non-nut flushes

[kdotsky]

First hand, I post from CO.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (7 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: 2+2 Forums)

saw flop|<font color="#C00000">saw showdown</font>

<font color="#C00000">MP2 ($202.60)</font>
<font color="#C00000">Hero ($200)</font>
Button ($233.30)
SB ($138.80)
BB ($146.75)
UTG ($80)
MP1 ($239.70)

Preflop: Hero is CO with J[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]. Hero posts a blind of $2. UTG posts a blind of $2.
UTG (poster) checks, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, MP2 calls $2, Hero (poster) checks, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: ($10) 8[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 3[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 9[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(5 players)</font>
SB checks, BB checks, <font color="#CC3333">UTG bets $4</font>, MP2 calls $4, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to $20</font>, SB folds, BB folds, UTG folds, MP2 calls $16.

I think the raise is fine, but what do I do if someone pops it? I guess just start calling down is right.

Turn: ($54) 2[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
MP2 checks, <font color="#CC3333">Hero bets $35</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP2 raises to $180.6</font>, Hero calls $143 (All-In).

Should I check through here and call a river bet (or bet if checked to)? Given I bet, his play is more consistent with the nuts than a smaller flush. I still have to call, though, correct?

Thanks.

[kitaristi0]

Looks 100% standard to me.

[mrcoughman]

Looks good. If I know the players a huge nit I may fold to the river Check raise, but this is fine.

[kdotsky]

Let me ask a more general question then. When, if ever, are you trying to keep the pot small with a non-nut flush.

For example, if he minraises me on the turn, it would be slightly more optimal to call and then call his push on river, right?

[silentbob]

No, you want all your money in on the turn. Too much can happen on the river -- a fourth spade, the board pairs, etc.

If you push after the mini-raise and Villain folds, you've still taken half his stack at minimal risk. That's hardly chopped liver.

Then again, I'm horrible at extraction so take the above with a huge grain of salt.

[CallMePls]

I'm All-In.