defense against semi-bluff
 

I've been thinking about this hand with respect to Sklansky's claim in TOP that calling down is the worst defense against the semi-bluff.

Villain was that he was 14/8/2.5 over about 50 hands. He made a good free card play against me earlier, but also cold-called a ep raise of with AJo, FWIW.

The table was playing tight so I loosened up my steal requirements on this hand.

Party Poker 5/10 Hold'em (10 handed) pokerhand.org hand converter

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with Q[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], J[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img].
<font color="#666666">4 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Button 3-bets</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, Hero calls.

Flop: (7.40 SB) Q[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 8[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 5[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">Hero bets</font>, Button calls.

Turn: (4.70 BB) 9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">Hero bets</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Button raises</font>, Hero calls.

River: (8.70 BB) A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
Hero checks, <font color="#CC3333">Button bets</font>, Hero calls.

Final Pot: 10.70 BB

Re: defense against semi-bluff
 

This smells a lot like Big Ace diamond. 3-bet and puniiish.

The way you played it I don't think you can call the river.

Re: defense against semi-bluff
 

If he calls your three-bet, how do you play this river?

Re: defense against semi-bluff
 

Because the subject of your post and your intro indicates you won this hand, my advice is to jam the pot on every street.

But if I hadn't known that, I would just suggest you call down after the turn raise. I'd have to have a hell of a pattern map to three bet that turn.

Re: defense against semi-bluff
 

My pattern map is really good, but I couldn't find a three-bet or a fold. I guess calling down as I did is ok? I doubt it.

Re: defense against semi-bluff
 

Call down seems pretty easonable against someone whose turn and river betting habits we know little about. If anyone could explain why folding would be better, I'd be interested. I don't think TP Q J kicker warrants a three bet on the turn.

Re: defense against semi-bluff
 

i would not call the river. what are you beating here?? you're going to put him on JJ??