TomF

For calling 4 bets a general rule of thumb is if you have a ds hand without a pair or Ace in it that was good enough to 3 bet in the first place, then it is almost always correct to call.
For example if you 3bet as btn vs co with T986$ds and get 4bet then it's a snap call, even something Q986$ds is a snap call.
Hope this helps!

darksrs Alkemico
I agree with your turn summation. By having a Q we block his turned two pair and our range is still full of strong hands vs his flop calling range so we need bluffs to go along with our strong hands, this is a perfect hand to use a bluff and it still has equity against his 2pair+ when called.
My line on this flop if I had chosen to bet and stacks were approx 100bbs would be to bet pot on the flop because of our overall range adv and the fact that 2pair+ is infrequent in our opponents range, and once called on this specific turn I would pot again given the above reasons which would put us all in or close to all in.
I would love to hear what you guys think of this and if you would approach differently?

Alkemico
Two important questions to consider
1, Do you think this is a good flop for your range?
2. How frequently does opponent have two pair or nut draws?

Please let me know your thoughts as I think this is good starting point for discussion

AJT9:Jxx is a good candidate for a 3-bet here, I personally would never flat this hand in this spot as it has terrible multiway equity and you are in the worst possible overall position. 3-bet or fold are the best options.

Hi everbody,
Just thought I'd leave a few thoughts on the first couple of sessions I've had with Thallo.
We've done a basic database review to see where I can improve as I adjust from live to online play (currently playing 50c/$1 as I earn my stripes).
He picked up a few leaks immediately, he then went to work on explaining the concepts behind these leaks and we have reviewed a lot of hands where I had made these mistakes. As we where reviewing he explained the theory and worked with me to identify heuristics I can use to help me move forward and get better at these spots.
The HH reviewing is one of the most enlightening things I've done in my poker education and have noticed myself being able to better identify spots I was making errors in before, and this is only after 2 lessons.
Thallo's coaching has definitely been a positive investment for me.

If we give the CO a range of PokerJuice RFI30% and the BB a calling range of 55% without a BB 3-bet vs CO open range, then we find CO has a slight range adv of 53.5%. We also find that the polarities are similar with each of you holding the strongest made hands and strongest draws fairly evenly (though it is still slightly in favour of the CO, 15.5% to 12%). You block the best continiuing hands heavily. In situations like like I've found that the strategy is probably a mixed one. So, when these pop up I personally rely on opponent type and tendencies to help with my decision (Vs a passive opponent I'm more likely to donk, against an opponent who cbets alot in pos I'm more likely to check/raise). I see you have no info on this opponent whcich makes it interesting.
With the population tending to over c-bet in pos in general I would lean to a check/raise and the sizing I would use would be around 14bbs (if he's bet 4.18 into 6.5).
In answer to your questions:
1. Yes we do like this combo in our leading range some of the time, we also like it in our x/r and x/c range too. PLO is a beautifully complex game.
1(a). There are no slam dunk leads with those combos, it's again a mix. However, I think the 88,JJ combos are way more important than 77 because they also block some continuing hands like KQT8,JT98,T986,J98,Q98 which become very relevant if a J+ hits the turn.
1(b). I personally would never lead a flush draw board with this hand without a bdfd and flush draw blocker.
2. I agree with that if you lead or x/r and the turn is a Ad you should bet big.

I hope this gave you some things to think about. I will say I'm still very much learning this game and could very well be off the mark with my assessment but it is the best analysis I can give with my current knowledge base.
Good luck!

Hi Emty
The TT hand at the end was interesting, I liked your bet for exactly the reasons you mentioned (folds out some Axxx,AQxx,QJxx etc.). I do not believe general pop would play this spot optimally at all (myself included), I'd think most K+ hands would be betting turn as oop player and when they x they're giving up a lot of those hands. Also, when you delay c-bet they are probably supposed to call with some QQ or JJ or Ahh hands but in general I think that people would fold these hands here facing the implied threat of the top of your range (I believe I do this myself alot). I think your play was a very profitable one vs a small stakes player pool.
It is definitely a spot I will keep in mind for the future.

I like the pre-flop open. I do not like the big size bet on the flop. If you were to decide to bet this size you would need to have blockers to his continuing range (Ad,Tx,(66,44):(dd,hdd)) to go along with your value hands. Range v Range here is about 50/50 but your hand v range is a approx 40/60 underdog. He has dd,T,JJ+,43 about 60% of the time and you are doing horribly against that range, which are the likely hands he is calling with vs a 60%+ sizing.
If you want to bet this hand I would bet smaller, like 33% pot. The reason being you force him to continue wider and also to play predictably because I can safely say he will be raising his strong made hands vs a small bet. Also, this hand does have potential to barrell given favourable turns and if you've made him continue wider and decrease the frequency of his strong made hands then how's he going to feel when you pot the turn?
I think the mistake was betting too large on the flop.

Hi Pacny,
I think you have an excellent candidate for c-betting and then a barrel (especially on the 9c) .
For the sake of analysis let say the villain raises QQ,88,55,Q8:hh,Ahh:(Q,76,JT9),JT9:hh for value/protection of equity as the oop player on this board.
Let's also state that he x/calls with Khh,Jhh,hh:(JT,T9,97,96,76,Q,53),Q8!(hh),Q5,JT9. He only has this 21% of the time (if he has a bb v bt open calling pecentage of 55%) and with your exact hand you are a slight equity favourite (52%/48%).
You block the flushes from coming in and you heavily block the best combo draws.
With all of this information I would bet 75% on the turn and betting most rivers that aren't a Q or a heart (that's only 10 cards you have to be worried about and even then you win some of the time on hearts at showdown when he checks river), Also your hand can still improve on a 6,9,T which I believe is important because your hand is not just a bare bluff.
He will probably x/call two streets with the above calling range with his fd combos and he will almost always x/raise if he's binked the JT gutshot. So your are going to have to fire a 3rd bullet on most rivers (excluding the above mentioned) because he will still have some Q:hh that beats you, I would use a full pot size.

Nick Johnson
Thank you very much for your thorough reply, I appreciate it!

Hi Pacny,
I believe your open utg is fine, you have a top 10% hand that flops ok and ok on some boards that are perceived to be better for your opponents pre flop calling range which gives you a bigger payoff opportunity.
Without too much info on the opponents I would give them tight ranges (they are supposed to be very tight, especially utg+1 clling range).
You don't have a range or polarity range advantage on this flop (the polarity favours the utg+1 caller as his range is centred around KK and decent QQ), you should check the flop.
If utg+1 stabs he only needs to have Qdd to have you in trouble and basically drawing to 6 outs as the oop player. Versus a range of (QQ,99,66,Add,Kdd,Qdd,Q9) you are a 36% dog and this is almost 40% of his range, I believe these are his main betting hands in a 3way pot.
I would check the flop and fold vs any bet, it is a bad situation to be in if you check/call and then a diamond comes.

Hope this helped,

Tom

Hi Phil,
I would love to see a lesson like this as the OOP player, it is something I struggle with as a small stakes player. Especially with regard to check/calling and how to protect an oop checking range as the preflop aggressor.
Thanks for the great content.
Tom

Hi Nick,
So from what I learned I believe a decent chuck of both players ranges are very strong therefore flop aggression should go down. Does that mean that bet size should go up when we bet as the IP player (because we are polarizing our range)?
Enjoyed the lesson! Please correct me if I've interpretted anything wrong.