Ace King Played Slow (Then Fast) | SplitSuit

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Firo sent in an interesting hand played with AK. Facing a min-raise by a fishy player and a 3bet from UTG+1, Firo decides to just call the 3bet. The flop is Ace-high and monotone and somehow goes check/check/check - which creates a bizarre line on the turn.
SplitSuit jumps in to help with the preflop range assumption, explains why the flop check is a REALLY bad idea, and shows why the turn jam is likely too aggressive in this exact situation. This whole hand is all over the place giving us plenty of things to discuss!

[@tomtrader6559]

Great video as always, would love to see a video of you playing live session with commentary:)!

[@splitsuit]

Thanks Tom! I haven't done a video like that in a VERY long time =)

[@bathtubfaarts2317]

I would love to see that too! Maybe some live commentary of you playing the micros?!?!

[@jaxsonbateman]

I'm impressed with how Hugo played this hand overall. The only mistake you could argue he made at any point was bet-sizing on the turn - perhaps a little too big to draw anything but top pair hands in - but all his actions were very solid (preflop 3 bet, flop check to trap with the nuts, turn bet after it checked through on the flop). Neither hero nor Maria played anywhere close to that good, and hero ended up getting belted for it. The deciding factor here certainly seemed to be the flop non-bet by hero - a bet there could've been very informative if Hugo decided to check-raise his monster, and hero could've possibly escaped with most of his stack.

[@radumurzea6112]

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree a bit regarding Hugo's bluff probability on the turn. You say he's mostly going to make that big raise with value. But.... wouldn't a bluff also make sense GIVEN THAT both his opponents showed weakness (checking) on a pretty wet flop? I may be completely wrong here, possibly because Hugo knows that such a bluff-steal works more rarely in microstakes games. @James can you let me know what you think about my reasoning above? Thanks.

[@splitsuit]

Totally fair. If you think Hugo would assume there is actual FE vs the fishy lead on the turn, yes. Otherwise, I think Huge takes the sick IO on the turn with draws and raises a specific range (Hugo also doesn't fear us raising since what would we raise the turn with after a bet-call when the flop got checked through?)

[@bobbykotick1163]

I also think hugo could have some bluffs considering the non-standard check with Ax by hero.

[@zerocool6980]

Hero needs to spend a little study time comparing how HUD stats compare to actual hand ranges. Hero assumes villain is 3-betting QQ+/AK which would be 2.5% of hands when his HUD shows villain really has a 3bet of 7.1%.

[@petershuker163]

Analysis is spot on

[@14luey]

QQ+ and AK 3 bet is actually

[@splitsuit]

Yes, QQ+/AK is about 2.5% of hands. The thing with 3bet% is that you have to look to see how much of that stat is being dominated by resteals, since resteals are included in the overall 3bet%. But yup, you are 100% on the right track with your consideration!

[@whimsical_ninja]

I think there's information in Hugo's flop check here. Getting an idea of his PF 3bet range is important - does it include AQs or AQo? AJs? KQs? TT/99? (I was surprised to see KJ). When the flop comes down with an Ace (and before he acts, there is combo information. Hugo has 1 combo of AA, 3 of KK, 6 of QQ, 6 of JJ, 3 of TT, 6 of AK, 8 of AQ, 2 of AJs, 3 of KQs. We're beating a lot of that range. But then Hugo checks. On a board with three spades, facing two opponents one already checked to and with on left to act, he would be mad to check a set of AA or TT, or indeed top pair. From his point of view, UTG fish could easily have a spade, you could have QQ-TT with a spade, and if you have AK or AQ you'll call his bet so why wouldn't he bet? I also think you need to ignore the chances of his having a made flush - the only made flushes he has are KQ or at a push KJ. The check, to me, indicates weakness on a A-high board - maybe he's got KK-JJ, maybe KQ (not spades). With a made hand he would be terrified of you checking back. Hero's flop check is clearly madness for the same reason. If you're facing a monster you'll know soon enough. I'm not sure that the big turn bet indicates a monster because Hero showed so much weakness on the flop that he probably thinks that you have nothing - maybe he's decided that his KK is good? But I just can't see AA or TT. The slow-played nut flush is of course a possibility as well now. KsQs or the less likely KsJs would do this, but I'd say KK-JJ, or (less likely) a random bluff with KQs (diamonds or clubs) are far more likely here.

[@marcogauch]

Hey James, thanks a lot for your Poker vids, yesterday I won my first tournament (2.20 $ NLHE, 1st 236$)! Your Vids are great, could you do some more foundamental vids about poker? Sometimes I feel like I missed some basic concepts, I'd like it if you would create some poker basics vids. Keep it up! :-) Greetings from Switzerland

[@splitsuit]

Congrats on the ship Marocer! Have you checked out the Quick Plays series/playlist on this channel? Sounds right up your alley =)

[@michaelchung1526]

I know this is a year late but did Hero ever explain why he decided to turn his top pair into a bluff? The pot is like $2.50 and he basically 3bets the turn with a 1.5xpot overbet. Only gets called by made hands in that situation when he did have some SDV. I know we should have probably just bet the flop but a reasonable line could have been to just call the turn bet and see the river. If Villian is bluffing he might not fire the river after stabbing on the turn. If he does fire, we could fold depending on the pot odds villain gives us. We still end up losing money but maybe we don't let the Villian double up all the way.

[@jonniejacks3088]

Hey James, I have a hand i would like you to review if possible. I have it all organized on the poker memo app if there is any way i could send it to you from the poker memo app to an email or something that would be cool. I know you have a way you want people to get there hands to you but this worked for me in a very easy and organized way. Let me know if i could send it to you anywhere. Thanks

[@splitsuit]

Are you able to copy/paste your write up from your poker memo app? If yes, just drop it in my dropbox at www.splitsuit.com/send =)

[@pokerandtravel6946]

I agree with your pre and flop comments. But why can't UTG+1 have AQ or even AJ? The weak post flop action could indicate to him that he has the best hand. I mean if you had AQ in this spot would you flat call this ridiculous turn bet?

[@splitsuit]

but would I have checked the flop with AQ/AJ? We can't look at the turn raise in a vacuum - it has to be looked at through the lens of the entire line which includes checking behind a fish on the flop...

[@raphfernandez2589]

What split said and additionally would they really bomb that turn with AQ with a player left to act behind? It's reasonable for them to raise it but probably to $.60 or something like that.

[@pokerandtravel6946]

Raph Fernandez you are correct. There is a bet size tell.

[@pokerandtravel6946]

James (SplitSuit) I consider checking the flop with AQ, AJ (without a spade) a rational move. I don't know if it's the most EV+ move, but it seems rational to me, because you pot control in a spot that if you get raised you have to fold. I based my previous comment on this assumption. Do you think that it is a terrible assumption to make?

[@splitsuit]

I don't think the same person that would 3bet AQ from UTG+1 is the same person to pot control top pair with position on the fish on the flop.

[@fundiver198]

I am not shocked to see KJs in Hugos range. He was isolating someone, who was opening 27% of hands, and who only made a mini-raise before the flop. And most of the time, when a player like Maria does this, its almost a variation of limping into the pot, since she is just trying to see a cheap flop with her whatever. So personally in Hugos spot I would 3-bet with pretty much any hand, I would normally open from that position, and this certainly include KJs. Sure Hugo is risking more, if someone behind wake up with a monster, but there is also that much more dead money in the pot to fight for. He is risking 7BB to fight for 3,5, which is really no different from risking 3BB to fight for 1,5 in an unopened pot. Postflop I completely agree with James analysis. Got to bet that flop for value, but as played, when Hugo suddenly pots it on the turn out of nowhere, this really smells like something slowplayed trying to stack Maria. And there is no reason, why we should allow him to stack us instead.

[@Zillo91]

Just call, why the hell raise on the turn!? Should have bet the flop of course, but as played, to me, seems relatively safe to call the turn and then call/fold the river depending on the size. It looks obvious to me, am I wrong?

[@darcylindzon]

Was the flop check meant to induce a bluff on the turn?

[@splitsuit]

Which player's flop check?I suppose any of them could have been meant to induce a bluff =)

[@darcylindzon]

yeah I guess that question could be for either of them, and, I guess it worked, it induced a 5 cent bluff from maria =(

[@salmanza5568]

I have an off topic question and I don't mean any disrespect; did you play a lotta video games growing up?

[@splitsuit]

If you tell me why you are asking, I'd be happy to give you an honest answer =)

[@salmanza5568]

It was the open greeting right off the bat, signature "happy grinding" tells me you have a team player type of persona. Also the voice can't help but notice has some baritone leaving me to guess you spent more time indoors. Breaking down the speed of your sentence as you come to an end (not sure what I get from that) but I've heard people in the video game community talk like that too.

[@splitsuit]

Very interesting analysis. Things in order: 1. I had a large magnetization to video games growing up, but my parents heavily limited our time in front of them. So I didn't play a ton of them growing up. 2. The "happy grinding" is just a reminder to have fun while playing (I suppose this word was a bit more common years ago when I started the phrase lol) 3. I do prefer to be inside, so there could be something there 4. That's a pretty common speaking trick. It allows you to slow yourself down (my natural speaking pattern is quite fast) and gives some extra time to develop the next thought/sentence

[@XBROWN4]

I'm 4betting this spot every time with our without hud info

[@johngarza5551]

I thought he had kq spades. I had treeps.

[@tylermokarry9731]

This is a 4! pf in my mind and I'm feeling good about it;

[@chanceneck8072]

It's strange: Sometimes when James starts off these videos with "Good Morning!" I somehow add " ...easily offended millenials!" in my head!.... lol

[@fruitpunchchan]

ChanCeNecK that chick got u good huh?

[@splitsuit]

It's the internet - everyone is on edge and easily offended. Wish them good morning, show them love, and maybe they become the best versions of themselves in time...

[@chanceneck8072]

It´s weird! You can´t escape her!!... lol

[@xxxViceroyxxx]

I can, 'cuz I have no idea what you twits are memeing about.

[@chanceneck8072]

No need to insult us there!

[@kukuchev711]

just 4 bet ffs, and if you get 5 bet then its an easy fold! otherwise you could be in tough spots.

[@pokerandtravel6946]

kukuchev711 3-bettor is no fish

[@splitsuit]

4betting can be fine. But 4betting just to avoid tough spots is NOT a good line of reasoning. Embrace tough spots and learn to be comfortable in them rather than trying to avoid them.

[@FurrBurgers]

WOW hero couldnt have played this hand any worse lol, definitely a losing player

[@splitsuit]

How does a comment like this help? Everyone makes mistakes, and our goal is to simply learn from them and make better decisions in the future.

[@NishantSharma-tr6xl]

I would just quote BAIN from BATMAN , " And you shoved it here, You panicked and now it has cost you your stack".