Failed steal makes middle pair

[zoobird]

First time I've played poker in several months. $6+.50 45 man turbo. Comments on all streets welcome.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t200 (9 handed) internettexasholdem.com

MP2 (t2630)
MP3 (t2245)
Hero (t4485)
Button (t2415)
SB (t2445)
BB (t4220)
UTG (t1790)
UTG+1 (t3080)
MP1 (t1255)

Preflop: Hero is CO with A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img].
<font color="#666666">5 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to t500</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Button raises to t800</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, Hero calls t300.

Flop: (t1900) 8[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 3[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], K[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
Hero checks, Button checks.

Turn: (t1900) 5[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
Hero checks, Button checks.

River: (t1900) 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
Hero checks, Button checks.

Final Pot: t1900

[futuredoc85]

this is good, your hand has too much showdown value to bet when you have to fold to a raise, IMO.

[mornelth]

I'll usually bet flop in this spot - his min-raise PF doesn't scream a monster at me. If I didn't bet the flop - I'm CERTAINLY betting the turn, unless I KNOW that this guy is a certified calling station.

Part of the reason why I bet is because I'd bet AK. KQ here 100% of the time and part of the reason I bet is because I do not necessarily want to show my hand. Although in $6.50 it probably doesn't matter.

[futuredoc85]

yeah i was assuming that in a 6.50 no one else notices anything other than their cards. Another reason i advocated checking down was because donks my float w/ any pp or any 3 and then bet you off when you check the next street.

[Jeff76]

[ QUOTE ]
I'll usually bet flop in this spot - his min-raise PF doesn't scream a monster at me. If I didn't bet the flop - I'm CERTAINLY betting the turn, unless I KNOW that this guy is a certified calling station.

Part of the reason why I bet is because I'd bet AK. KQ here 100% of the time and part of the reason I bet is because I do not necessarily want to show my hand. Although in $6.50 it probably doesn't matter.

[/ QUOTE ]Agreed. I also bet to not give free cards to a hand like QJ that might draw out on me if I give infinite odds.

[AceLuby]

I'm throwing a bet out on the flop VERY often here. I find that I'm almost never raised off the best hand if I bet, though I might get called down light. But if I am called, especially on that turn, I'm throwing out another bet. I'm pretty much never taking OP line.