Understanding Blind Defense - when to let it go
 

Here is a hand from last night:

3/6 folded to CO who raises to $6.

I'm in the BB with KdQd. I KNOW he's on a steal.

Hero reraises to $9. CO caps.

Flop comes: 9s 4h 7h

Hero ???

(And please advise what you would do if he bet/raised after your action)

Re: Understanding Blind Defense - when to let it go
 

You "KNOW" he's on a steal?

CO caps.

I would c/f.

Also I would often just call from the BB with KQ. Considering a big portion of stealing hands is Ax and any pp, we need to improve to win.

Re: Understanding Blind Defense - when to let it go
 

[ QUOTE ]
You "KNOW" he's on a steal?

CO caps.


[/ QUOTE ]

I've seen him do it two or three times before in this session, and I have a decent hand, he might think I'm 'playing back at him' with trash, therefore caps to look strong!

ha.

(I was going to leave out that I three bet to see what others would say, because I don't really know if that is correct here)

Re: Understanding Blind Defense - when to let it go
 

If his ASB is really high I like the 3 bet here. The cap troubles me a little bit, as most players give up there weak steals when 3 bet, as long as you're not doing it that often. So I take one off on the flop likely, I would likely fold the turn UI but if you really think he's messing around then look him up.

Re: Understanding Blind Defense - when to let it go
 

If you are that sure its a steal attempt, would a check call, then check raise work often enough? or is the pot already big enough that CO will call enough times to make it -EV. Or, is that just an extra expensive way of applying the same pressure as a flop bet?

I can't help but think that a hand worthy of CO's cap would be better suited to just calling the 3bet for deception sake.

Re: Understanding Blind Defense - when to let it go
 

Your example is not the best, since KQ isn't a great HU hand. After you completely miss the flop, you're probably best finding a way to fold. I might take a stab at the flop but nothing more, and if you know villian will never fold to a single flop bet, then I'm just c/fing.

And, of course, if you expect villian to cap PF and continue his aggression with any flop, you're best off just calling the raise and seeing the flop.

Change your hand to, say, AJ, and I'm 3-betting and taking the hand to showdown. And I don't think there's anything wrong with just calling down UI if the board doesn't present you with a better plan.