Just interested to cast some discussion on this...
Just entered a big entrance fee mtt, the largest i've played, so was preparing to play quite tight. It was a no-limit freezeout. Wasn't getting many hands so in level 2 decided to open a pot in middle position, perhaps slightly loosely, with A8 of spades with a raise of 4 times the big blind. Small blind and big blind both call.

The flop was JavaScript 8h 4s

Now, as far as i was concerned this was fantastic. With a pair and the nut flush draw i was favourite against most hands. Normally i would be prepared to put all my money in on this flop if opportunity presented itself, but i was playing slightly cautiously as aforementioned. I had decided that i needed to try playing tighter than usual..

So, the small blind led out with a bet of half the pot. The blind blind called. I figured one of these had a jack, and didnt want to risk my whole tournament. So i flat called. The turn was the kh.

On the turn the small blind and the big blind checked to me. I decided this was a good time for a semi-bluff so bet 3/4 of the pot. The small blind min raises me and the big blind folds.

Again, as far as i am concerned i need to hit a card and it seems that the small blind will not be pushed of his hand by a reraise, so i flat call.

The river is a relatively innocuous 7c- the only feasible hand this could help is 109. At this stage me and the small blind both have around 500 chips left. SB bet 200. This is a very small bet into a very large pot. Although i figure i am beat i call- partly due to the odds, incase he was by any chance on a busted draw, and partly because i want to see what hand beat me (i know..i need to get out of that habit!)

Well.....SB turns over 56, and i almost fall out of my chair.. My pet peeve is a gutshot losing me basically all my chips..

My question is should i have raised the flop? the turn? My reasoning seemed sound at the time, but i wouldve succeeded in then winning the pot. However, on second thoughts when the majority of times the gut shot doesnt hit i will win a bigger pot..as he may well make a similar bet on the river which i, with similar reasoning will call..

Sorry this is such a long post..i am just steaming a bit from the lack of success at my first major tournament! Incidentally i continued to watch for a while and as i post this the SB is winning the tourney...



Thanks for any help!

I've answered in the General version of this post.

No need to post it twice matey

he he still upset wanted a response! good advice there, thanks for your help.