Big Pair Coyness

[billy the punter]

I wrote this some time ago elsewhere, been meaning to dig it out and post on here. Be nice to get some new opinions..... ---- It's always split when the talk is about slow playing or . Many are vehemently opposed to this tactic. Others believe it can be a cunning play, if used correctly, to win a massive pot. Most in the slow play camp do so when dealt these hands in early position, especially UTG. Now I'm not against this tactic, I use it from time to time but some players worry about an UTG limper and you may not get the raise you're after unless they too have a monster (and in that case you're going to get action even if you raise when first to act). Probably the only time I slowplay UTG is maybe the early levels of an online mtt or a loose pot limit cash game. During level one or two of an online mtt there isn't enough in the middle to win and obviously you cannot raise much anyway, you're likely to get called for 80/100 chips with busting hands anyway. So I may limp in this instance in order to get 25% of my stack (or more) preflop. However if you don't get that raise then you have to keep the pot cheap post-flop. Pass if you can when beat, I know passing aces is hard so keeping it cheap is Plan B. I'm not saying you shouldn't bet out on a non-scare board BUT I'd certainly slow down after getting action. A loose pot limit cash game is the other instance where I might slow play UTG or in early position. They game I used play in live was like this, and there are two reasons why I'd slow play, firstly it's very likely there will be a raise pre flop every hand. Secondly, its a callers game preflop, if I raise the pot UTG its likely that I will get a few callers due to value. If I don't get the raise and we got 8/9 handed to the flop then I obviously not liking my hand and even on a non-scare board I may go into check-calling mode. This is the reason why some hate the idea of slowplaying, they simply can't lay their hand down regardless of the acion/board after they've slow played. If you can't, then forget the whole slow playing idea. It's you thats the reason, not the play itself. This is the common way to slow play the big two hands, but due to the problems stated above, I believe there are better value opportunities to slow play. Flat calling a raise when last or close to last to act can be benefical. Especially in NL. So many players will fire a continuation bet for you raise but also if the flop helps them you're going to win a big pot most of the time. For example a lot of players won't pass an (middle) overpair on a baby flop. Although many will disagree with me here I have even slow played these hands in late position, even on the button. If you're an aggressive player a button call looks weak and it's very hard to read you for a big hand, almost impossible. Quick example of how a button limp with a monster can be a great way to disguise. About six months ago (at time when originally written) or so I was playing an online 3/6 NL game (6 handed) - I had annoyed the whole table (don't know why), had been caught with my hand in the till once or twice, was doing about a monkey and getting royally rubbed down by the other players. I pick up , now is my chance to get some back and stick it up one or more of them. UTG raises, all fold to me in the small blinds and I flat call, the BB folds. The flop was very similar to this - I check, check-raising was my plan, but the raiser checks behind me, as a result, alarm bells ring obviously. Turn brings - cosmic. Check-check. Hmm. River was Ugh! Board now reads I can do nothing but check, he checks too and shows I win a massive $42 - lovely when you're doing a monkey and you pick up aces v queens ain't it? The table found this hilarious and the slagging continued, I got a few 'lol's and a 'wp'. Then as expected someone typed the age old poker myth of the mushroom; "only fish slow play aces!" I reply with something detrimental (I do that sometimes) saying he is wrong, and he should trust me as I know better etc, by then of course the cards where out of the next hand, I was on the button now and got dealt unreal It's folded around to me and I limp on the button choosing to slow play again. Big Mouth Mushroom No1 ("never slow play AA") makes it $24 in the SB, Big Mouth Mushroom No2 in the BB then reraises to $90 appox. Oh. I put the time bank on while so I could rub my hands together for a bit. Then I moved in for $630 odd. Reason being, they think I'm tilting obviously, and it really did look like the resteal/squeeze play with perhaps a small/mid pair (a move that I would never do, but many onliners like to lose money this way). Anyway SB pass and BB puts the clock on. SB is now telling the BB to call me, saying even a mid pair is miles clear. He calls for the full amount, I flop a house and pick up a massive pot which puts me infront. Now, its always better to be a gracious winner, and not to lower yourself to the level of others, but that's loser talk. So I told the BB to thank the SB for the advice, told the SB he made a good read and that he was right, you should NEVER slow play aces. The way I played it, with the game in it's current state, I was always going to get a call from upwards and That's THE whole point, when slow playing, you must have a constant feel for the mood of the table. Is a raise likely? Do players know you? Will they scared of an UTG limp by you? Obviously aces are much easier to slow play due to the dreaded ace that ALWAYS appears on the flop (one in five my arse) when you slow play kings, but If you get it right, you may double up instead of nicking the blinds, but if it goes wrong try and only lose the minimum. ---- Now I cannot remember exactly when this was, and I don't recall playing too much NLHE cash online at all, think it may've been during my brief spell on Ladbrokes - anyway the theory remains the same. Thoughts?

[Tweetypie05]

Re: Big Pair Coyness Nice post Billy. I would agree that slowplaying AA or KK is both situational and positional and not something I would do most of the time as it can all too easily go wrong! The way you described it made sense to me and IF I get an opportunity that 'feels' right then I would slowplay aces. As you have said it is all about getting the right situation to maximise your winnings. The situation you described below sounded perfect! Some nice change there! Cha-ching!