PokerStars 0.25/0.50 Hold'em (7 handed) converter

Preflop: Hero is Button with , . MP1 posts a blind of $0.25.
UTG calls, MP1 (poster) checks, MP2 calls, CO calls, Hero calls, SB completes, BB checks.

Normally I would raise with this hand in this position PF, but with but with that many limpers I knew I wouldn't push any body out so I figured I could play the hand cheap.

Flop: (7 SB) , , (7 players)
SB checks, BB checks, UTG bets, MP1 folds, MP2 raises, CO folds, Hero 3-bets, SB folds, BB folds, UTG calls, MP2 calls.

I like this flop. TP, possibly TK (thinking anybody with AK or AQ would have raised PF. A7 bothers me a little as does 77, but I'm not going to play scared. I think my TP is good. I raised for information figureing that anybody with the 77 in the pocket (for the trips) would cap it.

Turn: (8 BB) (3 players)
UTG bets, MP2 calls, Hero raises, UTG calls, MP2 calls.

This card puts the flush draw on the board, but other then that, it's a blank. the bet out by UTG bothers me slightly, but now I'm thinking he may have Axs (suit being diamonds). MP2 calling is making me wonder what he has...possibly Kx or maybe a QJ hoping for the T?

River: (14 BB) (3 players)
UTG checks, MP2 checks, Hero bets, UTG calls, MP2 calls.

Both players hesitated before calling which leads me to think they may have Ax or second pair and they are not sure they are good...I have 2 pair and I like it.

Final Pot: 17 BB

Results in white below:
UTG has As 8c (one pair, aces).
MP2 has 7s 7d (three of a kind, sevens).
Hero has Jh Ad (two pair, aces and jacks).
Outcome: MP2 wins 17 BB.

We're not results oriented...should I have played this differently?

The only one I'm not sure about is the raise on the turn... I've posted before about how when they call the raise on the flop and then bet out again on the turn they usually have a big hand... but raising it is still an OK play since he should announce a big hand right there by getting the extra big bets in.

Honestly, looking at the results, that has got to be the worst godawful play I have ever seen by your opponent. I mean, are you supposed to smell set just by someone calling? (lol, and two of them no less). Why he isn't capping the turn and river is beyond me.

Originally Posted by Trons

Normally I would raise with this hand in this position PF, but with but with that many limpers I knew I wouldn't push any body out so I figured I could play the hand cheap.

Although neither the SB or BB factored into this hand, you should raise with this hand from the button hoping to elimate at least one or both of them anyway. More promising would be if either SB or BB raised to 3x and it got one or both of the limpers to fold a potentially winning hand or for UTG to re-raise and get MP to fold his 7-7 which he might do if he realizes he's in a sandwich between two raisers! You don't know until you try and playing a hand cheap has cost me a lot of money learning that it doesn't pay! You're either letting in hands to suck you out or not building the pot when you win!

About the only time I smooth-call big overcards (A-Jo is actually marginal but you had limpers) is from the blinds where (in Limit) you're very unlikley to get anyone to fold after they limped in and you're giving up too much info from a disadvantaged position. It also helps to mix up my play to keep my hands less predicable. But from the button, I generally will raise if I'm thinking of calling at all!

Edit - judging by the way teh MP palyed the set, it's unlikely he would have realized he was in a sandwich - too dump or passive or both!

I raise AJo in any position in any unraised pot - UTG, MP, button, blinds whether there are limpers or not.

edit: Oh, and other than that you played it perfect

Originally Posted by Beavis68

is pushing people out of a pot the only way to gain value from a raise?

What worth is value if you allow a mediocre hand into the pot to suck out your hand and fail to bring home the bacon?

I think he meant that comment for me because I made the comment that I didn't raise because I knew that I wouldn't push anybody out of the pot.

I feel there are 2 reasons for raising, Value (build the pot) and To limit the number of people in the hand (to prevent suck-outs). I'll value bet any powerhouse hand (I don't think AJo falls into that catagory). I'll raise lesser hands to knock people out.

This situation because of the number of limpers, I felt that if they (sb or bb) had a hand to call, they would call a raise because they would figure the other people would call, giving them the odds. I wanted to see the flop cheap. That way if I didn't like the flop I could get away from the hand cheaply.

Originally Posted by Trons

I think he meant that comment for me because I made the comment that I didn't raise because I knew that I wouldn't push anybody out of the pot.

I feel there are 2 reasons for raising, Value (build the pot) and To limit the number of people in the hand (to prevent suck-outs). I'll value bet any powerhouse hand (I don't think AJo falls into that catagory). I'll raise lesser hands to knock people out.

This situation because of the number of limpers, I felt that if they (sb or bb) had a hand to call, they would call a raise because they would figure the other people would call, giving them the odds. I wanted to see the flop cheap. That way if I didn't like the flop I could get away from the hand cheaply.

Raising to take control of the hand is just as important as the reasons you mention. Especially in position.