The dreaded min-raise

Something every uNl player will com up against alot. Trying too decide if it means alot of strength or a little feeler bet from Villan trying too see where he is at. Alot of advice is too fold if you have missed the flop, which i cant argue with as it is the smart thing too do, but personnaly i dont always like doing the smart thing. :)

I only really start thinking about it after playing this hand yesterday(It's a shocker)


Carlos Poker 0.10/0.20, hand converted by the iPoker Converter at Talking-Poker

saw flop | saw showdown

Button ($18.00)
SB ($17.70)
CO CO ($13.65)
UTG ($6.08)
UTG+1 ($16.40)
MP ($17.68)
MP Hero ($19.10)
MP ($5.54)
CO-1 CO-1 ($25.78)
CO ($23.97)

Preflop: Hero is in MP with A 4
2 folds, Hero raises to 0.80, 1 fold, CO-1 calls 0.80, 4 folds.

Flop (1.90) Q 6 8
Hero bets 1.40, CO-1 raises to 2.80, Hero raises to 5.00, CO-1 calls 3.60.

Turn (14.70) T
Hero moves all-in for 11.90, CO-1 calls 11.90.

River (38.50) Q

CO-1 shows Q T
Hero shows A 4

CO-1 wins 38.50 with A fullhouse, Queen's and Ten's


Now i know it looks bad, and well, it is bad but i think that mainly due to the card i picked too 4 bet with on the flop and the turn card.

On the flop i was drawing too at best 3 outs, no backdoor flush or straights possible which is a big mistake. I think if the flop had a or a backdoor straight it makes the 4bet look less spewy. At least then if i hit a Flush draw or SD on the turn i can push knowing if i am called i have gained some extra outs. Unfortunatly here the worst possible hand landed on the turn for me, giving villan 2 pair and an easy call. Any other card and i think Villan will be facing a very tough call with just TPNK. Alot of this also depends on your opponent, doing this against a station is definitly not recommended, but against someone who is semi-compedent i think it can be a good move.

I will certainly be paying more attention to min-raises from Villains. I think its usually a draw and rarely a made hand. If it is a made hand like a set we will find out from the 4bet and most villans will just shove. Villains at this level rarely slow play monster if they are played at.

I am sure this will b considered spew at uNl, put i am going to have to learn how too 4bet light and semi-bluff for when i move up, so i hope too try and find spots at NL 20.

Wish me luck!