|
|
. |
 |
 he Guardian Poker Column |
|
| |
|
 |
| |
 |
| |
| Victoria
Coren |
| Tues 26 Jul 2011 |
| |
 |
| |
|
|
|
When the blinds are big, act
decisively
|
Limping is a
huge mistake when the blinds are getting big, as one recent hand I played in
showed
Next Tuesday
night, Channel 4 will show the first part of the "Champion of Champions"
tournament: a match played exclusively by EPT winners. It was a super-tough
field, but I like that. Weak fields can fry your brain with baffling coups like
the one below, from a "fun" $200 tournament in Las Vegas.
I was chip
leader with 230K, but this was a fast event: blinds were already 6K-12K. Two
players (with 180K and 150K) limped in early position. You should never limp
for nearly 10% of your stack – when the blinds are big, you must take
control and play decisively – yet here were two of them! |
|
|
On the button with KK, I raised to 50K,
intending for at least one of them to move all in. Instead, they both flat
called, for a third of their stacks. In the late stages of a tournament, you
can only afford to cold-call significant, stack-depleting bets if you've got
the nuts. The first caller, at least, should have aces.
The flop came 9
10 A. I was done with the hand; when my first opponent checked and the second
moved all in, I passed immediately. The first chap thought for a good five
minutes, then showed a nine and folded.
Preposterous! He obviously
wouldn't fold a set or two pair. So, out of position, he'd called off a huge
chunk of his stack with 79, 89 or J9, hoping to hit a miracle flop or pass. He
simply had no idea of the value of his chips. The winner showed AJ: he'd also
played the hand like roulette, but got lucky. Shove or fold pre-flop, sir!
Don't call and pray!
I fared better in the more logical Champion of
Champions tournament (despite the commentator's scepticism). Have a look, and
we'll discuss it next Wednesday.
|
|
|
| |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
. |
|
|
Main Menu)
