HU check?

Right in this one I made a horrible river call early to hurt myself badly, then lucked out to double up then settled down and built a big stack. HU I am in great shape but I don't manage to close it out, anyone want to take a look? It's 11 hands. I can't get the converter to work properly but I'll try to clean it up a bit.

*********** # 102 **************
PokerStars Game #5690172989: Tournament #28790785, $10+$1 Hold'em No
Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2006/07/26 - 16:28:56 (ET)
Table '28790785 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 3: Pantz_101 (10685 in chips)
Seat 9: Mathis Flame (2815 in chips) (Button)
Pantz_101: posts the ante 25
Mathis Flame: posts the ante 25
Mathis Flame: posts small blind 100
Pantz_101: posts big blind 200

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Pantz_101 [7h Ac]
Mathis Flame: raises 400 to 600
Pantz_101: calls 400
*** FLOP *** [2h Kd 2c]
Pantz_101: bets 1000
Mathis Flame: folds
Pantz_101 collected 1250 from pot
Pantz_101: doesn't show hand

*********** # 103 **************
Level VII (100/200) - 2006/07/26 - 16:29:32 (ET)
Table '28790785 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 3: Pantz_101 (11310 in chips) (Button)
Seat 9: Mathis Flame (2190 in chips)
Pantz_101: posts the ante 25
Mathis Flame: posts the ante 25
Pantz_101: posts small blind 100
Mathis Flame: posts big blind 200

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Pantz_101 [2c Ts]
Pantz_101: calls 100
Mathis Flame: checks

*** FLOP *** [Qs Kd 9h]
Mathis Flame: bets 400
Pantz_101: calls 400

*** TURN *** [Qs Kd 9h] [4c]
Mathis Flame: bets 1565 and is all-in
Pantz_101: folds
Mathis Flame collected 1250 from pot
Mathis Flame: doesn't show hand

*********** # 104 **************
Level VII (100/200) - 2006/07/26 - 16:30:08 (ET)
Table '28790785 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 3: Pantz_101 (10685 in chips)
Seat 9: Mathis Flame (2815 in chips) (Button)
Pantz_101: posts the ante 25
Mathis Flame: posts the ante 25
Mathis Flame: posts small blind 100
Pantz_101: posts big blind 200

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Pantz_101 [Ah Jd]
Mathis Flame: calls 100
Pantz_101: raises 400 to 600
Mathis Flame: raises 2190 to 2790 and is all-in
Pantz_101: calls 2190

*** FLOP *** [5s 8s 3h]

*** TURN *** [5s 8s 3h] [5d]

*** RIVER *** [5s 8s 3h 5d] [Ts]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Pantz_101: shows [Ah Jd] (a pair of Fives)
Mathis Flame: shows [4s 9s] (a flush, Ten high)
Mathis Flame collected 5630 from pot

*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 5630 | Rake 0
Board [5s 8s 3h 5d Ts]
Seat 3: Pantz_101 (big blind) showed [Ah Jd] and lost with a pair of
Fives
Seat 9: Mathis Flame (button) (small blind) showed [4s 9s] and won
(5630) with a flush, Ten high

*********** # 105 **************
Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/07/26 - 16:30:53 (ET)
Table '28790785 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 3: Pantz_101 (7870 in chips) (Button)
Seat 9: Mathis Flame (5630 in chips)
Pantz_101: posts the ante 25
Mathis Flame: posts the ante 25
Pantz_101: posts small blind 200
Mathis Flame: posts big blind 400

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Pantz_101 [8h 2s]
Pantz_101: calls 200
Mathis Flame: checks

*** FLOP *** [7d 3h Jc]
Mathis Flame: bets 800
Pantz_101: folds
Mathis Flame collected 850 from pot
Mathis Flame: doesn't show hand

*********** # 106 **************
Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/07/26 - 16:31:14 (ET)
Table '28790785 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 3: Pantz_101 (7445 in chips)
Seat 9: Mathis Flame (6055 in chips) (Button)
Pantz_101: posts the ante 25
Mathis Flame: posts the ante 25
Mathis Flame: posts small blind 200
Pantz_101: posts big blind 400

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Pantz_101 [7c Qs]
Mathis Flame: raises 800 to 1200
Pantz_101: folds
Mathis Flame collected 850 from pot
Mathis Flame: doesn't show hand

*********** # 107 **************
Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/07/26 - 16:31:36 (ET)
Table '28790785 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 3: Pantz_101 (7020 in chips) (Button)
Seat 9: Mathis Flame (6480 in chips)
Pantz_101: posts the ante 25
Mathis Flame: posts the ante 25
Pantz_101: posts small blind 200
Mathis Flame: posts big blind 400

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Pantz_101 [4c 9h]
Pantz_101: raises 600 to 1000
Mathis Flame: calls 600

*** FLOP *** [Kc 2s 6c]
Mathis Flame: checks
Pantz_101: bets 1000
Mathis Flame: calls 1000

*** TURN *** [Kc 2s 6c] [5h]
Mathis Flame: checks
Pantz_101: checks

*** RIVER *** [Kc 2s 6c 5h] [5d]
Mathis Flame: checks
Pantz_101: bets 1000
Mathis Flame: raises 3455 to 4455 and is all-in
Pantz_101: folds
Mathis Flame collected 6050 from pot
Mathis Flame: doesn't show hand

*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 6050 | Rake 0
Board [Kc 2s 6c 5h 5d]
Seat 3: Pantz_101 (button) (small blind) folded on the River
Seat 9: Mathis Flame (big blind) collected (6050)

*********** # 108 **************
Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/07/26 - 16:32:31 (ET)
Table '28790785 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 3: Pantz_101 (3995 in chips)
Seat 9: Mathis Flame (9505 in chips) (Button)
Pantz_101: posts the ante 25
Mathis Flame: posts the ante 25
Mathis Flame: posts small blind 200
Pantz_101: posts big blind 400

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Pantz_101 [5d 5c]
Mathis Flame: calls 200
Pantz_101: raises 3570 to 3970 and is all-in
Mathis Flame: folds
Pantz_101 collected 850 from pot
Pantz_101: doesn't show hand

*********** # 109 **************
Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/07/26 - 16:32:53 (ET)
Table '28790785 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 3: Pantz_101 (4420 in chips) (button)
Seat 9: Mathis Flame (9080 in chips)
Pantz_101: posts the ante 25
Mathis Flame: posts the ante 25
Pantz_101: posts small blind 200
Mathis Flame: posts big blind 400

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Pantz_101 [Jh 8s]
Pantz_101: raises 800 to 1200
Mathis Flame: raises 7855 to 9055 and is all-in
Pantz_101: folds
Mathis Flame collected 2450 from pot
Mathis Flame: doesn't show hand

*********** # 110 **************
Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/07/26 - 16:33:28 (ET)
Table '28790785 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 3: Pantz_101 (3195 in chips)
Seat 9: Mathis Flame (10305 in chips) (button)
Pantz_101: posts the ante 25
Mathis Flame: posts the ante 25
Mathis Flame: posts small blind 200
Pantz_101: posts big blind 400

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Pantz_101 [9d Qh]
Mathis Flame: calls 200
Pantz_101: raises 2770 to 3170 and is all-in
Mathis Flame: folds
Pantz_101 collected 850 from pot
Pantz_101: doesn't show hand

*********** # 111 **************
Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/07/26 - 16:33:44 (ET)
Table '28790785 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 3: Pantz_101 (3620 in chips) (Button)
Seat 9: Mathis Flame (9880 in chips)
Pantz_101: posts the ante 25
Mathis Flame: posts the ante 25
Pantz_101: posts small blind 200
Mathis Flame: posts big blind 400

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Pantz_101 [Jd 3s]
Pantz_101: calls 200
Mathis Flame: raises 9455 to 9855 and is all-in
Pantz_101: folds
Mathis Flame collected 850 from pot
Mathis Flame: doesn't show hand

*********** # 112 **************
Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/07/26 - 16:34:01 (ET)
Table '28790785 1' 9-max Seat #9 is the button
Seat 3: Pantz_101 (3195 in chips)
Seat 9: Mathis Flame (10305 in chips) (Button)
Pantz_101: posts the ante 25
Mathis Flame: posts the ante 25
Mathis Flame: posts small blind 200
Pantz_101: posts big blind 400

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Pantz_101 [Jd 8c]
Mathis Flame: calls 200
Pantz_101: raises 2770 to 3170 and is all-in
Mathis Flame: calls 2770

*** FLOP *** [9d 9c 6d]

*** TURN *** [9d 9c 6d] [Jh]

*** RIVER *** [9d 9c 6d Jh] [6h]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Pantz_101: shows [Jd 8c] (two pair, Jacks and Nines)
Mathis Flame: shows [Qh Ts] (two pair, Nines and Sixes)
Pantz_101 collected 6390 from pot

*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 6390 | Rake 0
Board [9d 9c 6d Jh 6h]
Seat 3: Pantz_101 (big blind) showed [Jd 8c] and won (6390) with two
pair, Jacks and Nines
Seat 9: Mathis Flame (button) (small blind) showed [Qh Ts] and lost
with two pair, Nines and Sixes

*********** # 113 **************
Level VIII (200/400) - 2006/07/26 - 16:34:32 (ET)
Table '28790785 1' 9-max Seat #3 is the button
Seat 3: Pantz_101 (6390 in chips)
Seat 9: Mathis Flame (7110 in chips)
Pantz_101: posts the ante 25
Mathis Flame: posts the ante 25
Pantz_101: posts small blind 200
Mathis Flame: posts big blind 400

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Pantz_101 [9h 7s]
Pantz_101: raises 400 to 800
Mathis Flame: calls 400

*** FLOP *** [6c 5d 6d]
Mathis Flame: checks
Pantz_101: bets 5565 and is all-in
Mathis Flame: calls 5565

*** TURN *** [6c 5d 6d] [2d]

*** RIVER *** [6c 5d 6d 2d] [4d]

*** SHOW DOWN ***
Mathis Flame: shows [5s Tc] (two pair, Sixes and Fives)
Pantz_101: shows [9h 7s] (a pair of Sixes)
Mathis Flame collected 12780 from pot

*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 12780 | Rake 0
Board [6c 5d 6d 2d 4d]
Seat 3: Pantz_101 (button) (small blind) showed [9h 7s] and lost with a
pair of Sixes
Seat 9: Mathis Flame (big blind) showed [5s Tc] and won (12780) with
two pair, Sixes and Fives

Plenty of mistakes I think

All my responses are barring reads (which are very important HU).

103: Why did you call the flop bet? I would just fold this.

104: Ew, that sucked. I would think before calling his reraise though. Is there something that made you think that he was pushing something less than your AJ? It all depends on what he's been doing so far though. Some people trap by limping, others limp junk.

107: Your bet on the river definitely looks like you're trying to steal the pot with nothing. I would have reraised your bet with anything here. I don't think a bet is the greatest idea, especially given the fact that you checked the turn with a flush draw on the board; if you had actually had something on the flop, you would have probably bet to avoid giving a free card. Betting the river is unconvincing since it is highly unlikely another 5 helped you at all.

109: If you are going to raise, you should be pushing.

111: Don't limp. Push or fold.

113: A normal sized bet on this flop would have been fine. I don't like the push.

103: Why did you call the flop bet? I would just fold this.

I think I got lazy, I figured I had a big lead and if I made my straight I could end it right there. Not a percentage play for sure.

104: Ew, that sucked. I would think before calling his reraise though. Is there something that made you think that he was pushing something less than your AJ? It all depends on what he's been doing so far though. Some people trap by limping, others limp junk.

To be honest heads up and with a big lead I am calling this all day. He is not acting tight or weak so I think I am ahead more than not.

107: Your bet on the river definitely looks like you're trying to steal the pot with nothing. I would have reraised your bet with anything here. I don't think a bet is the greatest idea, especially given the fact that you checked the turn with a flush draw on the board; if you had actually had something on the flop, you would have probably bet to avoid giving a free card. Betting the river is unconvincing since it is highly unlikely another 5 helped you at all.

Yeah that was really poor

109: If you are going to raise, you should be pushing.

Yes I should have realised he wasn't going to be pushed around by now

113: A normal sized bet on this flop would have been fine. I don't like the push.

Yeah I get back in it then throw it away. Ah well it's a lesson to myself. Thanks for your comments!

looks fine to me. you can't win them all.
You lost two big flips, either one goes your way you win and don't even post this.

Originally Posted by courtiebee

104: Ew, that sucked. I would think before calling his reraise though. Is there something that made you think that he was pushing something less than your AJ? It all depends on what he's been doing so far though. Some people trap by limping, others limp junk.

First post, long time lurker, trying to be more active within the poker message board community recently, etc, etc...

My thoughts...

I agree with most of your response, but differ on this AJ one. I'm calling a push with AJ here all day. At this level, you've got guys pushing A2 over your raise. He's short stacked, and in general may be pushing K8s+,KTo+, QJs, any or most suited aces, probably A5o+, any pair, and you're only really destroyed by 2 aces (AQ, AK), JJ, QQ, KK, AA. Oh--and at this level, he may (as was the case here) be pushing any 2 sooted just because.

Results sucked, but I call this all day.

This is super basic... BUT-

Fold pre flop (don't complete SB) once in a while HU. It makes your opponent think you are actually looking for good cards. Much easier to steal blinds (and even better RESTEAL) when you play a LITTLE tighter pre-flop.

Feels weird at first with blinds so big to give them away, but I find it really remakes your HU Table image.

Hand 107 would have been a good one to fold... You are small blind with 9 4 off... that last hand was a good candidate too... (your 2 most expensive losses)

Any time I am in the SB HU and don't have suits, paint or a pp, I am looking to fold.

That's interesting, I never thought of folding an unraised hand HU because I always have odds. But it may indeed affect how my opponent sees me and perhaps allow me to bluff more flops? Also with a fairly aggressive opponent like this one folding rubbish is ok too I guess.