First hand posted

Hi guys,

This is the first hand history I'm posting on FTR. I've been reading the site for the last several months, and have definitely found it helpful. I have made my way up from 25NL 6-handed games on Interpoker 3 months ago, and am now playing 100 NL 6-handed.

I had been running well the last several days, but the hour or so before this hand I had been running somewhat bad, though I think I would play this hand the same under most circumstances.

I have no reads on any of the players, as I am new to the table. I hope this hand turns out ok, I tried using a converter.

Should I go broke here? After re-thinking about this hand, the more I think that SB's call on the flop and then re-raise of my raise is a very strong sign of strength.

Thanks for the help, and if this works I hope to post more hands in the future!

Cryptologic
No Limit Holdem Ring game
Blinds: $0.50/$1
6 players
Converter

Stack sizes:
Hero: $135.25
UTG+1: $160
CO: $101.50
Button: $119.50
SB: $178.13
BB: $203.75

Pre-flop: (6 players) Hero is UTG with http://www.neildewhurst.com/wp-conte...c-cards/4c.png http://www.neildewhurst.com/wp-conte...c-cards/4d.png
Hero calls, UTG+1 raises to $4, 2 folds, SB calls, BB folds, Hero calls.

Flop: http://www.neildewhurst.com/wp-conte...c-cards/7s.png http://www.neildewhurst.com/wp-conte...c-cards/4h.png http://www.neildewhurst.com/wp-conte...c-cards/5c.png ($13, 3 players)
SB checks, Hero checks, UTG+1 bets $6, SB calls, Hero raises to $28, UTG+1 folds, SB raises to $76, Hero raises all-in $131.25, SB calls.

Turn: http://www.neildewhurst.com/wp-conte...c-cards/tc.png ($281.5, 1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: $281.5)


River: http://www.neildewhurst.com/wp-conte...c-cards/9d.png ($281.5, 1 player + 1 all-in - Main pot: $281.5)


Results:
Final pot: $281.5
Hero shows 4c 4d
SB shows 6d 8d

Raise pre-flop at most online tables.

Post-flop is standard.

I am hesitant to raise low pocket pairs from UTG at 100 NL for a few reasons..

1) I feel an UTG raise isn't necessarily respected, so I will get a few callers
2) I feel that a lot of the PF callers will also often call at least a flop bet, so I am forced to make continuation bets on two streets OOP with a low pair (if I don't hit a set) and I likely won't know where I stand
3) If I do hit a set, I would rather not be the agressor in the hand, and instead have someone else as the agressor when I have them crippled.

Maybe my logic is flawed... but I'd much rather raise these lower pairs in position than out of position...

any thoughts on this?

Raises get less respect as your position improves, you seem to have it backwards.

you are never forced to c bet. If you bet flop and turn with 44 and no set and get called... you should know where you're at (drawing to a 2 outer).

Thanks for the replies so far!

oh no, I fully understand that I'd get more respect raising UTG than in Late Position. Its not so much the respect I'm worried about, as much as it is being the preflop raiser and being out of position for the rest of the hand.

I guess my problem is, and maybe other people have this problem too, that when I raise preflop I feel as though the act of raising forces me to stake claim on the pot. "This is now my pot to win, and I have to protect it"

This kind of mentality would clearly result in me spewing chips if I started raising with low pockets in early position, and feeling committed to making continuation bets.

I guess this is a leak I need to fix. The ability to raise low pockets in EP, and not end up spewing chips on the flop and turn before giving up on a pot without a set.

Yesterday I looked at my flop aggression stats after like 45 mins and they were on infinity, so I know just what you mean. I guess the key here is to identify players who will be willing to re-raise you with air, because there aren't very many of them, and work out when a check from a usually aggro player means they're trying to trap you.