50NL: Isolate on button with AJ, flop an ace, get check raised...
 

Villain was about 18/10. I didn't get to my time bank before I timed out, but I still don't know what to think of the small check raise.

Full Tilt Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (8 handed) Hand History converter Courtesy of PokerZion.com

MP2 ($32.35)
CO ($44.15)
Hero ($56.80)
SB ($11.50)
BB ($17.55)
UTG ($37.80)
UTG+1 ($10)
MP1 ($56.95)

Preflop: Hero is Button with A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], J[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]. UTG+1 posts a blind of $0.50.
<font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, UTG+1 (poster) checks, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, CO calls $0.50, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to $2.75</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, UTG+1 folds, CO calls $2.25.

Flop: ($6.75) 3[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
CO checks, <font color="#CC3333">Hero bets $4</font>, <font color="#CC3333">CO raises to $10</font>, Hero folds.

Final Pot: $20.75

Re: 50NL: Isolate on button with AJ, flop an ace, get check raised...
 

18/10/? I hate these spots, always feels like i´m folding the best hand. If villain is very aggressive, i 3-bet.

Re: 50NL: Isolate on button with AJ, flop an ace, get check raised...
 

[ QUOTE ]
18/10/? I hate these spots, always feels like i´m folding the best hand.

[/ QUOTE ]These spots are pretty easy actually. An 18/10 is never limping a worse Ace. He's probably not calling a SC OOP knowing it's going to be a HU pot. His most likely holding is a small pair that he'd normally open raise with but just limps after limpers. Sure he could have a draw but those don't make up enough of his range to continue in the hand.

Re: 50NL: Isolate on button with AJ, flop an ace, get check raised...
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
18/10/? I hate these spots, always feels like i´m folding the best hand.

[/ QUOTE ]These spots are pretty easy actually. An 18/10 is never limping a worse Ace. He's probably not calling a SC OOP knowing it's going to be a HU pot. His most likely holding is a small pair that he'd normally open raise with but just limps after limpers. Sure he could have a draw but those don't make up enough of his range to continue in the hand.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree.

So therefore we are against either a set or an underpair (more probable).
Whats the best line to take then.
- Re-raise then shutdown?
- Let him keep firing and call down?

Re: 50NL: Isolate on button with AJ, flop an ace, get check raised...
 

Anyone have a good line for this situation?

Re: 50NL: Isolate on button with AJ, flop an ace, get check raised...
 

Check behind on the flop - seriously.

I dont like to bet in position if I wouldnt know how to handle a CR.
If Im betting air then I know I fold
If Im betting a hand way ahead of villans range then I call/reraise depending on situation.

A diamond draw is possible but the pot is small, your hand is marginal so why bloat it?

Re: 50NL: Isolate on button with AJ, flop an ace, get check raised...
 

I check behind sometimes to mix it up and play some pot control, but I bet here because I really didn't expect a check raise. If you bet and got check raised small would you fold, call and see what he does on the turn, or raise it up?

Re: 50NL: Isolate on button with AJ, flop an ace, get check raised...
 

After thinking about this for a while I think checking behind is the best play. You're not getting value from anything when you bet and a draw is unlikely. 22 and 55 have draws and that's it.

Re: 50NL: Isolate on button with AJ, flop an ace, get check raised...
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
18/10/? I hate these spots, always feels like i´m folding the best hand.

[/ QUOTE ]These spots are pretty easy actually. An 18/10 is never limping a worse Ace. He's probably not calling a SC OOP knowing it's going to be a HU pot. His most likely holding is a small pair that he'd normally open raise with but just limps after limpers. Sure he could have a draw but those don't make up enough of his range to continue in the hand.

[/ QUOTE ]

I disagree. I'm probably as close to an 18/10 as anyone here and if you fold this vs. me then you might as well just transfer me money. I stick it in here.

Re: 50NL: Isolate on button with AJ, flop an ace, get check raised...
 

Checking should be the default play rather than the mix up play.

As played without a better read I like a fold.
If he is a smart player he may have realised that a lot of your PFR range here did not include an Ace.

How many hands is the sample over?
He may be an 18/10 smart TAG or if your sample is way off he could be a donk who limps AK or AA PF.

Since there are only two Aces unaccounted for and he "should" raise AQ or AK you can argue for a re-raise and fold to further action if you think he is a thinking player.
Against an unknown I fold.

Re: 50NL: Isolate on button with AJ, flop an ace, get check raised...
 

Looks like set or 2p to me. Overlimps with SP or A2s, A3s. But if he is very agressive and you think he is capable c/r you with small missed pair (44, 55), I would 3bet him.

Re: 50NL: Isolate on button with AJ, flop an ace, get check raised...
 

How often have you been c-betting and do you think the 18/10 is smart enough to notice?

Re: 50NL: Isolate on button with AJ, flop an ace, get check raised...
 

[ QUOTE ]

I disagree. I'm probably as close to an 18/10 as anyone here and if you fold this vs. me then you might as well just transfer me money. I stick it in here.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why? He's never calling us with a hand we have dominated. We have to believe he has the nuts or is bluffing/semibluffing. Why would we want to move him off when we can pick up another bluff on the turn.