Playing KK

I originally posted this as part of a message under the "Tales of Poker" thread. Thought it was probably more appropriate here though:

(I converted the hand history format from Paradise Poker to Party Poker so that you guys can use the replayer to watch the hand and give me your feedback. For some reason I could not get Player8's hand to show so I just added a line with what he was dealt to get his hand to show.).

Give me your thoughts on how I played this hand. One note: Player7 had shown a tendency to bet $3-$4 pre-flop with Ax and bet it through the hand very aggressively. So, I was not afraid about him having a large pocket pair when he raised because of this tendency (although I was pretty sure that he had an A.).

***** Hand History for Game ????????? *****
0/0 TexasHTGameTable (NL)
Table Card Room Table XXXX (Real Money) -- Seat 3 is the button
Total number of players : 10
Seat 1: Our_Hero ( $52.00)
Seat 2: Player2 ( $52.50)
Seat 3: Player3 ( $49.00)
Seat 4: Player4 ( $66.75)
Seat 5: Player5 ( $9.25)
Seat 6: Player6 ( $65.75)
Seat 7: Player7 ( $54.75)
Seat 8: Player8 ( $98.00)
Seat 9: Player9 ( $47.25)
Seat 10: Player10 ( $74.75)
Player4 posts small blind (0.25)
Player5 posts big blind (0.50)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Our_Hero [ Kd, Kc ]
Dealt to Player8 [ Jd, Jc ]
Player6 folds.
Player7 raises (4) to 4
Player8 calls (4)
Player9 folds.
Player10 folds.
Our_Hero calls (4)
Player2 folds.
Player3 folds.
Player4 folds.
Player5 folds.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 7s, Ts, Qc ]
Player7 bets (6.50) to 6.50
Player8 calls (6.50)
Our_Hero calls (6.50)
** Dealing Turn ** : [ Qd ]
Player7 checks.
Player8 checks.
Our_Hero raises (8) to 8
Player7 calls (8)
Player8 calls (8)
** Dealing River ** : [ 3h ]
Player7 checks.
Player8 checks.
Our_Hero raises (10) to 10
Player7 folds.
Player8 calls (10)
** Summary **
Main Pot: $73.25 | Rake: $3
Board: [ 7s Ts Qc Qd 3h ]
Our_Hero balance $96.20, bet $28.50, collected $73.25, net +$44.75 [ Kd Kc ] [ two pair, kings and queens -- Kd,Kc,Qc,Qd,Ts ]
Player2 balance $52.50, didn't bet (folded)
Player3 balance $49, didn't bet (folded)
Player4 balance $66.75, lost $0.25 (folded)
Player5 balance $9.25, lost $0.50 (folded)
Player6 balance $65.75, didn't bet (folded)
Player7 balance $36.25, lost $18.50 (folded)
Player8 balance $69.50, lost $28.50 [ Jd Jc ] [ two pairs, queens and jacks -- Qc,Qd,Jd,Jc,Ts ]


Not sure why Player8 was still in this hand based on him checking the turn and river and me showing aggressiveness in both rounds of betting. The only thing keeping me from going all-in (I still had another $28+ I think in my bankroll) on the river was the fact that I thought he might fold. I was still kinda surprised after I saw his hand that he even called me on the river.

Anyone have any thoughts on how I played this hand? Thanks!

Why so passive with Cowboys? Re-raising before and immediatly after the flop would have been solid plays and remove some of the risk from the flush draw and paired queen.

Good question. I guess part of me was worried about Player8 having AA. Although I had a pretty good read on Player7, I didn't have a good read on Player8. Although, looking back, had he had AA he probably would've come in harder right after the flop. Although he may not have had a read on Player7 at that point.

I don't know exactly. Good question though, Fnord. I suppose I could've pushed the action having cowboys.

Originally Posted by jmrogers7

Good question. I guess part of me was worried about Player8 having AA. Although I had a pretty good read on Player7, I didn't have a good read on Player8. Although, looking back, had he had AA he probably would've come in harder right after the flop. Although he may not have had a read on Player7 at that point.

I don't know exactly. Good question though, Fnord. I suppose I could've pushed the action having cowboys.

IMHO, you CAN'T afford to worry about Rockets being out when you have Cowboys. Approximatly a 1 in 20 shot at a 10 player table. When that happens I'll take the hit as the cost of doing buisness.

I agree with Fnord, that when you're holding KK, you can't worry about your opponent holding AA. Sure, you'll get stung once in a long while, but all those other times you'll be cashing in at the maximum amounts.

I would have looked to re-raise pre-flop, maybe you could have gotten the JJ to go all-in against you. I would have also re-raised big after the flop, seeing that no Ace came out.

But, you took down a nice pot regardless, so that's awesome.

I agree with both of you. That's why I love FTR. I'm always looking for ways to improve my game. I believe that you guys are right after looking back. I was timid pre-flop and post-flop. Only at the turn with my opponents checking did I take the aggressive route for the rest of the hand.