I ran into an interesting situation the other day while playing .02/.04 limit Hold-em. I was dealt Ax spades in the Big Blind. 4 people limp in and I check. Flop came down and was (similar to) k-10-4 with one spade.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the odds to draw to runner-runner flush is 19% or about 5:1. I did some quick math and determined that I had the odds to call a .02 bet on the flop, but wouldn't have the odds to call on the river if everybody checked on down the line (which was very common at this table, very loose passive). I decided to bet. If everybody called, that would put .20 in the pot and give me the odds if I hit the spade on the turn to call a .04 bet to see the river.

The Spade hit the turn, and again I bet out (trying to actively give me the odds to hit). Again, everybody called and I hit the nut flush on the river. Of course now I bet and everybody but the button folded. After it was done, he stated that he didn't figure me for the type to draw to a runner-runner flush (which is what he hit). I just told him I had the odds to draw.

Question: Did I really, or did I create the odds and is there a difference?

If somebody had raised either of my pre-river bets, I probably would have folded. I'm fairly sure that I was put on TPMK or two pair because I had been playing very TA. I'm fairly confident that people who folded were either drawing for an ace, straight or trips on something lower then the K.

I haven't done it since and I have no memory of being in a situation where my thoughts ran along those lines (creating odds to draw to a hand).

I'm glad I posted this and I'm really glad I got extremely lucky. Not sure where I got the 5:1 on the runner-runner. I've had it stuck in my mind for sometime that it was 19% to hit RR flush and 16% to hit RR str8.

On a side note, I usually don't play Ax (where x is a crappy kicker). I was in the BB in this hand and therefore didn't have to pay to see the flop, but that's where I got in trouble (or lucky I guess).

Out of the $15 on PS (thanks again) I've built to a little over $25 by grinding out the .02/.04 tables. I am planning on moving up to .05/.10 when I hit $30 (with the intention of dropping back down if I drop to $25 again). I won't move up to the next level (which I believe is .25/.50) untill I hit $100 (again with the intention of dropping if I lose 10% of that). I know these aren't the best BR movements, however since I'm fully prepared to drop a level if needed, is this acceptable.

Originally Posted by growlers

Ax suited is a playable hand in low limit multiway pots holdem, but only for flush potential or maybe if you hit trips on the flop. I am pretty wary of even two pair with it as it is hard to play aggressive if others show interest.

I would have called a raise with it in the big blind without regret, but it is like a pair of 22, you have to hit the flop in a limit game with it or get rid of it.

Ax unsuited I avoid like the plague. I never play any kicker 8 and below unsuited in full table limit unless I raise on the button to steal the blinds or it's in the big blind.

edit: Sorry phytopath, typing while you posted.

The reason I have dumped Ax from my starting hands is because at the limit I'm playing, everybody plays anything and almost everybody shows an interest in the pot until the river. Unless you're sitting on something very close to the nuts, you could be beat and you won't know till showdown.

I've been playing really tight, maybe too tight. Because of this I have have a decent WR of about 10BB/100 (that's since I've been tracking which is been the last 4 sessions, that's not including the 3 sessions before that where I won $8 of the $10 I've added to my BR.) I spend most of my time folding and if the table doesn't have a huge turn over I start doing a little bluffing after about an hour and half. Usually once I notice that I'm getting respect for my hands.

I've also been kicking around the idea of 2 tableing and seeing how I can do at that...may try that this evening.