SB v BB

[kompressaur]

I was watching an episode of Poker After Dark (latest series) Daniel Negranu 'lectures' Phil errr Lack? for raising in the SB when Daniel was in the BB. Phil had A10o to me this seemed like a standard play but as Negranu said 'it builds a bigger pot' and your playing out of position for the rest of the hand. I've been trying it lately and i seem to be having a bit of success with it i think. Hopefully it just goes call call. Sometimes i bet the pot on the flop whatever, sometimes i check the flop, they bet i call (with noting) and see what happens on the turn. If they show weakness i bet and take down the pot. It seems a less stressfull way of playing.

What you think?

[Doc]

you really want a fold here, so you need to raise enough to get that. The problem with a hand like AT is that is VERY had to play after the flop out of position against a good player. You could be called (or raised) by a bigger ace. If you hit your ten you'll probably be up against a strong draw or overcards. I didn't see the incident you mention, but Lakk probably raised too small - 2.5 or 3BB which gives a guy like Negreanu great odds to play against you with position.

[kompressaur]

Ive been trying to find it here Doc
Pokertube.com ? A Video Community for Pokerplayers dark&list=9

i can't see the hand. I will find it though. I think it was a 3bb raise. I would make it 3bb so i think im learning something here. Would you make it 5x? Suppose that makes sense. What about if the blinds are so low that you can't even be bothered picking them up? Same rules kinda apply? Suppose so as it's all relative. I will go and try and find the hand as it would be important to the thread

[kompressaur]

Interestingly enough Doc the whole week of Poker After Dark with that amature playing makes great watching if not a bit cringeworthy. The fella makes some really strange plays and it makes you wonder how he managed to beat so many people to get there but heh thats poker for you. If anyone has watched the episodes then this from the fella might be of interest
Lucky Dog Poker Blog Archive Arnold’s Antics: Players made PAD great!

Aye he's a tit.

If anyone does watch it via Pokertube then let me know the episode of when the A10 hand happened between Laak and Negranu. thanks

[Doc]

Originally Posted by kompressaur

Ive been trying to find it here Doc
Pokertube.com ? A Video Community for Pokerplayers dark&list=9

i can't see the hand. I will find it though. I think it was a 3bb raise. I would make it 3bb so i think im learning something here. Would you make it 5x? Suppose that makes sense. What about if the blinds are so low that you can't even be bothered picking them up? Same rules kinda apply? Suppose so as it's all relative. I will go and try and find the hand as it would be important to the thread

Blind stealing will always be an important part of win-rate. Remember that just because you're hand isn't great doesn't mean his is better. Plus you have position when you're normally stealing blinds.

In the SB you only have one random hand to get through, so you're more likely to take it down in that sense. However, the BB will have position on you so gets extra incentive to call - they also expect you to be stealing. A bigger raise CAN be better against good players - but it depends on their tendencies, your image, stack sizes etc.

Sometimes on the TV games they have antes as well - that can make a BIG difference. e.g. 2000/4000 blinds with 400 antes at a 9 handed table adds nearly 1 BB extra to the pot. If you raise to 12K from the SB there is now 17.6K in the pot and it costs the BB only 8K to call - he is probably correct to call with any two cards there if he is a good player and the stacks are deep.

[kompressaur]

I really get myself into bother doc with blind v blind play i must admit. As you say there is a lot to consider. I cant help but raise usually 3x and yes it does get me into bother. The floip comes xxx and i go 'errrrrr' and probably put one of us all in and you could call me with an underpair and still win my chips. later in a tournie i would use the M of the biggest stack be it mine or someone in the blinds and either go all in. I think as you said being out of position and offering a good opponent ok odds to call is the key. I am gonna concentrate more on my blind play. as you say Doc it is all situational. Previous to watchin PAD i was playing it all pretty aggressive as i do like my bad hands paying off my good hands an keeping up an aggressive image. i ffelt that i was losing a bit of something checking hands in. My aggressive style does get me into bother with folks that like to slow play things. Calling with KK on the button etc. suppose their losing (e/v?) by doing this. Heads up is even worse for me. I imagine that everyone raises pre flop with good hand. Check in a pair of jacks and let me hit a low flop and you'll double up