We’ve probably all heard it before, but it’s a great reminder. Don’t ever put your opponents in a position when they can get away from a second best hand. Especially in today’s games, when big pots are more rare, and every little edge matters. If you have someone willing to make an over aggressive mistake, allow them. I was reminded of this when playing a short session of .5/1 and 1/2 NL 6-max today. Here’s an example of a hand where I just allowed my opponent to get it in nearly drawing dead on the flop.

PokerStars Game #3119007816: Hold’em No Limit ($0.50/$1) – 2015/08/21 14:27:32
Table ‘Boro’ 6-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: P1_414370GJ ($41.86 in chips)
Seat 2: P2_595204WA ($291.10 in chips)
Seat 3: P3_498039TY ($45.87 in chips)
Seat 4: P4_588783VW ($56.20 in chips)
Seat 5: Hero ($101.20 in chips)
Seat 6: P6_786760QG ($105.40 in chips)
P2_595204WA: posts small blind $0.50
P3_498039TY: posts big blind $1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero [Kh Ks]
P4_588783VW: raises $2 to $3
Hero: raises $6 to $9
P6_786760QG: folds
P1_414370GJ: folds
P2_595204WA: folds
P3_498039TY: folds
P4_588783VW: raises $9 to $21
Hero: calls $12
*** FLOP *** [8s 8c 4s]
P4_588783VW: raises $35.20 to $35.20 and is all-in
Hero: calls $35.20
*** TURN *** [8s 8c 4s] [5h]
*** RIVER *** [8s 8c 4s 5h] [Ah]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
P4_588783VW: shows [Kc Qc]
Hero: shows [Kh Ks]
Hero collected $110.90 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $113.90 | Rake $3
Board [8s 8c 4s 5h Ah]
Seat 1: P1_414370GJ appropriate action description
Seat 2: P2_595204WA appropriate action description
Seat 3: P3_498039TY appropriate action description
Seat 4: P4_588783VW appropriate action description
Seat 5: Hero collected ($110.90)
Seat 6: P6_786760QG appropriate action description

My only mistake, but a costly one, could have been to just jam pre. He already committed himself right? But why? If he was just bluffing, which he did just turn his hand into a bluff, I could allow him to possibly get away. Even though he was short stacked, he had somewhat reg type stats. So no reason to do anything but call/call.

Just a friendly reminder my poker friends… allow your opponents to make the biggest mistake. Don’t get hasty even when it looks as though there’s no way your opponent could fold. If you’re not folding, and you’re likely ahead, just allow them to finish themselves off.