ObbleeXY
Legend
Bronze Level
Hand review request
Seeking opinion/review.
Situation: MTT 1200 players left of 3000.
Blinds 100/200
Hero: High Jack w 66BB holding QQ
Villain 1: Cut Off 50BB
Villain 2: Button 112 BB
Action as follows:
Pre-flop:
Folds around to hero who bets 2.5BB
V1: Shoves.
V2: Shoves (not call).
Hero: has to make a decision. Call or fold.
Info on Opponents:
V1 VPIP 64 PFR 14. (22 hands) (I had labelled him LAG)
V2 VPIP 28 PFR 14. (ditto). (I had labelled as TAG)
Gut feeling at the time:
V1 AXo
V2 AKs
Actual
V1: AJo
V2: AKs
So, faced with the task of making a decision whether to call these two huge bets with pocket queens.
Doesn't really matter on the order of flop, turn, river since we are all face up at this point.
TLDR;
I was leading all the way to the river at which point a third spade falls and V2 takes down the pot with Flush to the Ace.
So far, my assessment is:
V1 was a bit wide shoving with AJo and a healthy stack.
V2 did the right thing, not only calling, but trying to isolate the other player and push me out of the pot.
HERO: called with QQ.
I've talked it over with poker buddy (afterwards) and while he didn't call me a fool, he did say that multiway, a flip was the best I could hope for, and I should expect the villains to be holding some number of Aces and Kings which might end my tournament (well one of them would have ended it then and there). He also pointed out that my stack size was large enough that I could muck and await a better opportunity.
My gut told me that I could expect both of them to be holding an Ace with one of them AK, possibly suited. But my gut isn't so good at maths. And guesses aren't facts.
So I figured I'd be favourite, but still a flip.
Given this amount of info, was I a fool?
Why or why not?
Cheers,
ObbleeXY
Seeking opinion/review.
Situation: MTT 1200 players left of 3000.
Blinds 100/200
Hero: High Jack w 66BB holding QQ
Villain 1: Cut Off 50BB
Villain 2: Button 112 BB
Action as follows:
Pre-flop:
Folds around to hero who bets 2.5BB
V1: Shoves.
V2: Shoves (not call).
Hero: has to make a decision. Call or fold.
Info on Opponents:
V1 VPIP 64 PFR 14. (22 hands) (I had labelled him LAG)
V2 VPIP 28 PFR 14. (ditto). (I had labelled as TAG)
Gut feeling at the time:
V1 AXo
V2 AKs
Actual
V1: AJo
V2: AKs
So, faced with the task of making a decision whether to call these two huge bets with pocket queens.
Doesn't really matter on the order of flop, turn, river since we are all face up at this point.
TLDR;
I was leading all the way to the river at which point a third spade falls and V2 takes down the pot with Flush to the Ace.
So far, my assessment is:
V1 was a bit wide shoving with AJo and a healthy stack.
V2 did the right thing, not only calling, but trying to isolate the other player and push me out of the pot.
HERO: called with QQ.
I've talked it over with poker buddy (afterwards) and while he didn't call me a fool, he did say that multiway, a flip was the best I could hope for, and I should expect the villains to be holding some number of Aces and Kings which might end my tournament (well one of them would have ended it then and there). He also pointed out that my stack size was large enough that I could muck and await a better opportunity.
My gut told me that I could expect both of them to be holding an Ace with one of them AK, possibly suited. But my gut isn't so good at maths. And guesses aren't facts.
So I figured I'd be favourite, but still a flip.
Given this amount of info, was I a fool?
Why or why not?
Cheers,
ObbleeXY
7CardKillR
Rock Star
Silver Level
Evan,
In your opinion what is a sustainable solution for the psychic damage done by the perception (or the knowledge) of a guaranteed sustained future loss? Specifically in multi table tourney poker.
Thanks in Advance
In your opinion what is a sustainable solution for the psychic damage done by the perception (or the knowledge) of a guaranteed sustained future loss? Specifically in multi table tourney poker.
Thanks in Advance
Evan Jarvis
Legend
Platinum Level
Hey Capujoss,
This is a great question and it depends on a few factors.
The biggest factor is the 'stack to pot' ratio
How many chips are in the middle already, how many are left in the stacks behind?
If there is less than 3x remaining (so for example $2 in the pot and <$6 in the stacks) then often slowplaying is going to be the better option. When the ratio is more like 7-10x though it's important to play faster to start building the pot.
The next consideration is your opponents range of hands. If it's a 3-bet pot (or even a 4-bet pot) and your opponents hand is very likely to be strong, then get the money in before any scary/draw completing cards come that may slow down the action.
If their range is not all premium hands then look at the third consideration.
Which is, how aggressive is your opponent?
If it's someone who is very aggressive and loves to bluff, then by all means slowplay your hand and give them the opportunity to put in the chips for you. This play is called the "rope-a-dope"
But if your opponent is a calling station who won't bet at all but will happily call, then it's your job to build the pot and "drive the bus" so to speak.
So, key factors
1) Board Texture (As you mentioned)
2) Stack to pot Ratio
3) Hand Ranges
4) Opponents Tendencies
Put those together and you will be able to determine when it's a good spot to play fast and when it's a good spot to play slow. Remember, every situation in poker is unique (and the more information you have to work with, the better your decisions will be)! :call2:
Evan Jarvis
Legend
Platinum Level
If you are expecting to lose, then I guess you are playing for the fun and excitement?
As long as you know why you are playing and you are honest with yourself about it, then that's fine.
The stress comes to out mind when we are being dishonest with ourselves or trying to believe things that on a deeper level we know cannot possibly be true.
That being said... if you work on your game, game select well, and stay on top of your mental game, then there's no reason why you can't expect to have a positive expectation playing tournaments (it may not be huge but it can certainly be possible).
If you're referring to the fact that 90% of the time you are expecting to lose in tournaments, then yea, as long as you are honest with yourself about it, it's fine and shouldn't really cause you much stress.
It's when you expect to win 25-50-100% of the time and then lose 90% instead that the real issue comes in. But by setting a fair expectation before you play (and meditating on both the best case, the worst case, and the average expected outcome) then your mind & body will never go into shock because they are already prepared for all possible outcomes.
Hope that helps, and hope that my response was somewhat in alignment with the question you were asking.
Have fun on the tables! Nothing wrong with playing for pleasure!!! :icon_king
Evan Jarvis
Legend
Platinum Level
Fine call my friend.
As you said they could both have AK (or worse as we saw)
and they can also have JJ, TT, 99 in this spot.
If it's you w/ QQ vs AK and JJ that's great... yes you're flipping % wise, but you're going to Triple up... 50/50 odds for a 2:1 payoff sounds pretty good to me.
In this spot you were a 55% favorite, not to double up, but to TRIPLE UP
That's a great spot to be in my friend.
Well played, unlucky if it didn't hold up.
Also to note, it's still quite early in the tournament and it's a good time to be accumulating chips. The times to be more cautious about this is around the final table which is a long way away.
So once again, kudos to you for going for it and making a great call.
Hopefully next the board will run out with all low cards
7CardKillR
Rock Star
Silver Level
Evan, What Im talking about specifically is productively dealing with the specter of the statistical certainty that a devastating downswing crushes you out of a shit ton of your hard fought poker profits.
Last edited:
A
AndersOh
Rising Star
Bronze Level
Online poker question
Hey Evan
This is great, an opportunity to ask a professional player. So here goes, as a newbie to poker I’ve been reading up on strategy etc. but I’m finding when I enter online freeroll tourneys so many players consistently go all-in, and quite often with rubbish hands. How do you play against such tactics especially when you only have limited chips to loose. I try to put everything I’m learning into practice but I find it impossible when up against this kind of play. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
P.S what does ICM stand for? (I did say newbie!! It’s only been a couple of months lol!)
Hey Evan
This is great, an opportunity to ask a professional player. So here goes, as a newbie to poker I’ve been reading up on strategy etc. but I’m finding when I enter online freeroll tourneys so many players consistently go all-in, and quite often with rubbish hands. How do you play against such tactics especially when you only have limited chips to loose. I try to put everything I’m learning into practice but I find it impossible when up against this kind of play. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
P.S what does ICM stand for? (I did say newbie!! It’s only been a couple of months lol!)
Evan Jarvis
Legend
Platinum Level
Ah, the most challenging thing in poker indeed is dealing with the swings.
I heard a nice tip from Elliot Roe on that topic and it's to zoom out and put things in perspective. If you have a large sample of hands and have been a steady winner then zooming out to your weekly or monthly or yearly hand sample will often help you see how well you are doing in the long run.
Shifting perspective and zooming out is extremely powerful!
I've also got many more tips on downswings since it's such a common question
Hope these videos will help you and know that it happens to all of us. The smaller the sample of hands is the more significant the 'downswing' will feel and that's why putting in volume is key.
Also make an effort to play when you are feeling your bets and being willing to quit a session when you feel your attention or energy starting to dip. Your future self will thank you!
Hope that helps, good luck on the tables my friend!
Evan Jarvis
Legend
Platinum Level
Hey Anders, thank you for the question!
Part of playing freerolls is accepting that there is going to be big variance in them, and that because of this there is a good chance you may bust out early (and there is also a chance you will build a big stack early!)
You have a couple of options
1) Play very tight and get it in as a big favorite, calling all ins with 99+ and AK+
2) Play a little looser and get it in as a slight favorite, calling all ins with 77+ KQ+ AJ+ ATs+
If you can double up once or twice then you have chips to withstand the craziness.
Usually within the first 30 minutes or so those crazy players will bust out and the game will become more like real poker.
Also remember that you have a lot to gain by playing in a way to go for a high finish rather than going for the minimum cash of a few cents. (This is why people gamble early)
If you want to play games where people take things a bit more seriously and you get steadier play we can say then just make a small deposit and play $1 mtts (or even $0.10) as soon as people are playing for money that's not zero they take things a lot more seriously and you'll get a better practice experience as a result of it!
I.C.M stands for independent chip model and it's something we use to help us estimate the value of our chip stack in a tournament (when nearing the bubble or on the final table). It helps in making decisions of when to gamble with a big portion of our stack vs when to play it safe.
Hope these tips help you and that you see an improvement in your tournaments as a result
N
NeoBandit
Rock Star
Silver Level
I have to now admit I have a mental game problem
I have a problem with my mental game. I wouldn't say I go on tilt. I see bad players playing badly against good players and win and it just drives me nuts, makes me angry instead of just waiting to take advantage of this I just give up and go all in and when I know I am beat hoping to be a luck box. I don't know why I keep doing this. I know I am beat but still do it. Once in a great while I can control it and when I do I have placed 1st in the tourney but I can't always control this. i have the talent to be a winning player I can see that but this mental game issue is beating me. It isn't just in poker that I have this problem I have it in life in general. When things get tough I give up and quit. I go all in when I know I am beat to stop the "feelings" that are not good for me or that I don't want to feel. when it gets tough I give up. I don't know why but I do. what advice can you give me to help overcome this. I know I can't be the only one dealing with this. Thanks for your help.
I have a problem with my mental game. I wouldn't say I go on tilt. I see bad players playing badly against good players and win and it just drives me nuts, makes me angry instead of just waiting to take advantage of this I just give up and go all in and when I know I am beat hoping to be a luck box. I don't know why I keep doing this. I know I am beat but still do it. Once in a great while I can control it and when I do I have placed 1st in the tourney but I can't always control this. i have the talent to be a winning player I can see that but this mental game issue is beating me. It isn't just in poker that I have this problem I have it in life in general. When things get tough I give up and quit. I go all in when I know I am beat to stop the "feelings" that are not good for me or that I don't want to feel. when it gets tough I give up. I don't know why but I do. what advice can you give me to help overcome this. I know I can't be the only one dealing with this. Thanks for your help.
B
bixbixbix
Rising Star
Bronze Level
I use HM3 but I am a little overwhelmed by all the features of the software.
Anyone can recommend a (or several) either YouTube videos/Course, free or paid, that teaches exclusively:
- How to use all the features
- How to analyze hands and databases to get find leaks on my game and improve
Thanks in advance
Anyone can recommend a (or several) either YouTube videos/Course, free or paid, that teaches exclusively:
- How to use all the features
- How to analyze hands and databases to get find leaks on my game and improve
Thanks in advance
akmost
Rising Star
Loyaler
Hi Evan,
Hope this post finds you well!!!
A question about MTTs. What questions should I ask myself whenever I want to put my opponent is a specific range , I mean narrow down the range in a # of combos. I know that this question doesn't have a simple answer but I would like a head start by you , you have helped me several times in the past by answering here or by watching your videos on YT.
I mean we should always consider the down below:
I am a bit lost , I would like to become better at this particular task but please tell me some tips. In order to simplify my question let's say that we play against someone who feels about the game and not against a random clicker
What is your though process if you don't mind me asking.
Thank you!!!
Hope this post finds you well!!!
A question about MTTs. What questions should I ask myself whenever I want to put my opponent is a specific range , I mean narrow down the range in a # of combos. I know that this question doesn't have a simple answer but I would like a head start by you , you have helped me several times in the past by answering here or by watching your videos on YT.
I mean we should always consider the down below:
- Type of player (Regular , Station , Tight / Generally his stats)
- RFI position
- His stack (Massive stack = OR wider etc)
- Phase of the tournament - especially the bubble phases - ICM considerations etc.
I am a bit lost , I would like to become better at this particular task but please tell me some tips. In order to simplify my question let's say that we play against someone who feels about the game and not against a random clicker
What is your though process if you don't mind me asking.
Thank you!!!
C
CSLysander
Rock Star
Silver Level
Evan, I was watching one of your videos for Jonathan Little and you talked about the power of A7. I was wondering what you thought of playing suited A-2 through 5? I like them because of the wheelhouse, flush and big pair, though you have a weak kicker. Maybe it is because I have had some amazing luck with A3, but I think these are under appreciated.
Evan Jarvis
Legend
Platinum Level
Great question Neo, thank you for sharing and giving me the opportunity to offer some assistance. Hopefully lots of people will have similar challenges and get to benefit.
In terms of identifying the issue, it could be entitlement, or more likely just a frustration of having to start all over again, rebuild a stack or whatever after losing to bad luck, something outside your control.
Whenever we focus on things that are outside our control it can make things feel impossible, or in many cases just pointless and not worth doing. (this is something poker tests consistently because of the variance involved and its a great training ground for being able to push thru disappointment).
The fixes for this will also be in mental game resets, changing your focus and perspective.
1) Focus on the long run, the big picture, accept that you won't win every game, you will rarely just go win win win to the end, it will be swingy along the path to winning.
2) Acknowledge that when you give into frustration and emotion you are damaging your long run chances for success. Yes, i can often seem pointless because bad luck can come at anytime (but so can good luck). Yet, when you make bad plays you are for sure negatively affecting your chances of winning, and this is something you have control over.
3) Focus on what you can control and accept what you can't. Tell yourself that yes, playing well is not a guarantee for success, but it will improve your chances of getting what you want, even if it takes many tries.
4) Accept the luck factor, that it exists, and decide to play your best regardless of how you are running on any given day or in any given event.
By telling yourself (even talk to yourself out loud) what you need to hear, you can reframe your mind, and focus on what's important, which is making great decisions and letting the results be what they may. By taking this approach things should work out for you just fine in the long run, and it will build your character and resilience which will pay off many times over in your life (this I can promise you 100%!!!)
It's natural to give up when the going is tough, humans don't like pain and they prefer to get it over with, so they can go focus on something else that gives them easy pleasure. But what gives the greatest pleasure is pushing thru this, and transforming yourself into someone who rises to the occasion and is eager to take on any challenge!
Hope that helps, and here are a few more videos you may find helpful
Thanks again for the question, this is my favorite kind of stuff to answer!
And if you want even more help on this topic I highly recommend "The Mental Game of Poker" by Jared Tendler!
Evan Jarvis
Legend
Platinum Level
I don't know how to use everything, but I can say you can get great value even from little things.
In terms of setting up the HUD I have a video for that:
In terms of database analysis, I would look into James 'Splitsuit' Sweeney's work.
He's really good with that stuff and I think he probably has some courses on how to do that effectively over at Red Chip Poker.
Sorry I can't be more helpful on this topic as database analysis was never my strong suit. But between James and perhaps Alex Fitzgerald you should be able to find what you need.
Cheers!
Evan Jarvis
Legend
Platinum Level
Playing the bubble all depends on your stack size, the stack size of everyone at the table, average stack, and payout structure (satellite vs regular payout for example).
Because there are so many variable it's hard to give a specific answer, but yes, you are on the right track, generally the players who are willing to play more aggressively on the bubble (unless they are super short stacks) will probably win more money in the long run
It's without a doubt the best time in tournaments to go out there and get stackin
Evan Jarvis
Legend
Platinum Level
I think those suited wheel aces are great.
They can make straights where A7 can't. And those straights will often get paid off by overpairs, so it's very nice implied odds they have.
Also since opponents are rarely calling raises with hands like a6, a7, a8, a9 even the difference between A5s and A9s in terms of kicker isn't much.
Those suited wheel aces are great hands and are some of the best candidates for using as semi bluffs in 3bet pots.
I'm with you!!
Evan Jarvis
Legend
Platinum Level
Hi Evan,
Hope this post finds you well!!!
A question about MTTs. What questions should I ask myself whenever I want to put my opponent is a specific range , I mean narrow down the range in a # of combos. I know that this question doesn't have a simple answer but I would like a head start by you , you have helped me several times in the past by answering here or by watching your videos on YT.
I mean we should always consider the down below:
But when it comes to flop/turn/river what questions should I ask myself in order to take a good decision? ''What I beat?'' , ''What I block?'' , ''What he represents?'' , ''What he could have based on his actions?"
- Type of player (Regular , Station , Tight / Generally his stats)
- RFI position
- His stack (Massive stack = OR wider etc)
- Phase of the tournament - especially the bubble phases - ICM considerations etc.
I am a bit lost , I would like to become better at this particular task but please tell me some tips. In order to simplify my question let's say that we play against someone who feels about the game and not against a random clicker
What is your though process if you don't mind me asking.
Thank you!!!
Hey mate,
I think you already answered your own question
This is a great list of questions you have put together
''What I beat?''
''What I block?''
''What he represents?''
''What he could have based on his actions?"
I like to ask the following
1) how many players saw the flop --> and based on this
2) how likely am I to have the best hand
3) if I have the best hand, how many streets of value can I get from my opponent
4) what are the best streets to bet (usually on draw heavy boards bet early, and on dry boards betting later is fine)
5) does my hand need protection, is it vulnerable (aka, how many outs can my opponent have to beat me, and is it easy to know which cards hit my opponent or miss him)
6) if I don't have the best hand, how much equity do I probably have?
7) am I getting the right price to continue
8) do i have high implied odds or reverse implied odds
9) do I want to play a big pot or a small pot
10) if I have not best hand... what % of my opponents range can I get him to fold if I play aggressively (now or later)
11) are there many or few cards I could use to bluff my opponent out later
12) how many streets can i bet or call and still have the best hand
That's kind of the list off the top of my head.
I will try to make a more organized and simple list when I finish my book later this year,
but these are the sorts of questions I am asking all at once.
The main one is do i have the best hand right now or not, and how big of a pot do I want to play
this playlist should help http://gripsed.com/win (especially the 3 videos on 'planning your poker hand')
Hope that helps and that you find great success on the tables and in life in 2021!
B
BoonDockPoker
Enthusiast
Silver Level
Evan, my question is really no about Strategy, but more Mental Game.
Late in tournaments (Mainly 2-3 hands before break and deep in general) my Focus goes out the window. I mean I have been in 5th place of currently 48 with 1200 that started and I just blow up..
Make bad calls
Make bad raises
Horrible bluffs
For some reason recently came into my game. What do you do to stop this massive leak? Its cost me 1000's just last week. That description was for Bovada $221,000 Gtd. I cashed for about $275 and 1st was about $41,000 and $10,000 plus min for making final table.
Late in tournaments (Mainly 2-3 hands before break and deep in general) my Focus goes out the window. I mean I have been in 5th place of currently 48 with 1200 that started and I just blow up..
Make bad calls
Make bad raises
Horrible bluffs
For some reason recently came into my game. What do you do to stop this massive leak? Its cost me 1000's just last week. That description was for Bovada $221,000 Gtd. I cashed for about $275 and 1st was about $41,000 and $10,000 plus min for making final table.
Regie19
Rock Star
Silver Level
Thank you for the answer..I was thinking that my bubble is the perfect time to put pressure on your opponents. Of course the size of the bet and also the type of players related to it. it's a good time to collect chipsPlaying the bubble all depends on your stack size, the stack size of everyone at the table, average stack, and payout structure (satellite vs regular payout for example).
Because there are so many variable it's hard to give a specific answer, but yes, you are on the right track, generally the players who are willing to play more aggressively on the bubble (unless they are super short stacks) will probably win more money in the long run
It's without a doubt the best time in tournaments to go out there and get stackin
B
bixbixbix
Rising Star
Bronze Level
Happy New Year
Thanks for the reply and recommendations, I will check that out.
As I am a "data guy" myself (almost professionally, this is an aspect that interests me highly. Very frustrating to have a big database but not knowing what to do with it or how to draw conclusions/pattern from the data!
Thanks for the reply and recommendations, I will check that out.
As I am a "data guy" myself (almost professionally
, this is an aspect that interests me highly. Very frustrating to have a big database but not knowing what to do with it or how to draw conclusions/pattern from the data!