Should I have called?

[Johnny T]

So.. I'm in the big blind and see the flop for 'free'

I've got A 4.

Flop is 2 3 T.

The table is .50/$1 limit hold'em.

Should I call the 50c for the straight draw or not?

There were about five other callers...

What are the odds of me getting my straight? Is it worth calling it or should I fold... or is it just a 50 - 50 decision?

Any help would be appreciated... I'm getting killed out there !

[Nut Flush]

You have the same draw as a gutshot straight, only four outs. I think the odds are roughly 12:1 against you to catch a 5. So to make the correct call, there would need to be at least $6 in the pot. How much was in the pot at the time, if you can remember. Also, were any of your cards suited? Remeber, even if you hit the straight, it's not the nuts.

Now if you hade a 4 and 5 instead of an A4, that is completely different. Now you've got 8 outs to hit your straight and if you do hit it and the board doesn't pair or show a flush, you've got the nuts. Now your odds are 6:1 to hit your straight so it's well worth it to call.

[Dave B]

Youre odds of hitting the str8 are about 16%, plus, your Ace might be good for 3 more outs, assuming other may fold w/ Ax if someone bets.

5 players in the pot so $2.50 preflop, you check (I assume) so maybe $3.50-$4.5 by the time you have to call one bet, it is worth a call. If there are 2 bets, fold.

Turn misses, you not have a 8% chance w/ a pot of maybe $6-7 and I doubt your A is good if several players are hanging around, so it is not worth a call at this point. You would want $12+ in the pot before calling a $1 bet w/ only 4 outs.

[Johnny T]

Thanks for the replies. I can't remember how much was in the pot now. Although I think it was probably a little less than your recommended 'call amount'.

I did call, all the way to the river. Needless to say I didn't make the straight and lost.

Its strange because I was doing really well with my poker. I read Lee Jones' book and began to get a lot more proficient. I turned $12 into $160 on .50/$1 tables (over the course of a couple of weeks) and began to feel confident with the game. At that time, my No Limit tournament play was crap and I couldn't get the hang of No Limit.

Now...

I've just won my second SNG No Limit tournament ($5+$1 buy in and $25 to the winner) but my Low Limit ring play has gone to pot.

I've lost most of my bankroll in the ring games and I'm not sure what's changed.

I have had some bad luck but I think I've loosened up too much as well.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

(this is probably gone waaayyy off topic - sorry, just started to ramble and couldn't stop)

[Nut Flush]

I think I've loosened up too much as well.

I think you answered your own question about what the problem is. Calling that hand all the way down to the river is just pissing your money away. The same thing has happened to me while mixing NL tourney play and Low Limit ring games. You just have to try and not lose focus during the ring games. Go back and read the section in your book where he talks about "Winning by Folding". In low limit, you get paid by waiting for premium hands and getting the maximum amount into the pot. NL tourneys are different, bluffing actually works and usualy you're playing against better players(sometimes).

The first time I lost a good portion of my bank roll from getting too loose, I moved down to the lowest table I could find and worked on my game again. It's not great money but it's good discipline on how to beat low limit hold em. Good luck to ya, I'm sure you'll bounce back.

[Johnny T]

Nut Flush

You are 100% correct mate. Thanks for the reply.

I think I'll re-read the entire book and then take a few deep breaths and start again.

I still really enjoy the game of poker but its a hell of a lot more enjoyable when yer winning!

Thanks again...

[vegasholdem]

with A4 and a gutshot draw on board:

It's about 11 to 1 against catching the 5.

It's 15 to 1 against catching the Ace; but with a weak kicker...this would be a trap hand.

This is an ez fold.