The flop was great for the hand (flopped nut flush, 2nd low if it comes). Although the turn made a set for your friend, it could make a full house for his opponent. What, after all, did the opponent stay around with on the flop and on the turn?


You commented that the other players in the game were staying with some trashy hands (J872). Assume one of them stayed with Q952 (big blind, for example). On the river, he's getting the money.


On the river, in many games (especially in Vegas) you're **not** going to be called unless you're beat -- after all, you have 5's full of 3's. There are many hands that will beat you. Not knowing the other players his check (on the river) is reasonable.


-- Russ Fox