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Hand History Review $6 Level

Let me know if anybody has any questions here.  I was just going to review the first half and do the rest tomorrow (tired) but I grinded through it all, so the chance of some oversight/mistake is higher than usual.  Ask any questions though or state your own opinion/disagreement, anybody at all!

 

PokerStars Game #63072217283: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:10:14 CET [2011/06/07 17:10:14 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1500 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1500 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 10
HERO: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [2c 4c]
HardStyls: raises 40 to 60
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (40) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 40 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 40 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) collected (40)
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) folded before Flop

PokerStars Game #63072226769: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:10:26 CET [2011/06/07 17:10:26 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1520 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1480 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 10
HardStyls: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Ks Tc]
HERO: raises 60 to 80
HardStyls: calls 60
*** FLOP *** [2s 6s Jd]
HardStyls: checks
HERO: bets 100
HardStyls: raises 100 to 200
HERO: raises 100 to 300
HardStyls: raises 100 to 400
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (100) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 760 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 760 | Rake 0
Board [2s 6s Jd]
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) collected (760)
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) folded on the Flop

2-3x is more standard, but there is nothing wrong theoretically with 4x opening KT here, since the average lower stakes opponent is likely on the looser side and should call this larger PFR with many weaker hands.

Postflop I dont like the reraise action too much, particularly the sizing.  Without reads, even if this is a bluffy type opponent, there's just too much of a chance they come over the top of you with another raise (let alone the times they do have it).  Bottom line is just that there's not enough evidence and default playerbase reads don't justify clicking it back here, especially in the lower stakes.

I would prefer larger reraise sizing when you do reraise the flop, at least 2x most of the time, the rare exception is when you want to induce against a very out of control opponent that has shown they can't resist even the smallest size/inducing bet, but the min reraise is often too small to get you the kind of value you want out of a reraise and doesn't provide enough fold equity when you're bluffing.

PokerStars Game #63072245402: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:10:49 CET [2011/06/07 17:10:49 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1900 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1100 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 10
HERO: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [4h 5s]
HardStyls: calls 10
HERO: checks
*** FLOP *** [6c 3d Ks]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: checks
*** TURN *** [6c 3d Ks] [4c]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: checks
*** RIVER *** [6c 3d Ks 4c] [4d]
HERO: bets 40
HardStyls: calls 40
*** SHOW DOWN ***
HERO: shows [4h 5s] (three of a kind, Fours)
HardStyls: mucks hand
HERO collected 120 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 120 | Rake 0
Board [6c 3d Ks 4c 4d]
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) mucked [Ad Ts]
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) showed [4h 5s] and won (120) with three of a kind, Fours

It may not feel natural, but the turn is often a nice place to put in a bet.  Most opponents will bet on the flop with a king and often a six as well, so your opponent's range is probably on the weaker side here.  There are hands like 52 and 75 that are now straights, but there are a lot more draws that are likely to call a 3/4 pot size value bet (club draws, straight draws) not to mention the value you get out of bottom pair and sometimes even over cards (like the AT he had, it's not terribly uncommon for that hand to call a turn bet).

 

PokerStars Game #63072259730: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:11:08 CET [2011/06/07 17:11:08 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1840 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1160 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 10
HardStyls: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [6s Qd]
HERO: raises 40 to 60
HardStyls: raises 40 to 100
HERO: calls 40
*** FLOP *** [7h 8d 2s]
HardStyls: bets 1740 and is all-in
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (1740) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 200 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 200 | Rake 0
Board [7h 8d 2s]
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) collected (200)
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) folded on the Flop

Preflop raise and call of his min 3bet are fine, folding to his open shove is also fine.  Just keep this hand in mind as the match goes on, there may be some information here that is relevant later on in the match (you can say that about most hands though, even an open fold has some informational value).

PokerStars Game #63072273540: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:11:25 CET [2011/06/07 17:11:25 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1940 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1060 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 10
HERO: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Ad 5c]
HardStyls: calls 10
HERO: checks
*** FLOP *** [8s 3c Jd]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: bets 40
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (40) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 40 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 40 | Rake 0
Board [8s 3c Jd]
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) collected (40)
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) folded on the Flop

Fine.

PokerStars Game #63072286105: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:11:41 CET [2011/06/07 17:11:41 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1960 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1040 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 10
HardStyls: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Tc Jc]
HERO: raises 20 to 40
HardStyls: calls 20
*** FLOP *** [3h Th Qs]
HardStyls: checks
HERO: bets 60
HardStyls: folds
Uncalled bet (60) returned to HERO
HERO collected 80 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 80 | Rake 0
Board [3h Th Qs]
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) collected (80)

I don't see any reason to deviate from the 3x open raise size.  There's nothing wrong with 2x, I just don't see a specific reason for deviating open raise sizing here, his min 3bet is nothing to react to at this point in time.

Fine flop cbet.

PokerStars Game #63072296419: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:11:54 CET [2011/06/07 17:11:54 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1920 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1080 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 10
HERO: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [7s 2d]
HardStyls: calls 10
HERO: checks
*** FLOP *** [5h Tc 3h]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: bets 20
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (20) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 40 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 40 | Rake 0
Board [5h Tc 3h]
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) collected (40)
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) folded on the Flop

Without showdown value or any draw potential on the flop, you can put out a 25-30 chip bet just to take the pot down.  It's not the greatest board, as there are straight draws, flush draws and over cards can call here sometimes too, but this is the type of board that you will often follow up with a turn and/or river bet on, as future streets can bring good bluffing cards to give you a decent chance to push those draws, high cards and even weak pairs out of the pot.

PokerStars Game #63072307324: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:12:08 CET [2011/06/07 17:12:08 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1940 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1060 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 10
HardStyls: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [7c 6s]
HERO: raises 40 to 60
HardStyls: folds
Uncalled bet (40) returned to HERO
HERO collected 40 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 40 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) collected (40)

PokerStars Game #63072314260: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:12:17 CET [2011/06/07 17:12:17 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1920 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1080 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 10
HERO: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Tc 5s]
HardStyls: raises 20 to 40
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (20) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 40 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 40 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) collected (40)
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) folded before Flop

PokerStars Game #63072320205: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:12:24 CET [2011/06/07 17:12:24 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1940 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1060 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 10
HardStyls: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [9d Ah]
HERO: raises 40 to 60
HardStyls: calls 40
*** FLOP *** [Kc 4h 9h]
HardStyls: checks
HERO: checks
*** TURN *** [Kc 4h 9h] [8c]
HardStyls: checks
HERO: bets 80
HardStyls: raises 80 to 160
HERO: calls 80
*** RIVER *** [Kc 4h 9h 8c] [Jh]
HardStyls: checks
HERO: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
HardStyls: shows [2s 6c] (high card King)
HERO: shows [9d Ah] (a pair of Nines)
HERO collected 440 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 440 | Rake 0
Board [Kc 4h 9h 8c Jh]
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) showed [2s 6c] and lost with high card King
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) showed [9d Ah] and won (440) with a pair of Nines

Bet the flop here for value, flush draws, weak straight draws and weaker 9s and 4s are all here to get value from.  The turn river are played fine after the flop check, betting the turn was good as was flat calling the raise.  Checking back the river makes sense as well, you don't likely see weaker legitimate hands check minraise the turn and then check the river, and those are the only hands you really stand to get any value from with a bet (his range is more likely to have some stronger hands in it as well as some weaker bluffs that just took a stab on the turn.  Some draws are also possible/more common than 8x or 4x here, so there's really just no good reason to bet here).

The main thing to take away from this hand is that your opponent called a 3x preflop raise with 62o, that's incredibly loose and you want to exploit that by continuing to 3x raise preflop for value.  That doesn't just mean broadways or pocket pairs, top 60-80% is fine here, depending on how the game carries on, you also have positional value which is pretty relevant.

PokerStars Game #63072351797: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:13:04 CET [2011/06/07 17:13:04 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1720 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1280 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 10
HERO: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Ts 2c]
HardStyls: calls 10
HERO: checks
*** FLOP *** [4d 9d 2d]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: bets 60
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (60) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 40 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 40 | Rake 0
Board [4d 9d 2d]
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) collected (40)
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) folded on the Flop

Check folding here is fine, it's not a great flop to really bet at for fold equity, with the many flush draws and straight draws out there as well.

This opponent seems fairly loose and aggressive thus far.

 

PokerStars Game #63072363173: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:13:18 CET [2011/06/07 17:13:18 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1740 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1260 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 10
HardStyls: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Th 8c]
HERO: raises 20 to 40
HardStyls: raises 1700 to 1740 and is all-in
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (1700) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 80 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 80 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) collected (80)
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) folded before Flop

He's not 3betting a lot, so it's nothing to worry about.  It's too narrow of an instance to say for sure, but he could be playing back at your smaller open raises, meaning he reads them (correctly probably) as weak.  Just something to keep in mind (there's really not any value in randomly lowering PFR either, if anything it'll hinder some of your reads on opponents, make them react in ways you're not used to seeing/not easy to predict).

PokerStars Game #63072372955: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:13:31 CET [2011/06/07 17:13:31 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1780 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1220 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 10
HERO: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [6c Qh]
HardStyls: calls 10
HERO: checks
*** FLOP *** [Ks 9d 2d]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: bets 40
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (40) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 40 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 40 | Rake 0
Board [Ks 9d 2d]
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) collected (40)
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) folded on the Flop

He's been fairly aggressive here on the flop, combat this by mixing in some check raises on boards where he's less likely to have a hand or on boards where the turn/river are often favorable to bluff when he does call the flop raise (like the example earlier where you had 7 hi and I mentioned that the board was good for pushing weak draws and pairs out of the pot on future streets quite often).

You'll need to mix up your play a little bit at this point in these spots until you really can narrow down where he's weak.  What I mean by that, is that you should be leading some flops for fold equity (like with 7 hi) and check raising some others (this one is OK for that).  Once you do that, you'll see some reactions from your opponent, and you can begin to combine your information and pick up valuable reads (example, maybe his 60 chip bet earlier when you checked the flop will turn out to be top pair, if that's the case, you definitely want to attack his smaller size flop bets as they are likely to be weaker hands). 

PokerStars Game #63072383715: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:13:44 CET [2011/06/07 17:13:44 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1800 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1200 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 10
HardStyls: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [7d 2c]
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (10) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 20 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 20 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) collected (20)
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) folded before Flop

PokerStars Game #63072389903: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:13:52 CET [2011/06/07 17:13:52 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1810 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1190 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 10
HERO: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Kd 4s]
HardStyls: calls 10
HERO: checks
*** FLOP *** [Jh 5d Ad]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: checks
*** TURN *** [Jh 5d Ad] [4h]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: checks
*** RIVER *** [Jh 5d Ad 4h] [2d]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
HERO: shows [Kd 4s] (a pair of Fours)
HardStyls: mucks hand
HERO collected 40 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 40 | Rake 0
Board [Jh 5d Ad 4h 2d]
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) mucked [9d Qs]
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) showed [Kd 4s] and won (40) with a pair of Fours

There's some more valuable information to pick up here.  Your opponent limps Q9o and checks down with Q hi, that's usually relevant because we can often begin to eliminate a lot of high cards from your opponent's flop/turn betting ranges when those decisions pop up.  Narrowing ranges accurately leads to finding the best decision more often (after all, if you miss reads and can't narrow a range down with the information that was given to you by your opponent, you can arrive at the right conclusion based on the information you have, but if that information is flawed your decision can be incorrect in the end, costing you edge/EV).

PokerStars Game #63072409326: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:14:17 CET [2011/06/07 17:14:17 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1790 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1210 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 10
HardStyls: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Jh Ad]
HERO: raises 40 to 60
HardStyls: folds
Uncalled bet (40) returned to HERO
HERO collected 40 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 40 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) collected (40)

He must've had 52o or something....

PokerStars Game #63072417906: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:14:27 CET [2011/06/07 17:14:27 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1770 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1230 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 10
HERO: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [6s 7s]
HardStyls: raises 40 to 60
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (40) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 40 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 40 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) collected (40)
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) folded before Flop

Only his 3rd preflop raise and one of the previous ones was a minraise, combine that with this opponent being looser and more aggressive and a lack of definitive reads to feel very confident in profit/edge in a vast majority of situations... the conclusion is that folding 76s is OK here.  This is often a flat call, however, as 76s flops a lot of various draws that are somewhat deceptive and can turn into very strong hands (that have more value deeper stacked, preflop risk vs size of stack reward is favorable to these types of hands deeper, short stacked not nearly as much).

PokerStars Game #63072424042: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:14:35 CET [2011/06/07 17:14:35 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1790 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1210 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 10
HardStyls: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [3h Th]
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (10) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 20 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 20 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) collected (20)
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) folded before Flop

This hand is fine to fold against this looser and more aggressive than average opponent.  You should open this against a tighter/weaker opponent (not just preflop, even a 100% preflop caller that folds a lot on the flop or even turn you can raise this against).

PokerStars Game #63072429207: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:14:41 CET [2011/06/07 17:14:41 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1800 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1200 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 10
HERO: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [4s Ad]
HardStyls: calls 10
HERO: checks
*** FLOP *** [7h 6h 7c]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: bets 20
HERO: calls 20
*** TURN *** [7h 6h 7c] [6c]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: checks
*** RIVER *** [7h 6h 7c 6c] [Kc]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: bets 80
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (80) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 80 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 80 | Rake 0
Board [7h 6h 7c 6c Kc]
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) collected (80)
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) folded on the River

Checking back preflop is fine, this isn't a great hand to limp raise with (doesn't flop great, when it flops a strong pair it's often going to be correctly assumed that you have an ace, etc.).  Call the river though, this opponent is quite aggressive, he's likely to bluff this type of board quite often, even if he plays a full house or king the same way.

PokerStars Game #63072450067: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:15:07 CET [2011/06/07 17:15:07 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1840 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1160 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 10
HardStyls: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Js 4h]
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (10) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 20 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 20 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) collected (20)
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) folded before Flop

PokerStars Game #63072455148: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:15:14 CET [2011/06/07 17:15:14 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1850 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1150 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 10
HERO: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Qs Jd]
HardStyls: raises 60 to 80
HERO: calls 60
*** FLOP *** [8h 2c 3c]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: bets 160
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (160) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 160 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 160 | Rake 0
Board [8h 2c 3c]
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) collected (160)
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) folded on the Flop

Kind of a nasty raise preflop, he rarely raises, but QJ is a strong hand that can hit a lot of flops well.  Unfortunately, I don't see there being much room to contest this sort of flop, kind of exemplifying the reason I hesitate a bit preflop before hitting call (as good as QJ can be this situation vs this opponent and raise size it isn't great, I call but without expecting to dominate often postflop).

PokerStars Game #63072468720: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:15:31 CET [2011/06/07 17:15:31 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1930 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1070 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 10
HardStyls: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [2h 4d]
HERO: raises 20 to 40
HardStyls: raises 20 to 60
HERO: calls 20
*** FLOP *** [3s Td 7c]
HardStyls: checks
HERO: checks
*** TURN *** [3s Td 7c] [6c]
HardStyls: checks
HERO: checks
*** RIVER *** [3s Td 7c 6c] [5d]
HardStyls: bets 220
HERO: raises 320 to 540
HardStyls: calls 320
*** SHOW DOWN ***
HERO: shows [2h 4d] (a straight, Three to Seven)
HardStyls: mucks hand
HERO collected 1200 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1200 | Rake 0
Board [3s Td 7c 6c 5d]
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) mucked [Qc Qh]
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) showed [2h 4d] and won (1200) with a straight, Three to Seven

Just open fold preflop, 42o is hardly worth raising, especially when you've (correctly) open folded a few stronger hands.  I really like your flop and turn checks, I don't see this opponent folding Ax, and I think that's one of the weaker hands he has here (I think he'd likely bet weaker, maybe check Kx as well, but if he has air I think he bets the flop most of the time, if not the turn).  You need to raise the river larger though, if he has something like a slowplayed/rivered set (33, 77, TT, 66, 55) he's not likely folding, same for overpairs like JJ-AA.  Otherwise, you don't likely get hands like AK to bluff the river this way and call a small raise.  The smaller river raise might lead to him reraising you more often, it wouldn't surprise me, but it's not anywhere near a definite read (just some soft signs earlier with the first hand combined with his loose aggression thereafter).

You really want to recognize here that it's not terribly likely he has something like JT or 7x, his flop and turn checks combined with an overbet river just really looks like a bluff or slowplayed/rivered trips/overpair holding.  As such, raising larger is better (since bluffs fold to any raise and those stronger hands likely call any raise).

PokerStars Game #63072498165: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:16:08 CET [2011/06/07 17:16:08 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1330 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1670 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 10
HERO: posts big blind 20
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Jd 6h]
HardStyls: raises 20 to 40
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (20) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 40 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 40 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) collected (40)
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) folded before Flop

PokerStars Game #63072509512: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:16:22 CET [2011/06/07 17:16:22 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1350 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1650 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 15
HardStyls: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [9c 2h]
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (15) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 30 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 30 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) collected (30)
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) folded before Flop

PokerStars Game #63072514525: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:16:29 CET [2011/06/07 17:16:29 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1365 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1635 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 15
HERO: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [3c 2d]
HardStyls: raises 30 to 60
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (30) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 60 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 60 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) collected (60)
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) folded before Flop

PokerStars Game #63072520485: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:16:36 CET [2011/06/07 17:16:36 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1395 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1605 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 15
HardStyls: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [3h 4s]
HERO: raises 30 to 60
HardStyls: calls 30
*** FLOP *** [9s 8s 6c]
HardStyls: checks
HERO: checks
*** TURN *** [9s 8s 6c] [Kc]
HardStyls: checks
HERO: checks
*** RIVER *** [9s 8s 6c Kc] [As]
HardStyls: bets 120
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (120) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 120 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 120 | Rake 0
Board [9s 8s 6c Kc As]
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) collected (120)
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) folded on the River

It's fine to just give this one up, the board is pretty terrible here, especially against this opponent (he can call quite loose preflop and he can also bluff/slowplay so none of that is really good for betting this type of board.  Note that I say "can," our reads are defined enough to get a great idea of when he is or is not bluffing on this type of board, otherwise we could bet and play back if we knew his bluffing frequency or some bluffing tells in this type of spot).

PokerStars Game #63072538764: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:16:59 CET [2011/06/07 17:16:59 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1455 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1545 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 15
HERO: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [4h Qs]
HardStyls: calls 15
HERO: checks
*** FLOP *** [Jc 9d Kd]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: bets 60
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (60) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 60 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 60 | Rake 0
Board [Jc 9d Kd]
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) collected (60)
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) folded on the Flop

PokerStars Game #63072549759: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:17:13 CET [2011/06/07 17:17:13 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1485 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1515 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 15
HardStyls: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [9s 4s]
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (15) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 30 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 30 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) collected (30)
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) folded before Flop

PokerStars Game #63072555000: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:17:20 CET [2011/06/07 17:17:20 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1500 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1500 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 15
HERO: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [As 4h]
HardStyls: calls 15
HERO: checks
*** FLOP *** [7d 8s Kc]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: checks
*** TURN *** [7d 8s Kc] [3c]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: checks
*** RIVER *** [7d 8s Kc 3c] [Jh]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: bets 30
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (30) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 60 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 60 | Rake 0
Board [7d 8s Kc 3c Jh]
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) collected (60)
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) folded on the River

PokerStars Game #63072571327: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:17:40 CET [2011/06/07 17:17:40 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1530 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1470 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 15
HardStyls: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [2d As]
HERO: raises 30 to 60
HardStyls: calls 30
*** FLOP *** [Kh Kc 4s]
HardStyls: checks
HERO: bets 60
HardStyls: calls 60
*** TURN *** [Kh Kc 4s] [8h]
HardStyls: checks
HERO: checks
*** RIVER *** [Kh Kc 4s 8h] [8c]
HardStyls: checks
HERO: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
HardStyls: shows [Ah 4c] (two pair, Kings and Eights)
HERO: shows [2d As] (two pair, Kings and Eights)
HardStyls collected 120 from pot
HERO collected 120 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 240 | Rake 0
Board [Kh Kc 4s 8h 8c]
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) showed [Ah 4c] and won (120) with two pair, Kings and Eights
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) showed [2d As] and won (120) with two pair, Kings and Eights

Fine hand, I wouldn't fold to a river lead, even though he likely plays Kx this way, I would imagine he would call (and bluff too, but that's a different reaction, though we still don't fold) the flop wider than the average opponent and in turn have plenty of weak hands that would often bluff the river.

PokerStars Game #63072587782: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:18:01 CET [2011/06/07 17:18:01 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1530 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1470 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 15
HERO: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [4c Ah]
HardStyls: calls 15
HERO: checks
*** FLOP *** [Qh 4s Js]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: bets 30
HERO: calls 30
*** TURN *** [Qh 4s Js] [6h]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: checks
*** RIVER *** [Qh 4s Js 6h] [Qs]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: bets 60
HERO: calls 60
*** SHOW DOWN ***
HardStyls: shows [2s 3s] (a flush, Queen high)
HERO: mucks hand
HardStyls collected 240 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 240 | Rake 0
Board [Qh 4s Js 6h Qs]
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) showed [2s 3s] and won (240) with a flush, Queen high
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) mucked [4c Ah]

I'm usually not in favor of check calling flops with bottom pairs, but you have two things here that separate this from the standard bottom pair situation: 1) your opponent is very loose and aggressive, this is the most important thing that leads to me feeling your line is good and 2) you have a strong bottom pair, not only do you beat all other bottom pairs but you have 3 outs to make a strong 2 pair.  Mainly the first reason here separates this from the standard bottom pair situation.  The river bet isn't too large, it could really mean anything in my eyes, and I think a call is correct (turns out he had the flush, so keep in mind of his sizing here, in another instance he slowplayed that QQ then mass overbet the river, keeping these prevoius hands in mind can really help you pick apart their strategy/patterns in future situations).

PokerStars Game #63072606301: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:18:25 CET [2011/06/07 17:18:25 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1650 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1350 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 15
HardStyls: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [7d Js]
HERO: raises 30 to 60
HardStyls: calls 30
*** FLOP *** [7h Ks Qh]
HardStyls: checks
HERO: bets 60
HardStyls: raises 90 to 150
HERO: calls 90
*** TURN *** [7h Ks Qh] [Ts]
HardStyls: checks
HERO: checks
*** RIVER *** [7h Ks Qh Ts] [4c]
HardStyls: bets 150
HERO: calls 150
*** SHOW DOWN ***
HardStyls: shows [Kc Th] (two pair, Kings and Tens)
HERO: mucks hand
HardStyls collected 720 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 720 | Rake 0
Board [7h Ks Qh Ts 4c]
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) showed [Kc Th] and won (720) with two pair, Kings and Tens
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) mucked [7d Js]

I don't like this hand as much.  The real issue is calling his flop raise, there are just a lot of strong hands he can have here that make this raise, it's a little less likely that he slowplays the flop here given that there are plenty of flush and straight draws around and your hand is quite weak against any pair here.

I think betting the flop is a smaller mistake, but I would check it back against this opponent.  He is loose, but bottom pair on this draw heavy of a board isn't very favorable and there aren't a lot of weaker hands than your hand to call.  Further, while you may have fold equity with a cbet, you probably don't have a lot and any % he turns into a bluff and check raises is not good for you (since you should still likely fold given he'll do the exact same with his value hands, which there are plenty of).

PokerStars Game #63072628667: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:18:53 CET [2011/06/07 17:18:53 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (2010 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (990 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 15
HERO: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Qh 2s]
HardStyls: calls 15
HERO: checks
*** FLOP *** [4c Ad Kd]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: bets 60
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (60) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 60 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 60 | Rake 0
Board [4c Ad Kd]
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) collected (60)
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) folded on the Flop

PokerStars Game #63072639762: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:19:07 CET [2011/06/07 17:19:07 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (2040 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (960 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 15
HardStyls: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [3h 6d]
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (15) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 30 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 30 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) collected (30)
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) folded before Flop

PokerStars Game #63072644955: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:19:13 CET [2011/06/07 17:19:13 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (2055 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (945 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 15
HERO: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Ad 8s]
HardStyls: folds
Uncalled bet (15) returned to HERO
HERO collected 30 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 30 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) collected (30)

PokerStars Game #63072649958: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:19:20 CET [2011/06/07 17:19:20 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (2040 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (960 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 15
HardStyls: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Ah 9c]
HERO: raises 30 to 60
HardStyls: calls 30
*** FLOP *** [7d Jh 7c]
HardStyls: checks
HERO: bets 60
HardStyls: folds
Uncalled bet (60) returned to HERO
HERO collected 120 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 120 | Rake 0
Board [7d Jh 7c]
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) collected (120)

Fine cbet.

PokerStars Game #63072662763: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:19:36 CET [2011/06/07 17:19:36 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (1980 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (1020 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 15
HERO: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Jd 2d]
HardStyls: raises 60 to 90
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (60) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 60 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 60 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) collected (60)
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) folded before Flop

PokerStars Game #63072669692: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:19:45 CET [2011/06/07 17:19:45 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (2010 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (990 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 15
HardStyls: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [2h 3h]
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (15) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 30 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 30 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) collected (30)
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) folded before Flop

PokerStars Game #63072675327: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:19:52 CET [2011/06/07 17:19:52 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (2025 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (975 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 15
HERO: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [5c 6c]
HardStyls: calls 15
HERO: checks
*** FLOP *** [Ks 3h 4s]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: checks
*** TURN *** [Ks 3h 4s] [Kc]
HERO: bets 60
HardStyls: calls 60
*** RIVER *** [Ks 3h 4s Kc] [8s]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
HERO: shows [5c 6c] (a pair of Kings)
HardStyls: shows [Qd 2c] (a pair of Kings - Queen kicker)
HardStyls collected 180 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 180 | Rake 0
Board [Ks 3h 4s Kc 8s]
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) showed [Qd 2c] and won (180) with a pair of Kings
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) showed [5c 6c] and lost with a pair of Kings

Interesting hand to me here.  Given he checks back the flop, I really feel he has a lot of showdown value hands here often (ace high, queen high, jack high maybe even, perhaps 3x).  All in all, that just really means that you probably should fire the river along with the turn and not give up so easily.  If he calls the turn and river with Q or A hi, good for him, he got you, etc.  Otherwise just check this hand on the turn, I'm really not sure off hand if that is the better play, I lean towards no because even though he can also slowplay something like Kx, it's less likely given the K hitting the turn (making it more likely he has those high cards and probably worth the risk of him calling you light twice, just make sure to bet twice here).

PokerStars Game #63072690606: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:20:11 CET [2011/06/07 17:20:11 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (2115 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (885 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 15
HardStyls: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [3s Kc]
HERO: raises 30 to 60
HardStyls: calls 30
*** FLOP *** [8c 6d 3c]
HardStyls: checks
HERO: bets 60
HardStyls: raises 1995 to 2055 and is all-in
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (1995) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 240 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 240 | Rake 0
Board [8c 6d 3c]
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) collected (240)
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) folded on the Flop

Not a lot of fold equity with a cbet here.  There may be some value in cbetting, but I don't think we have a good enough handle on how he bluffs versus how he plays value.  I think there is also a bonus of checking back in some of these spots against this opponent though, he's likely to bluff us somewhat often and we've seen him slowplay some stronger hands and that both helps us figure out what hands he has on latter streets but also gives us extra value from bluffs and saves us some chips vs strength (bc of his bluff vs slowplay with those types of hands).

PokerStars Game #63072706199: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:20:32 CET [2011/06/07 17:20:32 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (2235 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (765 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 15
HERO: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Ks 3d]
HardStyls: folds
Uncalled bet (15) returned to HERO
HERO collected 30 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 30 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) collected (30)

PokerStars Game #63072711271: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:20:38 CET [2011/06/07 17:20:38 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (2220 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (780 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 15
HardStyls: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Jh 2d]
HERO: folds
Uncalled bet (15) returned to HardStyls
HardStyls collected 30 from pot
HardStyls: doesn't show hand
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 30 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) collected (30)
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) folded before Flop

PokerStars Game #63072716303: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:20:44 CET [2011/06/07 17:20:44 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (2235 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (765 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 15
HERO: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Kh 3s]
HardStyls: folds
Uncalled bet (15) returned to HERO
HERO collected 30 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 30 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) collected (30)

PokerStars Game #63072721092: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:20:51 CET [2011/06/07 17:20:51 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (2220 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (780 in chips)
HERO: posts small blind 15
HardStyls: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [4c 3d]
HERO: raises 30 to 60
HardStyls: folds
Uncalled bet (30) returned to HERO
HERO collected 60 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 60 | Rake 0
Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) collected (60)

I would advise to fold here, 43o is a pretty weak hand at shorter stacks and we haven't seen much in the way of him folding preflop (a few times, this being one of them, he's been super loose for the most part though).

PokerStars Game #63072727358: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:20:59 CET [2011/06/07 17:20:59 ET]
Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: HardStyls (2190 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO (810 in chips)
HardStyls: posts small blind 15
HERO: posts big blind 30
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to HERO [Th Ah]
HardStyls: raises 60 to 90
HERO: calls 60
*** FLOP *** [6s 5d Ts]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: checks
*** TURN *** [6s 5d Ts] [2s]
HERO: checks
HardStyls: bets 30
HERO: raises 150 to 180
HardStyls: raises 1920 to 2100 and is all-in
HERO: calls 540 and is all-in
Uncalled bet (1380) returned to HardStyls
*** RIVER *** [6s 5d Ts 2s] [4s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
HERO: shows [Th Ah] (a pair of Tens)
HardStyls: shows [3d 4d] (a straight, Deuce to Six)
HardStyls collected 1620 from pot
HERO finished the tournament in 2nd place
HardStyls wins the tournament and receives $13.34 - congratulations!
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1620 | Rake 0
Board [6s 5d Ts 2s 4s]
Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) showed [3d 4d] and won (1620) with a straight, Deuce to Six
Seat 2: HERO (big blind) showed [Th Ah] and lost with a pair of Tens

Pretty unlucky result.  3betting has some merit preflop, not because he opens wide making it insanely profitable (he doesn't open wide), but because flat callng has its own issues against this guy (lack of relevant reads to help us play well postflop against his lag tendencies).  Shoving or 3betting is fine here, but he doesn't open a ton so the fold equity may be OK at best and he doesn't have as many weaker hands that can make loose calls and give you value when you 3bet.  So I do like the flat call, I would choose that, but the 3bet is not too far behind in my mind.  Postflop is fine, even with the flush draw on the turn and his play kind of reading "slowplay" stacks are shorter, it's not unreasonable for this opponent to bluff this way (or play weaker strong hands like T9, JT, QT, KT this way) and there are some draws you can force into huge mistakes, so your raise/call is fine.

RRReyeMMM's picture
Thank you so much Ryan!First

Thank you so much Ryan!First hand what I would talk about is this:PokerStars Game #63072320205: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:12:24 CET [2011/06/07 17:12:24 ET]Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the buttonSeat 1: HardStyls (1940 in chips) Seat 2: HERO (1060 in chips) HERO: posts small blind 10HardStyls: posts big blind 20*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to HERO [9d Ah]HERO: raises 40 to 60HardStyls: calls 40*** FLOP *** [Kc 4h 9h]HardStyls: checks HERO: checks *** TURN *** [Kc 4h 9h] [8c]HardStyls: checks HERO: bets 80HardStyls: raises 80 to 160HERO: calls 80*** RIVER *** [Kc 4h 9h 8c] [Jh]HardStyls: checks HERO: checks *** SHOW DOWN ***HardStyls: shows [2s 6c] (high card King)HERO: shows [9d Ah] (a pair of Nines)HERO collected 440 from pot*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 440 | Rake 0 Board [Kc 4h 9h 8c Jh]Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) showed [2s 6c] and lost with high card KingSeat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) showed [9d Ah] and won (440) with a pair of Nines You mention that bet flop for value.I though that this was not a good spot for c-bet (value bet) because a dry board and people have tendencies to check raise this boards also with air?Specially aggro players...Yeah he can have hands like QJ or so on flop but I guess people like this one will also check raise these hands often.Just my reasoning why I didnt cbet, am I so wrong?

RyPac13's picture
QT, QJ, JT, weaker 9x, any

QT, QJ, JT, weaker 9x, any two hearts and 4x, so there's definitely plenty of worse hands out there to get value from, this is a loose opponent (at the time I think he looked a bit loose, after the hand that went up a bit more and by the end of the match we saw he was quite loose indeed).If he check raises QJ or JT type hands, you just don't fold 2nd pair.  There's no reason you should always fold to a CR with 2nd pair, or call a CR and fold to a turn bet.  You just have to react appropriately to each opponent.I'm not sure this guy would've CR draws though or weaker pairs, I don't think we saw any evidence of that, certainly not up to this point in the match, so keep that thought out of your head if it isn't present, it'll only cloud your judgement and decision making (or at least the chances of him doing that are fairly low by default).  It can be difficult, but not asking yourself "what if" and instead asking yourself "how likely is he" can lead to more accurate hand reading.

Meano101's picture
this is awesome, ty, will

this is awesome, ty, will read later

Meano101's picture
Got some Qs ;) PokerStars

Got some Qs ;) PokerStars Game #63072245402: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:10:49 CET [2011/06/07 17:10:49 ET]Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the buttonSeat 1: HardStyls (1900 in chips) Seat 2: HERO (1100 in chips) HardStyls: posts small blind 10HERO: posts big blind 20*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to HERO [4h 5s]HardStyls: calls 10HERO: checks *** FLOP *** [6c 3d Ks]HERO: checks HardStyls: checks *** TURN *** [6c 3d Ks] [4c]HERO: checks HardStyls: checks *** RIVER *** [6c 3d Ks 4c] [4d]HERO: bets 40HardStyls: calls 40*** SHOW DOWN ***HERO: shows [4h 5s] (three of a kind, Fours)HardStyls: mucks hand HERO collected 120 from pot*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 120 | Rake 0 Board [6c 3d Ks 4c 4d]Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) mucked [Ad Ts]Seat 2: HERO (big blind) showed [4h 5s] and won (120) with three of a kind, Fours This seems like a super standard spot to lead flop...? 'you should be leading some flops for fold equity (like with 7 hi) and check raising some others (this one is OK for that).' could you point out the different type of flops where leading is better than c/ring and vice versa? I guess a low flop like 7hi is good to lead coz he may not c/r it much, whereas a Khi dry flop will get cb all the time so it's most profitable to c/r this board... correct line of thought? PokerStars Game #63072429207: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level I (10/20) - 2011/06/07 23:14:41 CET [2011/06/07 17:14:41 ET]Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #1 is the buttonSeat 1: HardStyls (1800 in chips) Seat 2: HERO (1200 in chips) HardStyls: posts small blind 10HERO: posts big blind 20*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to HERO [4s Ad]HardStyls: calls 10HERO: checks *** FLOP *** [7h 6h 7c]HERO: checks HardStyls: bets 20HERO: calls 20*** TURN *** [7h 6h 7c] [6c]HERO: checks HardStyls: checks *** RIVER *** [7h 6h 7c 6c] [Kc]HERO: checks HardStyls: bets 80HERO: folds Uncalled bet (80) returned to HardStylsHardStyls collected 80 from potHardStyls: doesn't show hand *** SUMMARY ***Total pot 80 | Rake 0 Board [7h 6h 7c 6c Kc]Seat 1: HardStyls (button) (small blind) collected (80)Seat 2: HERO (big blind) folded on the River I normally fold the flop against this type of villain coz I expect him to be barrel happy and I don't wanna call down mulitple streets w/Ahi, thoughts? PokerStars Game #63072649958: Tournament #402129377, $6.67+$0.33 USD Hold'em No Limit - Match Round I, Level II (15/30) - 2011/06/07 23:19:20 CET [2011/06/07 17:19:20 ET]Table '402129377 1' 2-max Seat #2 is the buttonSeat 1: HardStyls (2040 in chips) Seat 2: HERO (960 in chips) HERO: posts small blind 15HardStyls: posts big blind 30*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to HERO [Ah 9c]HERO: raises 30 to 60HardStyls: calls 30*** FLOP *** [7d Jh 7c]HardStyls: checks HERO: bets 60HardStyls: folds Uncalled bet (60) returned to HEROHERO collected 120 from pot*** SUMMARY ***Total pot 120 | Rake 0 Board [7d Jh 7c]Seat 1: HardStyls (big blind) folded on the FlopSeat 2: HERO (button) (small blind) collected (120) I ckbk flop and call lots of turns against this player, would this line be ok too?? don't really see wat a cbet achieves... 

RyPac13's picture
Hey, good questions. In the

Hey, good questions.In the 54 hand, it's more standard to lead draws (especially weaker ones) in that spot against passive opponents.  The biggest downside to leading isn't a lack of fold equity, but an opponent that can raise flops aggressively.  It's similar to barreling turns with draws as well, against more aggro opponents it's often not ideal, as you have really poor equity against strong hands and weak hands fold, against passive opponents you achieve fold equity without risking losing a large pot to aggressive plays (or getting it in terribly).---A hi - This opponent is too aggressive.  He can have it, but I'd expect him to slowplay the flop sometimes when he does have it.  Mainly though, it's just about how often I expect him to bluff, it's a lot, so when he bluffs a lot and there's only limited strong hands he can have, I call.Against a more balanced aggressive villain I might consider folding, but against a player that bets this flop wide, you have the better hand so often it's too hard to fold here, even if you're put into some confusing or tough spots on later streets (work those spots out on the forums, ask other players, etc. they become much more comfortable very quickly when you do that along with decent volume).---Checking back can be fine vs this opponent bc it probably induces so many bluffs on the turn.However, cbetting the flop probably has a similar impact (he probably CR too much air, calls too weak).  The flop is a value bet here, make no mistake.  Do ou think this opponent folds T8, T9, 98, K hi?  Throw in value from bluffs or random floats and it's a nice value spot, so I just cbet and build the pot confidently here.