Anyone play this different?

[Bona]

I just couldn't bring myself to play this into a crowd. Anybody disagree?

PokerStars 0.25/0.50 Hold'em (10 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: 2+2 Forums)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 8[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], K[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]. MP1 posts a blind of $0.25.
UTG calls, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, MP1 (poster) checks, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, CO calls, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, SB completes, Hero checks.

Flop: (5 SB) K[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 6[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], T[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(5 players)</font>
SB checks, Hero checks, <font color="#CC3333">UTG bets</font>, MP1 calls, CO folds, SB folds, Hero folds.

Turn: (3.50 BB) 9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">UTG bets</font>, MP1 folds.

Final Pot: 4.50 BB

[lstephen666]

I'd be tempted to bet this flop. You have top pair in a pot where no one has shown strength.

But, I don't mind this line considering there is really no way you can be sure you're ahead in this hand and the pot is quite small.

[DrModern]

Wow I definitely bet the flop. What was your thinking?

[Bona]

Well I'm OOP with no kicker. The guy behind me is 14/0/.25 The next two are loose preflop but seem to get away from their loosing hands and the fourth is a rock. I considered betting and folding to a raise but couldn't pull the trigger. An ace coming up on the turn or river would be a big problem if 2 or three stayed. Anybody holding a K and staying is likely to be ahead of me. At present there is no pot to protect and no real assurance there will be. If a pot does develop wouldn't I most likely be behind. The result I can like from betting is if everyone folds. I thought that unlikely. FWIW that was my thinking right or wrong.

[DrModern]

Bona,

I think a bet is right for the following reason:

No one has showed much strength so far in the hand. There isn't any reason to believe your hand isn't best. With two loose players in the pot, you'll definitely be getting value from some worse hands. Your reads are helpful, and I'd watch out if either of the rocks calls, but I think your holding is just too strong not to bet for value.

As for your contentions:

[ QUOTE ]
An ace coming up on the turn or river would be a big problem if 2 or three stayed.

[/ QUOTE ]

True, but how often does this happen? The ace doesn't hit that often, and given your descriptions of the players, they'll be apt to fold.

[ QUOTE ]
Anybody holding a K and staying is likely to be ahead of me.

[/ QUOTE ]

True, but someone (e.g. the loose players) might call you with a T or a 6 as well. Sometimes even a worse K will call you.

[ QUOTE ]
At present there is no pot to protect and no real assurance there will be. If a pot does develop wouldn't I most likely be behind. The result I can like from betting is if everyone folds. I thought that unlikely.

[/ QUOTE ]

There are 5 SBs in the pot. Your bet doesn't have to successfully get a fold from everyone very often to show a profit. Also, it could well be for value.

Basically, I can't imagine flopping top pair in an unraised pot and wanting to check-fold. I think this is way too nitty.

[Bona]

Amazingly you are not the first to think I am nitty!! [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] And you are both probably right. Are you enjoying your new title? Congratulations!!!

[DrModern]

[ QUOTE ]
Amazingly you are not the first to think I am nitty!! [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] And you are both probably right. Are you enjoying your new title? Congratulations!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

It's awesome. Thanks, man.

[Berg]

*grunch*

I fold this one too no doubt.

[ckj]

Bet the flop. The rest I couldn't say better than DrModern

[BigBadBabar]

wow, this is a bad fold. what are you worried about?! bet the flop!