Busting Top Pair Weak Kicker

[Al Mirpuri]

When I read whoever has lead at the pot on the flop for top pair weak kicker and I have top pair good kicker then I will make him play for all his chips.

If my read is right then I am a huge favorite as he only has three outs with two cards to come.

When I am wrong I run into over pairs.

What do others think of the value of this play? Obviously, I do not make it when all I have to do is fold my way into the money or I am already in the money and each player that busts out adds to my win.

[Phil Van Sexton]

It all depends on the player, of course.

If heads-up against such a player, I often prefer to simply call them down. If they have top pair, they will keep betting it. They're unlikely to push allin since their kicker stinks. You will win a lot of chips this way and you don't put your whole stack at risk to do it.

If there are other players in the pot, you must raise to drive them out, though an allin seems excessive.