Do you check down against an AI?

[argash]

I've started noticing something lately and I'm not sure if it's just the donks I'm playing against at the micro-stakes or if there's been a shift in peoples stance on this tactic so I want your opinion. When ever a pot is between me and two others one of whom is all-in I will always check down assuming there is little or no side pot after the AI.

Last night however I noticed that every time this type of play would come up my other opponents would refuse to check down. Annoyingly they always made me toss a low or middle pair that would have busted out the AI player who instead doubled up.

So tell me are these just retarded donks or has the accepted strategy changed here?

[drmcboy]

all depends on the situation - on the bubble checking it down makes more sense. And what you have - if you have a vulnerable hand that is probably best usually I would bet. And of course if you think you may be beat by the non AI played but have the shorty you must bet. Certainly always checking it down is a mistake. Your job is to win chips, not bust people.

[argash]

Don't get me wrong I've got no issues betting it if you've got a hand. What was driving me nuts was the players doing it with two over cards who fire out a big bet that I can't justifiably call with my bottom pair or middle pair. I make the right lay down they flip up two overs and double up the all in who I would have beat. Additionally most of this was during bubble time as well which just compounded my frustration.

[linaker]

They are retarded donks. This is one occasion where I think it is OK to point out they are donks in the chat, after the hand of course. Some people will bet their T high, either because they don't know the strategy or because they do and are exploiting the fact that most people won't expect a bluff here.

In the examples you gave, you just have to hope that the guy who survives gets more chips and ends up knocking them out.