a slowplay

here' a a recent online hand:


There is a blind posted 3 off the button by a new player. The game is tight.


A late-early player open limps. The poster checks. I am 2 offthe button with KJo. I call.

All fold to BB who checks.


Flop is J44 rainbow. Early limper bets. Poster folds, I call, BB folds.


turn is a 9. Bet, call again.

river is a 9. Bet, I consider a raise, but call.


Comments on any street appreciated.


Dan Z.

If you didn't raise the flop, why didn't you raise the turn?


Are you afraid that the running nines hurt you?

Sounds like your opponent just bet the whole way through assuming you had no touch and that you would be hard pressed to call with just an ace.


Two thoughts:

Pocket pair from 6-6 to 10-10

Ace-queen


Why not pop it on the end?

It looks like an easy money-maker.


What did he have?

I like the way you played it. You figure to be behind only to AJ, and if not AJ, QJs seems likely. So the two overcards (an ace or queen) are not really a concern. I'd also consider raising the river, but if he can lay down a worse jack, there's not much reason to.

Well played. But you might consider a preflop raise or turn raise now and then.


River raise would usually be pointless. Many guys would not bet a hand worse than yours here unless they were bluffing and if they did bet a hand better than yours, they ain't folding in case you are bluffing.