Texas Hold'em Hand Play-By-Play Example - Playing 99
Playing a pocket pair like 99's can be pretty tricky. The way I approach this hand really depends on the feel of the table
and the players. A pair of 99's is a good hand pre-flop, one of my strong Group 3 hands, but obviously very
vulnerable since an overcard will flop 79% of the time.
This table I was playing was a pretty weak, passive table. I think I also had a strong table image, playing
straight up with good hands. So, on this hand, I decided to raise the pot pre-flop in middle position. I have
one limper before me, and three players behind me. With my pre-flop raise, I'm hoping to buy the button - meaning
that the players behind me fold to the raise which allows me to have position over the early limper.
Unfortunately, a player behind me calls my raise and everyone else folds out. This isn't that bad, though, I'm now
heads up, and probably ahead.
The flop drops one over, a Queen. My pre-flop raise could be an indication of several winning hands at this point,
I could have raised with AA, KK, QQ, AQ, or KQ, giving me top pair or better. Because of the players at this table
and their perception of me, I come out betting half the pot immediately, I either have the best hand or I'll soon
find out otherwise. Only a Queen will beat my pair (unless he's holding a higher pocket pair, something that is so
unlikely I don't really consider it).
Could my opponent be holding a Queen? Sure, but it is more likely that he is NOT holding a Queen.
My bet is only $2.00, so it is substantial enough to fold out my opponent if he has nothing,
but not large enough to commit my hand to future bets or raises. If my opponent calls, then I would probably
check on the turn. If my opponent re-raises me, then I would fold.
Not that exciting of a hand, but an example of the little pots that add up by playing the best way given
your opponents and table image:
***** Hand History for Game XXXX *****
0/0 TexasHTGameTable (NL) - Sun Mar 21 18:31:03 EST 2004
Table Checkmate (Real Money) -- Seat 2 is the button
Total number of players : 10
Seat 1: Player1 ( $23.50)
Seat 2: Player2 ( $30.30)
Seat 3: Player3 ( $12.33)
Seat 4: Player4 ( $18.45)
Seat 5: Player5 ( $52.69)
Seat 6: Player6 ( $24.92)
Seat 7: Player7 ( $24.50)
Seat 8: Player8 ( $9.90)
Seat 9: FlopTurnRiver ( $33.50)
Seat 10: Player10 ( $22.76)
Player3 posts small blind (0.25)
Player4 posts big blind (0.50)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to FlopTurnRiver [ 9c, 9d ]
Player5: yes
Player5 calls (0.50)
Player6 folds.
Player7 folds.
Player8: n1
Player8 folds.
Player6: oh well
FlopTurnRiver raises (1.50) to 1.50
Player10 calls (1.50)
Player1 folds.
Player2 folds.
Player3 folds.
Player4 folds.
Player5 folds.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 7c, Qd, 2s ]
FlopTurnRiver bets (2)
Player10 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: $6.05 | Rake: $0.20
Board: [ 7c Qd 2s ]
Player1 balance $23.50, didn't bet (folded)
Player2 balance $30.30, didn't bet (folded)
Player3 balance $12.08, lost $0.25 (folded)
Player4 balance $17.95, lost $0.50 (folded)
Player5 balance $52.19, lost $0.50 (folded)
Player6 balance $24.92, didn't bet (folded)
Player7 balance $24.50, didn't bet (folded)
Player8 balance $9.90, didn't bet (folded)
FlopTurnRiver balance $36.05, bet $3.50, collected $6.05, net +$2.55
Player10 balance $21.26, lost $1.50 (folded)
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