A No-Limit Hold'em Tournament Quiz

Here is another no-limit hold'em tournament quiz to tickle your brain. Analyze the following scenarios and decide how you would answer the question, "What's your best play?" See how the answers I suggest compare with your thoughts on how to get the most value out of each of these hands in tournament play.

1. You are in middle position with pocket tens. One player has limped into the pot and you decide to raise about four times the size of the big blind. Two players call behind you, the blinds fold, and the original limper also calls your raise. The flop comes J 10 4. You have flopped a set, but there are possible straight and flush draws out against you. The first player makes a pot-sized bet. He's loose as a goose and calls a lot. The two players who haven't acted yet are both solid players. What is your best play? (A) Call; (B) Fold; © Raise

This is a situation in which you need to protect your hand against several drawing possibilities. If you raise, you can probably get it heads up with a player who, hopefully, will call you with much weaker hands than a set. The answer is ©.

2. You open the pot for a standard raise with A-Q offsuit from middle position. A solid player on the button calls your raise. The flop comes A J 7. You lead out with a pot-sized bet and your opponent makes a big reraise. What is your best play? (A) Call; (B) Fold; © Raise

You probably have only three outs and need to hit a queen to win. You're most likely up against either A-K or A-J. In either case, you are beaten. The answer is (B).

3. You are in middle position with the J 10. Two players have limped into the pot and you limp, also. Everybody else folds to a very aggressive player on the button. He fires out a raise of about eight times the size of the big blind. The blinds fold, the first limper calls, and the second limper folds. Now, it's up to you to act. What is your best play? (A) Call; (B) Fold; © Raise

Suited connectors, even the popular J-10, can't stand a big raise. Also, the limper who called may have a big pair and is trying to trap both you and the aggressive player after the flop. The answer is (B).

4. You are in the cutoff seat with the K Q. There are three limpers in the pot and you decide to join them by also limping. The button folds and both blinds call, giving you the advantage of having last action after the flop. The flop comes J 10 5. Everyone checks to you. You have two overcards to the flop and an open-end straight draw. What is the best play? (A) Check; (B) Bet your draw because everyone has shown weakness by checking

With a J-10 on board, your opponents could have either one- or two-pair hands, or other drawing possibilities. Trying to bluff this many players out of the pot is dangerous. If you bet and get raised, you will have to fold. It is better to take the free card in this situation and try to make your hand. The answer is (A).

5. An aggressive player at your table has been losing steadily and is obviously on tilt. He is overbetting the pot both before and after the flop, trying to get unstuck. You both have lots of chips on the table. He is the first one in the pot and fires in a raise of about 10 times the size of the big blind. Everyone has folded and you are in the big blind with pocket sevens. You think you have the best hand. What is your best play? (A) Fold; (B) Call; © Raise, and possibly even move all in

Sometimes you have to fold what you think is the best starting hand because you are very vulnerable to getting outrun on the flop. The only safe flop for you would be one in which a 7 hits the board. Why gamble in this situation? You're out of position and can wait for a better opportunity. The answer is (A).

6. You are in the big blind with pocket kings. Everyone folds to the small blind, who raises. A loose and aggressive player, he often makes bad calls and frequently bluffs after the flop. What is your best play? (A) Fold; (B) Call; © Raise

This is a good opportunity to try to trap your reckless opponent after the flop. If an ace hits, you can get away from your hand if you think you're beat. Otherwise, let him bluff his money off to you, or raise him on the flop if you think the board is somewhat dangerous. The answer is (B).

Tom McEvoy is the co-author (with Don Vines) of How to Win No-Limit Hold'em Tournaments, due to be published in May. You will often find McEvoy in action at the poker table at www.pokerstars.com, where he is a spokesperson.