[Sam T.]

I probably would have played it just as you did, including the push on the river. But I'm also convinced that a call is the better play...

I don't mind the turn check at all, for the reasons you cite. I'm not going to worry too about a flush I'm heads-up, and if he hits is two-outer, well, Merry Christmas. (I actually played a hand very similar to this a few weeks back - villain hit his two outer, rivering trip fives.)

In any case, the risk of a free card is, I think, worth the reward in a river bet you can get from him.

Sam