Noteworthy Hand 2.0

Today’s noteworthy hand once again comes from a recent session at the 8-16 table.

A middle position player, Player A, opens the pot for a raise.  Player A is very aggressive, but I wouldn’t classify him as a maniac.  He raises pre-flop quite frequently, often with weaker than average holdings.  But he is not an idiot.  He can get away from a hand, and plays very solid post-flop.

The action folds to me on the button.  I have A-Q of diamonds.  In my mind, this is a pretty clear three-bet.  Player A has shown the propensity to raise pre-flop with hands as soft as A-3 suited, or K-10.  There is a very good chance I have the best hand, and I’d like to take control of the pot, and possibly get heads-up.  The big-blind, Player B, calls the three-bets.  Player A then makes it four-bets!  At this point, I don’t much care for my hand, but have no choice but to call.  He could, of course, have a hand like J-J, or 10-10, but almost all four-betting hands have me crushed.  Player B also calls the fourth bet.

The flop comes Q-7-3 with two spades.  Player B checks.  Player A bets.  I think for a moment, and decide to raise.  I want to establish my hand, possibly give myself a chance to check a later street if I think I’m beat, and also get a better read on Player A’s hand, based on how he reacts to my raise.  Player B once again calls both bets cold, and action is back to Player A, who thinks for a moment, and re-raises!  Dernit!  I call, as does Player B.  I am relatively certain Player B is on a spade draw.

The turn is a total blank, the 2 of clubs.  Player B checks once again, and Player A bets once again.  This is where I really need to contemplate what to do.  The river is an easy decision if I decide to call the turn, as the pot will already be large enough in size to where I’ll need to call one-bet for a showdown every single time.  Here is where the decision is made.  I have top-pair with top-kicker, and feel there’s no way it can be good.  What could he be juicing the action with so hard?  A-K of spades seemed less likely, because, as I said, I was almost sure Player B had a flush draw.  Would he be so aggressive with a hand like J-J or 10-10?  Probably not.  He could have the same hand as me, but that isn’t overwhelmingly likely.

I decide to fold.

Player B calls.  The river is the 2 of hearts, and Player B once again checks.  Player A fires a third bullet, and Player B folds.  Player A flashed his hand to the man next to him, threw it in the muck, and raked the pot.

I’m almost certain it was A-A or K-K.  Did I make a terrible fold?