Playing a Tight Opponent: 40-80 HE

Tighter than normal 40-80 HE seven handed game. Very few flops

and if there is a flop one bet takes it down. I had just one

a relatively big pot on the previous hand against this same

fellow when this hand comes up. I am first to enter with a raise

on the button with AQh and the small blind makes it three bets.

We see the flop two handed. I doubt he is steaming from before

and he may think I am riding my previous momentum.


The flop comes 225 with one heart. He bets and I call. My call

is certainly debatable, but I do have a backdoor flush draw and

two big cards for whatever they are worth and I have position.


An Ace comes on the turn. My opponent looks disgusted. He checks and I check. A blank comes on the river. He bets and

I raise. He reluctantly calls with pocket Kings.


Comments appreciated


Bruce

I'm only going to address the turn and river. The question you need to ask is how likely he is to fold on the turn, call on the turn, and check raise on the turn, and how this impacts the river play? If you think that there is a good chance he will only check a big pair and may now fold it your check is correct. If you think that he is likely to check raise if he holds something like AK again your check is correct. If you think that he will now call twice with a big pair (assuming that is what he has) and many players will, then your check is wrong. If you think that he will sometimes checkraise you and you will fold but that he won't always check raise you with the best hand then you should check. If you think that he would three bet you with an ace with a kicker smaller than a queen and might now check it being afraid he is bet you should bet. And so on.


As for the river, once you check the turn your call should be automatic. By the way, against many, but not all players, I would also check the turn since you are not very worried about free cards. (Note: If he has a pair he only has two outs.)