[Disconnected]

[ QUOTE ]
I check-call the river, but I think it's close between c/c and c/f. I think checking is better either way since some better hands might get scared, let us off the hook, and give us a free showdown.
My problem with c/fing is that it's certainly possible (I'd even say likely) that an unknown could be betting a worse pair on this board on the flop and turn. So how often does he keep going with a pair once we check on the river? I think it's close, but I'd probably pay off against an unknown.

[/ QUOTE ]

My initial reaction to this was to check/call the river, since I think in general in this thread, people may be putting villain on too narrow a hand range before the river. From villain's standpoint, hero made a standard continuation bet on a flop that isn't all that likely to have helped him in a decent sized pot. The original raiser folded, so a fair number of hands may take a shot on the flop, including middle pairs.

When smooth-called and checked to on the turn, villain pretty much has to bet whatever he was raising on the flop, and even with a middle pair, he's got to feel he's likely got the best hand when he's not check-raised.

So, on the river, even with the ace, I would think that villain would continue to fire away even with a hand that we beat, desperate to take the pot, if nothing else. Back to hero's perspective, on the river, I'd want to show down my hand as cheaply as possible, so I would check/call. Check/fold is OK, but I would think that once you check, villain is going to pretty much bet anything. I still figure I'm going to lose this hand, but I think I'll lose less on average by check/calling than by check/folding.

As for folding to a raise, I do think that's the right play once you bet. Bet/folding is OK, but I don't think you can fold a better hand with that donk, but you may fold some hands that would bet in position.