Heads up with Captain Passive

[Dorkus Malorkus]

5 player SnG on poker.com, which doesn't seem to like giving me hand histories, so this is from memory.

Heads up, he has ~3k to my ~2k, 25/50 blinds (lol slow structure~). Villain is incredibly weak-passive and has barely bet/raised all game.

I am dealt Jc8s on the button. I raise to 150, Villain calls.

Flop 2h9hTh. Villain bets 50 (???), I call.
Turn (2h9hTh)7d. Villain bets 150, I call.
River (2h9hTh7d)3s. Villain bets 250, I call.

It really, really looks to me like I should be finding a raise somewhere with the nut straight, but Villain actually waking up and betting the 3-flush board scared me off, as it was so unusual for him to take the lead (and the few times he had bet before it was something silly like 20 into a 120 pot).

The standard line here would be to raise the turn even if he has been incredibly passive and pray he doesn't have hearts, right? Or is just calling down here fine? Results to come.

 

[nateofdeath]

tough call. to me those bets seems like he's trying to give you the rope to hang yourself with. i have seen tight opponents suddenly 'wake up' and start trying to steal pots, yet not be willing to make significant bets to do so. who knows? it might have been right to raise, assuming you were willing to fold if reraised. it's hard not to put him on something, and you're already behind him in chips, so i wouldn't raise i don't think. i'd call and live to steal his blinds another day. i'd still guess flush, though probably a low one, though maybe even a set or two pair or even a straight. i just don't like to challenge tight players when out of nowhere they start showing agression unless i have the nuts. as i said, if he's that tight you should be able to school him later on. i probably wouldn't risk a raise, though that's just me, and i'm no shark.

-n

 

[tenbob]

hmm very difficult to know with a player like this, more than likely he has woken up with a hand. As soon as he bets in on the turn id say either push or fold, fold being the one that would be banging my brain.

 

[t1riel]

I'm surprised you raised on J, 8.

 

[Dorkus Malorkus]

Heads up I'll raise with many worse hands than J8 on the button. Taking advantage of position is crucial.

 

[chicubs1616]

I'm surprised you raised on J, 8.

You HAVE to be willing to raise with these hands heads up if you plan on having any long term success.

I think I raise the flop here to find out where you are at. He bet 50 into a 300 pot...I raise to 250 total. If he cold calls you I fold the turn unimproved or call down if you hit your straight. If he pushes over your raise on the flop...lay it down.

What do you put his range on? I might guess J-10 to A-10 with the kicker card a heart (J,Q,K,A) or even a set or two pair (9-10).

Raise the flop here...if he has been playing passively I think he'll push with a made flush and just call if he has two pair or a set.

Since you didn't raise the flop, calling down here is necessary since you really haven't seen major betting by your opponent.