I'm not thrilled about the way I played this hand. First or second hand of the session (no solid reads). What would your line look like?



Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (10 handed)

CO ($48)
Button ($67.9)
SB ($216.4)
BB ($47.05)
UTG ($70.75)
UTG+1 ($17)
UTG+2 ($43.95)
MP1 ($48.8)
Hero ($49.5)
MP3 ($38.25)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with , . SB posts a blind of $0.25.
4 folds, Hero calls $0.50, MP3 calls $0.50, 2 folds, SB (poster) completes, BB checks.

Flop: ($2) , , (4 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets $2, MP3 raises to $5, SB folds, BB folds, Hero calls $3.

Turn: ($12) (2 players)
Hero checks, MP3 bets $6, Hero calls $6.

River: ($24) (2 players)
Hero checks, MP3 checks.

Final Pot: $24

Results in white below:
Hero has 8c Ac (two pair, eights and sevens).
MP3 has Jh Jd (two pair, jacks and sevens).
Outcome: MP3 wins $24.

Probably best to just fold on the flop. He might be raising with a straight draw...but two pair or a pocket pair is more likely.

If you're gonna do anything other then fold....I would reraise his flop raise to $12.. If he calls that...you're through with the hand.

calling the flop raise and then check/calling the turn is too weak.

I would've folded after he raised your flop... He could have anything from 2pr to an overpair (which he did)... After the turn, any 7 kills you... Too much to risk w/ not enough of a hand for me...

I agree I played it weakly. But his limping preflop threw me off. Normally, with medium to big big pocket pairs, most people tend to raise. Personally, I wouldn't be caught dead limping with pocket jacks. I sort of put him on A3 and stuck with it the whole hand through, I guess. Admittedly, I misplayed it.

But, like you pointed out to me, I do need to work on my aggression, that's for sure. I am way to passive.

Thanks for your inputs, fellas. This forum rocks.

I'll limp to raise about 50% of the time w/ Js... It keeps your hand more hidden, as people won't put you on it and can't let go of TPTK... Also, if a bunch of Aces and Kings flop, you can get away from it pretty easy...

It may not be the best way in the world to play it... But I just don't like the variance pushing hard with Jacks can bring....