Your in the SB and 3 average type people(have read a book but don't play overly well) have limped in what do you do?

Your on the button a strong player raised UTG another decent player called and the aggressive but decent cutoff re-raises, what do you do?

Your in the BB and a loose player raised and was called by 3 average to decent players, what do you do?

Any thoughts guys, a little explanation is always welcome too!

__________________
For poker news, strategy, and more, check out my daily column at Examiner.com

I'll take a try at this...

1. Call. You will have poor position, but if you hit a set you will get paid off. If low cards come you can bet it out, and get called by the top pair on the board.

2. Fold. The UTG player probably has a good hand, and there is a chance that he will re-raise, so you are paying 4 bets to hit your set, because a set is what it's gonna take.

3. I thought raise at first, but then I decided to just call. You will get paid off if you hit your set.

Sit 1 is easy, raise the limpers, you have the best hand.

2 is harder, you are up against at least overcards........ need to feel like a call is in order though..... hmmm not sure yet.

Basing these answers totally on Low-limit play.

a) I raise. First, maybe we can get rid of the BB, and maybe a limper. Secondly, I know what they are callign with, weak aces or connected broadways, most likely. So, if an over hits, I can play slow and get out, but If I'm ahead, I play fast. Depending on my mood/image is at that point, I may be inclined to call, and play the flop from there since I am out of position.

b) Reraise. Again to shake the blinds if possible, but mainly to see what the UTG and CO think of their hands. If UTG caps, I fold (or MAYBE take the flop), Hes got AA, only hand you limp/cap with UTG. If CO caps, then I may be beat, but I'm playing for set value now. If they both (or one) flat call, then I'm probably up against a smaller PP or a good ace. Again. play on the flop is key to this hand.

c) How loose? Maniac? Then those 3 callers just limped in, so I reraise so the nutcase will isolate and I'll be HU with a maniac with a painted pair. If hes jsut LAgish, well then call, OOP and limpers and he may have a hand. Of course, this is a sliding scale thing based on how LAgish he is, and the other three players propensity to call him since they saw him as loose.

Mainly though, JJ is hand that is defined by the flop more than most other hands out there. Even if you miss, you may still be ahead, but its very uncertain. AA or AK or 23 or 67 are usually clearly define by the flop. This is a touchyt situation and I have found short of raising only creates odds to call PF< then aggression with JJ PF is usually rewarded.

__________________

If you are basing this on low limit tables why do you think people who called 2 bets cold will now fold to an additional 2 bets leaving you heads up with the maniac?

you would make it 4 bets and then possibly fold to the cap (i assume you play a game where it is 5 bets)?

__________________
For poker news, strategy, and more, check out my daily column at Examiner.com

I would toss in a 3-bet in #3. you still have possibly the best hand.

1 raise
2 call because chances are the Js aren't good and I want to pull SB and/or BB into the hand for set.
3 raise. Sure they won't fold but I'll get money in with likely the best hand. Flop and turn will/might be tough but that's the way it goes.

Cheers,

Mike

Yeah, duh. Calling 2 cold to a maniac is the same as limping. OF course some may call, but most likely, if they have recognized the maniac, and the majority of players do, then they understand a reraise after some limpers indicates the desire to play heads up, and usually the comply, except fro when they hava hand themselves, and then they wouldn't have 'limped' since they know raising still gets it capped.



Possibly, but not likely. The games I mainly play, players hands are defined by the 3rd and 4th bets. A raise or call for 2 bets really doesnt say much aside from the fact that they may have a 3 gap connector with one paint. I'm raising now for info.

ANd I usually play 4 bet tables, but live i play 5, and the only way it goes 5 PF at my game is AA vs AA. i mean the ONLY way.

__________________

You can't possibly fold to a 5bet if you 4bet. Pot size dude.

#1 - i agree with Beavis, you have the best hand. However I don't like my position and my opponents could have anything (a raise does nothing to define their hands), so the only flop I'll like is one with a Jack. An overcard flop sucks since you'll either have to bet and hope noone has it or check fold. a 3 card flop lower than a jack isn't the greatest thing either since it is very possible 1 or more of your opponents could have limped with little cards.

I'm probably calling here, letting the BB in the pot and looking for a set or a ragged flop. i think your horrible position and the fact you will hardly be able to bet out confidently is the deciding factor.

But I also don't neccasarilly disagree with raising either.

#2 this is a tough call. If you're gonna play you have to raise in my opinion (find out where you're at and see if someone with a big hand might try to slowplay the flop thinking you will definetly bet giving you that extra card for your set). I would lean toward folding most of the time myself though.


#3 this is similar to #1, you most likely have the best hand but your position sucks. the competition other than the original raiser is not horrible here so you can expect decent hands.

I think you're in the same boat as situation 1 here, i just call and don't give the aggressive player a chance to make it 4 bets on me.

But again I wouldn't totally disagree with raising.

__________________
For poker news, strategy, and more, check out my daily column at Examiner.com