This unbelievable hand saved my bankroll today:
saw flop|saw showdown
UTG ($3.15)
MP1 ($12.50)
MP2 ($19.70)
CO ($36.67)
Button ($17.65)
SB ($59.65)
Hero ($24.20)
Preflop: Hero is BB with Qc, 5h.
UTG folds, MP1 folds, MP2 calls $0.50, CO calls $0.50, Button calls $0.50, SB completes, Hero checks.
Flop: ($2.50) Ts, 5d, Qs (5 players)
SB checks, Hero bets $2.4, MP2 raises to $4.8, CO calls $4.80, Button calls $4.80, SB folds, Hero calls $2.40.
Turn: ($21.70) 4c (4 players)
Hero bets $3, MP2 raises to $14.4 (All-In), CO folds, Button calls $12.35 (All-In), Hero calls $11.40.
River: ($62.85) 3c (3 players, 2 all-in)
Final Pot: $62.85
Main Pot: $58.75, between MP2, Button and Hero. > Pot won by Hero ($58.75).
Pot 2: $4.10, between MP2 and Hero. > Pot won by Hero ($4.10).
MP2 shows Qd 4d (two pair, queens and fours).
Button shows Js 9c (high card, queen).
Hero shows Qc 5h (two pair, queens and fives).
Outcome: Hero wins $62.85.
Good thing I had cavebutter there to sweat me. Those bets were pretty scary, though I’m not sure I could have folded two pair with nothing obvious showing on the board. Still, it’s good to have a friend to reassure you that you’re making the right move.
Now it seems obvious to me that neither of my opponents read the beginner’s guide to beating low-limit no-limit (also applies to the $25 PL game), specifically points 3, 4, and 5:
3. Don’t go broke with top pair — MP2
4. Draws are overrated — button
5. You win the most money by outflopping your opponents — me!
Well, that was a lot of fun and all, and I’ll be the first one to accept money from Lady Luck and fools, but I have no idea whether my play was any good. There were certainly points during the day when I’m pretty sure I made some good plays, but I don’t know if it was at all that consistent. I definitely need more practice reading my opponents.