Do you ever fold a hand you would normally play?

Nesehorn156 · Sep 2, 2026

I had 18BB in a tournament yesterday and picked up K9s in the cutoff. Normally I’m pretty happy to play that hand there, but there was a very aggressive player on the button and a big stack in the blinds.

I ended up folding because I didn't really want to get dragged into a messy spot.

Would you still open K9s there, or is folding it sometimes just the easier option?

Das991992 · Sep 2, 2026

I’d probably still open K9s from the cutoff, but with 18BB I’d keep the sizing small and be ready to fold to serious resistance. The aggressive button is a reason to adjust, not necessarily give up a profitable spot.

Like2Play2 · Sep 2, 2026

I did the very same with aggressive players yesterday. I folded my K9 and I would have won the big pot.
I noticed that I fold a lot to lesser hands that raise the blinds. I guess I am too passive a player.

bowserdon · Sep 2, 2026

Close to the bubble I fold a lot of hands I would normaly play

SergioV · Sep 2, 2026

Nesehorn156 said:
I had 18BB in a tournament yesterday and picked up K9s in the cutoff. Normally I’m pretty happy to play that hand there, but there was a very aggressive player on the button and a big stack in the blinds.

I ended up folding because I didn't really want to get dragged into a messy spot.

Would you still open K9s there, or is folding it sometimes just the easier option?

With 18BB, I’d still open K9s from the cutoff most of the time. Position and fold equity make it a reasonable steal. But if the button is very aggressive and the players behind are likely to put pressure on me, folding isn’t a big mistake. I’d rather avoid marginal spots than open automatically just because the hand looks playable.

Marshmalo1994 · Sep 2, 2026

Nesehorn156 said:
I had 18BB in a tournament yesterday and picked up K9s in the cutoff. Normally I’m pretty happy to play that hand there, but there was a very aggressive player on the button and a big stack in the blinds.

I ended up folding because I didn't really want to get dragged into a messy spot.

Would you still open K9s there, or is folding it sometimes just the easier option?

I think I'd only fold if it's the bubble.

fzap1983 · Sep 2, 2026

It’s a tough spot. Honestly, I’d probably fold K9s from pretty much any position. I’m a pretty conservative player, so I’d only be comfortable playing it with a decent-sized stack, say 40 BB or more, where I have room to open for around 4 BB and still have plenty of chips behind.

TheniT · Sep 2, 2026

For me, K9s is still an open from the cutoff, even with 18BB.
The aggressive player on the button makes it a bit tougher, so I’d be ready to fold to a 3-bet.
Folding preflop is fine too if you think the spot is likely to get messy.

deneus · Sep 3, 2026

At 18BB the cutoff open is fine. But I do not think the hand is the question. The seat is.
18BB is the depth where a button 3bet leaves you stuck: too much in to fold happily, too little behind to call and see a flop.
So I decide my answer to the 3bet before I open. If that answer is fold, the open has to work very often, and against an aggressive button it will not. Against a passive button I open it every time.

Gritz18 · Sep 3, 2026

Nesehorn156 said:
I had 18BB in a tournament yesterday and picked up K9s in the cutoff. Normally I’m pretty happy to play that hand there, but there was a very aggressive player on the button and a big stack in the blinds.

With 18 BBs, you no longer have the margin to be opening raises.

If an opponent 3-bets or goes all-in, you would be calling with K9s?—especially considering there is an aggressive player at the table, as you mentioned.

I would wait for a better opportunity to try and double up.

hoachec · Sep 3, 2026

“I think the flop call is fine here. There are still plenty of draws and weaker hands that can continue, so I wouldn't want to fold too early.”

Rmi · Sep 3, 2026

Muchas veces, eso es normal.

antonis32123 · Sep 4, 2026

If I sense that it doesn't worth cause I ll lose more than win or that sb else might have a better hand or if we are very deep and I sense rng tries to bust my ass , I might fold good or very good hands , which normally I wouldn't

nitesss · Sep 4, 2026

Definitely. Stack size, position and tournament situation can change everything. A hand that is an easy play in a cash game can sometimes be a fold in an MTT.

Bitmaniac · Sep 4, 2026

If it's suited I might consider it regardless of the aggressive guy

steve01991 · Sep 4, 2026

i have, depending on certain situations, you have to have a good read on things to not play hands you normally do.

Chebchoub · Sep 4, 2026

Hi

Yes, in certain situations—particularly when nearing the paid seats in tournaments, or when we have a read the opponents.
Overall, the most important thing is not to dwell on mistakes made by failing to call in certain hand, but rather to maintain a consistent standard of hand selection and adhere to sound poker strategies and skills.
Good luck.

moraeskvmi · Sep 4, 2026

It's definitely an open; you have to stick to your standard plays and not get caught up trying to guess whether the aggressive player is going to 3-bet you.

Mohamed48 · Sep 4, 2026

I do to the bubble

Kerasuss28 · Sep 4, 2026

Nesehorn156 said:
I had 18BB in a tournament yesterday and picked up K9s in the cutoff. Normally I’m pretty happy to play that hand there, but there was a very aggressive player on the button and a big stack in the blinds.

I ended up folding because I didn't really want to get dragged into a messy spot.

Would you still open K9s there, or is folding it sometimes just the easier option?

88% of the time

Mazembe · Sep 4, 2026

Yes, depends on the action infront of me

Do you ever fold a hand you would normally play?

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