$11 Level 2 - Trouble with unsuited connector

[Marcotte]

Seat 1: ($1,210 in chips)
Seat 2: ($1,090 in chips)
Seat 3: ($2,615 in chips)
Seat 4: UTG+2 ($1,750 in chips)
Seat 5: ($1,070 in chips)
Seat 6: ($980 in chips)
Seat 7: ($1,255 in chips)
Seat 8: Marcotte [ 9H,8C ] ($1,680 in chips)
Seat 9: Button ($2,540 in chips)
Seat 10: ($810 in chips)

ANTES/BLINDS
SB posts blind ($15), BB posts blind ($30).

PRE-FLOP
folds, folds, UTG+2 calls $30, folds, folds, folds, Marcotte calls $30, Button bets $100, folds, folds, UTG+2 calls $70, Marcotte calls $70.

FLOP [board cards 8H,6C,7C ]
UTG+2 checks, Marcotte bets $300, Button calls $300, UTG+2 folds.

TURN [board cards 8H,6C,7C,7H ]
Marcotte bets $450, Button calls $450.

RIVER [board cards 8H,6C,7C,7H,QS ]
Marcotte checks, Button checks.

SHOWDOWN <font color="white">
Marcotte shows [ 9H,8C ]
Button mucks cards [ JC,AC ]
Marcotte wins $1,845.
</font>

Besides the iffy limp and the even more iffy call pf, is this too aggresive so early? Bigger bet on the turn? River check or bet for value? Or am I only called by a better hand?

[Pepsquad]

Oh boy. PF Call is atrocious - but you already know that.

Depends on your Button read but for the most part I agree with the play other than the flop bet. Once you bet the flop, you really couldn't check the turn b/c then you invite a bet, advertising that the 2nd 7 scared you. I'm too weak-tight anyways - but I check-call all the way here.

[lorinda]

Forgetting Preflop as requested, I like the way you played this hand.

By the time it reaches the turn, I don't particuarly like the hand anymore, but want to bet enough to cover both the turn and river bets and get a free showdown.

I think your bet was just the right size to make an inferior hand pay and to get a superior hand to have a good chance of checking to you on the river.

Embrace the free showdown with open arms, you've earned it.

Edit: and ignore my mixed metaphors.

Lori