More six-max

As promised, here is the skinny on the all-in hand I won on Monday evening. Taking my opponents’ cards into account, I had 10 outs from 36 remaining cards when I went all-in (first to act) on the turn. I was 2.6-1 and because they both called I received about 4-1 on my money.

So did I get lucky? Well, yeah. I was lucky to get those odds, because the third guy (who had 5 outs) should not have called. The other chap had bottom set, so he was a strong favourite. In a way, it was slightly better than I thought, because I figured my Jack-high flush draw must have been dead, but in fact I had non board-pairing diamonds going for me as well as the moderate straight draw.

I didn’t make a great play, but it wasn’t quite downright awful, and ten outs is plenty more than what people have been bad-beating me with lately.

Last night I played for a total of two hours; six-max PLO cash and a $10+1 sit and go.
The cash game went well again, and I think I played really well. I made a number of good decisions, ranging from preflop isolation re-raises against short stacks to well thought-out calls on the river. I played with appropriate boldness, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was ‘only’ a $39 win over two hours, but I’ll happily take that. I do intend to keep playing six-max when the lineup is okay; when there are one or two bad players in the game you stand far more chance of getting their chips than if you are at a full ring game, where your attempts to exploit them are more likely to run into big hands held by strong players. Six-max could be the way forward, with disciplined game selection.

I’ve been a bit quiet on the sit and goes recently, barely played any in at least a week. Last night I got into the rare situation of ending up all-in on the second or third hand – something I generally avoid with almost religious fervour. I had a big straight draw, bet big and got called on the flop. I missed the turn, but sensed weakness in my opponent so I went for it. He thought and thought before calling, and turned over two pair (a pretty dodgy call). Luckily I hit my straight and had a stack that meant I could comfortably play through the tourney and see a few flops when I fancied it.

I lost a little, won a little, and cruised into the money. Then I was lucky enough to knock out the other two guys in quick succession, and finally got my first win at the $10+1 level under my belt. Which felt good and, unless I am mistaken, puts me into profit at this sit ‘n’ go level at last.

I’m not sure why I have had a break from the sit ‘n’ goes lately, but I really must keep playing them. They are an excellent low-risk game for me, and a superb second (or third?) table because they require so little attention until the business end.