How bad did I play this? Please analyse this hand.

Obviously from the title this is a hand that I lost. I'll post the hand history and then explain my thought process for my actions. Please take a look and comment.

#Game No : 1373696296
***** Hand History for Game 1373696296 *****
NL Hold'em Trny:8304431 Level:5 Blinds (50/100) - Friday, December 31, 21:40:04 EDT 2004
Table Friday $5000 Guaranteed(192649) Table #1 (Real Money)
Seat 1 is the button
Total number of players : 10
Seat 1: driveguy ( $5875 )
Seat 2: mika_ ( $2110 )
Seat 3: Ovanite ( $1473 )
Seat 9: artistheman ( $1245 )
Seat 4: FlaJackStraw ( $2070 )
Seat 5: WickDeer ( $3685 )
Seat 8: DOAwTRIPS ( $5248 )
Seat 6: bluffin2win2 ( $3575 )
Seat 7: tonyp33 ( $2095 )
Seat 10: chingon01 ( $4490 )
Trny:8304431 Level:5
Blinds (50/100)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Ovanite [ Qs Jh ]
FlaJackStraw folds.
WickDeer folds.
bluffin2win2 folds.
tonyp33 calls [100].
DOAwTRIPS folds.
artistheman calls [100].
chingon01 calls [100].
driveguy calls [100].
mika_ calls [50].
Ovanite checks.
** Dealing Flop ** [ 8s, Qc, 2d ]
mika_ checks.
Ovanite bets [400].
tonyp33 folds.
artistheman folds.
chingon01 folds.
driveguy calls [400].
mika_ folds.
** Dealing Turn ** [ 2h ]
Ovanite is all-In [973]
driveguy calls [973].
** Dealing River ** [ 4c ]
Ovanite shows [ Qs, Jh ] two pairs, queens and twos.
driveguy shows [ Kh, Qd ] two pairs, queens and twos.
Player Ovanite finished in 65 place
driveguy wins 3346 chips from the main pot with two pairs, queens and twos with king kicker.
nh
Ovanite has left the table.


Ok, after the flop hit I felt I had the best hand and here is my reasoning:

With the Queen being the high card on the board I was only afraid of 3 possible hands that another player could be holding. QQ, KQ, and AQ. My initial bet of $400 was a little more than half the pot. When it folded around to the BB and he called I really wasn't too worried. With a much bigger stack than mine, I figured he would call me with top or 2nd pair. My thoughts were more that he had 2nd pair or more likely queen with a worse kicker than mine. I figure on Q with a worse kicker because, I figured on the button he would raise preflop with either QQ, KQ, or AQ, which were the only hands I was really afraid of. My stack prior to the hand was about $2500 to $2750 below the average so I felt I needed to make a move as the blinds were going to be catching up to me very soon. My all-in on the turn was an attempt to double up if he indeed had Q with a lower kicker or push him out if he was on some type of draw which was unlikely given the board, but I also didn't want him chasing an ace.

Of course he called and showed the KQ which sucked. I never would have put him on that hand, but I guess that just shows I am in need for some more table time. I know KQ isn't the greatest of starting hands, but it is a solid hand and from the button I figured most players would come in for a raise of some sort.

Ok, I'm listening for your comments. I know my move may have been idiotic to some of you, so just take it a little easy if you can. :wink:

But of course I am open to any criticism as that is what will make me a better player.

Thanks in advance.

Anyone :?:

I don't have a problem with your play here. You flopped top pair. You pushed 400 ( reasonably large bet.)

The problem is when you get called. No one is going to call that bet except another pair of queens, two pair, or a set. This is, of course, assuming your opponent is a rational player. The only thing you can assume, I would think, is another pair of Queens because you didn't get reraised.

As soon as you've determined you're up against Queens, you've got to immediately look at the kicker. You've got a Jack. In my mind, Jacks are the most dangerous cards in Hold'em. They always get my ass burned, but maybe it's just me.

This is the point where it's read-dependent: Is your opponent likely to call the blind with a Q-10 or lower (the only thing you can beat right here?). He's the big stack, so it's POSSIBLE... but you don't get to be the big stack by playing stupid poker. Usually. He's in late position, so he could be on a softer hand than normal, and there was a fair pot preflop. I'd say you're about 50-50. Once you bet the turn (and strongly) and he calls, you've got to put him on AQ or KQ, I think... because he's likely to have thrown away anything weaker than that. I'm checking the river here, and trying to get a cheap showdown, but that's me. No way do I shove all in here, but if I were him and you moved all in on me, I probably question my own single pair here, and lay it down.

don't push on the turn, in fact check/fold it.

the flop was not coordinated at all. the best possible draw is a gutshot, and they are not going to call that much.

you need to be worried when they smooth call you like that.

Flop bet is fine, turn I'd bet the same or check/call. It's hard especially since you seem to be playing against Tight-Passive players such as the person who held KQ.