This situation happens far too often (even once per session is too much) - I'm almost positive I'm beat, but I keep throwing money in the pot because the pot is just sooo big...

Party Poker 0.15/0.30 Hold'em (10 handed)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with , .
1 fold, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 raises, Hero calls, MP2 calls, 1 fold, CO calls, 2 folds, BB 3-bets, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 calls, Hero calls, MP2 calls, CO folds.

This was probably the first mistake - the hand's just not strong enough to cold-call a raise...

Flop: (17.46 SB) , , (5 players)
BB bets, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 raises, Hero calls, MP2 folds, BB calls, UTG+1 calls.

So let's cold-call another raise only holding middle pair.

Turn: (12.73 BB) (4 players)
BB bets, UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 raises, Hero calls, BB folds, UTG+1 calls.

While we're on the cold-calling roll... because we might get that Queen after all.

River: (19.73 BB) (3 players)
UTG+1 checks, UTG+2 bets, Hero calls, UTG+1 folds.

Definitely a crying call here. At least I didn't cold-call yet again.

Final Pot: 21.73 BB

Results in white below:
UTG+2 has Qh Tc (straight, ace high).
Hero has Td Jd (one pair, jacks).
Outcome: UTG+2 wins 21.73 BB.


This one ended up being my most expensive hand at this new level - 5.5 BB out the door!

1) Did you have a read on the players? If so, was UTG+2 tight/loose?

2) That being said (and pending the answer to #1), what the hell are you doing cold calling a raise from MP1 with JTs?

3) Then you call two cold on the flop with middle pair, no kicker, a backdoor flush draw and a double gutter. Ick. If you make the first mistake pre-flop and don't hit two pair, a flush draw, or and OESD, you don't need to be in the hand anymore. You're beaten 8 ways to Sunday here.

4) Ok, at least you have a decent prospect on the turn--but you go and call 2 cold again with a gutshot straight draw. Even with 14+:1 odds, unless that Q comes on the river, you're again beat 8 ways to Sunday. So many possible hands beat you, it's not worth making the play

5) "That ace could not have helped you, Mikey." No shit, Teddy. You call another bet on the river with just 3rd pair, no kicker? Your eventual opponent flopped an OESD and turned the straight, then kicked you in the junk with the river.

Bad play, top to bottom. Sorry for the reality check, but it was real bad...

But to your credit, the other players in the pot played it horribly too!

Do not cold-call raises with JTs! BAD BAD BAD!! The only time to call a raise with JTs would be when you're the BB.

The flop and turn calls are EXTREMELY marginal. Even when the pot is this enormous and you BARELY have the odds when you're making the call - you do not know if it will be 3-bet or capped.

River is an obvious fold. You will not win even 3% of the time.

its often bad to cold call most raises. IMO, its often a situation to reraise or fold when you act right after the raiser. When you act later and see what type of pot it will be, then you can think about calling 2 cold. However, immediately after the raise, i think you should be thinking of raising or folding, not calling.

As for postflop, fold every street.