100NL, AJs in tought spot

[pokerfan]

villain is 18/7/2 over 600 hands. i think i probably raised too loosely preflop.
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (8 handed) Poker-Stars Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

CO ($98.50)
Button ($109.40)
SB ($88.70)
BB ($10.75)
Hero ($100)
UTG+1 ($201.75)
MP1 ($25)
MP2 ($23.05)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with A, J. MP1 posts a blind of $1.
Hero raises to $5, 4 folds, Button calls $5, 2 folds.

Flop: ($12.50) 5, A, 3 (2 players)
Hero bets $7, Button raises to $14, Hero calls $7.

Turn: ($40.50) A (2 players)
Hero checks, Button checks.

River: ($40.50) 8 (2 players)
Hero bet $18, Button raised $72.40, hero?

[ATOTHEC101]

yeah, i think ajs isnt strong enough to raise utg so its a fold preflop for me. looking at the hand id play it the same as you, but id check call river instead of betting it, what are you hopin to get value from? Not only do you lose value from check callin vs missed draws and random bluffs but the hands that you beat i.e. lower aces are outnumbered by the hands that have you beat and are gonna raise river i.e. boats and aq,ak.

If you check call you basically get the same value from aces you beat, as theyll likely think they have the best hand and will v bet river to, plus as mentioned you get value from bluffs. You also basically lose the minimum vs hands that have you beat. As played id fold, though his check on the turn confuses me, and its possible hes making a crazy move, if hes capable of this goodluck to him.

[pokerfan]

i saw mp1 post there, so i decided to raise AJs UTG for extra free money. Actually, it's my river blocking bet cuz i dont want to play a big pot there vs AF 2 tricky guys who raised me on the flop already.

yeah, i think ajs isnt strong enough to raise utg so its a fold preflop for me. looking at the hand id play it the same as you, but id check call river instead of betting it, what are you hopin to get value from? Not only do you lose value from check callin vs missed draws and random bluffs but the hands that you beat i.e. lower aces are outnumbered by the hands that have you beat and are gonna raise river i.e. boats and aq,ak.

If you check call you basically get the same value from aces you beat, as theyll likely think they have the best hand and will v bet river to, plus as mentioned you get value from bluffs. You also basically lose the minimum vs hands that have you beat. As played id fold, though his check on the turn confuses me, and its possible hes making a crazy move, if hes capable of this goodluck to him.

Well according to Renton's post he raises AJs UTG. I've been following that recommendation.

I don't know if I would check the turn, I would be looking to bet it so that the flush doesn't just draw for free. Then I would just check/call the river if he called. If he raised I would have to re-evaluate my hand. Turn raises are serious business.

But as played I'd say nh and fold. (in NL 10 I would call and thank him for the free money)

[ATOTHEC101]

fair enough, lookin at you bet size i guessed the bet had dual value/blocking tendencies. But do you not agree with me that check calling is a better line on the river due to the reasons i mentioned above? i.e. value from bluffs, value from aces you beat anyway, safe line vs hands that have you beat plus stops you getting shoved over by some sort of spastic bluff.

[pokerfan]

i think its a good line I suspected that this guy played tricky with me when he hit his boat on the turn. So i didnt really want to call a large river bet in the heat of the moment.. Fuck, i'd never think about folding this in live games.

fair enough, lookin at you bet size i guessed the bet had dual value/blocking tendencies. But do you not agree with me that check calling is a better line on the river due to the reasons i mentioned above? i.e. value from bluffs, value from aces you beat anyway, safe line vs hands that have you beat plus stops you getting shoved over by some sort of spastic bluff.

[badgers]

god his line is retarded

[Fnord]

His line is so retarded that I think it's an easy fold.