Check-raising a paired flop in the blinds

[krimson]

I started playing 50NL ring games a few days ago. Something I've tried a few times is to check-raise on a paired flop in the blinds.

Typically it goes something like this: I'm in BB with random junk, a few people limp in, I check. Flop is some rags with a pair, say 553. I check, it's checked to someone in late position who takes a stab at the pot. I make raise of maybe 2/3 of the pot, the original bettor thinks for a while then folds.

So far it's worked every time for me. Is this play likely to be profitable on average (as long as you avoid trying it on brain-dead calling stations) or have I just been lucky?

Here are a few examples:

************************************************** *
Game # 102643806 - Texas Hold'em No Limit EUR 0,25/0,50 - Table "Hultsfred"
Game ended 2005-07-29 16:32:11 UTC

Players:
Lola72 (EUR 4,37 in seat 1)
Zorro77 (EUR 109,64 in seat 2)
ftlkbp (EUR 24,75 in seat 3)
slobb (EUR 81,26 in seat 4)
boldiroven (EUR 24,25 in seat 5)
Perfect (EUR 21,50 in seat 6)
krimson (EUR 32,54 in seat 7)
LonghoppA (EUR 59,21 in seat 8)

Dealer: boldiroven
Small Blind: Perfect (0,25)
Big Blind: krimson (0,50)

krimson was dealt: 2d - Ah

LonghoppA Call (0,50)
Lola72 Call (0,50)
Zorro77 Call (0,50)
ftlkbp Fold
slobb Fold
boldiroven Call (0,50)
Perfect Call (0,25)
krimson Check

Flop 9d - 9s - 7s

Perfect Check
krimson Check
LonghoppA Check
Lola72 Check
Zorro77 Bet (1,50)
boldiroven Fold
Perfect Fold
krimson Raise (5,00)
LonghoppA Fold
Lola72 Fold
Zorro77 Fold
krimson Payback (3,50)

krimson didn't show hand

krimson wins: EUR 5,75
Rake: EUR 0,25


************************************************** *
Game # 103641640 - Texas Hold'em No Limit EUR 0,25/0,50 - Table "Linkoping"
Game ended 2005-07-31 17:41:45 UTC

Players:
Robbiiee (EUR 15,90 in seat 1)
_Voice_ (EUR 48,50 in seat 3)
Babe83 (EUR 46,40 in seat 4)
Ruffler (EUR 67,00 in seat 5)
flemmingm (EUR 32,70 in seat 6)
Valter18 (EUR 29,95 in seat 7)
krimson (EUR 37,50 in seat 8)

Dealer: Valter18
Small Blind: krimson (0,25)
Big Blind: Robbiiee (0,50)

krimson was dealt: Ts - 8h

_Voice_ Fold
Babe83 Fold
Ruffler Fold
flemmingm Call (0,50)
Valter18 Fold
krimson Call (0,25)
Robbiiee Check

Flop Jc - 2d - 2h

krimson Check
Robbiiee Fold
flemmingm Bet (0,50)
krimson Raise (2,50)
flemmingm Fold
krimson Payback (2,00)

krimson didn't show hand

krimson wins: EUR 2,50

************************************************** ************
Game # 103652364 - Texas Hold'em No Limit EUR 0,25/0,50 - Table "Linkoping"
Game ended 2005-07-31 18:01:48 UTC

Players:
Robbiiee (EUR 7,60 in seat 1)
heba11 (EUR 48,50 in seat 2)
Manolakis (EUR 17,10 in seat 3)
Babe83 (EUR 50,50 in seat 4)
Ruffler (EUR 64,02 in seat 5)
flemmingm (EUR 31,50 in seat 6)
Valter18 (EUR 29,95 in seat 7)
krimson (EUR 61,63 in seat 8)

Dealer: flemmingm
Small Blind: Valter18 (0,25)
Big Blind: krimson (0,50)

krimson was dealt: 2h - 7c

Robbiiee Call (0,50)
heba11 Fold
Manolakis Fold
Babe83 Fold
Ruffler Call (0,50)
flemmingm Call (0,50)
Valter18 Fold
krimson Check

Flop 5c - 5h - 3d

krimson Check
Robbiiee Check
Ruffler Bet (1,70)
flemmingm Fold
krimson Raise (6,00)
Robbiiee Fold
Ruffler Fold
krimson Payback (4,30)

krimson didn't show hand

krimson wins: EUR 5,40
Rake: EUR 0,25

[bair]

in the first hand there are way too many players to be trying this

[spino1i]

This strategy is something I myself do frequently.

[outphase]

I do this in limit when a late position player raises my BB and I want to defend my ass. I have a post somewhere, but it's the same idea. call the pf raise and check/raise the flop even though i miss

[DimitriT]

Paired flops are always slow played so quite often the first bet will take the pot. My strategy from the blinds is to check along the first time and then raise a weak bet or lead off the betting on the turn with a 1/2 pot sized bet. I'll only do this if I think my table image is tight.

The key to this is to give up the hand if you get called. I would sometimes try another move on the turn or river (thinking the opp. is trying to draw) but too often they will call you down with the bottom pair at the limits I play. That turned out to be a leak for me. Now I make the play and give it right up if I am called.