NL10 - JJ on Button Against Raise

[DerekP]

Did I play this too passive?

Full Tilt Poker - No Limit Hold'em Cash Game - $0.05/$0.10 Blinds - 6 Players - (LegoPoker HH Converter)

SB: $0.30
BB: $7.45
UTG: $12.50
MP: $8.90
CO: $10.00
Hero (BTN): $9.60

CO posts $0.10
Preflop: Hero is dealt J[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] J[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (6 Players)
UTG folds, <font color="red">MP raises to $0.45</font>, CO calls $0.35, Hero calls $0.45, SB folds, BB calls $0.35

Flop: ($1.85) 6[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] 9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (4 Players)
BB checks, <font color="red">MP bets $1.50</font>, 3 folds
Uncalled bet of $1.50 returned to MP

Pot Size: $1.85 ($0.15 Rake)

[Pokey]

You have two strategies here preflop: call and play for a set to stack someone, or raise and play from the strength of position/aggression/hand. You gave us no reads, so it's hard to say which of the two plays is best in this particular situation. If either MP or CO (or both) is a calling station then smooth-calling is the most +EV move you can make; if they are both weak-tight or average, three-betting preflop might be better. Given your position, and given that over half the time an overcard will fall, and given that two players have already expressed some interest in the pot, I would tend to smooth-call here as my default play.

On the flop you can either smooth-call or fold, depending (again) on reads. Again, my default play with no reads would be to fold, but if I had a read that MP was a frequent c-bettor who gives up on the turn unimproved I would tend to smooth-call with the intent of picking up the pot on the turn. Also, if MP was a known ultra-maniac I would tend to smooth-call all the way to the river. However, folding your hand on this flop is almost never a big mistake, regardless of your opponents, and given that there is an actor behind you folding avoids an unlikely-but-painful squeeze play that would force you to fold anyways AND cost you extra money that you didn't have to lose.

I think you played this hand fine given no reads; with certain reads, I could see alternate lines being superior.

[DerekP]

Awesome, thank you.

I didn't really have any reads on the players, as I was towards the beginning of a 4-table session.