Okay.... I was asked to address this situation. Although I was at the table when this particular event occured, it didn't involve me and I am not absolutely certain about how exactly it all ended up! I am certain that the ultimate outcome would not change what I am about to say here:
Here is the senerio: Player "A"... draws pocket Kings! Player "B" , clearly a passive / aggressive style player [also in a Badhat, by the way] , draws Ace King. Player "A" raises. Player "B" reraises... Player "A" re-reraises, now player "B" pushes All - In... Player "A" calls.
Player "A" asked for my opinion of how they played the hand. Here is what I think: Everone at that table should have easily identified player "B" as a passive / aggressive player, meaning... he sit's back and doesn't do much until he gets on a big hand... then he bets it to the hilt!
When he is in this mode, player "B" will show no fear.... He also will play pretty fast and not really think things out too carefully. He has basically decided when he sees that big hand that he will go with it to the end if he has too. The only thing that might stop the aggression from a player like this is if someone he knows to be a very strong player stands in his way and re-raises him... If he doessn't already know you... He will go to the end with any big hand. Let's face it, be believes the odds will favor the big hand and he is in most cases in a "coin toss" situation at worst with Ace - King, pre-flop.
The only time he has real trouble is when someone else also has a big hand ... But with the Ace - King, he could have "Outs" against all hands except Ace - Ace. He figures Ace - King is good in most cases. At least a pre-flop 50-50. And actually, that's about right!
The mistake that I see here actually comes from player "A" ... the King - King.
When Mr. "Passive - Aggressive announced that he was on a big hand with his intitial "re-raise", Player "A" should have simply called to see the flop. this keeps player "B" from having the ability to push all in pre -flop and put you to a decision. Of course you are going to call with King king... we all would ...But here's the deal.... If an Ace hits the board, you are still in the tournament. If he pushes with an Ace on the board, the Passive - Agressive player usually has the Ace in his hand. Your Kings are dead. You can fold and get away... You can't if you are already all in pre-flop...
So that's the answer... King - King raise... P/A player re-raises... you call. If no Ace... Take him to the cleaners... Make him not be able to afford to gamble further on the hope that an Ace will come on the "Turn" of the "River"... i would much rather win a smaller pot than lose a big one!
Good luck, and I hope to see you at my table soon!
Kenny "Badhat" Piel
P Niss says:
Hmmmmmmmmmmm......Good luck in St. Louis!
March 30th, 2010 at 10:54 AM