtimmy: folds
BaronVonCP: folds
Raver32: raises $0.75 to $1
fiddysent52: folds
MrSticker66: calls $0.75*** FLOP *** [3d 8d 6h]
MrSticker66: checks
Raver32: bets $1.50
MrSticker66: raises $2.50 to $4

I like the aggression. Another option is leading out. Kind of a probe bet. Even though he made what looks like a steal on the button, he could of course still have a bigger hand than yours.

By leading, we don't lose as much when he raises (or reraises) us. Then again we also miss out on a c-bet if we lead and he folds.

PokerStars Game #10223265103: HOLD'EM NO LIMIT ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/06/01 -
21:47:57 (ET)
Table 'Scutum' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: Joe4191 ($6.35 in chips)
Seat 2: svlao ($24.60 in chips)
Seat 3: jnh1964 ($8.75 in chips)
Seat 4: Wheal ($23.45 in chips)
Seat 6: BaronVonCP ($24.55 in chips)
Seat 7: Raver32 ($27.70 in chips)
Seat 8: fiddysent52 ($28.30 in chips)
Seat 9: MrSticker66 ($13.10 in chips)
MrSticker66: posts small blind $0.10
Joe4191: posts big blind $0.25
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to MrSticker66 [Kd Ac]
svlao: calls $0.25
jnh1964: calls $0.25
Wheal: folds
BaronVonCP: folds
Raver32: folds
fiddysent52: calls $0.25
MrSticker66: raises $1.75 to $2

Nice-sized bet. We're giving anybody behind us 1.5:1, and any of the limpers a little better than that. Good enough to scare out the trash.

Joe4191: folds
svlao: folds
jnh1964: folds
fiddysent52: folds
MrSticker66 collected $1.25 from pot
MrSticker66: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $1.25 | Rake $0
Seat 1: Joe4191 (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: svlao folded before Flop
Seat 3: jnh1964 folded before Flop
Seat 4: Wheal folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: BaronVonCP folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: Raver32 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: fiddysent52 (button) folded before Flop
Seat 9: MrSticker66 (small blind) collected ($1.25)

PokerStars Game #10223537356: HOLD'EM NO LIMIT ($0.10/$0.25) - 2007/06/01 -
22:06:02 (ET)
Table 'Scutum' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: I_like_It_U2 ($26.80 in chips)
Seat 2: svlao ($26.75 in chips)
Seat 3: jnh1964 ($16.75 in chips)
Seat 6: BaronVonCP ($24.55 in chips)
Seat 7: Raver32 ($26.50 in chips)
Seat 8: fiddysent52 ($24.35 in chips)
Seat 9: MrSticker66 ($13.40 in chips)
svlao: posts small blind $0.10
jnh1964: posts big blind $0.25
Wheal: sits out
japo07: sits out
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to MrSticker66 [Ad Ts]
BaronVonCP: folds
Raver32: folds
fiddysent52: folds
MrSticker66: raises $0.75 to $1
I_like_It_U2: folds
svlao: folds
jnh1964: calls $0.75
*** FLOP *** [8c 2c 3c]
jnh1964: checks
MrSticker66: bets $2

Too big for me if you're doing this every time you c-bet. We're risking too much; I'm not sure the times we take the pot down will win you more than the amount you lose when you're called. 1/2-pot bets are the ideal size. Basically we get the perfect risk-reward ratio with 1/2-pot c-bets.

jnh1964: folds
MrSticker66 collected $2 from pot
MrSticker66: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $2.10 | Rake $0.10
Board [8c 2c 3c]
Seat 1: I_like_It_U2 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: svlao (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: jnh1964 (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 6: BaronVonCP folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: Raver32 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: fiddysent52 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: MrSticker66 collected ($2)

Solid session, MrS. Again, c-bets are a little big though IMO.

Up next: NineLions

 

[Stick66]

Thanks Chuck! It's great to get a different perspective on things. I really appreciate the time.

AJ UTG: My thinking here was to raise before I get raised. This way, I get to see a flop and have shown strength. If I limp preflop and get raised, I would likely fold. Is my thinking correct?

The Last Hand: My flop bet was pot-sized. $2 is a small pot and I wanted to rep a flush or high pair and take it down right there. For less than $2, I was afraid he would chase the flush or stay with top pair. Is my thinking too weak-tight?

As for the $20 buy-in: I guess it's a "head" thing. I feel like I can be more aggressive with $20 than with $25. Especially multi-tabling. 3 x $20 is only $60 risked versus $75. I know it might be flawed thinking, but it works for me for now.

 

[ChuckTs]

Thanks Chuck! It's great to get a different perspective on things. I really appreciate the time.

No problem, Stick

AJ UTG: My thinking here was to raise before I get raised. This way, I get to see a flop and have shown strength. If I limp preflop and get raised, I would likely fold. Is my thinking correct?

ie first-in vig. Fair enough, but most of the time, you'll be OOP against one or more callers, and you will reconsider tossing out a c-bet. I realize that most players are looser than you, but do you see yourself calling with AT and under to an utg raiser?

Basically, most of the time you'll be dominated.

The Last Hand: My flop bet was pot-sized. $2 is a small pot and I wanted to rep a flush or high pair and take it down right there. For less than $2, I was afraid he would chase the flush or stay with top pair. Is my thinking too weak-tight?

Well if he's holding the Ac, he isn't going anywhere. Generally people will chase flushes like there's no tomorrow, so putting out a bigger bet will just mean you're giving more to your opponent when he does decide to chase.

But I think the $2 on that board was fine; my point was that if you're making your c-bets pot-sized every time, it's going to be -EV in the long run.

As for the $20 buy-in: I guess it's a "head" thing. I feel like I can be more aggressive with $20 than with $25. Especially multi-tabling. 3 x $20 is only $60 risked versus $75. I know it might be flawed thinking, but it works for me for now.

Fair enough. Maybe you play better shorter-stacked. You know the whole deal with maximum winnings etc, so I don't think I need to rant.

bold^^^

 

[joeeagles]

Chuck I disagree with the 66 hand where you say he doesn't have enough implied odds. Pot is raised to 75c and there already is a caller, if he calls there's a good chance 1 of the blinds gets involved and he still has $16.25 to work with, isn't that enough?

In a tourney I'll make this fold almost every time regardless of stack sizes and position, or else I'm losing too many medium size pots, but shouldn't you call this in cash game? Its 75c to call making it at least 3 way (and likely 4-way), and he's on the button which makes the chances pretty slim that this pot will get reraised.