[Rick Nebiolo]

This hand comes from a live, aggressive 20/40 stud eight or better game.

An "action bet" of $20 is posted to the bring-ins' immediate right. The action bet acts as a complete bet in turn. Players in front of the action bet can only call the $5 bring-in (or fold of course). After the action bet completes to $20, the players still in can reraise or call. The action bet has right of last action (i.e., can raise) if all players just call.

Anyway, the bring-in for $5 is a 4c. Next player folds a banana. A competent aggressive player calls $5 with an Ad (her only option at this point ? once again she can raise the action bet when it comes back to her). A decent player calls $5 with the 7d.

Hero has (Jh-3h) 8h. There are no hearts out. Behind Hero is an extremely live, aggressive player with a 6c showing and another player with a banana showing. Knowing it will eventually cost at least $20, should Hero call $5 here?

Let's say Hero calls $5. The live player with the 6c calls $5. The player showing the banana folds. The action bet makes it $20 (there is no option at this point). The bring-in calls $20. Now the aggressive player with the Ad makes it $40 (to say this was foreseeable is an understatement). The decent player with the 7d calls $40.

Hero can call $35 more (note that there could be further raising) or fold. What should Hero do and is it close?

My opinion is noted below.

Regards,

Rick