If I'm being honest, I'd have to say I'm not a very flashy poker player. I'm not one to make a lot of hero calls. Come to think of it, I don't make a lot of hero folds, either. My poker motto would be KISS – Keep It Simple, Stupid.
That's why the hand which I've selected for the hand of the week (perhaps an odd title for a feature I'm writing every two months) is so unique. Facing an inordinate amount of pressure, I made the hero call for a massive chunk of my stack. Was I correct? I'll let you know in my next blog post. Feel free to analyze the hand or critique my play in the comments section below.
THE SITUATION
I'm playing hand No. 103 of a $30+$3 multi-table tournament on PokerStars. I'm the chip leader at my table, and among the top 10 per cent of the field, with a stack of 25,143. Blinds are 300-600 with a 50-chip ante.
MY HOLDING
I've got Kh8s in the big blind.
PREFLOP ACTION
Action folds around to the button, who has the third-largest stack at the table with 15,692. He min-raises to 1,200 total. I elect to defend my big blind with a call.
THE FLOP
The flop comes down 6d 6s 8c. I check, my lone opponent fires a bet of 1,147. I flat-call.
THE TURN
The 9s comes off on the turn. I check, opponent bets 2,400. I flat-call once again.
THE RIVER
The 4s hits the river. I check a third time, and my opponent ships all-in for 10,895. I think about it for a while, and finally click the call button.
HOW WOULD YOU PLAY IT?
I made the hero call, but was I a goat? All that was at stake was 60 per cent of my stack, in a tournament where first place was just a few pennies short of $1,200. I'll keep you in suspense for now, and let you debate my play in the comments section.
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Some analysis via email from my buddy Ken:
ReplyDeleteI would say your opponent is polarized here: either a monster or a bluff.
On this board I would say more bluff than monster. He is representing an overpair or the 6. But I feel an overpair would slow down on the turn or river thinking there is a possibility you had the 6, thus trying to contain the size of the pot. So that rules out an overpair.
Theoretically he could have raised with a 6 in his hand and got lucky, but I just don't buy it.
If he did have the 6 I think he would have bet for value on the river rather than trying to get you to fold, which is what that bet seemed like -- a go-away type of bet.
So I think you made a great call and I would be shocked if he had the goods... Just my thoughts.