I suck at getting value with BB special

[Silly String]

I'm worried I may be out-kicked here. Check behind this river? If I get check-raised I have to let it go here.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.50 BB (6 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

UTG ($49.25)
MP ($31.15)
CO ($52)
Button ($51.65)
SB ($31.20)
Hero ($52)

Preflop: Hero is BB with K, 5.
4 folds, SB completes, Hero checks.

Flop: ($1) K, Q, 6 (2 players)
SB bets $1.5, Hero calls $1.50.

Turn: ($4) K (2 players)
SB bets $1.5, Hero raises to $5, SB calls $3.50.

River: ($14) 9 (2 players)
SB checks, Hero checks.

Final Pot: $14

[Thee One]

On the flop: Raise the flop...I want to know right away if I'm good here. His bet could be a draw, delayed steal, or Qx looking to define his hand.

On the turn: His bet here looks like a draw trying to price the river card. the fact that he calls the raise rules out Qx or 6x. The fact that he doesn't re-raise here rules out Kx. I have him on a FD at this point.

On the river: In my opinion, Villian just hit his hand. He checks hoping you'll bet for him as you just raised the turn and he probably puts you on trips because of it. Checking behind is your best option.

[jackvance]

I don't think it's a good idea to raise TP no kicker on the flop when villain overbets the pot. I think he rivered his flush and I like the check behind.

[IowaSkinsFan]

personally I don't raise the turn. Also, I fold flop sometimes.

[Thee One]

I don't think it's a good idea to raise TP no kicker on the flop when villain overbets the pot. I think he rivered his flush and I like the check behind.

TPNK, Air...doesn't really matter. In a blind battle I think this is a steal often enough that a re-steal on the flop can be profitable. Obviously we slow way down if we get called and pitch it if we get raised back.

[jackvance]

TPNK, Air...doesn't really matter. In a blind battle I think this is a steal often enough that a re-steal on the flop can be profitable. Obviously we slow way down if we get called and pitch it if we get raised back.

Why turn a hand that has good showdown value into a bluff?

[andy-akb]

On the flop: Raise the flop...I want to know right away if I'm good here. His bet could be a draw, delayed steal, or Qx looking to define his hand.

I have to agree with Jack here [didnt think Id ever say that], but I think a flop raise is pretty bad here because all it does is turn our hand into a bluff when we have some showdown value and bloats a pot when we really should be doing the opposite.

personally I don't raise the turn. Also, I fold flop sometimes.

This is pretty weak, while I understand not raising the turn, I still think it is a mistake, albeit a small one, to simply call his bet. The thing I disagree with the most though is folding the flop, we really cannot be folding TP in a HU blind battle for one bet on the flop.


To the OP: I play this hand almost the same way except may raise PF sometimes, but this is really opponent dependent. Please include general reads or at least stats on your opponents because there are some where betting the river has value and others where we should just check behind. Assuming an unknown villain though, I check behind.

[Thee One]

TPNK, Air...doesn't really matter. In a blind battle I think this is a steal often enough that a re-steal on the flop can be profitable. Obviously we slow way down if we get called and pitch it if we get raised back.

Why turn a hand that has good showdown value into a bluff?

Because it's a blindwar. Most often we take this pot right here with a raise, if villian calls we're probably still ahead. The small # of times he re-raises we're probably way behind. Also Villian limped preflop, he's probably playing suited trash...if he's drawing he's paying. So either we're beat on the flop or Villian is drawing to beat us. I'm ok with finding that out here so I can extract the most value on later streets. Also, with the times we take the pot down right here, I think it's a good play. The times we get played back at, it's an easy fold and doesn't cost us much.

[freechus9]

The times we get played back at, it's an easy fold and doesn't cost us much.

It costs us the amount of the raise we make. We want to show down the hand, not bloat the pot. Pot control, especially with such a marginal holding as TPNK, is ultra-important. Big rule of thumb: "Don't go broke in nothing pots"

[nutsinho]

you played this hand perfectly, why do you suck?

[Silly String]

I didn't feel like I got enough value from this trips hand. I guess when he calls my turn raise(albeit a small raise) I am either out-kicked or just got flushed.
What if he opens the river for $14? What do I do?

[swiggidy]

TPNK, Air...doesn't really matter. In a blind battle I think this is a steal often enough that a re-steal on the flop can be profitable.

Why turn a hand that has good showdown value into a bluff?

Because it's a blindwar. Most often we take this pot right here with a raise.

You do realize the pot is only $2 (4bb) on the flop, right? If the pot is larger you may "take it down" because your hand can't stand any heat at all. But right now there is nothing to fight for and you are unlikely to improve.

I raise a little more on the turn FWIW.