Poker Questions

I am a semipro holdem player and had a question

Scenario: 78 vs KQ (both suited)

Most of the cards in the deck are numbers vs face cards. Would having a 78 be more equity in both GTO/ICM than KQ. KQ is better for high pairs/high card but 78 has more value on connecting cards.

What is your regards on the scenario facing a preflop All-In?

 

@video can help you he’s an absolute crusher

 

KQs is strictly better than 78s preflop.
78s is only good if you're in a situation where you're trying to avoid being dominated.
For example, if an opponent with only like 6BB jams from early position, and you're in the SB/BB with 78s, most of the time that's a better calling hand than a hand like KQs, simply because the dude jamming early position has a lot of AK/AQ/AA/KK/QQ in his range, and you'd be much more likely to be dominated.
That said, if you have a soul read your opponent has 78s, and you have KQs, you should call just about any bet as you're about a 60% favorite.

 

gl getting me to fold either of those hands preflop

 

In a tournament situation and we are about 2 breaks in with no rebuys left, and I have 78 with 10BBs and i see a single shove with 4 BBs and I am the last one, I would be reluctant to call but I will try your strategy as you are right. The main hands a shover will have is pocket pair 9s or up or any top duo A10/AK/AJ/QK/J10/ETC which I can have a good battle with a 78. Worst case if I lose that hand I would be down a couple BBs and can easy make it to next break.

@video HAHA! You are one funny dude. I have seen people do what you do at Harrahs/Cal Neva/Peppermill. They are typically successful but definitely have more bankroll than me. I am speaking in cash games/early tournament. I think you know Cal Neva and the cocaine rebuys.

 

I can't really say without knowing ICM and where the bubble is etc.
In standard situations, you should only call there if you're in the BB, since that way you're only calling 3BB. You said you're last to act, so I would assume you're in BB, and yes, you should call with 78s.
That said, if you have 4BB and are in early position, you shouldn't jam with 78s, it's a dog against most hands. But, when you're calling 3BB to win 5BB + antes, a 40% is mathematically correct, and you'll have 40% against vast majority of villains range with 78s.

 

KQ isn't good in any all in imo, you can call a few blinds with it or preferably use it to bluff preflop.
78suited you should only play if you're in position and calling the big blind.


KQ has better odds but it's still a coinflip, if you're playing cash games and managing your bankroll you could allin, but you're not going to know they have 78 and would more likely have an ace+kicker or pocket pairs giving them better odds. you especially shouldn't allin KQ in a tournament unless they have a much smaller stack.

the only scenario i can see someone playing this would be in a cash game where your opponent's hand range is wide

it also depends on the stakes you're playing.

 

there's lots of spots where jamming KQ is perfectly correct, and I don't think you know what a coinflip is.
78s vs. KQs, if you have KQs, you're a 60% favorite, that's not a coinflip. I'll call with KQs all day if I know my opponent has 78s.

Just off the top of my head, all correct spots to jam KQs:
SB vs. BB if there's enough in antes on the table and you have an effective enough stack
in the BB if SB tries to limp against you and you have him covered by a good amount
basically anytime you're in late position with 5BB or less
etc. etc.

There's also a lot of places it'd be correct to call a jam, such as what I said in my last post.

 

as i stated it's fine if you're managing your bankroll right or the big stack in a tournament, if you have alot of your funds in a cash game 60/40 is still a coinflip (if you can't play through your losing streak) or if you're in a tournament and not itm yet with an average stack it's still a coinflip. and if you where called allin preflop they're likely to have pocketpairs/Ace king/Ace queen in the real world you're not going to know they have 78 suited and you're playing against the odds idk why you feel the need to take the scenario so literal yet mention the infinite variations you could face

but sure KQ vs 78 is a shove, but when are you really ever gonna know they have 78 suited? you may have a read on them but that's still not gonna be 60% odds



(((SB vs. BB if there's enough in antes on the table and you have an effective enough stack
in the BB if SB tries to limp against you and you have him covered by a good amount)))

these have bluff equity which is what i suggested to playing KQ allin preflop

and a semi-pro should know m-factor i didn't see the need to mention it

 

Given the advice by Sound and Video, I was able to win my tournament today and get a free seat at a higher costing tournament. I need to get better but this was definitely a helping hand and I will be asking for more advice soon