[Jim Brier]

Although this is a "river problem", I would be happy to address the turn play.

Preflop you limped in with your suited connector along with five other players. The big blind got a free play so he could have anything. Now the flop comes giving you top pair, mediocre kicker. You bet into five other players on the flop so your opponents are probably putting you on top pair. Now the deuce comes on the turn and the big blind, who could have anything preflop remember, bets out. I see no point in raising. You could easily be looking at a better hand. You have defined your hand whereas the big blind could have virtually anything. He could have anything for his preflop free play. His flop call could have been made on any piece of the board especially given the pot odds he was getting. The deuce probably helped him, which is why he is betting out. Your raise will not drive out any legitimate drawing hand and your hand may not be best.

Ask yourself this: Why would the big blind suddenly bet out now on the turn when a blank comes after showing no previous strength?

Knocking out the button only makes sense when you can be reasonably certain your hand is good. Otherwise, you are just helping the guy with the better hand at your expense.