Another Uncoventional Poker Play

At The Oaks Today....

I was playing at the Oaks Sunday tournament, and I made another play which is out of the norm.

It was $75-$150. I was in the small blind.

The player under the gun called. Everyone folded to a late position player. This player is aggressive pre-flop. Frankly, he overplays his hands pre-flop, and is unpredictable post flop. He raised to $600.

In the small blind I had 8-8. I called. I had $1,700 left after the call. The limper called. There was $1,950 in the pot. Frankly, normally the right play is to move all-in since I only had 4 times his bet left. However, this was a one rebuy event, and I played the hand as if I had another $2,500 behind the line. (None of us had taken the rebuy yet.)

The flop came down 7-8-9 rainbow. I hit a set and wanted to optimize my winnings, but protect my hand.

The player I wanted to get all in was the aggressive player. He had $1,700 left as well.

I could check the hand, but I decided to make a play that looked like I was on a draw.
I bet $700.

The limper folded. The aggressive opponent thought for a while. I was sure he was going to move all-in. He just called.

The turn was a Q.

With over $3,000 in the pot. I bet $1,000. He insta-called with Q-J.

The river was a 2, and I took down a bet pot.

Would he have moved all-in, with his Q-J against two opponents. I think he may have taken a free card. If so, the turn may still have him moving all in.

What do you think?

What Is One of Your Unconventional Winning Poker Plays?

Unconventional Winning Poker Plays

An unconventional winning poker play is one that does not follow the accepted norms of the game but ends up with you winning more chips than a traditional play.

Here is an example:

It is $50-$100 and you are in the big blind. You have $3,000 in chips, an average stack.

Four players limp into the pot. You call with 8s-8c. The pot is $550.

The flop is As-Jd-8d.

What should you do?

You can bet out. You can check-call. You can check-raise.

My unconventional play is as follows:

I will check, and with 4 callers I am fairly certain someone will bet.

Let's say the first player bets $400, and there is only one caller. One of these players has $6,000 in chips and the other $2,500 in chips.

There is now $1,350 in the pot.

If I raise to $1,200 it looks like I have a strong hand.

Instead, I will move all-in, to make it look like I'm pushing with a flush draw.

It works often at online poker, especially since players are more aggressive online.

What is one of your unconventional winning poker plays?

Thanks!