[What To Do ...]

The game at my local casino is $2/$3 with a $180 max buy-in.It regularly plays loose passive - i.e. not unusual to see 4 or 5 callers to a $15 to $20 raise with no re-raising.I have been wondering about the best type of pre-flop play at this sort of table in 2 situations:1. Given that we know that there is a risk that even a decent raise is not going to greatly reduce the number of players who see the flop, how good a holding do I want to raise in early position? Is it correct to tighten up a bit more in early position and only raise super premium hands like high pairs, or do I want to build a pot here with a hand like, say, A-J off?2. Assume our stack is around the buy in mark and we are on the button or in the blinds. A player UTG raises to 20. 4 callers so there is $100 odd in the pot. How good a hand do we want before we just push to try to pick up the pot? Do our cards even matter?All thoughts greatly appreciated!

[.50/1.00 Nl]

with JJ I think the pre-flop call is OK - there are too many flops that we don't like and why make a big pot.on that flop, what we know about the villain? what is his range for the pre-flop raise out of the blinds? will he C-bet regardless on that flop? do we learn more by putting in a probe bet and seeing what he does, or will we be punished for sticking our neck out?with no information, I think I would play the flop the same and get on to the next hand.

[Can I Call This? $2/$3 Nl (live)]

Yeah, you called and lost right? 4 8 off?

no i though about it for a bit and let it go.the thing that has really got me thinking about the hand was the bet size on the turn. how often does a made hand bet the pot here? On reflection, it screamed to me that it was a bet that did not really want a call.what level thinking do you give someone with a brain at the table? If I give him credit for putting me on top pair, ok kicker, on this bet, is he telling me:1. i have a made hand.2. i don't have a made hand, but you can't call a pot sized bet on a scary board.3. i have a made hand, but you won't think I have a made hand because this is more than a value bet, so you will call and lose.With a reasonable thinking player and no history playing each other, I think that 2 is most likely and probably justified a call. The bet is too big for 1 (a $30 bet might be more suspicious) and I think 3 is just one level of thinking too many.does this thinking make sense or should i stick to nitiness and keep the variance down?(and yeah, the game is soft (adelaide casino - australia). just have to stay patient and make a hand, cos you can't make 'em fold)

[Can I Call This? $2/$3 Nl (live)]

This hand is from my session tonight at the local casino.The game is $2/$3 NL with a $180 max buyin. The standard is generally horrible, especially on a Saturday night when the drunks and the gamblers come in. Lots of loose passive play (e.g. playing 9 handed, 7 limpers - someone pops it to say $15 there will regularly be 4-5 callers).Villain looks and acts like he knows what he's doing. Sat down not long ago - took down his first hand with big raises pre-flop and on the flop. He is next to me and while I haven't played a hand beyond the flop while he has been there, I think that he knows that I am not a complete donk.Stacks:Hero:about $220Villain about $300The hand (7 handed I think):Hero is Button, Villain in Cut-off.Hero is dealt J Q 3 limpers. Villain limps, Hero limps, SB completes, BB checks.Flop (Pot $18): J 8 4 Checks to Hero. Hero bets $20. Folds to Villain. Villain Calls.Turn (Pot $58): 8 Villain checks. Hero checks.River (Pot $58): 3 Villain bets $55. Hero ???Comments on all streets appreciated.Thanks.