[vincent]

Just for mental exercise :

You've been challenged by Cutthroat Charlie, the local card sharp. He's a hustler; he's using a deck of marked cards against you.
He's not too bright : They're commercially available and you've seen them before, so you can read them too.


Given that he will never pay off if you have a better hand, but he isn't a very good player beyond that.... And you're playing pot limit holdem


Hand A: He raises with a marginal hand preflop : Six Hearts Five Hearts

You call with a better one. He hits a beauty of a flop
Four Spade Seven Clubs Eight Clubs

He bets small, to trap. You raise the pot, he reraises, and you correctly move all in.

What MUST you hold?


You win this pot, and play on.

Later, you limp with marginally the best hand, and he checks.

Flop comes Three (trey) Hearts Seven Diamonds Eight Diamonds

You are ahead, but can only check and call.

Turn comes : Three (trey) Clubs

Again you have the best hand
Again, it would be incorrect to bet here. You can only check - call

What hands do you each have?


You lose this one, but keep your losses minimal.

He keeps his cards covered this next hand; you don't see them preflop.

You his small raise with a solid hand.

Flop : Jack Clubs Oueen Hearts King Hearts

he bets and you call... then shudder as you see what he holds.

Jack Diamonds Jack Hearts


Clearly a mistake to call there.

Turn is Ten Clubs

He bets the pot again, putting himself all in with the best hand.

You correctly call.
What must you have?