What hands do others put the button on? No raise PF, pedal to the metal after. I would think 76s , 55, 88 and he's passive, maybe 99 (but then no PF raise means he's unusually passive, given there were already 2 folds before he limped), 98s, ... what else could he have that would account for this betting pattern?

On his 76s hero splits, 55/88/99 he loses, 98s he wins (villain cannot have a flush). So my question: why bet the river? Is that really a "value bet"? Hero is obviously not knocking villain out with one bet.

Usual newbie warnings apply.

(Typo fixed.) ("He" => "Villain")