How Did I Play This

[AceZWylD]

I can't seem to get the hand history to copy for me, so i'll do text on this one and then copy the hand history in the future.

I was sitting at a $10 6 man table with 5 super aggressive players. Each hand was raised 4 times the bb, and all the players (except for me) called each hand. I was dealt JJ in middle position, and called the typical 4 times bb preflop raise. The flop came 862, so I knew I was in pretty good position. I checked because I was not sure what kind of betting would take place, but I knew it would be heavy. The bet was $2 and each player called. Knowing that if I called and a Q,K,A popped on the turn or river that I would be screwed, I raised all in with $10 to try and take the pot down right then and there. I was quickly called by 2 players. The turn came 5, and the river came J. I hit my set and took down a $28 pot.

How did I play the hand? Would you have played it differently, or the same.

Feedback Please.

 

[Coryan]

Yeah Baby!

First, I think the play was fine.

More often than not, with a table like this, I would have reraised preflop. I want to chase off any weak hands that might have an A, K or Q. After the flop, if you knew there would be action, then I really like your play. It is unlikely that you are behind and you don't want to be outdrawn on this hand.

 

[ChuckTs]

I agree with coryan...if every hand was raised PF, then JJ is worth a reraise, maybe to 12 or 16 BBs total to isolate, or take the pot down right there.
As for the flop play, I prefer leading out for information.
If a guy just calls, then he may be drawing for overcards or a straight draw.
If he raises big, you can make a further decision from there (does he have a set? is he bluffing? does he overplay top pair?)
With the check-raise, you get no info; you're opponent could have a set and you'd have no idea - all you're doing is dumping your money. Though you do have a powerful hand, i think leading out is a better idea.
Then again, you drew 2 players to the river for an all in and took it down, so what do i know

 

[AceZWylD]

Chuck...I actually agree with you, I could have played this hand better. I should have been more aggressive pre flop just to isolate higher hands. The reason why I played it the way that I did after the flop is because the table was betting high with middle pair. Knowing that I had folded most of my hands prior to this one, a large bet at this point would have probably bet the opposition out before the pot got greased. That is why I checked and waited for them to bet out, which was their standard bet for middle pair. They showed no sign of strength, as they were betting typical for their strength of hand. I am honestly surprised that 2 players called with middle 8's on this hand, but that is my luck. I was worried about their overcards, but it turned out that neither of them even had one, and I would have won the hand with JJ alone.

 

[Coryan]

Good point ChuckT.

A player raising a hand is more information than a player simply calling a check-raise. At this level there are plenty of players who give no weight to a check-raise...or they will call because, "how dare you check-raise my bet"! I've seen it all.

However, if a player flopped a set on this hand there is a really good chance they would not raise the flop...so in that case our betting out will not give us a lot more information. If there is a raise on the flop, then we have to consider another strong hand or a flush or openended straight raise.

I think betting out or CRing here is a good play. I tend to bet my hands like this because I don't want to give away any free cards with only a pair of Jacks. That is why I said the CR was good only if you KNEW they would bet after you.