set over set, anyway to not loose my money?

NL50 shorthanded

I limped in pf with 55 in late position, button bets 4bb, sb calls and I call.

board came

5h - Kh - 9s

sb checks
I check,
dealer bets $2
sb raises to $9

I call, hoping to take button along for the ride.

button folds, turn is 7s

sb goes all in.

Here I'm thinking that he either has two pair (k9) or he's on a heart-draw semibluff, i'm also considiring that he has a higher set. This is the first hand on the table so no read on the guy. I hope for the best and call. He shows 99 for the higher set and takes the pot.

Did I do something wrong here? I've seen players do this move with AK aswells as heartdraws in similiar situations so calling here must be +EV right? What are the odds that two players hitting a set on the flop in a short handed game?

Personally, this is my most hated way to lose a hand: set over set. That being said, I am throwing my money in with my set (given a non-threatening board or to stave off flush/straight drawers) every day of the week.

Sets are very difficult to put someone on so when this happens you just have to chalk it up to bad luck and do the same thing next time.

If you lose to a higher set and you don't lose your stack, you played it wrong.

Originally Posted by Les_Worm

If you lose to a higher set and you don't lose your stack, you played it wrong.

I would qualify this statement by saying that if someone is leading out on a threatening board (obvious flush/straight draws) it could, in some instances be wise to slow down if you have a read on the bettor.

If you don't lose all your money here, you are dead to me. I have no son! And so forth.

I agree, set over set is so rare, you need to be willing to pay off a higher set.