$400NL: AJs oop in a weird spot

No hud running. Villain is definitely not a reg and seems to be a noob. His standard raise is a minr.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $4.00 BB (6 handed) - Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

BB ($908.85)
UTG ($443)
MP ($695.95)
CO ($394)
Button ($386)
Hero (SB) ($416)

Preflop: Hero is SB with A, J
2 folds, CO bets $8, 1 fold, Hero raises to $32, 1 fold, CO calls $24

Flop: ($68) 9, 9, Q (2 players)
Hero bets $44, CO calls $44

Turn: ($156) Q (2 players)
Hero checks

why so big on the flop? if he has nothing he's going to fold for half pot
I guess c/c small turn bet and c/f any river is reasonable

idk about the flop bet...it all happened so fast.

c-bet sizing seems way too big. Why not more like $30-$35?
turn is gross. Bet-fold or check-fold, tending towards check-fold cos I doubt villain is going to bluff.

On this board I think I like a check call on the flop. You are still likely ahead of his range, which will include a lot of draws that will call your c-bet, low pockets that will call your c-bet, and maybe even air to peel the flop and take this away from you on the turn. If you check, much of his range may check the flop.

On the turn I push. You are crushed by any 9 or Q, but much of his range will have to fold, you may push out an ace and low pockets just got forfeited. Even if he calls with something that currently beats you like K,K, you may have some outs to the flush or possibly outs with the A.

Since most people at 2/4 arent really good enough to turn 88 into a bluff on the turn,(reasoning "OH MAN, He'll never fold AK here!)

I usually c/ with intentions of folding but expect to get to showdown (and be good) a decent amount of the time.

If turn checks through I guess you have to c/soulread if he bets depending on how thinly you think he'll bet hands like 10's or J's

I don't like the 3bet sizing preflop vs a 'noob'

i'd probably just make it like 22 or 24. you get equal initiative in his eyes and iso and prevent BB from entering.

- larger sizing you will fold out many of the great hands you dominate like j10 QJ
- OOP the more the pot bloats you have fewer 'options' vs. a newb/fish, so i like a smaller 3b
- newb or fishy player often will call raises pf, and call flop with A high. so if you are playing this hand for a 3bet oop, you will have to be willing to bet a lot of turns too, which can be scary/annoying, which is why i'd prefer to prevent turn commitment when i need to barrell by overall playing a smaller pot, but while still ISOing with the small 3b


as played, i bet the turn $75 which will have FE vs his non Q or 9 hands

Originally Posted by OP

Since most people at 2/4 arent really good enough to turn 88 into a bluff on the turn,(reasoning "OH MAN, He'll never fold AK here!)

I usually c/ with intentions of folding but expect to get to showdown (and be good) a decent amount of the time.

If turn checks through I guess you have to c/soulread if he bets depending on how thinly you think he'll bet hands like 10's or J's