TPTK facing pressure on a monotone flop
 

NL400, 6-handed

Effective stacks: $290.

Villain is new to table, this being his third hand at the table, and I haven't seen him do anything much.

Preflop: UTG folds. UTG+1 just joined and posted; he checks. I raise to $20 in the cut-off with A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] K[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. Villain on the button makes it $70. Folds to me and I call.

Flop (2 players, $150): Q[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 3[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] K[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]
Villain pots it. I ??

Also, comments on the pre-flop play appreciated. While I am willing to four-bet to keep opponents in line if I am getting three bet a little too often, I generally like to keep the pot small preflop against unknowns.

Re: TPTK facing pressure on a monotone flop
 

if you and villain don't have much history and he's new to table, i generally would put him on a narrow pre-flop three-betting range, like TT+ and AK. on this flop, i would think his range includes sets, good pocket pairs with a club, like TcTx or JcJx. he may also have AK. you're either way behind or moderately ahead, so i think you are better off folding.

Re: TPTK facing pressure on a monotone flop
 

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I generally like to keep the pot small preflop against unknowns.

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Flop (2 players, $150)

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Re: TPTK facing pressure on a monotone flop
 

I feel it's better to be the aggressor in this spot pf. You have a very strong hand and although he's and unknown to you, you're also an unknown to him. Your fourbet is going to look very strong considering you know nothing about him and you're going to fold out some better hands like TT maybe even JJ considering you're an unknown as well. Four-bet/shove imo.

Re: TPTK facing pressure on a monotone flop
 

go all in before the flop is dealt

Re: TPTK facing pressure on a monotone flop
 

i agree with pushing this preflop, btw. you've got great fold equity since even if villain perceives your range to be KK+ and AK, he is incorrect to call with anything except AA/KK, and these make up such a small part of his range that pushing is generally more profitable. this is even true if you are playing deeper as well.