Roller coaster session

I played a roller coaster session at Northville Downs yesterday, one in which I misplayed/mangled a few hands, and also played a few hands fairly well.

Elementary Fold

After about 1 orbit or so of folding, I pick up JJ in EP. The pot is straddled by the button to 5, one of the blinds call, and I raise to 25. Player after me calls (125 behind), next player (stack of about 400) raises to 110, player immediately after him shoves for 145. Fold to me, I fold, the first caller goes all-in for his 125. The hands are AA out of the first caller, KK out of the guy that made it 110, and unknown out of the shover. The board runs out QQ9KJ, and the kings take down a monster.

Interesting hand I wasn't involved in

An EP player raised to 12, and got 4 callers. The raiser was playing with a big stack, but effective stacks for the hand was 200. Flop came K22, and the raiser bet 35, getting called by a female regular who plays decent, if not a bit station-y. The turn was a 6, putting 2 clubs on board, and the PF raiser checks, and the woman bets 50, leaving about 125 behind. The PF raiser quickly says all-in. After a very brief consideration, she calls. The river is a blank, and the PF raiser is hesitant to flip his cards. She tables 99 and he mucks.

I thought he did a credible job of repping AK, AA or KK there, but apparently she didn't. She seemed to think that betting a K would have been odd on that flop, which I disagree with, at least in regards to my game.

Weak-tight

This was the first hand that I think I really misplayed. UTG (66 total) raises to 14, UTG+3 (stack of about 900, very aggressive opening in the last orbit, but he has shown down AK twice and KK once, so he may just be running hot) 3-bets to 46. I have QcQs on the button, with 240 behind. I am not sure what to do, as I think stack sizes are awkward to both call, and to shove. I think folding is actually fine here, though I decide to just call. UTG shoves his 66, and UTG+3 calls (I'm not sure if he could have re-raised here, I forget the rule there, but him not asking made me feel a little more re-assured). I decided to just call, as I didn't want to ask and tip the strength of my hand any more than I already had.

Flop was K76, and UTG+3 checked to me, I elected to check behind, as I had seen him check the flop with strong hands up to this point and then bet the turn. The turn was a 9, and he led 60. I was really leaning towards a call, but the fact that there was no side pot led me into a fold. He had TT, while UTG had KQ, so had I 4 bet shoved pre-flop, I would have likely taken the whole pot, unless UTG was totally steaming and decided to go for it.

Missed opportunity

Another one that I misplayed. Same player from above hand raised to 12, and I 3 bet in position on the button to 36 with QsQc again, and he flatted. Flop was Q64. He checked, and I should have checked, as I think he would have bet any turn. Instead I bet 45, and he folded.

Getting cute

A few limpers to the CO who raises to 10. He has just lost a buyin, but doesn't seem to be steaming. He does seem like the kind that could overplay a hand and pay me off. I'm in the SB with 8s7s and elect to call, even though this is probably an elementary fold, given my position, as well as my relative position to the raiser. But, given the limpers I can see this being 4-5 ways to the flop, so that was my thinking going in. As expected, 3 players call and we see the flop 5 handed. While the calling was all going on, I decided if I flopped a draw, I would lead out with it, in an attempt to trap the 3 players between me and the PF raiser.

Flop was Ts5x4s. As planned, I make a weak lead of 25 into a pot of 50. Unfortunately all fold to the PF raiser who calls. The turn is a 2x. I follow through and bet 55 on the turn, leaving myself about 125 for the river. My plan is to shove almost all rivers, and my only fear is that my turn bet gets raised. He calls, and I have his range heavily weighted towards 1 pair hands, as I am not expecting a draw, and I think a set would have raised me by now.

The river is the 5s, completing my flush, and pairing the board. I tank for a bit and then shove. He looks resigned, and then decides to call. I table my flush, expecting to be slid the pot, and he tables As6s for the nut flush. Definitely a kick in the teeth there, as I see that I would have likely won the pot with my river bet had the spade or ace not gotten there.

Finally some payback

UTG (same player from the weak tight and missed opportunity hands) opens to 12, I 3bet to 36 with AA(this is the 3rd or 4th time I have 3 bet him, and we haven't shown down yet, so I think he has to be getting suspicious). The BB (A6s nut flush guy) cold calls, and then UTG calls. So 3 to the flop with a pot of 105-ish.

Effective stacks are 280. Flop is 873r. They both check to me and I make an unorthodox check, partially for pot control, and partially for deception, knowing that UTG will bet the turn if given the chance.

The turn is a great card, another 3. THe BB checks, UTG bets 37, I smooth call, and the BB calls (very thrilled he didn't raise, as I am pretty sure I am good here because of it).

The river is a K. Both players check to me and now I know I am good. I elect to bet 90, the BB folds, and UTG goes into the tank before letting curiosity get the better of him and call. My hand is good and I don't see his cards.

In the end I turned a very small profit of 30, which was great considering I was stuck about 340 at one point. Definitely mangled a few hands, but still felt good to battle and eek out a profit.