a check/call, bet hand from BB

[jason_t]

Villian in MP2 is a fish.

Is this right?

Party Poker 2/4 Hold'em (10 handed) converter (http://www.selachian.com/tools/bisonconverter/hhconverter.cgi)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 7/images/graemlins/diamond.gif, Q/images/graemlins/diamond.gif.
UTG calls, UTG+1 folds, UTG+2 folds, MP1 folds, MP2 calls, MP3 folds, CO folds, Button folds, SB folds, Hero checks.

Flop: (3.50 SB) 2/images/graemlins/spade.gif, 3/images/graemlins/diamond.gif, K/images/graemlins/spade.gif <font color="#0000FF">(3 players)</font>
Hero checks, UTG checks, MP2 checks.

Turn: (1.75 BB) Q/images/graemlins/spade.gif <font color="#0000FF">(3 players)</font>
Hero checks, UTG checks, <font color="#CC3333">MP2 bets</font>, Hero calls, UTG folds.

River: (3.75 BB) 8/images/graemlins/diamond.gif <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">Hero bets</font>....

[private joker]

Bet the turn.

[jason_t]

Do you mind explaining why that's better?

[evain]

If you bet the turn your opponents may fold and you can win the pot right there. It also helps you to guage the strength of your hand. As it stands, MP2 may be bluff betting the turn to see if he can pick up the pot. If you bet the turn and get two callers, you can assume at least one of your overcallers has a queen or a flush draw or overcards and, depending on the river card, it can help you to decide whether to bet out on the river or check/call.

evain

[jason_t]

Exactly the kind of explanation I needed to understand marginal hands in small pots like this better. Thank you.

[private joker]

Also, if you have the best hand on the turn and check it, singleton spades get a free river card if they check it through (you had no reason to believe anyone would bet it), and infinite odds to draw out to a flush and beat you.

[jason_t]

Also a solid point. Thank you.

Playing marginal hands better in small pots is where there is the biggest room for improvement in my game, and 2+2 has been very helpful.