[nightlyraver]

One thing to consider:

I have observed some players use the check-call/lead the turn in order to draw to a winning hand. In fact, I have done it myself. Let me illustrate an example...

Villian (t3800) open-raises to 300 from position 4.
CO calls from for 300.
SB folds.
Hero (t4000) calls 200 from the BB w/ J [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]T [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img].

The flop comes Q [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]8 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]2 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (pot=t950)

Hero checks.
Villian bets 400.
CO folds.
Hero calls 400.

The J [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] falls on the turn (pot=1750)

Hero bets 700
Villian ???


It's obvious that this bet by Hero has many good points going for it. First, Villian may have been bluffing, will fold to this bet, and Hero avoids a potentially difficult dicision if Villian decides to bluff at it again should Hero check. Second, Villian may just call with a hand like KQ and Hero is almost guaranteeing himself the right price with this bet. Third, Villian probably will ditch some slightly better hands if the board were different and it were possible that Villian has a PP that is lower than TP but higher than Jacks.

Going back to your question, you can see how this move with a somewhat marginal hand makes Villians dicision very difficult. If you were Villian, and you knew what Hero was holding, the correct move would be to put in a big raise no matter what you were holding. But even with a hand like AQ or even an overpair, you will hesitate since the bet seems misplaced, representing a monster affraid of missing a bet.

This is not that difficult to combat. Without a read, you usually can't raise, but if you pay attention you will notice who is doing this with just a draw (it happens somewhat frequently at the $10 and $20 MTT's that I play). Once you identify the player, usually bump it on the turn. If he raises again you can be certain that your opponent has more than just a draw.