how do you know when you're beat?

[Sydenham]

Yesterday I'm playing a small $1000 freeroll on Interpoker. I have kings early on, the blinds are about 15-30, and I raise to about 150. Normally I raise bigger with kings but I don't like to over-commit in case an ace flops, and most players can never flop an ace.

Two callers. The flop comes 5-5-6 and the first man bets 300 and the other flat calls. I think I may be beat, I figure one could have a-5 and the other a pocket pair or even a-6, anyway I whack it all in. The first guy folds, the second has quads.

I can fold kings but it's difficult when most players will call even a big raise with garbage.

What would you have done?

[DodgyBiscuits]

Its difficult to say what I would have done as you have not given enough detail. It is necessary to have more information.

What are the stack sizes?

What are the positions of the players?

Do you have any information as to the style of the players?

ETC............

[dirtyboot]

in the case of quads there is nothing you can do...but all in with two pair on the board is always risky. you should have raised to 600, and if you get a call or reraise you know you are beat. fold away.

[milehi1206]

It is especially hard to tell since you are playing in a freeroll tournament. Judging by the fact the blinds are only 15-30, you were early in the tournament. With absolutely nothing to lose players will call with anything early in these tournaments trying to suck out to build a large stack to carry them into the money.

[Arielstorm]

That would be hard to get away from, but I like to think I would have folded

[BUILDMO]

take the beat mon, if quads beat you
how often does that REALLY happen?
you will get quads next time

[Vito_Nuccio]

I have to agree with Milehi1206, it is a freeroll, so all bets are off. Early on in these donkfests any hand will do as double up or go home is a common, but poor play. When blinds are low (especially in a freeroll) you will not be able to raise anyone out if they want to see the flop. I am suprised the pair of 5s did not come over the top of the initial raise all in, that sounds more like a freeroll move. In the end I think the 5s would have stayed with you no matter what you bet pre-flop and the result would have been the same, quads. Kings will win plenty of hands, not all. You said you thought you were beat. Listen to your poker instincts and fold in those situations and fewer donks will get the best of it.

Remember: Free rolls attract the fish and donks by the horde.

The higher the stakes the better game you will generally find. But, beware there are donkeys at all levels, and that is a good thing when they are putting up some cash....

[I Eat Gamblers]

I would have folded, saved chips and picked up the lost ones another hand.

[LeBaronNL]

I would have made a bigger bet preflop. Early on in the tournament, low blinds/big stacks, raise it up to 4/5BB (6 if coming from UTG or UTG+1). you'll get enough 'funky' calls, so get as much money in as you can.

flop, reraise by 3 times his bet (depending on stacksizes) and re-evaluate if you want to stay in the hand after a call/reraise.

Good luck!

[munkie]

Gotta play big pockets hardcore preflop. But at freeroll, it probably wouldn't have done any good eitherway. I play big pocket pairs really hard preflop. Then I pretty let my opponent dictate the play postflop. If I get a rainbow river, no pairs, I make a sizeable continuation bet. Pair of 5's flop, I call to the turn. King's are a bitch to play. There are alot of retards that will call sizeable preflop raises with something like Ace, 4 offsuit or a small pocket pair as in your example. Just go with the gut.

[litfpitr]

Its tough but you should have gone with your instincts..The first guy saw what could be a nothing flop and tried to buy..and the second of course had the quads..That early in the tourney you should have folded but when you go all in the only guy who is going to call you will have you beat...In any tourney before you have a read on how the people are playing, you have to treat them like they know what they are doing...By the way, what was the turn and if you had just called the 300 could you have gotten away from the hand then with 550 left in you stack??