I had just sat; this was the ≈6th hand dealt to me. No reads, unless you count that the SB had only shown down AK,AK,KK,AA in a small sample of previous games on other dates.

2NL (8 handed)

BB ($1.79)
Hero (UTG) ($1.98)
UTG+1 ($1.58)
MP1 ($3.77)
MP2 ($4.35)
CO ($2)
Button ($1.29)
SB ($1.42)


Preflop: Hero is UTG with 3, 3
Hero calls $0.02, 2 folds, MP2 bets $0.09, 2 folds, SB calls $0.08, BB calls $0.07, Hero calls $0.07

I think I should have folded this pre, as I seem to remember reading that 33 has a negative expectation from UTG? On the other hand, isn't there a concept of balancing ranges? Perhaps I should've open raised instead of limping to balance against AK,KK,AA? It boggles the noob mind...

When MP2 raised to 4.5BB, I guess I put his range on the best of the broadways and maybe like TT+. When the blinds both called, I thought it was correct to also call.

Flop: ($0.36) 3, 8, J (4 players)
SB checks, BB bets $0.12, Hero raises to $0.26, MP2 raises to $1.26, 1 fold, BB calls $1.14, Hero raises to $1.89 (All-In), MP2 calls $0.63, BB calls $0.44 (All-In)

When the BB bet 1/3 pot, it looked like a typical flush draw to me. Since I had the set, I raised a little, but kept it smallish so as not to fold out everyone.

MP2 then overbet to ≈1.7x pot. That looks like someone with a made hand trying to protect from draws or just trying to kick it up a notch. Maybe his range is JJ,QQ,KK,AA,AJo,AJs? Honestly, after the BB called, I didn't consider ranges, I just insta-shoved it. Calling seemed bad with no money behind, folding seemed bad with a set, so the shove appeared the only option.

Turn: ($5.84) 6 (3 players, 2 all-in)

River: ($5.84) 9 (3 players, 2 all-in)

Total pot: $5.84 | Rake: $0.38

Should I have folded pre? Folded pre on my second chance? Folded flop? Folded to 1.7x re-raise? I think that I played this hand by feel and AFAIK that's a big problem in poker.

I need advice on the hand and also, advice about my thought process, or lack-there-of. I'm still working on the first pieces of the foundation here...