The Hand
This week’s hand is from a recent trip to the Horseshoe Casino in southern Indiana. The action this trip was incredible. The WSOP Circuit events were going on and the crowd was in gamble mode. I got into a $2/5 NL game after waiting for probably close to two hours.
I bought in for $400, thinking the max was $500, and when I got to the table the stacks were large…lots of black and green chips on the table. Well, the buy in max was actually $1000. I decided to see how I was running before committing any more to the game. The game was fast, lots of straddling and raising and Mississippi straddle is also allowed here.
I was up to about $700 and picked up pocket Aces, Ad/Ah in mid position. The button had placed a Mississippi straddle of $20, which made the small blind first to act. The SB and BB both called, the UTG folded as did the next player. It was now up to me and I raised it to $100 straight. The next two players folded and the next player called. It was folded around to the button who called, as did the BB. There were $420 and four of us remaining in the hand.
The flop was 6s/7h/2d. I LIKED this flop!! The BB checked and it was up to me to act. What would you do?
Winner: James P., Columbus, Ohio
This is a good flop for sure. I would fire a continuation bet of a little over half the pot and a little under 2/3 pot (~$260) leaving you with $380 behind. It is possible one of your opponents could be on an open ended straight draw holding 8/9s or 4/5s, in which case they probably call to see the turn. A flat call on the flop screams draw. These crazy gamblers love seeing flops with suited connectors.
The only made hand that beats you at this point is a flopped set. This is possible because of your opponent’s limp then flat call to your raise pre-flop. Limp, flatting pre flop with 6/6, 7/7, or even 2/2 is pretty standard.
If you get re-popped on the flop, you will have a decision to make with your remaining $380. Getting re-raised on the flop means one of two things: 1.) You are WAY behind to the flopped set 2.) You are WAY in front dominating a possible A/7, top pair top kicker hand or 8/8, 9/9, 10/10, and maybe even a crazy semi bluff re-reaise with the open ender.
I believe you bet this flop somewhere between 1/2 to 2/3 pot to gauge where you were in the hand as stated above. If you got re-raised on the flop, I believe you go in the think tank for a minute and then commit your remaining $380. This is a spot where you almost have to get your money in because you are going to be way ahead very, very often, making it a profitable play (+EV).
Robin’s Response:
James, I did bet out $250 and the player immediately to my left went all-in for over $800 (of the $1000 he had just re-loaded with) and both the button and BB folded. I decided to call… I’ve seen this guy in action and he is wild. He immediately rolled over his hand…6/7off suit and I was about to be sick!!! He made 2 pair on the flop.
The turn was a 5 and the river was another 5. OMG, I cannot believe it. I actually won with Aces after having to hit a runner-runner and my new best friend went back for more chips.
