Karma going get you.

[Bart(UK)]

Not strictly a strategy post, hand pretty much plays itself, but one to sit back & enjoy.

Always pays to think about the way in which you play or how you are viewed playing your tournaments, Karma is best mates with dealers everywhere.

 

[Bart(UK)]

It does perhaps open up discussion about what exactly is a slowroll.

I personally think there are several forms of slowroll, but also some situations that are wrongly flagged as being slow-rolled. Not suggesting in the slightest that this video is one of them though.

• Pure-Nuts Slowroll - No disputing if you hold the stone-cold nuts and are always going to call. Pure evil to Hollywood in these circumstancs
• Near-Nuts - Depends more on circumstances, but if you're never likely to fold a hand in these circumstances there's no need and no justification for delaying thngs unduely. Suggest this clip falls into this category.
• Grey areas - I think where things get out of hand is where there is actually a decision to be made. Couple of examples provided below:

1. I got dealt QQ once in an online tournament, had just been moved table so literally had no info on other players. My standard raise was re-raise shoved over the top from Middle Position by unknown. If I call it's effectively for my tournament life as left with 2bb, if I fold I'm left with a slim but workable 11bb. I take the full 15 seconds allowed thinking is it possible he has AA, KK or is this really the right spot to flip against AK? I call and get slagged off for slow-rolling. My suggestion is unfairly, still had options and a decision to make. I don't hold the nuts.
2. Seen in a GUKPT main event a few years back. Guy shoves whole stack (forget actual size but likely 500bb+) 1st hand of Day 1 after series of re-raises and woman tanks before eventually calling with AA. Thoughts? As players we are required to play to win and some casinos determine folding the nuts as collusion or chip-dumping. This can be valid, but I would suggest that it is very much player & situation dependant. For a major buyin series such as the £1k GUKPT buyin, with an established recreational route in via cheap satellites, it is more than possible that this player had a genuine decision to make. If they're an established Pro/Tour Reg whose just going to instant re-reg then it's pretty poor form to tank as they're never really going to fold. But what if they're a recreational player, playing their biggest ever tournament, they've spent hours trying to qualify and travelling to the venue, don't have the resources to re-enter and have already accumulated travel & accomodation costs that are a big proportion of their 'playable' poker fund? I would suggest they still have a valid decision to make, is this still the best spot even when favourite to win.

Thoughts? Anyone disagree or have alternative suggestions?

[CowsOnTilt]

Short handed with KK is an obvious snap call, he behaved like a mooron and got what he deserved imo.

As for your 2nd scenario she's obviously an inexperienced poker player who didn't want to put her tournament life on the line. After all poker is about getting it in ahead and getting the maximum value out of every hand and considering a fold with AA there is obviously terrible.

[Bart(UK)]

I still say that's one hell of a flip on the turn of a card. Whilst mathematical favourite, it's surprising how often AA gets busted.

Think I'd rather rely on myself gaining pots without seeing showdown and grinding up than staking everything on a single hand, but of course it depends on the circumstances at the time. Online without the additional costs & hours spent travelling, then I agree it's an instant call.

Value your thoughts mate

 

As it doesn't look like anyone else will contribute, will tell the whole story behind #2 above. Was totally genuine as described, my 2nd ever GUKPT and happened on a table just to the left of mine. Genuinely first hand of the tournament, she tanked then called. AA vs AA and she lost to a flush. Sick huh.

The only bit I didn't let on about above (because it does obviously change the whole dynamic & destroys the point I was trying to get across) was at that time Grosvenor had a promo going that the first one out won a £1k re-entry. On that basis I don't think I could get my chips in quick enough lol. Can only assume that she was nervous about losing the hand but missing out on the promo to a bustout on another table maybe, if even possible?

Safe to say, she got the promo, re-entered same day 1, different table, not sure whether she went on to cash.

Strange how, when the buyins are gone, the odd hand such as these remain deep instilled in the memory

 

[muttley]

I always give players the benefit of the doubt with regards to slowrolling.

Last year I was in a £500 comp approaching the bubble. A middle-aged guy raises from the CO and it's folded to me in the BB, I have AJo. The raise is big and I've witnessed him make larger raises with mid pairs before. What really interested me was that as we approached the bubble he was continually looking at the scoreboard to see how far off the money we were. I figured he would fold all but his best hands to a shove, so I reraise 30bb all in. He didn't insta-call, but instead asked for a count. He had me covered (just). As the time went by I figured I was right....he held TT-77, or AQ and didn't fancy getting crippled so close to the money. After about 3 minutes he announced "Call" and flipped over ......KK!!!

 I'd love to tell you that I hit my A and went on to win the tourney, but I didn't and I busted a two day comp just short of the money. BUT...I didn't feel angry by the length of time it took him to call. In fact, I was pleased that my read on him was so good....he WOULD have folded all but the very best hands to my shove.

Why won't I criticise his play? For all I know he needed the money to fix his boiler...he looked genuinely nervous about making the call, fearing I had AA or didn't want to get crippled by a flopped A. Had he turned over his cards with relish then I may have been offended, but he was an amateur playing in what was probably his biggest tourney of the year.

Mikel Habb ought to know better though, so I'm glad the 6 came, and I'm glad it came on the river.

Edited April 28, 2016 by muttley
speeling