Need some Limit Hold'em advice....

Flipper

I've just started playing some Limit Holdem - basically just want to have a decent grasp of it even though I never intend on playing a lot of it.

I was playing the $20/40 game online the other day (can't remember the site) and this hand came up. I'm only learning the game so I'm not sure if I did the right thing... (I don't have the hand history so no exact pot amounts)

6 seater table but 3 players are sitting out. I have about $1,000 in front of me. Other two players have the same.

I get Ah9c on the button and raise it. Two callers

Flop (60) Kh Qh 2h

SB bets, BB raises and I call. So does SB.

Turn (120) As

SB checks, BB bets and I raise. Basically, we four bet it.

River (360) 6h

SB checks, BB bets and I raise. SB folds ( ) and the BB calls. He mucks.

They then both proceeded to shout a torrent of abuse at me for playing it all wrong and getting lucky. What's the right play here and where did I make mistakes in betting/calling/raising?

Lafortezza

I don't play limit but it looks ok to me. With the draw you have you want to keep it 3-way if possible. What way did the betting go on the turn? I'd try to keep both Villains in the hand while getting as much money in the middle as possible, since your heart draw is definitely live, and your two pair/trip outs might be live, unlikely though given the action.

On the river if you think the BB will definitely call your raise then raise it. If not then call and hope the SB puts another bet in.

edit: did Villains say how you played it wrong?

Flipper

The SB was the one with the least interest in the hand (might have had a bad straight draw or something). I cant remember how the betting went but we four bet it.

Hectorjelly

First off, id try lurking in the limit forums on 2+2 for a while. Also playing shorthanded 20/40 limit is probably not the best way to learn; its your money though!

Im not limit expert but your turn play is bad. You almost definitely dont have the best hand and raising opens you up to getting 4 bet which you have to call despite getting the worst of it.

bohsman

I raise at every possible opportunity in this hand, I play limit very aggresively, theres not many streets to get value in and you're unlikely to get paid if the 4th heart comes.

ianmc38

Raise flop, flat call turn as you're definitely behind and dont want to pay 4-bets to see the river

Flipper

I feel now that re-raising on the flop and raise-call on the turn might be the move to maximise return. I suppose it increases the chances of keeping the pot 3-way too - which is good. On the flop, I think my hand is HUGE. I do know that Limit is more of a high card game and my A-high is often leading at this point.

It's a trickier game than I had first thought...

RoundTower

I think you played it well. I think in an aggressive short handed game the turn raise is right. You may have the best hand and the best draw, BB can be doing this with any K or a hand like QcJh. If it goes check/bet/you raise/call/3 bet, I would not 4 bet it there though, just call. If BB is passive just call the first time. Also I think I prefer calling flop. I don't play this game much either though.

MrPillowTalk

I raise the flop, mainly because you want it checked to you on a non heart turn card and its cheaper to show the aggresion on the flop. I dont mind raising or flat calling the turn card, raising opens you up to be four bet on the turn but also gets you two bets instead of one on the river when the heart hits.

I dont think you should think ace high is good when its gone bet, raise on the flop. HU limit ace high is straong there but not three way with two of them betting. My general strategy for Limit is tighter range than NL preflop and far looser postflop once its hu or three way. If you are playing short handed it is a high variance game as mathematically its hard to get someone to make a big mistake unless you find a string of big pairs.

Flipper

thanks guys, some good there. I HJ is right thou... 3 handed is not the best setting to learn in!

cardshark202

Flipper wrote:

thanks guys, some good there. I HJ is right thou... 3 handed is not the best setting to learn in!

lol