I remember the first time I wasn’t good at playing all calling cards and also in distinguishing good starting hands. Just last month, I believe I played well and have actually learned when to act and eventually make use of my chips. But just last week, I decided to finally try playing at our local casino. I want to try ring games.

Before I have already tried playing in a ring game and the experience was good, well, maybe at the start. I was up and down for several hours, playing hands in right position and keenly watching out who the calling stations were. I started with 150 and quite confident I decided to take risk.

At some point, I was on the button and was dealt AhKh in a 2-4 game. Three callers came in and I raised to $4. After a while, both small and big blind folded. Total call was $19 in the pot. Flop came and brought AcKd9h. Player to act first then checked while the second placed $2 bet. I then raised to $4 after having been flopped top two pair and a back door flush draw. Player who checked then folded and the next one raised to $6. Consequently I called. Pot was $31 at such point. Turn came and brought 7h. He checked while I have the nuts. I then placed $4 bet with my two pair and a stronger draw. He then raised to $8. I stopped for a while and then decided to raise him to 12$. He then called. Pot was $55 at such point. River came and was 10c. Once again he checked and I placed $4 after recalling all his moves. I believe he would have already bet if he has anything. He then paused for a moment and raised to $8. I then called. Pot was already $71.

Later, he showed QsJs while I showed AK to show two pair. I was happy to see no kings or aces but then I figured out that on the river he has pulled a straight. In the end, I went home with a little under $100.

Do you think what happened to me is a perfect example of a bad beat? And do you know of anything I could have done to avoid that going to the river?

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Calvin
Calvin,

This appeared to me to be limit holdem as opposed to No Limit. In Limit Holdem, you opponent had the odds to chase his draw. If this was No Limit Holdem, then you definitely did not bet enough.

Based on the fact that this looked like Limit Holdem, this isn’t that bad of a beat. He had odds to draw. Not much you could have done differently.

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Well, I’m bothered as every time I play in small tournaments, it’s always me and another guy who stay for the pot. This is a big problem for me as heads-up has never been an advantage to me, I typically fold a lot more than what’s supposed to be. Now I want to know your opinion about how I should adjust my play from a multi-handed game to a heads-up game. By the way, for heads-up is there a revised starting hands table?

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Warm regards,
Albert
Albert,

Any Ace is a raising hand. Two big cards 10 and up are playable. Any pair is playable. Also, with other hands, try and see cheap flops to try and connect. I only stay away from the worst of the worst hands. Of course, if you can get to the flop with them in the big blind, go ahead and do so.

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