TPTK OOP vs. 23/7/2

[GiantBuddha]

Poker Stars - No Limit Hold'em Cash Game - $0.25/$0.50 Blinds - 9 Players - (LegoPoker HH Converter)

SB: $53.00
BB: $53.75
UTG: $49.25
Hero (UTG+1): $54.55
MP1: $29.10
MP2: $49.80
MP3: $39.50
CO: $45.15
BTN: $26.65

Preflop: Hero is dealt A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] K[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (9 Players)
UTG calls $0.50, <font color="red">Hero raises to $2.50</font>, 2 folds, MP3 calls $2.50, 4 folds, UTG calls $2.00

Flop: ($8.25) 4[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] T[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] K[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (3 Players)
UTG checks, <font color="red">Hero bets $6.00</font>, MP3 calls $6.00, UTG folds

Turn: ($20.25) 9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 Players)

So playing one pair out of position is probably my least comfortable spot in NL, and it comes up quite often. What's the best plan for this hand from here? MP3 is 23/7/2 over a small sample.

[crunny]

bet/fold seems fine here. Its unlikely that he bluffs and KQ, KJ will call.

[GiantBuddha]

If I bet ~$12-15 and he smooth calls, what's the plan for a blank river?

[Joni]

I'd bet ~$13 here and fold to a raise. If he calls and river is a blank I think I would check/call because there's a flushdraw on the board and he might bluff when he misses.

[crunny]

Unless i have reads my rule of thumb is that you will usually only get two streets of value from one pair hands, so i will c/f river to a decent sized bet.

Alternatively, you can throw in a blocking bet on the river.

[crunny]

[ QUOTE ]
I would check/call because there's a flushdraw on the board and he might bluff when he misses.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think villain bluffs often enough because its pretty obvious you have a K.

[GiantBuddha]

Flop: ($8.25) 4[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] T[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] K[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (3 Players)
UTG checks, <font color="red">Hero bets $6.00</font>, MP3 calls $6.00, UTG folds

Turn: ($20.25) 9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 Players)
Hero checks, <font color="red">MP3 bets $7.00</font>, Hero calls $7.00

River: ($34.25) 8[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 Players)
Hero checks, <font color="red">MP3 bets $17.00</font>

What if I check the turn for pot control. Now what?

[Teddie]

call

[crunny]

You only beat KQ KJ, but you are getting good odds. Its close, probably call and take notes.

Why do we check this turn? I see it a lot, and i do it myself too, but i dont understand WHY. I understand the reasons behind betting, but checking is a mystery, i dont believe we can really control the pot from oop, right? I mean either villain has us beat and bets or doesn't and checks (most of the time anyway).

It would be nice if one of the more senior posters could elaborate on this, because its something i have struggled with.