Kevin,


You're right that nothing is ever automatic. Believe me, I'd be the first person to say that. I was just trying to focus the discussion to the right places (some threads occassoinally get sidelined on bizzarre preflop tangents and the like).


With that said, I really don't like not raising this flop. I'm not really worried about a check-3bet from the SB because it's not his modus operandi (m.o.). If the SB has a hand like pocket tens with the ten of hearts, a raise on the flop could be the difference between winning and losing the pot. A raise on the flop is good against the BB because I am a huge favorite to be ahead, and I think the raise defines my hand pretty well and will make it easier play in most cases.


This is being written after taking a nap after a long poker trip, so I may just be tired and missing the argument for only calling, but it seems to me that a flop raise is definintely in order.


-Dan