http://www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod67

In today’s QA, I answer 3 listener Q’s about what beginning players should understand about poker, using a Bovada HUD and the subject matter of my future eBook and other exclusive content.

Question 1 from Dave (1:30)

Sky, I am a donk. Where do I begin with my studies? I have many, many of the old school books (Sklansky, Caro, Brunson, Malmuth), but so much has changed. I love your podcasts but some of the concepts (esp the math) are over my head. I am going to purchase the Ed miller book ‘The Course’. You have done a great job presenting it! Please HELP. -Dave

Question 2 from Big T (5:50)

Hi Sky,

Thanks again for your answer about pocket pairs a few weeks ago. I am playing them more often now, not always successfully, but it made me win a few big pots I was very happy about!

1- I’m playing online poker only on Bovada, so do I really need a HUD, and if so, why? 

2- Hand review.

There’s one EP raiser, we’ll call him player A. Another short stack player B calls. I 3bet on the button with AQo. The blinds fold and players A and B both call.  So I’m IP, 3way and the flop comes Ac8sQs.  The pot is 2700 chips, A has 2,100 behind, B has 1,000 behind and I have 1,600.  A goes all in (he covers me) and B (short stack) calls.

I KNEW that A had a flush draw. Not sure if it was a reasonable guess but it is what immediately came to my mind (easy to say it was a good guess now).  I suspect that B has a flush draw as well even though I thought he might have called with an Ace…Either way, it doesn’t matter since I think the player who’s covering me is already on a flush draw.  I call, the turn is another spade and I know that I’m out of the tournament. B ends up winning the pot with a better flush than A.

Now that I’m reviewing it, I realize now that A also had a straight draw (it goes fast during the actual game and I hadn’t noticed that).  So, this leaves me with a few questions:

1- Should I risk my tournament knowing that a spade on the turn or river means I’m out? I thought the odds were good, but I’m still not sure I should have called with 2 pair.

2- Is there any other mistake I made?

3- I would probably not call a 3bet preflop with TJs or A3s as my opponents did. Especially not if I were A and didn’t know what B would do.  Am I wrong and should I call 3bets more often when I’m in their position?

Thanks again for your podcast!

Big T =)

Question 3 from Firaga (15:00)

Sky,

I will be VERY happy to pledge my support in the near future once I can take care of some personal financial goals.  Can you give any more insight as to what the strategy videos and/or ebooks might cover? I don’t know how far in the future you plan your projects but I am interested in hearing about it.

Also, have you enjoyed using WordPress? I am considering using them for hosting a blog (part of my being accountable for my goals) but I am hesitant to commit to a site.

Also, super quick update. I decided that HUSNG are the best games for me right now. (if you don’t remember, Firaga was the one that asked about which discipline to stick with for future profitability and longevity) HUSNG’s combine my desire to learn cash game concepts (all decisions are based on cEV, not ICM) and hand reading with my knowledge of push/fold poker and turbo/hyper turbo experience.  Early results are favorable but too early to get excited. Thank you very much for your last email!

Best regards, Firaga

Hosted by Sky Matsuhashi, poker player, poker coach and author. 

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