CS Freerool Question

[bluff]

Hey guys, I played in the CS forum freeroll last night, and was confused on some statements I got from a few people in the chat.

I usually dislike people critisizing my play, simply because everyone plays by there own strategy, and everyone has there own reasons to call/fold (although often misguided reasons). But I'm also always looking to improve, so I figured I'll ask a question from the freeroll.

I dont have a hand history, but if I recall the situation went something like this:

I get dealt QJ, and I'm in 9th position (to right of dealer), everyone folds around to me, so I raise to 300 (blinds at...50/100?). My logic here, was that I could make a stab at stealing the blinds with a mediocre hand, and if I got a flat call, I would still have a good chance on the flop of making a hand (and if i didnt, obviously get rid of the hand).

In anycase, the button and SB folded, and then the BB went all in over me (I think another 400). Again, not a hand I'd personally like to go heads up with, but with him allin, I couldnt get into any more trouble with chips, and it wasnt a drastic amount of my stack to call (I had somewhere between 3-4000).

Anyways, I believe he had Ax and I drew a Queen or something. But after the hand, (and every now and then throughout the tourny) some people questioned me "Pushing with QJ". I couldnt tell if they were being sarcastic and just humoring me, or really thought that this was a horrendous play, which is why I'm asking.

Again, to restate my thinking on the play, I wasnt pushing with QJ, I was pushing with a hand I didnt expect anyone to call, and if they did, I would have some good outs on the flop.

But yea, if anyone was in the room during that play, or if anyone has any insight please let me know, always lookin to get better.

Thanks
Bluff

[bobcorn]

I think some of them were just giving you a hard time. If you have a big stack, there is no problem with raising QJ from the Button or CO, as long as the blinds are tight.

[scotty1139]

If you're catching flack over that play, then it's likely not coming from any regular on this site. I'd make that play every single time. If the BB has 2.5xBB, I'm raising with any 2 cards, regardless of what kind of player the blind is. QJ is a fine hand to race with, and you're easily 40% against the K/x and A/x hands, though most often the blind won't have anywhere near that strong of a hand. Don't sweat it. I get berated all the time... try not to take it personally.

One more thing: "there" is not a substitute for "their"

[mervhage]

A big stack raising on a blind steal from the CO with a fairly strong hand (considering everyone else has folded to you, that is, strictly a positional thing) is pretty standard stuff. Obviously, when the short stack goes all in, you're not going to fold here given all the circumstances. It's a good play. If the blinds are 50/100 and you brought it in for 300, the short stacking BB raising all in for 400 more looks like: 300 + 50 + 100 + 700 = 1150 and it's costing you 400 more to call, that's nearly 3:1! You'd have to be comatose not to call here.

Ok, long paragraph for nothing, easy call, don't sweat those criticizing you b/c they don't get it.

[iplaycards]

I'd of raised any two one off the button if everyone folded to me with the BB short. I'd also call his small reraise and hope to get lucky and not be up against a pair. Also they're is a good reason to push their. I mean....


That was for scotty... I crack myself up. (also don't push any two in that situation just raise)

[scamlan]

Ya at that blind level I'm likely raising any two decent cards. The play is fine and I do it with worse cards.

[kbar13]

What everyone else said.

[carrera]

I was just foolin' with ya