Top pair in a sticky situation

[Emperor IX]

Now, one piece of advice I give out to novices when they play, is "don't over-value top pair". This is one of those situations us more advanced players run into.

The villain in this situation was not exactly a sophisticated player. A big time calling station and pushes all in for bullying when given the opportunity. Usually playing mediocre cards. I base a lot of my play on reads and I thought I had this guy pretty well covered, and for the most part I did, but I made one crucial mistake. However, I believe that even though it busted me from the tourney, I think I made the right play (Theoretically speaking)

BTW: This is about the 10th hand in the tourney, I've played with villain before

Hero (me, of course) gets AKo and is UTG (Blinds at 5/10) raises to 50, one folds, then dealer (villain) calls, blinds both fold. *I put villain on just about anything at this point*

Flop: 7h Kc 5d *I believe the villain missed*

Hero bets out 100
Villain Calls

Turn: Qc *after the bet i Think maybe he did catch a 7, but I knew my K was good*

Hero bets 400
Villain calls

River: 9c *Thought of two pair, so I checked*

Hero checks
Villain pushes Hero all in for 2,000 *This is an overbet for him, if he had the two pair like I thought he'd've min-bet, because that's what he usually does*
Hero calls

villain has Jc 3c and busts me with his backdoor flush.

So, was this a bad play or just bad luck against a donk?

 

[skoldpadda]

I think you should lead the river for about 600-700. If he comes over the top all-in then you can fold and still have tons of chips left (1300 at 5/10 means M > 800). Checking the river is the problem. If you're ahead, you need to value bet, and if you're beat, his over the top raise will tell you.

 

[calibanboy]

I recognise that my commentary might be scewed by the results, However One thing that I look at is the betting pattern.

5x BB - Called
near Pot bet ( good ) - called
Over Pot bet ( very good considering your read ) - Called
Check - raise all-in - call.

The trouble is because you see him as a rubbish player and as a result you have got attached to TPTK. You asked questions and got answers. I agree that answers were misleading once you see the result - but you did choose to ignore them.


When you take a step back, The betting pattern tells me he has a better hand than TPTK. ( no matter how he got it ).

Very hard to put down when you have a read - but one thing to remember is that even rubbish players can get good hands.