How bad is this check?

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (7 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

Button ($25.45)
SB ($45.80)
BB ($58.80)
UTG ($13.70)
MP1 ($27.30)
MP2 ($19.85)
Hero ($25)

Preflop: Hero is CO with T, 9. SB posts a blind of $0.10.
2 folds, MP2 calls $0.25, Hero calls $0.25, Button calls $0.25, SB (poster) raises to $0.4, BB calls $0.25, MP2 folds, Hero calls $0.25, Button calls $0.25.

Flop: ($2.25) K, K, 5 (4 players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero checks, Button bets $1, SB folds, BB folds, Hero calls $1.

Turn: ($4.25) 3 (2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets $3, Hero raises to $8, Button calls $5.

River: ($20.25) A (2 players)
Hero checks, Button checks.

Final Pot: $20.25
Main Pot: $20.25, between Button and Hero.


In retrospect I think this river check was horrible. Obviously I fear AK or whatever other boat, but I don't have him on AK...I planned on calling most non-pushes. This is a clear value bet?

Where has my game gone. I sag my shoulders in defeat after yet another losing sesssion.

bet the flop, it would be nice to clear out a 10(or unlikely9) with a better kicker plus you can pick up the pot right there. I probably check/raise the turn like you did after check/calling the flop. I bet the river too, there is no reason to think you are beat. Depending how much of a slot machine he is I'd bet $10 or just shove my last $15.50.

Yeah, definitely bet that river. It doesn't need to be huge, just something like 1/2 pot or maybe less. I don't mind calling the turn and leading the river for 1/2 pot or so. When you CR the turn, your hand is clearly defined and you make it difficult to get paid off by a hand like trips.