$1/$2 Full ring live cash game
Villain in UTG 1 limps in ($130 behind)
Folds to Hero in Middle Position 2 with KK ($250 behind), raise to $15 (normal amount to thin field)
Folds to BB who calls (~ $150 behind)
Villain calls
Flop Q, J, 8 (rainbow)
BB checks
Villain all-in for $115
Hero?
Villain was unknown to hero but had been playing with him for about 1.5 hours. In that time period, hero saw villain over-bet (2x) the river with a made flush. On another hand, hero saw villain raise very large pre-flop with JJ (open raised in middle position 3 to $50 with only 1 limper before him in middle position 1).
At first my gut instinct was to call the shove – I literally counted/stacked the chips and was ready to push them into the pot. But, because I’m still learning, I forced myself to stop, slow down, and THINK about my action before taking it.
So… I first looked at his position and pre flop action to put villain on a hand range. Based on those factors, I did not put villain on QQ, JJ, KK, AA, AK nor AQ (he would have raised pre flop, not limp). Hand range I did consider was pocket 8, 2 pair (QJ, Q8, J8 suited and off ) as well pocket 10, pocket 99 and other straight draws (A10, K10, K9, Q10, Q9, J10, J9, 97 – all suited and off), as well made straight (10 9)
Then I considered the pot odds. It cost $115 to win $160. Not able to do the math at the table, I figured I needed approximately 45% equity in order to call. Using a calculator, I now see it’s about 40% (is this correct?). Either way, I figured the KKs were well ahead of the range of hands but well behind a made hand such as a trips, straight or 2 pair.
Now using an equity calculator, I see I had ~54% equity against the entire range. If I narrow it down to made hands, it drops to ~20%.
But the biggest factor that was stuck in my mind was his previous over-bet on the river with a flush. The other major factor was the fact that he bet/shoved into 2 other players.
Based on above, should hero have called the shove? Also, please advise if my decision making process is correct and any adjustments you would recommend. Also, should the SPR have been considered since it was less than 3 even though another player was involved?
THANK YOU!