Top Pair Weak Kicker
 

I had no reads yet.

On the flop, I wasn't sure if I was ahead or behind the bettor. I also wasn't sure if I should raise to try to KO the other two players or simply call.

Raising figured to get them to fold considering they had already checked (they might fold without the raise also though), but I wasn't really buying any outs or likely to get them to fold any draws because the board wasn't particularly draw friendly.

Thoughts?

Ultimate Bet
Limit Holdem Ring game
Limit: $0.25./$0.5
10 players
Converter

Pre-flop: (10 players) hero is MP3 with A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 5[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]
3 folds, MP1 calls, MP2 folds, hero calls, 2 folds, <font color="#cc0000">SB raises</font>, BB calls, MP1 calls, hero calls.

Flop: 9[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] 6[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (6.4SB, 4 players)
SB checks, BB checks, <font color="#cc0000">MP1 bets</font>, <font color="#cc0000">hero raises</font>, SB folds, BB calls, MP1 calls.

Turn: 3[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (6.2BB, 3 players)
BB checks, <font color="#cc0000">MP1 bets</font>, hero calls, BB folds.

River: J[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (8.2BB, 2 players)
<font color="#cc0000">MP1 bets</font>, hero calls.

Results:
Final pot: 10.2BB

Re: Top Pair Weak Kicker
 

preflop is close but not really important.

aside from that i like every street. nh.

i don't think raising the turn is quite right although it could be close, for semibluff/fsdr/club draw. i don't think ev-wise it's right. but that's where i think discussion could be aimed.

Re: Top Pair Weak Kicker
 

Am I reading this right? UB took $1.60 out of an $8 pot by the flop? That makes what would otherwise be a large pot into a small one. It is too small to spend an extra bet to protect so any raise should be for value. On this dry board it is difficult to see MP1 having anything other than an ace, so you are probably behind. I am calling the flop bet on the basis that I am probably better than six to one against to be ahead. I will fold to a check raise. Then I will go to another site where the rake is less penal.

Re: Top Pair Weak Kicker
 

I think I call the flop, but a raise isn't terrible. Your kicker is small, you have a ragged board, only a couple opponents, and a relatively small pot.

As played, I definitely fold the river.

Re: Top Pair Weak Kicker
 

I play it the same.

I like the flop raise for value, and I like a call on the turn since I no longer think we're ahead. I wouldn't expect an unknown to donk the turn without a hand that beats us (87[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] maybe?), so I'd just call the turn and let the BB contribute another bet.

Re: Top Pair Weak Kicker
 

Could someone please explain why a flop raise would be for value? Isn't this a situation where we're likely to get called only by a better Ace?

Re: Top Pair Weak Kicker
 

[ QUOTE ]
Could someone please explain why a flop raise would be for value? Isn't this a situation where we're likely to get called only by a better Ace?

[/ QUOTE ]
While we'd probably only get called by either of the blinds with an ace (or 87 which isn't folding), MP1 could be betting a lot of worse hands, which he'll call the raise with. In addition to an ace, he may have 9x or pocket pair and be betting for value, or may be trying some random bluff at SB's weakness. Also, I think this hand is easier to play if you can get it heads up.

Re: Top Pair Weak Kicker
 

nh. there is a good reason not to raise the turn: BB

Re: Top Pair Weak Kicker
 

[ QUOTE ]
nh. there is a good reason not to raise the turn: BB

[/ QUOTE ]

I felt OK with my turn and river play. I was actually less certain about the flop. I didn't know whether it was actually worth while raising for either value or to protect my hand. There was a good chance I was behind the orginal bettor and I wasn't sure it made much sense to protect my hand given it wasn't a draw heavy board, I wasn't buying any outs, and I might be exposing myself to a re-raise from the original bettor.

Re: Top Pair Weak Kicker
 

After this flop action I don't think I would call the turn UI, so I guess we can fold the river.