Patience, smarts key with big hands
The Mid-States Poker Tour, which has awarded more than $101 million in prize money since its inception in 2009, recently held its Season 10 finale at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota. The $1,100-buy-in main event attracted 802 players from all over the country.
The tournament provided an interesting lesson on how to successfully play a big hand.
The hand in question took place in Level 12, with blinds at 1,000-2,000 plus an ante of 2,000. After Jeff Maas limped from early position, MSPT Grand Falls champion Ahmed Taleb raised to 4,500. Nebraska farmer Phil Mader, who was next to act, three-bet to 15,000. Action folded back to Maas, who folded, and then Taleb called to see a flop of 3d Kc 8s.
Taleb and Mader both checked, and the dealer burned and turned the Js. Taleb led out for 13,000, and Mader paused for a few beats before making the call.
When the As completed the board on the river, Taleb returned to checking, and Mader thought for a bit before betting 40,000. Taleb called.
Mader rolled over Ks Kd for a flopped set of kings, and Taleb mucked. Taleb later claimed to have held A-K for two pair.
Pocket kings (also known as “cowboys”) represent the second-best starting hand in poker behind pocket aces, and whenever you have them, you should play them aggressively. Here, Mader had a limper and a raise in front of him, so it was a perfect spot for a reraise, or a “three-bet.” He made his reraise three to four times the amount of Taleb’s raise, and after the limper got out of the way, Taleb called to see the flop.
Mader hit it big with a set of kings, and in this spot some players would have been tempted to bet. After all, Mader held the best possible hand (“the nuts”), so why not try to play a big pot? Mader knew better.
He realized that in order for Taleb to call a three-bet from out of position, he would need a strong hand. That ruled out any two-pair combinations. In other words, Taleb wouldn’t play K-8, K-3 or 8-3 against a raise. A hand containing a king, such as A-K, would seem unlikely given that three of the kings were already accounted for. So what could Taleb possibly hold that would make him willing to call a bet?
In such a spot, it’s better to give your opponent a free card, hoping he or she improves on the turn. Here, Taleb seemingly did improve his hand, as he led out after a jack appeared. For the same reason as above (Taleb’s limited range), Mader continued to slow-play by just calling.
The river put three spades on the board, but unless Taleb hit a runner-runner flush, Mader still had the best hand. As such, Mader bet big after a check and got paid by Taleb.
Whenever you have a big hand, don’t just play it strong; play it smart. Be cognizant of what your opponent could possibly have and plan your line of play accordingly.