This tournament was a 6 handed MTT and started you with 3k in chips. The blind levels were 40 min and had a very good structure. Started with 25/25 and went up the normal way. Structure PDF
I asked a couple of pro's that I know how to play it and they said open up your range big time, and that my post flop moves would make or break me.
It turns out they were correct. The good players know players make a move on the flop, so the turn was where the real action went. With this in mind I was able to raise pre, bet the flop, and check raise the turn to win a LOT of big pots holding doodoo =)
Against the really good players I made that move holding the nuts.
There were a few hands that I was able to make the right read and call and others I folded, but the most memorable is the one that got me knocked out.
I finished in 35th place but again was the chip leader for most of the tournament.
so here it is. I had about 45k and was the SB. Blinds were 200/400 with 50 ante.
I got dealt JJ
Player on the Cutoff raises to 1k. This player when faced with a re-raise was the type that would fold if he didn't have the nuts.
Player Highjack raises to 2400. He's got about even chips with me. This player was very aggressive out of position. When raised he would call all bets. Bluffed a lot and his range was open like mine. We been playing at a different table and been head butting for a couple of hours.
I moved all in - It was the first time I had shoved all night. I wanted him to think I was weak.
Cutoff folds of course.
The highjack goes into the tank for about two minutes. Seemed longer but I was nice and relaxed. I had a very good hand. Thats what made it tough on him. He tried it all, asked me for my count, how many chips I had, etc He counted his chips which came up to 48k. I was right or close to it. So he had me covered by a little.
Highjack moves all in shows AsQs and says "I know you have a good hand but I have to take a chance" I know what he meant.
The winner of this hand would make the final table and would be in great shape to win it considering the average stack was 12k and there was no one else that came close to our stacks.
FLOP: 9s9c2d - very nice flop for me.
TURN - 3s Yikes. Not a good card. Now he has a lot more outs to help him out. Any spade, any Ace, and any Queen.
RIVER - 4s!!! OUCH! I am done. I knew it the moment it hit.
After the fact I am thinking what a bone head move on my part. I risked it all for no reason. I should have kept playing the way I was. Called to see the flop, made my bet, saw the turn made a bigger bet, etc I don't know if he would have called the post flop bet. Maybe the turn but I would not have been knocked out. Dunno.
Wow! You have over 100x's the big blind. There is a raise and re-raise in front of you, and you risk it all with pocket Jacks. Now that is aggressive!
ReplyDeleteI would only make that play with pocket Aces and pocket Kings.
Sometimes a fold is a good thing. Especially when you are outplaying your opponents.
(what are those WSOP poker pros teaching you=))
Mitch,
ReplyDeleteI was aggressive all game where if I saw a either a raise then a smooth call I would bet 3x what the last players bet and they would both fold, or one would call then my continuation be would get them. I was playing super aggressive. In the other situation if there was a raise followed by another raise I would 3x raise again. All while in position of course. This worked great throughout the tournament. I think I folded 1 of 10 times I used it. But if you ask me those are great odds.
Now you say that you would only use this move holding Aces and Kings? Well that is exactly what those players are thinking. That’s why I use this move because they think I have it. Having a pocket pair like 8's and above helps =)
This was the first time I risked it all and it was my one big mistake that cost me. I did put the 1st player as a tight player, and the second player as a very loose player. We been at the same table for 3 hours or so and earlier I saw this player smooth call a raise in front of him while holding KK and AA. So when he re-raised the player in front of him there were 2 things that went through my mind. 1. He knew the player in front of him would fold if he didn't have the nuts and 2. He didn't have a good hand and wanted the rest of the table to fold.
I jammed the all having a very good gut feeling that he was weak, but my mistake was I risked to much. 3x or 4x his bet would have got him to fold.
My poker pro buddies said that I should have smooth called his bet to see the flop or popped him with a raise to see where I stood.
I been using your squeeze play from your book quite a bit in different forms and it’s the best moved I have learned so far. It has elevated my game a notch.
Interesting...but let's be clear on the squeeze play as defined by Harrington. The first player raises, a second player calls, and then you put in another raise which squeezes the first player.
ReplyDeleteWhat you are doing here is bluffing. You are playing super aggressive pre-flop taking into account your opponents playing styles. At the same time you are hoping your opponents wouldn't notice what you are doing--because you are not getting pocket Aces and pocket Kings that often--and that they wouldn't play back at you.
If it works keep doing it. There are players using the pre-flop re-raise with nothing, so it stands to reason that the pre-flop re-raise of a re-raise can work as well. Although, I don't recall seeing that play at the WSOP.
I was doing well not shoving so I should have stuck with that move. It wasn't the right time to do the all in. Maybe if it was near the bubble?
ReplyDeleteHhhhmmm thats not the squeeze play? I will have to name it then.
How about:
The Donkey Squeeze?
Squeeze a la cart?
gijoe bluff?
gijoe...?
thanks for your feedback Mitchell. Most playes don't admit that they screwed up even though the AQ should have folded. I do learn from my mistakes.