99 River Confusion OOP

[Suaimhnea]

I hadn't been at this table long. This hand came up against an opponent who I had no previous reads on.

No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (6 handed)

Button ($65.90)
SB ($85.25)
Hero ($51.30)
UTG ($88.80)
MP ($54.95)
CO ($54.45)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 9, 9.
3 folds, Button raises to $2, 1 fold, Hero raises to $8, Button calls $6.

Flop: ($16.25) J, 6, 5 (2 players) Hero bets $12, Button calls $12.

Turn: ($40.25) 3 (2 players)
Hero checks, Button checks.

River: ($40.25) 8 (2 players)<font color="red"> Hero ... ? </font>

I have trouble playing mid-pocket pairs post-flop on semi-dry boards. Are there any good posts or words of advice you can extend me to help me improve my play in these spots?

[Waingro]

Against an unknown I like a call pf. So many villains doesn´t widen their range at all on the button and against a 6% pfr, rr 99 is a waste of value. Call for set value, maybe cc a safe looking flop, but don´t put in a lot of money unimproved.

As played, betting here is basically a bluff, and I think it is very unlikely he folds something like AJ here. So I´d check and probably fold to a bet.

[orthopak]

agree 100% with Lucky Jim.