When you save a bit or avoid a big loss, it’s pretty much the same as winning money. Whether or not you agree with the above statement, one thing is undeniable. It is much more favorable to not lose a large pot than to lose a large pot. Pretty straightforward I think. Any time, you can save yourself from a potential big loss, that’s more ammunition you have to be used towards your next big win.

Keeping this in mind, on to this week’s, hand of the week. I was playing at my local $1-$2 no limit game. It was early in the session and we were playing 6-handed for the moment. When you are playing at a short-handed table, generally, your starting hand requirements broaden a bit. This is because it is less likely that one of your opponents will have premium holdings so the expected value of your hands shift. This is a natural result of the short handed game.

I was in the small blind holding the 4h-6h. There was no preflop raising and we saw the flop 6-handed for a family pot. The flop cam down Qh-10h-7d giving me a flush draw. Being first to act and with no information on my opponents, I simply checked. The Big Blind bet $10 and was called by the Under the Gun player and myself. There was now $42 in the pot and 3 players.

The turn was the 9h giving me my baby flush. I bet out $25 in hops of just taking the pot. Then something weird happened. The Big Blind raised me to $50. But then, the other remaining player re-raised all-in for $150. Whoa! I thought to myself. What’s going on here. The turn card put a flush and a possible straight on the board. The straight I could beat, but my flush was tiny and would be crushed by a higher flush. If this were a heads-up situation, I’d almost have to call. But the presence of the second player had me feeling pretty doubtful about my cards. I thought for a full minute before mucking my cards.

Both players flipped their cards over. The initial raiser flipped over a king high flush while the all-in player showed a queen high straight. This guy didn’t have a single heart. I’m not really sure what he was thinking, but I sure am glad I saved $125 that hand…

Until next time, may the chips fall your way.

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