Calling Too Often To See Flops.

Time and time again, it never fails. Even at higher stakes it happens. What am I referring to??? Making calls or even calling raises just to see a flop. A recent offender had 9-4 0ffsuit and called a raise 3 1/2 times the big blind with 9 people at the table. Unbelievable!

Here is what happened in an online tournament I played yesterday:
1) Under the gun (position 3) raises 3 1/2 times big blind.
2) Positions 4 and 5 fold.
3) Position 6 calls the raise with (9-4 offsuit).
4) Position 7 (me) folds K-9 offsuit.
5) Positions 8, 9, and small blind fold.
6) Big blind (position 2) calls making 3 players in the hand.
7) Flop comes A-4-K.
8) Position 2 makes a small bet.
9) Position 3 raises by betting the pot.
10) Position 6 (9-4 offsuit) calls.
11) Position 2 folds, leaving positions 3 and 6.
12) Turn card is a 9, making the board A-4-K-9
13) Position 3 bets about 33% of the pot.
14) Position 6 goes all-in
15) Position 3 calls.
16) River card is a K, making the board A-4-K-9-K
17) Position 3 wins with AK suited making a full house Kings over Aces.

There are several lessons to be learned from this hand. One, take people seriously when they raise under the gun unless otherwise given a reason. Two, be selective about your starting hands, especially during the first part of the tournament. Recognize, even if I would have called with my K-9 offsuit (some would consider this a decent hand), I would have been dominated (although a bit better off than our friend with the 9-4 offsuit). Recognizing which hands are truly "good" starting hands at what position and what point of the game is essential to being a successful tournament player. For starting hand selection, see Starting Hand Selections.

Remember, tournament play is about being selective. Pick your battles appropriately, be cognizant of starting hand selection, make sound decisions...and you might just make it in the money.

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