Big Pairs and Sets

A very interesting hand appeared in a no-limit cash game ($0.50/$1.00) where in I participated. At first, I thought things were just on the right track but later on I realized they were not actually and that situation is already hard to handle.

I limped in with pocket 3′s in the middle position. In late position, a player raised to three times that of the BB ($70 stack). Subsequently, the button called $80 stack. Well, thinking that both players are having fairly deep stacks, I called the extra 2 bets for the huge implied odds.

Then, the flop came – 6 Clubs, 4 Hearts, 3 Clubs and so as a result I checked to the raiser who placed a bet out $10, button folded and I re-raised to $25. My opponent went all in which of course I immediately call.

Unfortunately, the turn was 7 Diamonds and river was 5 Clubs. Finally, he flipped over Ks and we divided the pot with the straight on the board.

Now, I’m wondering. Is that the way you actually play over pairs without fear of the set? And about my opponent’s options – fold, call, re-raise, or all in, how will you rank them and why will you rank them that way?

Well, personally I ranked his options as fold – call – all in – re-raise.

Thank you in advance.

Carl Vince

Carl,

In the scenario above, I would rank his options as re-raise, all in, call, fold. A player will only flop a set 11% of the time. Most players are not going to instantly give you credit for a set. The more likely option would be that you have a pair such as 10’s or jack, or a flush draw. I almost bet that he put you on a flush draw or a weaker pair. He wanted to try and make you pay to draw out on him. He didn’t realize that he was the one that needed to draw out.