Did I make the right decision?

[theepw]

Hi,
I am new to this poker forum, but I have been playing poker for a few years now, and I think it is an awesome game. I'm totally addicted

Anyway, I was at a poker tournament yesterday at my local casino. I was doing quite well at one point on the table, I had a healthy amount of chips. However, there came one hand that knocked me out. I would just like to explain how I was knocked out, and whether I did make the right choices or not. I certainly believe that I could not have played the hand in any other way, but I would love some feedback as to whether I was right or wrong in how I payed. Anyway:

1) I was posting the big blind which was 200 (total chip stack being 1500-1700)
2) I had pocket 8's.
3) Everyone else folded on the table apart from one other guy (a 'friend' of mine hehe)
4) He had King-Jack suited.
5) Since I was posting big blind already at this point my logic was that with pocket 8's, if I make a small pre-flop raise I can't really afford for someone to call me, simply because if anything higher than 8 comes up on the flop I can't really risk calling as it increases chances of someone having a higher pair than me.
6) I did not want to fold with pocket 8's because I was posting big blind and thought folding would be a poor decision.
7) Therefore I went all in, 1500-1700 total (I can't remember exact amount) with my pocket 8's pre-flop
8) My mate called with K-J suited (which I thought was a wrong decision on his behalf considering someone just went all in, aka. myself)
9) On the turn card, he had fluked a flush
10) I left the table pretty disgusted with my mates play. I just thought I was very unlucky and that I had made the right decision considering the position I was in and the hand I was given.

...So, I would just like feedback on that. Given all the info above, did I make the right decision do you think? I think I did, but if I have made any mistakes in that hand I would like some feedback as I want to become a better player.

Thanks for your time guys
theepw

 

[Bombjack]

You probably made the right decision as you were short stacked. Did your friend limp in with the KJ, and any other limpers? How did your stack compare to other players'? Were you in the money? Did your friend have a short stack too? How many players at the table? You were a slight favourite on the hand anyway, but depending on how big your friend's stack was and how much he had put in already, he probably had odds to call.

 

[theepw]

You probably made the right decision as you were short stacked. Did your friend limp in with the KJ, and any other limpers? How did your stack compare to other players'? Were you in the money? Did your friend have a short stack too? How many players at the table? You were a slight favourite on the hand anyway, but depending on how big your friend's stack was and how much he had put in already, he probably had odds to call.

My friend called the big blind which was posted by me (200). I went all in 1700 which was a 1500 raise. My friend called like me pre-flop with KJ. My stack was healthy compared to other players. Out of 8 players I probably had 3rd or 4th highest chip amount. My friend had more chips than me.

I just had the idea that it was a pretty silly move on his behalf to see an all in raise that big with just KJ.

 

[Scrappy]

it looks to me like the wrong decision.

 

[theepw]

it looks to me like the wrong decision.

Could you explain to me why you thought that scrappy. I would like some feedback.

 

[Tammy]

But it was soooted!

I think you made the right decision. Unfortunate that your "friend" had two overs and hit his flush. I like your reasoning on why not to raise pre-flop, but I do have one question: Why not simply check it down pre-flop and be able to get out relatively cheaply should you not hit the flop?

 

[Tammy]

it looks to me like the wrong decision.

Would it not be better if we gave reasons with our best and worst.

I would think the same would apply here.

 

[theepw]

But it was soooted!

I think you made the right decision. Unfortunate that your "friend" had two overs and hit his flush. I like your reasoning on why not to raise pre-flop, but I do have one question: Why not simply check it down pre-flop and be able to get out relatively cheaply should you not hit the flop?

Thats true juicee, but there are so many times I have had really good cards, but have hit nothing on the flop. I did not want to be destroyed by blinds. Plus, I was playing against a friend who I knew was quite aggressive.

With my pocket 8's, and because I had posted big blind, considering only one person out of the 8 called, I felt it was a reasonable decision to make my move and go all in.

I did not want just check the flop to be honest, becuase any card that comes up higher than an 8 I would be at a loss. With a mid pocket pair I thought my only real choice in the situation was to put all my chips in, hoping to pick up blinds. If I checked pre-flop, the only thing that would really help me out would be a third 8, and thats a pretty rare.

I mean, for my scenario I think I made the right decision. If anyone thinks otherwise please tell me as I do want to become a better player. I just thought, regardless of who won the hand, in terms of poker play I think my friend played his hand fairly poorly. KJ isnt a great hand and just because its suited, its ridiculous to see a 1700 all in for a gamble that someone might hit the flush. To me, thats bad poker.

More opinions please

 

[Scrappy]

Could you explain to me why you thought that scrappy. I would like some feedback.

sorry mate I'm talking about KJ. your friend should have never called with KJ pre flop on a final table, you only do that if your short stacked and sometimes i still wouldnt even do it then, i would have to know my opponent well to do that. Its ok to go all in with KJ if your short stacked but to call an all in is different.

I think you made the right decision.

 

[Tammy]

I mean, for my scenario I think I made the right decision. If anyone thinks otherwise please tell me as I do want to become a better player. I just thought, regardless of who won the hand, in terms of poker play I think my friend played his hand fairly poorly. KJ isnt a great hand and just because its suited, its ridiculous to see a 1700 all in for a gamble that someone might hit the flush. To me, thats bad poker.

On this point I would have to totally agree with you. Poor call by your friend.

 

[RiverNoHelp]

5) Since I was posting big blind already at this point my logic was that with pocket 8's, if I make a small pre-flop raise I can't really afford for someone to call me, simply because if anything higher than 8 comes up on the flop I can't really risk calling as it increases chances of someone having a higher pair than me.
7) Therefore I went all in, 1500-1700 total (I can't remember exact amount) with my pocket 8's pre-flop

I'm not understanding your logic here.. If you won't make a small pre-flop raise to define your hand and your opponents for that matter because you can't afford to put all those chips at risk then why push all in pre-flop and put ALL of your chips at risk?

 

[Alon Ipser]

Actually I think pushing all in from the BB with a pair of 8s is a very bad move. If I didn't know what he had I would have said that pushing will only get you $200 if your buddy folds and you are probably behind or it's a coin toss if he calls (which it was). As far as your buddy's call, he probably got a read on you if he's played with you often enough.

 

[twizzybop]

Agreed here, healthy stack, 1st to act, pocket 88's. Definately the easiest call to make. You said your friend is aggresive?? Didn't seem so in this hand cause he limped remember.

I think my friend played his hand fairly poorly. KJ isnt a great hand and just because its suited, its ridiculous to see a 1700 all in for a gamble that someone might hit the flush. To me, thats bad poker.

Pushing with pocket 88's while having to act 1st isn't exactly great poker either.

 

[Bombjack]

I don't think we'd be discussing this if he'd doubled up, as he was slight favourite to do. You have to take some risks. He only has a stack 5x the blinds and there's 500 in the pot to start the hand, which will increase his stack by a third. He pretty much HAS to go all-in here. The fact he has a decent hand is a bonus. Add in fold equity and all-in is definitely a +EV play.

If he does a small raise he's pot committed and out of position. There will certainly be overcards on the flop so it's a tricky hand to play if you just check, especially as first to act. Not having raised, your opponent will put you on junk and bet anyway - then what do you do?

 

[twizzybop]

I don't think we'd be discussing this if he'd doubled up, as he was slight favourite to do. You have to take some risks. He only has a stack 5x the blinds and there's 500 in the pot to start the hand, which will increase his stack by a third. He pretty much HAS to go all-in here. The fact he has a decent hand is a bonus. Add in fold equity and all-in is definitely a +EV play.

If he does a small raise he's pot committed and out of position. There will certainly be overcards on the flop so it's a tricky hand to play if you just check, especially as first to act. Not having raised, your opponent will put you on junk and bet anyway - then what do you do?

Try almost 7x to almost 9X the BB. Easy hand to play if he does check, simple fold if nothing comes on the flop. After this he is picking a spot to go all in, still an orbit to do it with. If not he should have been picking a spot much sooner then now.

 

[Alon Ipser]

I don't think we'd be discussing this if he'd doubled up, as he was slight favourite to do. You have to take some risks. He only has a stack 5x the blinds and there's 500 in the pot to start the hand, which will increase his stack by a third. He pretty much HAS to go all-in here. The fact he has a decent hand is a bonus. Add in fold equity and all-in is definitely a +EV play.

If he does a small raise he's pot committed and out of position. There will certainly be overcards on the flop so it's a tricky hand to play if you just check, especially as first to act. Not having raised, your opponent will put you on junk and bet anyway - then what do you do?

What Twizzy said. Just getting ready to reply and see Twizzy beat me to it.

 

[shinedown.45]

I'm not understanding your logic here.. If you won't make a small pre-flop raise to define your hand and your opponents for that matter because you can't afford to put all those chips at risk then why push all in pre-flop and put ALL of your chips at risk?

I agree with River here, if your not willing to risk a re-raise(or afford) then why go all-in, it seems to me that you were fully willing to call a re-raise as you decided to go all-in with all your chips.