wardnine

I'm in US and am interested much more so for tournaments than cash (though could look at cash as well). Tough to find online games in US - would like to build rough stats using tournament hands if possible...

Appreciate the response Owen - I learn a lot from your videos thanks!!!

One more question. At 30:25 you mention isolating by raising big with "strong (or even mediocre) flopping hands" vs. players who like to limp in a lot and will call most pre-flop raises. What would you consider to be "strong" (or mediocre) flopping hands that we should generally be isolating with in these spots?

Also in certain low-stakes games you'll have loose players (especially older loose passive players) that will limp in even with premium hands (e.g., never raise AK/AQ or even high pairs with the exception of maybe AA). Would you want to be more cautious isolating in these situations as this often works like a trap for the villain? (Even though they're often not really even trying to trap - they just don't like putting more money in preflop even with high pocket pairs?)

Akira - really appreciate your videos... feel like I learn something with each video of yours that I watch! Do have a few questions so hoping you can answer at least a couple:

1) 9:20 - curious about the logic behind the K7o squeeze? Especially in low states play you'll get 1 or 2 callers there the vast majority of time and you'll be playing the hand out of position? But you would consider this to be a profitable play? Also, given your 3-bet squeeze wouldn't you want to bet out more often than not to represent a big hand? (Q67 rainbow board in particular didn't seem too threatening?)

2) 25:30 - I see shoving with 89s there as +EV also but IMO seems maybe more prudent in a low-stakes game (where you would have sometimes a significant edge) to wait for a better spot to risk almost 15 BB, especially given that 89s plays well multi-way? Especially in low-stakes, where there are plenty of players who will limp in and call off raises with hands like A10+ and low/mid pocket pairs (which we did see in this particular hand example)?

3) 27:15 - curious about the logic of min-raising (as opposed to just going all in) with J10o? I've never considered doing this before - is this to generate fold equity on the flop from a potentially better hand that would've called all-in preflop (similar to a stop and go)?

4) 41:35 - any consideration to raising for value with what is likely the best hand in A4o, even though you know he will probably call and you are out of position?

5) 42:50 - is just calling on the turn with the flopped straight a consideration? Seemed there weren't too many cards to be scared of and perhaps there was potential for villain to bluff on river or improve to two pair or trips?

Hi, Akira. As always - appreciate your excellent videos and thorough explanations of your thought process. Have a few questions and hope you (or even others) can maybe answer a few:

1) 3:40 - given that you still have ~45 BB and there are numerous other 30+BB stacks at table is it reasonable to limp with the 55 and play primarily for set value? I play 55 this way nearly all the time in similar situations

2) 7:37 - Is flat calling with JT in position (instead of folding or 3-betting) a reasonable alternative? Usually I would flat call there.

3) 16:25 - would calling with 59o in small blind (instead of folding) be next best option to raising given the immediate pot odds and tightness of player to the left? I agree raising is best option but I also like calling there and betting out most flops?

4) 17:40 - Similar to 55 question in #1 above - could limping and playing primarily for set value be a consideration given everyone still has 20+ BB?

5) 20:52 - Why wouldn't we want to make a smaller raise in position with 44 instead of risking 17BB with the small pair? I've generally either made the smaller raise or folded in these spots rather than pushing with the entire stack?

6) 24:30 - I typically fold KJo in 1st position with 19BB... is this a +EV hand to open with in this situation?

Hi, Owen! I actually don't mind the slow pace as it's allowed you to do an excellent job explaining your thought process. The slow pace has been very helpful IMO though I understand why you'd want to speed it up a but. I do have a few questions on some hands:

1) 11:11 - Would folding AJ there be reasonable (or at least more reasonable than 3-betting)? I think I've tended to fold in similar situations due to size of all-in raise (12+ BB) and fact there are still 3 to act behind me.

2) 19:45 - Not completely understanding why you say if you see bet the Q96 board, you should tend to double barrel on turn? Is is due to large number of draws and backdoors in opponents range for this board compared to other boards?

3) 27:30 - would calling with A9o be fine given the ~2.6-1 pot odds and position advantage after call? You seem to narrow the options to either 4-bet or fold but I've generally either just called or folded in those spots.

4) Last hand - would folding ATo be okay even against this aggressive raiser? As previous commenter stated, I usually either fold or 3-bet in this sort of situation but would like to hear your thoughts...

From what I heard he actually says he prefers c-betting that 668dd spot but he understood and didn't mind the hero checking back...

I generally open limp the consecutive suited Aces hands (A6, A4) played around the 20:00 mark rather than raise or fold in that spot (and often call a reasonably-sized raise especially vs. multiple opponents) - is that okay?