How much of these poker games on the internet come down to luck? Its definitely a part of the game. Not only getting the right cards to play, but also having an opponent who is willing to play with you when you know you've got him beat. Patience is definitely a factor, but with escalating blinds and games finished within an hour on pokerstars, if you haven't built a decent stack or just had a run of bad luck early on, then by the near-end of the game you could be really screwed no matter how smart you played.
I was reminded of that tonight when playing a game of $3.50 Fifty/50. Won a decent pot early on, then hung around as 4 of the 10 players went away. With 6 players left (on the bubble!) play tightened up quite a bit and I was close to the bottom if not at the bottom for the most part. But a couple of wins gave me breathing room and the ability to force the action. That's always nice. But, what goes up must come down and I finally did what I am loathe to do...small blind vs me (big blind)...small blind puts me all in and I have AJ suited...reluctantly make the call vs. 99. End up hitting an ace and the rest is history. I came in 1st in the tournament. Mostly because of that double up and the power it game me the rest of the way (raising, etc). However, I could have just as easily been out during that all-in. 50/50. Unless you are desperate, is there ever a good reason to make a call when you figure you are at best 50/50 to win the pot (and stay alive!)? Should I have made that call? AJ isn't super strong by any means. The other person could have easily had AK, AQ, AA, KK, QQ, JJ, which all dominate me. Or they could have a pair (like they did) and at best I am 50/50. What are the chances its a pure bluff? Probably low since we're all on the bubble and one big mistake can take any one of us to the bottom. So, why did I do it? Mostly because I never thought that deeply about it before I made the call! :-) But, partly because the small blind had pulled this all-in move on me a few times before this and you can't just let them get away with that all night...especially when you have a decent hand. Or can you?
Starting Money: $20
$20 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 1
Record: 0-1
$10 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 30
Record: 15-15
$6 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 5
1st ($23.40)-1
2nd ($12.60)-1
Out of money-3
$1.50 - 6 Man NL Tournament Games Played: 1
1st ($5.46)-1
2nd ($2.94)-0
Out of money-0
$5 'Double or Nothing' Games Played: 36
Record: 24-12
$5 'Fifty50' Games Played: 1
Record: 1-0
$3.50 'Fifty50' Games Played: 7
Record: 4-3
Current Money: $37.91
I think AJ vs one other hand is a pretty good starting hand...especially when you are lower in chips.
ReplyDeleteIf the other guy had A9, then you dominate him. It might not always be a 50/50.
I think you made a good call.
Good point. He could have gone all in with A9 or some hand like that, but that certainly would have been a huge risk to take for the sake of gaining a big blind. Ultimately I made the call...I just didn't like doing it! :-) Personally, I think going all-in with 99 at that point was a mistake. Wouldn't it have been easier to make a decent raise, see if you get called, then judge the hand after the flop? If high cards come on the flop (with no 9), then you get the hell out! However, I guess 99 all-in would push out hands like A-low kicker. And people think its a simple game! Ha!
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