400nl - TP + FD vs Weird Nit

[KeliSobrao]

Villain is like 12/8, min-raising pre-flop seems to be his standard. He is a nit that generally has the goods, that said I've gotten into weird spots where I've caught him bluffing. I wasn't sure whether to b/3bet, b/c, or c/r this flop. The stacks are slightly deeper than usual, plus the min-raise pre-flop didn't build much of a pot...

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $4.00 BB (7 handed)

BB ($92.90)
UTG ($476.10)
MP1 ($507.15)
MP2 ($489.70)
CO ($389.85)
Button ($80.55)
Hero (SB) ($527)

Preflop: Hero is SB with A, J
1 fold, MP1 raises to $8, 1 fold, CO calls $8, 1 fold, Hero calls $6, 1 fold

Flop: ($28) 5, A, 4 (3 players)
Hero bets $20, MP1 raises to $58, 1 fold, Hero calls $38

I think his range is very strong here and if I 3-bet I wind up getting it in against a set only.

Turn: ($144) 3 (2 players)
Hero checks, MP1 checks

I was thinking he has a set a lot of the time, but then he checks behind here which just totally blows my mind. I guess he probably has AK/AQ??

River: ($144) 10 (2 players)
Hero...

Comments/advice/berate me please! This type of hand is usually a lot easier to play when you are up against someone with wider ranges...

[Fnord]

I wouldn't bet any street (edit: unimproved). Money is too deep to be happy about a bet/raise line. I might c/r with the right dynamic but it would be a level.

My standard line here is to c/c flop, c/c turn and c/f river with a call option depending on what I think of him.

If you improve on the river, it's a must-bet. If you improve on the turn, usually I lead, sometimes I don't.

[BankItDrew]

I think it's best to throw out a blocking bet here in the range of $40-$60. Hand is played fine up to this point.

[jimmy44]

I think it's best to throw out a blocking bet here in the range of $40-$60. Hand is played fine up to this point.

Why blocking bet here?
We are way behind his range: FD, sets, straights, bigger Aces and maybe stuff like KQ/QJ. He would fold FD (and the possible KQ/QJ) to our block bet and the rest will raise/call with the best hand.
I think here a c/c or c/f would be best depending on the size of villain's bet.

[pokerfan]

i totally agree with Fnord. As played, i check on the river with the intention of folding to his large river bet and calling any small bet. You dont have to donk bet into pfr to find out where you are at IMO.
Blocking the river vs a 12/8 FR nit who raised on the flop doesnt really look brilliant to me either.

[Miffed22001]

i likea passive line or very aggressive line, not something that looks to be in the middle.
So its either c/c and fold on river if opp is trying for 3streets of value or raise raise push type line
eg bet/3 bet push turn or c/r bet, push

[elipsesjeff]

If you think opponent's raising range on the flop is so tight then the river is a fairly easy check/fold.

On the flop, based on my EV Calcs:

If he raises AK/AQ and then folds to a shove on this flop then bet/3betting AI is the best play on the flop. If he raises AK and folds it to AI then check/calling is best play. If he raises AK/AQ and calls with AK then check/calling is the best play.