Hello, everyone. I would like to start a discussion about playing in 3BP vs weak players OOP.
I struggle when I miss the board or hit some weak draws. I know we should not bluff vs weak players.
My strategy postflop is to 1) bet TP and better, FD's/OESD's and decent backdoors (with a plan to barrel OTT) 2) check-call some TP with weak kicker and weaker pairs.
Here are some examples:
1)
Spoiler
Poker Stars, $0.25/$0.50 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.
SB: $71.60 (143.2 bb)
Hero (BB): $74.18 (148.4 bb)
UTG: $58.43 (116.9 bb)
MP: $89.62 (179.2 bb)
CO: $82.61 (165.2 bb)
BTN: $31.01 (62 bb)
Preflop: Hero is BB with K♦: Q♦:
3 folds, BTN raises to $1, SB folds, Hero raises to $4, BTN calls $3
Flop: ($8.25) 3♥: 8♠: 3♦: (2 players)
Hero bets $2.50, BTN calls $2.50
Turn: ($13.25) 7♥: (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $4.50, Hero folds
Results:
Spoiler
$13.25 pot ($0.76 rake)
Final Board: 3♥: 8♠: 3♦: 7♥:
Hero mucked K♦: Q♦: and lost (-$6.50 net)
BTN mucked and won $12.49 ($5.99 net)
Lets say villain us an unknown recreational player. I feel very uncomfortable in situation like this. Vs solid players I usually bet 1/3 or 1/2 because I know they will fold some Ax hand and I barrel the turn if I pickup more equity or hit a pair and eventually barrel the river as well unimproved. Betting 1/3 vs fish is not a good idea. They never fold anything on board like this - they call all the pairs, overcards, Ax...Should I just check and give up? How do I play if he checks behind?
2)
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IPoker, $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.
SB: $23.22 (92.9 bb)
Hero (BB): $25.67 (102.7 bb)
UTG: $25 (100 bb)
MP: $36.65 (146.6 bb)
CO: $22.34 (89.4 bb)
BTN: $35.32 (141.3 bb)
Preflop: Hero is BB with Q♣: J♣:
CO posts BB OOP, 2 folds, CO raises to $0.50, BTN folds, SB calls $0.40, Hero raises to $2.50, CO calls $2, SB folds
Flop: ($5.50) 7♦: 7♣: 5♦: (2 players)
Hero checks, CO checks
Turn: ($5.50) 6♠: (2 players)
Hero checks, CO checks
River: ($5.50) 4♦: (2 players)
Hero bets $3.12, CO folds
Results:
Spoiler
$5.50 pot ($0.27 rake)
Final Board: 7♦: 7♣: 5♦: 6♠: 4♦:
Hero mucked Q♣: J♣: and won $5.23 ($2.73 net)
CO mucked and lost (-$2.50 net)
Again unknown weak player. Cbet or not? Dely cbet after flop goes check check? If I delay cbet do I follow up OTR? What sizings to use?
As played cbet the river? I think this is the worst play because after it goes check check OTF and OTT he might call me with AJ.
3)
Spoiler
IPoker, $0.10/$0.25 No Limit Hold'em Cash, 6 Players
Poker Tools Powered By Holdem Manager - The Ultimate Poker Software Suite.
Hero (SB): $51.70 (206.8 bb)
BB: $25 (100 bb)
UTG: $25.86 (103.4 bb)
MP: $2.46 (9.8 bb)
CO: $24.65 (98.6 bb)
BTN: $25.68 (102.7 bb)
Preflop: Hero is SB with A♣: K♠:
UTG raises to $0.75, 2 folds, BTN calls $0.75, Hero raises to $3.75, 2 folds, BTN calls $3
Flop: ($8.50) 6♠: J♠: 3♦: (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN checks
Turn: ($8.50) J♣: (2 players)
Hero checks, BTN bets $8.08, Hero folds
Results:
Spoiler
$8.50 pot ($0.42 rake)
Final Board: 6♠: J♠: 3♦: J♣:
Hero mucked A♣: K♠: and lost (-$3.75 net)
BTN mucked and won $8.08 ($4.33 net)
With AK it is difficult because we can even have a value bet vs FD's, AQ..but It will be difficult to realize our equity and get to the showdown. If I bet small get called and turn goes XX they could turned their busted draws into a bluff. Is it better to start by checking?
I know the main value here comes when we hit and they pay us but I feel lost with weaker holdings and would love to read opinions of more experienced players.
What is your strategy in this spot vs recreational players overall? Do you just give up with hands like these? Do you ever bluff? Do you double barrel turn and river after flop goes check check?
