PokerStars 0,50$ Fullring Turbo, 88 in the middle stage

I would likely check-call river depending on the bet size. Tough one though as river shove is likely with a draw (but you got blockers). Lesser pairs might check back. Weird starting stack to be raising oop with 88, you won't like most flops and feel obliged to continue. Better to shove than raise 3.5 with a middling pair imo. If you raise 3.5 then I assume you want a call?

Shove with an effective stack of almost 24BB? Aren't we a little too deep?

That's why it's a weird stack for the spot. 20BB is short stacked. If I had a bigger stack I would raise more like 4.5-5x with a good hand, I tax more if I have to play oop. Then I would have to continue with a 10.5bb pot but it'll be difficult not to get pot commited if they only have 18bb behind.
With 88 in the BB and your opponent's stack, I don't have an issue just checking pre and leading flop. With a shove you might get smaller pairs to call but as you saw, such a marginal hand will be difficult to play with a bloated pot and oop. Weird spot.

I think that i would prefer check call turn and river, i don't think he could have too much draws here.... so i don't see what he is paying, a 7 probably, a Q and he is trapping. So if he calls with a 7 i don't think he calls again when K hits river and you don't get any more value. The problem betting turn is if he shoves river you only have to call 11bb to a pot of 47bb and you have a difficult decision

Cumps

Shoving pre-flop is to much, but I would raise at least 4bb here out of position. As played I would play it safe and check the turn and call 1 bet. As played I would check and fold on a reasonable river bet.

Cheers,
SDK1987

Originally posted by SDK1987
Shoving pre-flop is to much, but I would raise at least 4bb here out of position. As played I would play it safe and check the turn and call 1 bet. As played I would check and fold on a reasonable river bet.

Cheers,
SDK1987

Stack size is big for a shove but a 4x raise pre, c-bet flop and then waving the white flag on the turn doesn't seem ideal. You're playing your hand face-up. I would think you have a small pair or a decent ace, something you could fold. Call turn and fold river then you're just gifting them with half your stack. You know the shove is coming on the river whatever they have. If I'm in the villain's spot, I'm calling a c-bet on that flop every time and waiting for signs of weakness or cards I can bluff at. I agree raise should be at least 4bb but you will be pot committed by 5th street. Get it in good (or flip) or play a smaller pot. I say again it's a weird spot because I don't really like any option here.

After thinking about this hand I have to admit that my preflop bet was indeed a little too small In fact I have checked the river and villain has checked behind. He showed AJo and I took down the pot. At least a good end to an not so well played hand

Originally posted by deezerr79

Originally posted by SDK1987
Shoving pre-flop is to much, but I would raise at least 4bb here out of position. As played I would play it safe and check the turn and call 1 bet. As played I would check and fold on a reasonable river bet.

Cheers,
SDK1987

Stack size is big for a shove but a 4x raise pre, c-bet flop and then waving the white flag on the turn doesn't seem ideal. You're playing your hand face-up. I would think you have a small pair or a decent ace, something you could fold. Call turn and fold river then you're just gifting them with half your stack. You know the shove is coming on the river whatever they have. If I'm in the villain's spot, I'm calling a c-bet on that flop every time and waiting for signs of weakness or cards I can bluff at. I agree raise should be at least 4bb but you will be pot committed by 5th street. Get it in good (or flip) or play a smaller pot. I say again it's a weird spot because I don't really like any option here.

Problem is I think he will never bluff most likely and he will never fold any better hands on turn and river.