Confrontation on the flop

[twang]

I'm embarrassed to admit that this is a not so uncommon situation that I'm struggling with. Tell me what to do and why.

UTG is TA-A after about 100 hands.


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

Preflop: Hero is UTG+2 with Q/images/graemlins/heart.gif, K/images/graemlins/club.gif. CO posts a blind of $2. MP1 posts a blind of $2.
UTG calls, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, Hero calls, MP1 (poster) checks, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, CO (poster) checks, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, BB checks.

Flop: (5.50 SB) Q/images/graemlins/spade.gif, 4/images/graemlins/diamond.gif, 7/images/graemlins/diamond.gif <font color="#0000FF">(5 players)</font>
BB checks, <font color="#CC3333">UTG bets</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises</font>, MP1 folds, CO folds, BB folds, <font color="#CC3333">UTG 3-bets</font>, Hero calls.

Turn: (5.75 BB) 2/images/graemlins/diamond.gif <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">UTG bets</font>, Hero?

/twang

[shant]

I would raise preflop. From the turn I would call down.

[Nick Royale]

Raise preflop. Call down from the flop 3-bet (unless you improve).

[twang]

Thanks guys.

/twang

[FoodForThought]

If he is TA-A, what possible hand would he be three betting and leading that turn that you could have beat...QJ? I doubt it (he was UTG and is tight...MAYBE QJs not diamonds). He probably either has KQ (playing for a split pot), 77, or hit his flush. So....if you have a strong read on the player (i.e. you know he is TA-A), I'd say fold. If you don't really know the player (which is the case here...only 100 hands) or you know that he is loose, I'd call it down.

[twang]

FWIW, I called the turn bet, took a look at the river card (Ace, non-diamond) and folded. I think I should have folded on the turn. Read or not, after the flop 3-bet I think a split pot is the best I could hope for.

/twang

[Pokey]

TA-A almost always raises AA, KK, QQ, and AQ preflop. Scary hands for you are flush draws and sets.

MOST TA-As don't play 44 from UTG, but you can't entirely rule that out. Still, I think far-and-away the most likely hand for UTG here is a diamond draw. Since that diamond draw comes in on the turn, I'd say it's time to exit gracefully. (After all, in cyberspace, no one can hear you swear.)

[Entity]

[ QUOTE ]
MOST TA-As don't play 44 from UTG,

[/ QUOTE ]

I think most good TA-A's do, especially when there are two blinds posted preflop.

Rob

[masonx]

[ QUOTE ]
I would raise preflop. From the turn I would call down.

[/ QUOTE ]

i agree

[masonx]

yeah i think he could easily have 88-TT

[TripleH68]

Raise preflop.

Beware when a player like this limps UTG, especially with posters. You have to figure UTG would be raising any premium hand instantly with all that money out there, so suited connectors and pocket pairs are likely. Once the turn card hits folding is fine, unless UTG thinks you are very weak...

[Pokey]

[ QUOTE ]
yeah i think he could easily have 88-TT

[/ QUOTE ]

Personally, I don't see that as likely.

Many players who are aggressive preflop will raise TT.
Most aggressive players will bet 88, 99, and TT on this flop, but I'm don't think they make it three when it comes back raised and heads-up. That three-bet says something more than an underpair to me.

[twang]

[ QUOTE ]
yeah i think he could easily have 88-TT

[/ QUOTE ]
Any idea why he would 3-bet with 88-TT on that flop?

/twang