As a regular feature for this site, I thought it might be a good idea to answer some email from readers. So if you’re out there reading this and you have any questions or comments, please mail them to info@pokerstrategyking.com and we’ll put together a mailbag.

If you are sitting at home reading this article, chances are you’re just like me – you can’t get enough of online poker. Whether you’re in it for the thrill of the game or you’re trying to make a living, playing online offers several distinct advantages over the “live” game. The online game is a faster game, which essentially means more and potentially larger pots and more risks per hour than a standard B&M (brick and mortar) game. When you see a larger volume of hands, chances are that during each session you play, you are bound to see something that leaves you speechless, shaking your head, mystified, or (shudder at the thought) having to re-buy. In this column, each week we will take a look at a different hand that fits the previously mentioned criteria. My involvement in the hand notwithstanding, I will try to remain as impartial as possible, and for the hands that I didn’t win, I will keep my bitterness to a minimum. (At least, this is my intent)

Aces and tens vs Aces and Kings

In today’s hand of the week, I will be telling you folks about an actual hand I saw firsthand at my local card room. I was sitting at a $1-$2 no limit game. I know, I know, a $1-$2 game. Even though the blinds are cheap, the hands regularly get out of control with hundreds and even thousands changing hands in any given pot. It’s the type of game where you only play good cards, otherwise, you’ll be making frequent visits to the ATM.

I had been getting bad cards all night and this hand was no exception. In an hour, I had only played in about 5-6 hands. The player to my immediate left raised to $15 after I folded, I was very glad I saved the $2…The next 2 players quickly mucked and another player called the raise and bet an additional $40. The original raiser thought for a moment and called. Already, the pot was over $90.

The flop came down 10h-As-Ac. Quite an interesting flop. I had to think this must have been a help or scare to someone…The original raiser bets a modest $25 almost expecting a call which the re-raiser pondered and called. There was now $140 plus in the pot.

The turn fell as a hapless 3d. I didn’t think given the prior action, that this card could have helped either player. As expected the first bettor bet out another $25 and the re-raiser grudgingly called. Who could blame him for doing so, The pot odds were clearly there.

Then a King fell on the river and immediately, the original bettor went all-in for $200. I’m thinking, this guy must have AK and the river gave him a great full house. The re-raiser clearly thought so too as he disgustedly called the $200 bet. The first player flips over Pocket 10’s. He had a full house from the flop. Now I understood his odd low betting. He did want the player to call. Then the re-raiser sighed deeply and turned over pocket Kings!! The river that he thought sunk him just saved him as he had an even higher full house. He quickly scooped up the $700 pot as the first bettor looked on astonished. I could only think to myself that this poor guy should have read my columns on the problems of slow-playing his hand…I know it further reinforced my belief on how dangerous slow-playing is. He would have been much better off taking the pot when it was smaller than losing his entire bankroll on the river.

Click here for the Hand of the Week Archive