River Decision
 

Looking for a sanity check here.

'Stars $30 +3 single. Level I 10/20 blinds. 7 left, one big stack, the rest of us have 1420-1460. Big stack not involved in this hand.

I'm UTG with 8 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 8 [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] and limp. CO calls, SB folds, BB checks. (70)

Flop: 7 [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] A [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 2 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

BB checks, I bet 60, CO calls, BB folds. (190)

Turn: 6 [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]

I bet 120, CO calls. (430)

River: 4 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]

The dilemma. This looks like a case where I only get called if I'm beat, but if I check, a lot of hands that I beat can push me out.

Thoughts? Flames? My action and results later.

Re: River Decision
 

I play hands like this more tight/passively. That said, I should work on that, and I think your line is defensible.

I check-fold the flop too often here. I'd also check the turn. But again, I'm not too confident in this area of my game.

Basically, the main two scenarios are a missed flush draw and a weak/medium Ace.

So, there are a few options on the river.

Bet for value (Obviously wrong)
Blocking bet
Check-call
Check-fold

Personally, I like checking best, and I think I'll call any bet under the pot size.

When you check, he should check behind most aces if he's reasonable, which makes me more suspicious of a bet.

Although I feel an ace is more likely than the flush draw up to the point of your turn on the river, once you check, his action makes things different.

I think that when he bets 200-430, you're ahead enough to warrant a call.

-Jman28

RESULTS
 

I bet 200, he calls and shows K [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] K [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

Not a hand that was in the range I considered. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: River Decision
 

I generally check the turn here.

Re: River Decision
 

With 88, at this stage, I generally play no set-no bet. With the villian checking that flop, a bet of 1/2 pot might take it down. In this case the 1/2 pot bet looks like it might have gotten you 2 more chances to find trips also.

Still, in Level I, I probably don't put in any more money without a set, a good draw with very good pot odds, or only undercards on the board.

Re: River Decision
 

Kurn, I fold 88 UTG here. Or, limp/fold the flop.