$1/2 NL at Stars.

This is my first hand, so I'm in the BB. UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 (villian) raises to $6, button calls, I call $4 with [7c], and UTG+1 calls. Villian has ~$108 at the start of the hand.

Pot is $25. Flop is [9h][8s]. I check. I should have bet but for some reason I didn't. UTG+1 checks and villian leads for $16. Button folds and I min-raise to $32. UTG+1 folds and villian pushes for ~$70 more. I minraised because I thought he had an overpair and not a flush draw, so I wanted to keep him in. But when he pushed I got scared for a moment. I still have to call this right?

Definately. With trips, it's rare that you need to worry about your kicker, and if he had 8's, he'd be more inclined to slowlpay. Looks to me like he's got aces, and just can't let them go.

yeah gotta call.


Thought you weren't gonna play crap cards anymore?

This one reaks of a bad beat story.

Yep, I agree you absolutely call the allin here. Preflop raiser is unlikely to have a higher nine or a pair of eights. Might have a flush draw or an overpair, but either way I like your hand. Hope it turned out all right.

MG is taking a break and probably wont read this, but for anyone else....if youre going to call a raise with 97s, you better be willing to play for your stack when you hit that flop.

I've been lurking for a few months now, but couldn't resist sharing my 9[c]7[c] story which can be found in my blog under "Pain at the Palms" (, Jan 25, 2005).

This is a great forum and I take this opportunity to wish MG all the best.