Tragically, it has been confirmed that Brandi Hawbaker took her own life on Sunday. Brandi was a controversial figure in the poker world particularly on 2+2 where a massive amount of posts revolved around her relationships with high profile poker players, particularly David Sklansky.
The first announcement of her death is posted here but then locked.
The complete lack of empathy and respect shown by so many 2+2 posters, the lack of moderation on the forum and the behavior of David Sklansky has really made me sick to my stomach with the whole situation. I don't think I can ever post on 2+2 again.
Still, just calling on that flop was horrible. there are 4 other players in the pot, you are ASKING to be outdrawn there.
on the turn you get your miracle card, basically one of the few cards that make you really strong. And right then and there you end the hand, bad again.
the button did not show any strength on the flop, attempting to buy the pot with a feelerbet, so you want to keep him in the hand. the check is ok but the raise shows way too much strength there. the best there is to make a 'crying call' if the bet is again low, hoping the button will push you out of the hand with a big bet on the river.
There is no way of telling if a) someone already has a flush b) someone won't be prepared to go broke on the flop with a draw or even worse c) that a check-raise or a large flop bet is going to get rid of anyone. For all of these reasons inflating the pot on the flop is bad. If this hand was heads up it would be very different but multi-way and OOP check calling is definitely the optimum play.
The turn card is hardly a miracle. He has ten outs for a house and every other non-spade that doesn't give someone a straight, if his set is already good, that's a lot more than a few. Note that with the size of the flop bet he called and the number of players in the pot he was getting more than the correct odds to try and hit that "miracle" card.
You cannot check-call with a set on a flop of the same suit. This action gives you no information about whether anyone has the flush, which is information you need right now.
Rash wrote
One of the secrets of good no limit play is to obtain information on each betting round. Your check/call was the worst move as you have no idea how strong your opponent is.
This is definitely some of the worst advice I've ever seen given on a poker forum.
Don't bet or raise for info, or "to see where you're at". This is complete and utter nonsense.
If you do lead this flop there are plenty of hands you're ahead of that will raise you, and flushes that will just call so you're likely to learn absolutely nothing at a price. Also if you bet and do get raised you have to call to try and hit your house anyway so why inflate the pot out of position?
Check-Raising is a horrific idea. The only reason to do that is to invite a shove which you intend to call and you're hand isn't really prepared for that kind of war. Check-Raise won't get rid of anyone holding the ace of spades. The best way to play this flop is to check/call and see what happens on the turn.
On the turn you don't say how much the button bet so I don't know if check raising was right but it's likely that you should have just check called to try extract some more value from your hand on the river, but when you do bet the river only go all-in if the bet is relative to the pot size. Basically bet as much as you think will be called.
Although I love the fact that the blogs are advertisement free will there be any enhancements/mods available in the near future. It would be nice to have a manageable sidebar similar to blogger.com
Off Topic
R.I.P Brandi Hawbaker (4)
1497 days ago
Tragically, it has been confirmed that Brandi Hawbaker took her own life on Sunday. Brandi was a controversial figure in the poker world particularly on 2+2 where a massive amount of posts revolved around her relationships with high profile poker players, particularly David Sklansky.
The first announcement of her death is posted here but then locked.
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showthread.php?t=182378
and it continues here.
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showthread.php?t=182504
The complete lack of empathy and respect shown by so many 2+2 posters, the lack of moderation on the forum and the behavior of David Sklansky has really made me sick to my stomach with the whole situation. I don't think I can ever post on 2+2 again.
NLHE Micro Stakes
How should this hand be played (10)
1583 days ago
There is no way of telling if a) someone already has a flush b) someone won't be prepared to go broke on the flop with a draw or even worse c) that a check-raise or a large flop bet is going to get rid of anyone. For all of these reasons inflating the pot on the flop is bad. If this hand was heads up it would be very different but multi-way and OOP check calling is definitely the optimum play.
The turn card is hardly a miracle. He has ten outs for a house and every other non-spade that doesn't give someone a straight, if his set is already good, that's a lot more than a few. Note that with the size of the flop bet he called and the number of players in the pot he was getting more than the correct odds to try and hit that "miracle" card.
NLHE Micro Stakes
How should this hand be played (10)
1585 days ago
This is definitely some of the worst advice I've ever seen given on a poker forum.
Don't bet or raise for info, or "to see where you're at". This is complete and utter nonsense.
If you do lead this flop there are plenty of hands you're ahead of that will raise you, and flushes that will just call so you're likely to learn absolutely nothing at a price. Also if you bet and do get raised you have to call to try and hit your house anyway so why inflate the pot out of position?
Check-Raising is a horrific idea. The only reason to do that is to invite a shove which you intend to call and you're hand isn't really prepared for that kind of war. Check-Raise won't get rid of anyone holding the ace of spades. The best way to play this flop is to check/call and see what happens on the turn.
On the turn you don't say how much the button bet so I don't know if check raising was right but it's likely that you should have just check called to try extract some more value from your hand on the river, but when you do bet the river only go all-in if the bet is relative to the pot size. Basically bet as much as you think will be called.
NLHE Micro Stakes
Please Tell Me (16)
1586 days ago
Stop making minimum re-raises. Stop it now.
NLHE Micro Stakes
Would you do the same? (9)
1595 days ago
Bet more on flop and way way more on the turn. Why are you betting so small?
Poker News
Enhancements for Pokernews Blogs? (1)
1608 days ago
Although I love the fact that the blogs are advertisement free will there be any enhancements/mods available in the near future. It would be nice to have a manageable sidebar similar to blogger.com