how to play JJ in BB?

aubreym

in a pub tourno last night, 1st 450, 2nd 250 & 3rd 100...

down to last 4, had 60k chips, other chip leader had 70k , 2 small stacks had 10k & 15k. blinds were 2000/4000 . The other chip leader raised it up to 10k from UTG, SB folded & i had JJ. I put him on A/K or K/Q for some reason, so just called the bet. Flop came out K, 8, 2 and he bet 15k. I folded & he showed Q, 5 s to take the pot.

should i have raised him all in before the flop with the JJ, or was i right to just call the raise? If the flop came 10 high, i was going all in , so in my mind, i was caught between a check-raise on the flop, or an all-in pre-flop.

any suggestions/ critisisms appreciated

Imposter

This is a difficult one. JJ is not that strong if CL has a hand but CL could well be on a blind steal. Raising to 25k will usually get CL to fold or go all-in. I say 25k because if you then have to fold you still are in an ok position with 35k. If he goes all-in you probably have to fold. The worst result is if he flat calls. You'll pretty much have to bet on the flop which negates the reason why you'd bet the 25k in the first place.

You could also move all-in here preflop but you're only going to be called when you're beaten or it's a 50-50, both of which should be avoided if possible. If the CL has been raising a lot preflop then all-in is probably the move.

ntlbell

4 handed I'd consider JJ fairly strong, I'm pushing here.

The_Chopper

Down to 4 I'd play this hand one of 2 ways.
If I think the raiser is really strong I'd fold,
If I think I've the better hand I'll raise - if nothing else to find out where I stand (This is the option I'd take 9 out of 10 times)
I agree though it's a tough one

Waylander

Down to 4 in a pub tournie I would be all in immediately.

padser

Down to 4. With two players less 4 BB. Im not playing a pot against the other CL. Not unless iv got at the very least pocket QQ. Preferably KK or AA.

Uv only got 15BB despite being 2nd CL so im trying to pick off the shorties if im you.

Ste05

It depends on what you're playing for (i.e. 1st, or a money finish) and how risk averse you are.

If you're going for 1st place and you're willing to risk a bubble finish, you push here pre-flop. Should put manners on the CL, and let him know not to mess with your BB, if he calls hope he doesn't have AA, KK or QQ, which chances are he doesn't.

If you want to guarantee a money finish, call and push any non A, K or Q flop. (and fold as you did if one falls) If you're not willing to do this, unless you think there's a chance you could check it down, just fold pre-flop. And pick off the short stacks. From reading your post again, this is what you said, and I think you played it fine. Taking the safer route, but nothing wrong with that IMO.

impr0v

I think you played it fine also, cautious but fine. Where did you finish? (don't say bubble)

fixer

I have had such a **** week with JJ.

Fairly loose table in the first level (25-50) of the SE 75 double chance. I get JJ in the sb. 4 limpers, button raises to 450, I reraise to 1250, limpers die, button reraises all-in for another 400 or so. I call, he shows AQo, turn is an A.

second level, JJ in sb again with 1400 chips (different player on button, other guy moved tables). 1 limper, so I raise 400. limper calls. Flop is K35 rainbow, I bet 600, he reraises 1050, I call all-in. He shows A4h, turn comes a 2.

Later in the cash game, I get JJ in the bb with €300. I've been running well there, with some young fellas at the table (usual mix of weak donkeys and LAGs). A very timid lad on the button (400+, just won a big multiway pot) raises 10, I reraise 40, he calls. Flop is KJ7 rainbow. Putting him on AA or slightly possibly AK (assuming he would have checked KK, willing to lose to that), I check, he bets 50, I reraise 125, he calls. Turn comes a damned A, check, he bets 60, I call all-in knowing I was out but praying for AK...of course, AA.

Hand 1, I think I played it right.

Hand 2, I could have weakly check-folded the K flop, but felt I had the guy pegged for Ax pre-flop (he chased Ax all night long) and thought I was good.

Hand 3, I should have pushed on my check-reraise, but I thought he'd fold and I wanted to double through. Got caught being a bit greedy.

Anyone see how I should have/could have played it any differently?

aubreym

finished 3rd...the small stack went out next hand, but the other small stack doubled up twice within 2 hands once the blinds went to 4000/8000. The more i think about it, i should have gone all-in before the flop & let him decide whether he wanted to risk an all-in...ah well, next time i won't be so cautious.

Shortstack

This is a push every time. Sure, the rare time you run into AA,KK or QQ, other than that you are either slightly ahead or massively ahead if he calls. If he calls and you win you have nearly all the chips on the table.

Never ever play tamely at this stage in a normal tournament. There is only one position you are aiming for here and you have a great opportunity to take it.

shoutman

i reckon hes on a steal or looking to see a flop at least. I would definately put a re raise in to make it 30 k, if he raises all in you have a problem but at least you know where you stand. Even with 30 k you are still in second position with two short stacks. I definately wouldnt of just called in this position. Wouldnt of pushed all in either for fear that he has go qq kk aa and calls then you are out in fourth. With the two short stacks happy as a pair of proverbial larrys.

fuzzbox

Tough spot. If Chip Lead is tight, then you can be a little wary, but its hard to be wary in the Pub Tourneys.

I might shove it in preflop, or maybe call, see that flop and
A. check/call flop, lead turn
B. lead flop, folding a raise.

Tough spot - but I dont know if I like seeing a flop, as at least one overcard falls about 50% of the time. It seems a little expensive when you have such a fine hand.

Actually - after reading that its 4-handed, I push every time preflop.
JJ is a monster - 4-handed, and if it gets beat ... then I'm just gonna have to lose.

RoundTower

aubreym wrote:

I put him on A/K or K/Q for some reason, so just called the bet.

You're reading the game very badly, or extremely well. If you could put him on one of these hands with confidence, you played it perfectly. If your reads are always this bad, you should think in future "He probably has a pair, or two big cards, or a small chance of complete ****e." This is a more accurate read when someone raises, and will make you money in the long run compared to putting him on AK or KQ.